CONSULTANT RECOMMENDATION REPORT
Planning and Review Committee
Consultant Recommendation
I.
Degree: B.S. in Manufacturing Engineering
Date of Review: 2012-2013
Program Director: Linards Stradins
PRC Consultant(s): Kathy Kujawa and Kimberly Zagorski
Purpose of the Review: This review was conducted to assess the quality of this program
through the next scheduled review in 2019 and that the recommendations made by the
committee be implemented.
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 Manufacturing Engineering program, established in 1994, prepares students
for careers as pragmatic manufacturing engineers with small- and medium-sized
manufacturers. In alignment with UW-Stout’s mission, the B.S. in Manufacturing
Engineering program emphasizes a hands-on approach, effectively combining a strong
background in engineering theory with considerable applied laboratory experience. The
degree consists of 132 credits of general education and professional courses, with a
curriculum that draws upon six distinct categories for its professional core, in alignment
with national accrediting categories. The program benefits from the diverse and extensive
industry experience of UW-Stout faculty. As part of the program’s commitment to
continuous improvement, the B.S. in Manufacturing Engineering program has undergone
two extensive program revisions since the last review, during 2004 and 2006 (ongoing).
This program has been accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and
Technology (ABET) since 1998.
II.
Process Followed for Current Review:
Data regarding several aspects of the program were collected from juniors and seniors
currently enrolled in the BS-Applied Science program, key faculty and alumni. The data
were analyzed and returned to the program director and PRC members. The PRC
consultants met with the program director to review the procedures and offer assistance.
The program director then completed the self-study report. The consultants then wrote
the recommendation report. At the November 30 meeting, the committee did not accept
the original Program Director’s self-study. Upon request of the STEM Dean, the PRC
allowed the program to resubmit a revised copy of the Program Director’s self-study.
This second study was submitted on January 15, 2013 and the Program Director
presented to the committee at the February 1, 2013 meeting. This report was forwarded
1
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: 2005-2006
Previous Recommendations for Program Director:
1. Work with department chairs to improve flexibility of course scheduling.
2. Maintain commitment to recruiting quality students.
3. Communicate effectively with students regarding scheduling conflicts, general
education requirements, and the rigor of the program.
4. Support departmental chairs in their commitment to hiring qualified faculty and staff.
5. Communicate with dean regarding budgetary concerns, especially equipment and
computer software requirements.
6. Promote student internships as alternatives to co-ops.
7. Continue to maintain strong industry relationships and support.
8. Continue to maintain ABET accreditation.
Response from Program Director:
1. The recent program revision (2004) did much to improve course scheduling
flexibility while maintaining program integrity. Courses were changed and many
prerequisites were modified to lessen some of the scheduling constrictions in the old
program. Some courses particularly in the Physics and Chemistry departments
continue to present scheduling problems but it is hoped that in future semesters this
will be eliminated as other new programs in the science area which use the same
courses, continue to grow.
2. UW-Stout’s Admissions Office and program faculty are very committed to recruiting
high quality engineering students. We have many focused recruiting events each year
where prospective students are given a preview of the program and enticed to
consider engineering as a major. Some of these focused events are: Science,
Technology, Engineering Preview at Stout (STEPS) for girls going into seventh
grade; First Lego League (FLL) a team engineering competition for kids ages 9-14;
Advanced STEPS for girls going into their junior year of high school; and our
Engineering and Technology Career Day activities each semester for high school
students. These activities are in addition to the normal campus recruiting events and
individual recruiting presentation at various high schools across the region.
2
3. Each student entering the program is provided a course flowchart which outlines the
program and shows the prerequisites for each class. All prospective students are
made aware of the higher entrance requirements that Manufacturing Engineering has
over other Stout programs and the need for and advantage of the higher requirements.
Every semester the program director holds a required advisement day meeting for all
students in the major. In addition, each student is assigned a faculty advisor for
individual advisement meetings. Email is used often to communicate with students
about advisement issues, opportunities pertaining to co-op/internships,speakers on
campus, and campus professional organization news.
4. Program faculty serve on search and screen committees for Engineering and other
department hiring committees as requested.
5. The program director has bi-weekly scheduled meetings with the dean and associate
deans which can be used to discuss budgetary concerns. The use of laboratory
modification funds and the use of DIN money to purchase needed equipment is often
discussed.
6. The program faculty are very much committed to encouraging students to take
advantage of co-ops. For those students who are not willing or cannot do a traditional
co-op, internships are presented as a very strong option to get some of the same
experience. The program director and the Career Services Office have been
encouraging employers to consider offering more summer internships and we have
seen an increase in the number of advertised summer internships for our students.
7. The program director and program faculty continue to maintain strong industry
relationships through our industrial advisory board, our capstone projects with
cooperating companies, development of co-ops and internships, and through strong
associations with regional professional societies. Additionally, the program also
continues to receive many equipment donations from regional companies.
8. The program faculty are very committed to maintain our ABET accreditation with
support of UW-Stout administration and key faculty members across campus.
Previous Recommendations for the Chair of the Department of Engineering and
Technology:
1. Work with the program director to schedule courses sufficient to program needs.
2. Continue to hire committed and qualified faculty and staff.
3. Communicate effectively with program director and dean regarding equipment and
laboratory needs, especially computer software requirements.
4. Solicit faculty input regarding required lab materials, software and equipment, and
work with IT to secure faculty input regarding software needs.
