Nuclear Engineering Student Learning Outcome Assessment Report 1. Program mission The Nuclear Engineering program has a primary mission to provide an outstanding and comprehensive undergraduate and graduate education to tomorrow s leaders in nuclear engineering. The program provides well-educated nuclear engineering professionals and leaders to Missouri and the nation in the commercial nuclear industry, national laboratories, hospitals, graduate schools, and the nation s defense and federal agencies. This mission statement is available in the undergraduate catalog, and the Program webpage http://nuclear.mst.edu/department/accreditation.html. Course descriptions are available at http://nuclear.mst.edu/undergraduateprograms/ugcourses.html. 2. Student learning outcomes a. Campus-Wide Student Learning Outcomes: Programs must demonstrate that their graduates have: 1. an ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. 2. an ability to think critically and analyze effectively. 3. an ability to apply disciplinary knowledge and skills in solving critical problems. 4. an ability to function in diverse learning and working environments. 5. an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility. 6. an awareness of national and global contemporary issues. 7. a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in, life-long learning. 1
The learning outcomes specific to BS program in Nuclear Engineering program are: (a) an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering (b) an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret simulation results and experimental data (c) an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability (d) an ability to function on multidisciplinary teams (e) an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems (f) an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility (g) an ability to communicate effectively (h) the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context (i) a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning (j) a knowledge of contemporary issues (k) an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice. Table 1 below shows a mapping of Nuclear Engineering Program and Campus Outcomes. 2
Table 1: Association of Nuclear Engineering Program and Campus Outcomes NE Outcomes a b c d e f g h i j k Campus Outcomes 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 3. Curriculum Mapping to NE Program Outcomes The required courses are related to the learning outcomes as shown in Table 2. 3
Table 2. Mapping of Nuclear Engineering Program Outcomes and Nuclear Engineering Courses 4
4. Methods/Instruments and administration Various methods were selected for gathering evidence to show whether students have achieved the expected learning outcomes. The relationships between methods and program learning outcomes are listed in Table 3. Measure Table 3: Association of Assessment Methods and Program Learning Outcomes Outcome a b c d e f g h i j k Course grades Cumulative GPA Project Reports Capstone Design Reports Lab reports Employer Survey 5 year Alumni Questionnaire 5
Measures and Performance Criteria: Outcome a: an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering o Criterion a.1: Solve engineering problems using techniques of calculus, differential and simultaneous equations. o Criterion a.2: Identify variables and interrelationships in nuclear power plant systems. To achieve Outcome a, students take NE 25, NE 105, NE 205, NE 221, NE 223, NE 307, NE 308, NE 319, NE 322, NE 323 and NE 341. In order to ensure that the program outcome a is achieved, at least 70% of the students in each class related to outcome a must obtain 70% or better on every homework, exam, project, or lab report specifically associated with the achievement of program outcome a. If an instructor finds that the performance on a homework/exam/report/presentation is below expectation the instructor ensures that the expectations are being met by additional means such as targeted lectures, homework or tutorials. (Measure A1) Five-Year Alumni Survey: How well did your B.S. degree prepare you to have an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering. Goal: The average response will be 3.5 on a scale of 1(not at all)-5(very well). (Measure A2) Outcome b: an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data. o Criterion b.1: Learn how a specific experimental procedure is used to properly measure reactivity, and neutron flux and identify radioactive isotopes. o Criterion b.2: Understand the statistical nature of the radiation measurement data and estimate error associated with each measurement. 6
