I.
CONSULTANT RECOMMENDATION REPORT
Planning and Review Committee
Consultant Recommendation
Degree: B.S. Computer Engineering
Date of Review: 2012-2013
Program Director: Bob Nelson
PRC Consultant(s): Daisy Pignetti and Kathleen Cochran
Purpose of the Review: First review to check progress of degree program.
Committee Findings: The PRC recommends continuation of this program through the next scheduled review in 2019 and that the recommendations made by the committee be implemented.
Abstract: The B.S. in Computer Engineering is a new program at UW-Stout, which began in August 2008. As stated by the program director in the self-study: “Since that time, enrollment has grown from 0 to approximately 125 students; four tenure-track faculty have been hired; courses for the 131-credit curriculum have been developed and offered; two students have graduated; an active program advisory committee faculty has been developed; a thriving student branch of the professional organization has been developed; relationships that have been developed with regional and national industries that have led to a growing co-op/internship program; and the first site visit for professional accreditation with ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and
Technology) was completed November 13, 2012.” While the program director will receive the official report next summer, the preliminary findings were very positive.
II.
Process Followed for Current Review:
The PRC consultants met with the program director to review the procedures and offer assistance. Data regarding several aspects of the program were collected from juniors and seniors currently enrolled in the B.S. Computer Engineering program, advisory board
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members, and key faculty. The data were analyzed and returned to the program director and PRC members. The program director then completed the self-study report and presented the report to the PRC. The consultants then wrote the recommendation report.
This report was forwarded to the dean for his response. The PRC reviewed the dean’s response, approved the recommendation report and forwarded the report to the Faculty
Senate.
III.
Previous Review Year
First year the program has been reviewed.
IV.
Current Year Program Review: 2012-2013
Program Strengths-Indicate Source:
•
Healthy Enrollment since Fall 2009 [ABET Self-Study Report and Program
Facts]
•
Accessible advisors and instructors and small class sizes [Student Surveys]
•
“Strong working relationship with Computer Engineering and Computer Science faculty including research” [Key Faculty Survey]
•
Students graduating with this degree will automatically receive a minor in
Mathematics and Computer Science. If students choose to take an additional nine credits (three courses) the will also graduate with a minor in Biomedical
Instrumentation. [ABET Self-Study Report]
•
Mixture of theoretical and practical instruction emphasizing both design of hardware and software for engineering systems [ABET Self-Study Report and
Advisory Board Surveys]
•
Key faculty are well qualified and knowledgeable [ABET Self-Study Report and
Advisory Board Surveys]
Issues of Concern-Indicate Source (NOTE: All issues of concern need to have a recommendation related to it. However, there may be some recommendations that
don’t relate to a particular issue of concern):
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•
C and C++ programming earlier in program [Key Faculty Survey and Advisory
Board Surveys]
•
Limited co-op opportunities [ABET Self-Study Report, Student Surveys and
Advisory Board Surveys]. * Program director notes co-op requirement of all students is part of curriculum revision.
•
Labs were noted as outdated or not up to current technology [Student Surveys]
•
The increase to 12-credit load for faculty could be detrimental; contact hours in labs are greater than content hours in this discipline. [ABET Self-Study Report]
•
Library resources [Student Surveys]
•
Currently 131 credits, but there are plans for revision. [ABET Self-Study Report,
Key Faculty Survey]
Recommendations for the Program Director:
•
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.
•
Expand co-op sites to meet student demand as this becomes a requirement.
•
Work to decrease total credits for degree in line with university and ABET requirements.
•
Ensure library resources and remodeling of lab facilities meet the needs of the students and faculty.
•
Monitor demand for additional sections of core courses and respond to increased needs.
•
Be aware of need for additional faculty as program enrollment increases.
Recommendations for the Chair of Department of Computer Engineering:
•
Work with Program Director to assess the demand for co-op and field experiences.
•
Work with Program Director to decrease total credits for degree in line with university and ABET requirements.
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•
Work with Program Director to ensure library resources and remodeling of lab facilities meet the needs of the students.
•
Work with Program Director to monitor demand for additional sections of core courses and respond appropriately.
•
Work with Program Director to be aware of need for additional faculty as program enrollment increases.
Recommendations for the Dean of the STEM College:
•
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.
•
Support program revisions that address need for more hands on and experiential learning opportunities for students.
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