3
Response from the Chair of the Department of Engineering and Technology:
1. The recent program revision (2004) did much to improve course scheduling
flexibility while maintaining program integrity. Efforts will be made in conjunction
with the Physics and Chemistry departments to relieve course scheduling problems.
2. The Engineering & Technology Department is developing a department faculty
profile to show where we need additional staff or to demonstrate where present
faculty need additional training. The department is very committed to hire high
quality faculty and staff who have outstanding industrial experience and professional
credentials.
3. The department chair has weekly scheduled meetings with the dean and associate
deans which can be used to discuss budgetary concerns. Since the department is very
dependent upon high quality laboratories for experimentation and industrial practice,
the discussion of laboratory modification and the use of DIN money to purchase
needed equipment and updating of software is often a topic of concern.
4. Yearly equipment/software requests are submitted from all faculty to the department
chair. A department committee comprised of program directors and key faculty from
discipline areas rank the requested items using a formula approved by the department
members. The department currently has an excellent working relationship with the IT
Department on campus.
Previous Recommendations for Dean of the College of Technology, Engineering and
Management:
1. Support department chairs in hiring qualified faculty and staff.
2. Solicit faculty input regarding budgetary requirements, particularly computer
software selections and laboratory needs.
3. Provide sufficient resources for students to gain timely access to required science
courses.
4. Work with department chairs of physics and chemistry to ensure consistent and
timely scheduling of required courses.
Response from Dean of the College of Technology, Engineering and Management:
1. The Engineering & Technology Department is in the process of developing a faculty
profile. This will help the department and the colleges identify the gaps and
determine the needs in terms of faculty and staff. Hiring the appropriately
credentialed and experienced faculty is a significant challenge for this department.
The university has put an increased emphasis on all new hires possessing terminal
degrees. ABET, the accrediting agency for the Manufacturing Engineering program,
puts a priority on these credentials as well. In addition to the doctorate, it’s
4
imperative that our faculty have significant industrial experience. The pool for this
type of candidate is small and competitive. The college will continue to work with
and support the department in the hiring of qualified faculty and staff.
2. CTEM department chairs meet with the dean and associate deans every week.
Agendas often include issues around laboratory, classroom and instructional needs.
The college utilizes funding made available through the university classroom and lab
mod proposals, Access to Learning, and special projects. In addition, college and
program leadership secured a DIN that specifically serves the manufacturing
engineering program. DIN monies are used for a variety of program needs, including
lab and equipment maintenances, upgrades and purchases, and faculty professional
development.
3. The CTEM Dean will meet with the CAS Dean as needed to secure appropriate
sections of required science courses to serve manufacturing engineering students.
This has been done in the past; the manufacturing engineering program director and
the dean have met with the CAS Dean and council to request the delivery of a variety
of courses housed in that college.
4. In addition to requesting appropriate science courses from CAS, the CTEM Dean will
also request adequate, consistent and timely scheduling of required physics and
chemistry courses.
IV.
Current Year Program Review:
Program Strengths-Indicate Source:
1. Labs and “hands-on” curriculum provide students with real-world experience prior to
graduation. (Program Director, Student Surveys, Key Faculty, and Program Advisory
Board.)
2. High placement rate of program graduates. (Program Director, Key Faculty and
Program Advisory Board.)
3. ABET Accreditation. (Program Director, Key Faculty and Program Advisory Board.)
4. Committed Faculty and program director. (Program Director, Student Surveys, Key
Faculty, and Program Advisory Board.)
Issues of Concern-Indicate Source:
1. Organization of course scheduling and limited access to advisors makes it difficult for
students to plan their course of study. (Student Surveys.)
2. The need of a required co-op. (Program Director, Program Advisory Board)
5
3. Faculty turnover has created situation where many core courses – including those at
the upper level - are being taught by adjuncts. (Program Director, Student Surveys,
Key Faculty, and Program Advisory Board.)
4. Lab modifications are needed, so the program can continue to expose students to
current manufacturing processes. (Program Director, Key Faculty and Program
Advisory Board.)
Recommendations for the Program Director:
1. Meet with department chair to overcome problems in course planning and advising –
esp. Green Bay cohort.
2. Work with Department Chair, relevant Faculty and Program Advisory Board to
establish additional co-op opportunities for students.
3. Discuss with Department Chair to identify program courses that require permanent,
tenure-track faculty.
4. Work with Department Chair to identify laboratories in need of lab modification and
explore different avenues of funding, including industry, members of Advisory board
in Industry, lab modification grants.
Recommendations for the Chair of the Engineering and Technology Department:
1. Meet with department chair to overcome problems in course planning and advising –
esp. Green Bay cohort.
2. Work with Program Director, relevant Faculty and Program Advisory Board to
establish additional co-op opportunities for students.
3. Discuss with Program Director to identify program courses that require permanent,
tenure-track faculty.
4. Work with Program Director to identify laboratories in need of lab modification and
explore different avenues of funding, including industry, members of Advisory board
in Industry, lab modification grants.
Recommendations for the Dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering,
and Mathematics:
1. Discuss with the chair the possibility of additional hiring to help alleviate problems of
faculty-turnover and core courses being taught by adjuncts.
6
2. Work with Program Director and Department Chair to identify laboratories in need of
lab modification and explore different avenues of funding, including industry,
members of Advisory board in Industry, lab modification grants.
7