To achieve Outcome b, students take NE 304, NE 308, NE 312. In order to ensure that the program outcome b is achieved, at least 70% of the students in each class related to outcome b must obtain 70% or better on every homework, exam, project, or lab report specifically associated with the achievement of program outcome b. If an instructor finds that the performance on a homework/exam/report/presentation is below expectation the instructor ensures that the expectations are being met by additional means such as targeted lectures, homework or tutorials. (Measure B1) Five-Year Alumni Survey: How well did your B.S. degree prepare you to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data. Goal: The average response will be 3.5 on a scale of 1(not at all)-5(very well). (Measure B2) Outcome c: an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs. o Criterion c.1: Perform simulation and use published data to design complete nuclear system or components thereof to perform a specific function in support of nuclear power production. o Criterion c.2: Write design reports, describing the design process including objectives, implementation issues, performance measures and cost feasibility. To achieve Outcome c, students take NE 303, NE 307, NE 319, NE 322, and NE 323. In order to ensure that the program outcome c is achieved, at least 70% of the students in each class related to outcome c must obtain 70% or better on every homework, exam, project, or lab report specifically associated with the achievement of program outcome c. If an instructor 7
finds that the performance on a homework/exam/report/presentation is below expectation the instructor ensures that the expectations are being met by additional means such as targeted lectures, homework or tutorials. (Measure C1, C2) Outcome d: an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams. o Criterion d.1: Demonstrate knowledge of team organization and member roles. o Criterion d.2: Practice project communication tasks, both oral and written, related to proposals, progress reports, and final documentation. To achieve Outcome d, students take NE 307, NE 308, NE 322, and NE 323. In order to ensure that the program outcome d is achieved, at least 70% of the students in NE 322 and NE 323 must obtain 70% or better on every homework, project report and final project presentation specifically associated with the achievement of program outcome d. If an instructor finds that the performance on a homework/report/presentation is below expectation the instructor ensures that the expectations are being met by additional means such as targeted lectures, homework or tutorials. (Measure D1, D2) Five-Year Alumni Survey: How well did your B.S. degree prepare you to have an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams. Goal: The average response will be 3.5 on a scale of 1(not at all)- 5(very well). (Measure D2) Outcome e: an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems o Criterion e.1: Demonstrate knowledge of core areas in nuclear engineering: reactor physics, thermal hydraulics, nuclear materials, radiation measurements, energy conversion system, radiation protection and health physics, 8
o Criterion e.2: Solve nuclear engineering problems involving basic reactor theory, thermal hydraulics and heat transfer, radiation effects on materials and radiation measurements. : To achieve Outcome e, students take NE 25, NE 105, NE 205, NE 303, NE 221, NE 223, NE 319, NE 341, NE 312. In order to ensure that the program outcome e is achieved, at least 70% of the students in each class related to outcome e must obtain 70% or better on every homework, exam, project, or lab report specifically associated with the achievement of program outcome e for each of these classes. If an instructor finds that the performance on a homework/exam/report/presentation is below expectation the instructor ensures that the expectations are being met by additional means such as targeted lectures, homework or tutorials. (Measure E1) Employer Survey: How well do our graduates have the background to: Identify, formulate, and solve engineering problem. Goal: The average response will be 3.5 on a scale of 1 (not at all) -5 (very well). (Measure E2) Outcome f: an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility. Criterion f.1: Recognize the characteristics of the nuclear engineering profession and the NSPE Code of Ethics. Criterion f.2: Apply the NSPE Code of Ethics to example case studies. Discussion of ethics scenarios in Senior Design I (NE 322). Goal: Every student must score 80% or better on a Code of Ethics examination prepared by NSPE. (Measure F1) 9
Five-Year Alumni Survey: How well did your B.S. degree curriculum prepare you to Understand professional and ethical responsibility? Goal: The average response will be 3.5 on a scale of 1(not at all)- 5(very well). (Measure F2) Employer Survey: How well do our graduates have the background for : Technical Communications and professional ethics. Goal: The average response will be 3.5 on a scale of 1 (not at all) -5 (very well). (Measure F2) Outcome g: an ability to communicate effectively. o Criterion g.1: Write short reports in NE 25, NE 105, NE 303 and NE 307. Write laboratory reports in nuclear reactor laboratory courses (NE 206, NE 304 and NE 308) and radiation measurements and spectroscopy (NE 312) courses. o Criterion g.2: Prepare individual and group written reports in Senior Design I and II (NE 322 and NE 323) and make oral presentation of these reports. In order to ensure that the program outcome g is achieved, at least 70% of the students in each class related to outcome g (NE 25, NE 105, NE 303 and NE 304, NE 307, NE 308, NE 312, NE 322 and NE 323) must obtain 70% or better on every homework, exam, project, or lab report specifically associated with the achievement of program outcome g for each of these classes. If an instructor finds that the performance on a homework/exam/report/presentation is below expectation the instructor ensures that the expectations are being met by additional means such as targeted lectures, homework or tutorials. (Measure G1) 10
