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. |