Graduate Program Assessment

Full Details of the learning objectives, assessment plan, student outcomes, and evidence of continuous improvement for the Mechanical Engineering - MS program of study can be found here


Full Details of the learning objectives, assessment plan, student outcomes, and evidence of continuous improvement for the Mechanical Engineering - PhD program of study can be found here

1st Learning Objective/Intended Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, graduates can function effectively in their area of expertise.

Assessment Plan Implementation Assessment Criteria Outcomes Data Decisions
Student demonstrates knowledge of key principles, methodologies, and subject areas within discipline. All graduate coursework is graded. > 3.0 cumulative GPA on 4.0 scale. 100% of graduates met assessment criteria. No Changes Necessary.
Student persuasively demonstrates significance, originality, and plausibility of the research/dissertation project. Oral and written (PhD) or written only (MS) prospectus presentation presenting research topic. Advisor is surveyed after thesis/dissertation prospectus defense. Committee approves/disapproves prospectus. All students successfully completed their prospectus defense (written and/or oral). No Changes Necessary.
Student writes a solid thesis/dissertation that confirms mastery of the field. Thesis demonstrates the identification of and solution to research problems. Students provide written and oral presentations of their research findings during defense. Advisor is surveyed after thesis/dissertation final defense. Committee approves/disapproves defense. All students successfully completed their thesis/dissertation defense (written and oral). No Changes Necessary.
Students required to author/coauthor articles for conference or in refereed and/or well respected journals. PhD students required to produce and submit one paper at time of degree completion. MS students are encouraged to give a professional presentation with an abstract. At least one first authored peer-reviewed publication submitted for a PhD student and at least one conference abstract for an MS student. 100% met criteria for PhD students. MS data not collected. Question added to thesis/dissertation evaluation form.

2nd Learning Objective/Intended Outcomes

Graduates will be successful in obtaining work or progressing in their field.

Assessment Plan Implementation Assessment Criteria Outcomes Data Decisions
Successful post-graduate employment in a relevant engineering environment. Students are surveyed after graduation. >95% employment after graduation in a relevant engineering position. 100% of students met assessment criteria. All MS employed in relevant field and PhD doing a Post-Doc. No Changes Necessary.
Our graduates are able to find employment in their desired sector whether it be industry, academia, or research labs. Students are surveyed after graduation. Significant number of students placed in each sector. Almost equal distribution across sectors. No Changes Necessary.

3rd Learning Objective/ Intended Outcome

Students will have excellent oral and written communication skills.

Assessment Plan Implementation Assessment Criteria Outcomes Data Decisions
Student persuasively demonstrates significance, originality, and plausibility of the research/dissertation project. Oral and written (PhD) or written only (MS) prospectus presentation presenting research topic. Advisor is surveyed after thesis/dissertation prospectus defense. Committee approves/disapproves prospectus. All students successfully completed their prospectus defense (written and/or oral). No Changes Necessary.
Student writes a solid thesis/dissertation that confirms mastery of the field. Thesis demonstrates the identification of and solution to research problems. Students provide written and oral presentations of their research findings during defense. Advisor is surveyed after thesis/dissertation final defense. Committee approves/disapproves defense. All students successfully completed their thesis/dissertation defense (written and oral). No Changes Necessary.
Students required to author/coauthor articles for conference or in refereed and/or well respected journals. PhD students required to produce and submit one paper at time of degree completion. MS students are encouraged to give a professional presentation with an abstract. At least one first authored peer-reviewed publication submitted for a PhD student and at least one conference abstract for an MS student. 100% met criteria for PhD students. Did not collect this information for MS students. Will add this question to thesis/dissertation evaluation form.

4th Learning Objective/ Intended Outcome

Students will be capable of analyzing a problem, identifying the critical aspects, and devise appropriate methods to resolve the questions that arise.

Assessment Plan Implementation Assessment Criteria Outcomes Data Decisions
Student demonstrates knowledge of key principles, methodologies, and subject areas within discipline. All graduate coursework is graded. > 3.0 cumulative GPA on 4.0 scale. 100% of graduates met assessment criteria. No Changes Necessary.
Student persuasively demonstrates significance, originality, and plausibility of the research/dissertation project. Oral and written (PhD) or written only (MS) prospectus presentation presenting research topic. Advisor is surveyed after thesis/dissertation prospectus defense. Committee approves/disapproves prospectus. All students successfully completed their prospectus defense (written and/or oral). No Changes Necessary.
Student writes a solid thesis/dissertation that confirms mastery of the field. Thesis demonstrates the identification of and solution to research problems. Students provide written and oral presentations of their research findings during defense. Advisor is surveyed after thesis/dissertation final defense. Committee approves/disapproves defense. All students successfully completed their thesis/dissertation defense (written and oral). No Changes Necessary.
Students required to author/coauthor articles for conference or in refereed and/or well respected journals. PhD students required to produce and submit one paper at time of degree completion. MS students are encouraged to give a professional presentation with an abstract. At least one first authored peer-reviewed publication submitted for a PhD student and at least one conference abstract for an MS student. 100% met criteria for PhD students. Did not collect this information for MS students. Will add this question to thesis/dissertation evaluation form.