SELF-STUDY QUESTIONNAIRE FOR REVIEW of the COMPUTER SCIENCE PROGRAM

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1 Disclaimer: This Self Study was developed to meet the goals of the CAC Session at the 2006 Summit. It should not be considered as a model or a template. ABET Computing Accreditation Commission SELF-STUDY QUESTIONNAIRE FOR REVIEW of the COMPUTER SCIENCE PROGRAM submitted by West Coast University Institution June 25, 2006 Date to the Computing Accreditation Commission Primary contact: Dr. Mae Cando Telephone number: FAX Number: Electronic mail: maec@wcu.edu ABET Computing Accreditation Commission 111 Market Place, Suite 1050 Baltimore, Maryland Phone: Fax: cac@abet.org

2 Background Information West Coast University is a large, tier I research university located on Ocean View, CA. It offers degrees at all three levels, B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. The Computer Science program resides in the Computing Department in the College of Science and Engineering and is under review for possible accreditation by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, Inc. I. Objectives and Assessment Intent: The program has documented, measurable objectives, including expected outcomes for graduates. The program regularly assesses its progress against its objectives and uses the results of the assessments to identify program improvements and to modify the program s objectives. 1. The program has documented, measurable objectives. The following is taken from the Computing Department s web site, the department primarily responsible for offering the B. S. in Computer Science. Mission: The mission of the Computing Department is to provide a strong, dynamic, nationally recognized educational computer science program that develops students with the computing knowledge and skills essential to be competitive in the graduate school arena or for employment in the 21st century. Student Objectives: A few years after graduation, graduates of the computer science programs will demonstrate: 1. The ability to assume leadership roles in commercial computing careers; 2. The ability to enter research careers to extend the body of knowledge; 3. Evidence of a pursuit of life-long learning. Faculty Objectives: Attract and retain a diverse and qualified faculty who: 1. Provide an up-to-date curriculum; 2. Contribute to the discipline through peer-reviewed publication; 3. Attract external funding and mentor graduate students. Laboratory Objectives: Only by successfully using the latest equipment will students be prepared to compete in the work force. 1. Technologically up-to-date classrooms and labs, including hardware and software; 2. Sufficient systems support personnel to ensure laboratories are operational and running the correct software. 2

3 2. The objectives include expected outcomes for graduates Program Outcomes: Each of the following program outcomes is tied to a Student Objective as indicated in parentheses following each outcome. Graduates of both the Computer Science program will be able to: A. Discuss the theoretical and mathematical foundations of computer science. (Student Objectives 1 and 2) B. Solve problems using the procedural, functional, and object-oriented programming paradigms. (Student Objectives 1 and 2) C. Differentiate amongst the classic algorithms and data structures. (Student Objectives 1 and 2) D. Describe the fundamentals of computer networks, architecture, and operating systems. (Student Objectives 1 and 2) E. Analyze, design and implement a computerized solution to a real life problem. (Student Objectives 1 and 2) F. Demonstrate independent, critical thinking and problem solving skills. (Student Educational Objectives 1 and 2) G. Communicate effectively orally, in writing, and via multimedia in both a technical and non-technical manner. (Student Objective 1) H. Pursue, successfully, graduate study. (Student Objective 2) I. Apply the knowledge and skills to remain current in the field and engage in life-long learning. (Student Objective 3) 3. The program regularly assesses its progress against its objectives (and program outcomes). Student Educational Objectives We frequently have informal contacts with former students who inform us that their careers are doing very well. Hence, we feel we are meeting our objectives. We have a very strong Industrial Advisory Board and some of the companies involved have hired our graduates. Since these are companies at the forefront of the computing field, just the fact that they are hiring our graduates indicates that we are meeting our objectives. Many of our graduates immediately enter graduate school. Since they are accepted into graduate school, we are meeting our objectives. The Department uses three methods to determine the extent to which the program outcomes are being met. These include: Assessment of student performance in individual courses; Student scores on the ; Acceptance rate into graduate programs. 3

4 Assessment of student performance in individual courses: The following chart indicates how each program outcome is measured. Outcome Mechanism Measured Responsible When A MA262 Discrete Math Final Each spring B CS472 Theory of Computing CS221 Data Structures Final & Final Project grade Each fall C CS333 Functional Programming and Algorithms CS204 CS1 Final Project grade & questions Each fall D CS221 Data Structures CS232 Computer Architecture CS411 Operating Systems questions & questions & questions Each spring Each fall E F G H CS454 Networks CS450 capstone course CS450 capstone course CIS 330 Ethics course CS450 capstone course CS430 Algorithms & CS472 Theory of Computing courses Each fall Final project grade Each spring Final project grade Each spring Oral presentations & papers Final exam grade CS450 & IS450 capstone courses I Diploma Successful completion of curriculum Instructor Instructor Faculty Appendix A contains all the exams questions that were used to measure the various outcomes. 4

5 Student Scores on the Over 78% of our seniors scored above the national average on the. This has been consistent for the past two years. The following chart indicates how they scored in the three areas of programming fundamentals, organization/architecture/operating systems and algorithms/theory/computer math. Although the scores for 2005 were slightly lower in two areas, we determined it was not significant enough to make any changes. Assessment Indicators: National Mean AI-1: Prog Fund AI-2: Org/Arch/OS AI-3: Alg/Theory/Comp Math Acceptance Rate into Graduate Programs 61% of our graduates are accepted directly into graduate programs. This rate has been slightly increasing since the decline in technology stocks and the increase in off shore employment. Faculty Objectives Publication record Each spring our faculty submit a list of their grants, their publications and conferences they have attended. Sabbatical trends Each year the Chair of the Department tracks the number of faculty who qualified and were funded for a sabbatical. Laboratory Objectives Success of maintaining a three-year life cycle management plan. Each year the Systems Committee produces a report (see Appendix B) indicating what equipment needs to be ordered during the next fiscal year to ensure the laboratories remain on a three-year life cycle. In addition, faculty are encouraged to include additional equipment in all new grant proposals. 5

6 4. The program uses the results of the assessments to identify program improvements. The Director of Undergraduate Curriculum reviews the student evaluations each semester and informs the Chair of the results. The Chair analyzes these results and determines whether any program improvements need to be made. To date, no improvements have been identified. 5. The program modifies the program s objectives, as needed. To date, an analysis of our data has not indicated that we need to modify any of the student objectives or program outcomes. 6