Five-Year Alumni Survey: How well did your B.S. degree curriculum prepare you to; an ability to communicate effectively? Goal: The average response will be 3.5 on a scale of 1 (not at all) - 5 (very well). (Measure G2) Employer Survey: How well do our graduates have the background for : Technical Communications and professional ethics. Goal: The average response will be 3.5 on a scale of 1 (not at all) -5 (very well). (Measure G2) Outcome h: the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context. Criterion h.1: Recognize the importance of engineering to society. Criterion h.2: Understand the effect of engineering solutions in a global context. To achieve Outcome h, students take NE 25, NE 105, NE 205, NE 221, NE 223, NE 307, NE 308, NE 319, NE 322, and NE 323. In order to ensure that the program outcome h is achieved, at least 70% of the students in each class related to outcome h must obtain 70% or better on every homework, exam, project, or lab report specifically associated with the achievement of program outcome h. If an instructor finds that the performance on a homework/exam/report/presentation is below expectation the instructor ensures that the expectations are being met by additional means such as targeted lectures, homework or tutorials. (Measure H1, H2) 11
Five-Year Alumni Survey: How well did your B.S. degree prepare you to Understand the effect of engineering solutions in a global context. Goal: The average response will be 3.5 on a scale of 1(not at all)-5(very well). (Measure H2) Outcome i: A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning Criterion i.1: Recognize resources for life-long learning and assistance through professional societies. Criterion i.2: Explore information related to career management, especially to identify needed work skills, and to pursue advanced studies. To achieve Outcome i, students take NE 25, NE 105, NE 221, NE 223, NE 307, NE 308, NE 319, NE 322, NE 323 and NE 341. In order to ensure that the program outcome j is achieved, at least 70% of the students in each class related to outcome i must obtain 70% or better on every homework, exam, project, or lab report specifically associated with the achievement of program outcome i. If an instructor finds that the performance on a homework/exam/report/presentation is below expectation the instructor ensures that the expectations are being met by additional means such as targeted lectures, homework or tutorials. (Measure I1) Employer Survey: How well do our graduates have the background to engage in : the pursuit of life-long learning. Goal: The average response will be 3.5 on a scale of 1(not at all)-5(very well). (Measure I2) Five-Year Alumni Survey: How well did your B.S. degree prepare you to Recognize the need for and to engage in life-long learning. Goal: The average response will be 3.5 on a scale of 1(not at all)- 5(very well). (Measure I2) 12
Outcome j: A knowledge of contemporary issues. o Criterion j.1: Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary issues. o Criterion j.2: Understanding the impact of contemporary issues on the nuclear engineering profession. To achieve Outcome j, students take NE 25, NE 105, NE 205, NE 221, NE 223, NE 307, NE 308, NE 319, NE 322, NE 323 and NE 341. In order to ensure that the program outcome j is achieved, at least 70% of the students in each class related to outcome j must obtain 70% or better on every homework, exam, project, or lab report specifically associated with the achievement of program outcome j. If an instructor finds that the performance on a homework/exam/report/presentation is below expectation the instructor ensures that the expectations are being met by additional means such as targeted lectures, homework or tutorials. (Measure J1) Five-Year Alumni Survey: How well did your B.S. degree prepare you to Know contemporary issues. Goal: The average response will be 3.5 on a scale of 1(not at all)-5(very well). (Measure J2) Outcome k: an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice. o Criterion k.1: Demonstrate knowledge of the modeling techniques and computer codes used in nuclear engineering. o Criterion k.2: Demonstrate an ability to use the modeling techniques and computer codes to solve nuclear engineering problems. 13
To achieve Outcome k, students take NE 221, NE 223, NE 307, NE 308, NE 319, NE 322, NE 323 and NE 341. In order to ensure that the program outcome k is achieved, at least 70% of the students in each class related to outcome k must obtain 70% or better on every homework, exam, project, or lab report specifically associated with the achievement of program outcome k. If an instructor finds that the performance on a homework/exam/report/presentation is below expectation the instructor ensures that the expectations are being met by additional means such as targeted lectures, homework or tutorials. (Measure K1) Five-Year Alumni Survey: How well did your B.S. degree prepare you to: Use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice. Goal: The average response will be 3.5 on a scale of 1(not at all)-5(very well). (Measure K2) 14