DEAN’S RESPONSE
Planning and Review Committee
Program: Computer Engineering
College: College of STEM
Year: 2012
Recommendations for the Program Director:
Issue/Concern:
1. C programming issue has been responded to in ABET Self-Study Report, noted as a
curriculum change effective 2012-2013 academic year, but we recommend monitoring this
to ensure this earlier introduction of C language programming is meeting student needs.
Response from Program Director: The issue related to C programming was first discussed during
the November 2011 Computer Engineering Advisory Board meeting. Extensive discussion about
computer science course content ensued involving members of the advisory board and Computer
Science (CS) faculty members. Advisory board members strongly recommended that students be
exposed to C programming earlier in the course sequence. The Computer Science faculty
members took careful note of this and within a year proposed a revised curriculum for many of
the CS courses which modified when C programming is introduced. The proposed changes to the
CS courses were recently approved and will be put into place Fall 2013. The Computer
Engineering faculty and Advisory Board are very supportive of the proposed changes, and will
monitor the progress of this transition, along with student response to the changes.
2. Expand co-op sites to meet student demand as this becomes a requirement.
Response from Program Director: At the April 2012 Computer Engineering Advisory board
meeting, board members strongly and unanimously recommended that computer engineering
students be required to participate in a cooperative education experience. They felt that students
are at a great disadvantage in securing employment if they do not have this experience. A revised
Computer Engineering curriculum is being proposed Spring 2013. One aspect of this revision
includes this new requirement. To ensure that students have a successful cooperative education
experience additional co-op sites will be needed. Although funding for site visits is available
through the Career Services office, it is anticipated that additional funds will be required for
adequate site development. It is also anticipated that release time or summer salary will be
needed to provide the program director adequate opportunity for such visits. The program
director will work with the Chair of the Engineering and Technology Department, and with the
office of the Dean of the STEM college to facilitate such development.
3. Work to decrease total credits for degree in line with university and ABET requirements.
Response from Program Director: A revised Computer Engineering curriculum is being proposed
Spring 2013. The purpose of the revision is to (1) maintain (or improve) program quality, (2)
enhance the transfer process and (3) maintain or improve the standing Computer Engineering
program has with ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology), while also (4)
reducing total program credits. Computer Engineering faculty feel that the revised curriculum
achieves the first three objectives – all of which directly relate to program quality – while also
reducing total program credits from 131 to 128.
4. Ensure library resources and remodeling of lab facilities meet the needs of the students and
faculty.
Response from Program Director: Several remodeling projects have been undertaken since the
Computer Engineering program was established in 2008. Plans are in place to further improve
facilities by remodeling Fryklund 214 to provide a dedicated space for students working on
capstone projects, as well as other special projects. Computer Engineering faculty feel this
remodeling will greatly enhance the learning experience for students by providing more access to
needed equipment while also increasing flexibility in the use of our facilities. Computer
Engineering faculty will monitor program quality and student response to the remodeling, and
will also monitor library resources to make sure adequate resources are available.
5. Monitor demand for additional sections of core courses and respond to increased needs.
Response from Program Director: As the Computer Engineering program grows, the program
director will work with the Chair of Engineering and Technology as well as the Associate Dean
of the STEM College to monitor the need for additional course sections and respond accordingly
to ensure program quality is maintained.
6. Be aware of need for additional faculty as program enrollment increases.
Response from Program Director: As the Computer Engineering program grows and/or changes
are made to program faculty, the program director will work with the Chair of Engineering and
Technology as well as the Associate Dean of the STEM College to monitor the need for
additional faculty resources and respond accordingly to ensure program quality is maintained.
Recommendations for the Department Chair:
Issue/Concern:
1. Work with Program Director to assess the demand for co-op and field experiences.
Response from Department Chair: The chair and program director will work with the Dean of the
College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics to provide summer stipend and
travel allotment to allow for additional site visits during those months in order to assess the
demand for co-op and field experiences.
2. Work with Program Director to decrease total credits for degree in line with university and
ABET requirements.
Response from Department Chair: The program revisions are currently in process and will
proceed through the university approval processes. The curriculum proposed maintains the
program quality, enhances the transfer process, and improves the standing of the program with
the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. The number of credits to graduate the
program will be reduced to 128 from 131.
3. Work with Program Director to ensure library resources and remodeling of lab facilities
meet the needs of the students.
Response from Department Chair: The department will secure those library resources that cannot
be secured by the Instructional Resource Services and the University Library.
The department will secure funds needed to make appropriate remodeling and updates of
laboratory facilities.
4. Work with Program Director to monitor demand for additional sections of core courses and
respond appropriately.
Response from Department Chair: The chair will work with the program director to monitor
demand for, and ensure that adequate sections of core courses are offered on a regular basis.
5. Work with Program Director to be aware of need for additional faculty as program
enrollment increases.
Response from Department Chair: The chair and program director will monitor enrollment data
to predict when additional resources are required to offer the courses for the program. The Dean
of the College will be informed when additional resources are required.
Recommendations for the Dean:
Issue/Concern:
1. Work with Program Director and Department Chair to ensure balanced workload
assignments for faculty, taking into consideration the number of contact hours in class,
research & service responsibilities, and the expectations of accrediting bodies.
Response from Dean: The Dean will work with the Program Director and Chair to ensure a
balanced workload for all faculty using University and accrediting bodies guidelines. The Dean’s
Office reviews workload assignments of every department each semester.
2. Support program revisions that address need for more hands on and experiential learning
opportunities for students.
Response from Dean: It is one of the guiding principles of the College of STEM to encourage
teaching methods that combines theory, practice and experimentation. Program revisions that
include more hands on experiential learning while maintaining a strong theoretical foundation
would certainly be welcomed.