Queensborough Community College
ACADEMIC PROGRAM REVIEW
RESPONSE AND ACTION PLAN FOR DEGREE PROGRAMS
Program reviewed:
A.A.S., Telecommunications Technology
Date of site visit:
May 12, 2014
QCC Review Committee:
Dr. Belle Birchfield, Engin. Technology
Dr. Merlinda Drini, Engineering Technology
Prof. Danny Mangra, Engin. Technology
QCC Department Chair
Prof. Stuart Asser, Engineering Technology
Administrative Support:
Dr. Arthur Corradetti, Dean
Strategic Planning, Assessment, and
Institutional Effectiveness
Dr. Elisabeth Lackner, Director
Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment
External Reviewer:
Prof. John Browne
Electrical and Computer Engin. Technology
SUNY Farmingdale
Report to be presented to the Vice President for Academic Affairs
1. Corrections to reviewers’ report
None
2. Major conclusions of academic program review
Program Strengths
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Faculty have strong ties to industry, are effective in teaching, and have diverse backgrounds.
The program maintains state-of-the-art equipment with excellent physical resources.
Students retain most credits when transferring from QCC to other related technology
programs. Since the last review, a signed articulation agreement for complete course
transfer has been instituted with CUNY’s New York City College of Technology.
Students continue to have access to effective advisement and career counseling.
The department continues to be involved in innovative initiatives aimed at increasing
student learning and retention.
Because the program is closely related to more highly populated programs, the curriculum
requires little in the way of dedicated resources but still provides additional specialization
for students and is an attractive program for industry.
Program Weaknesses
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Enrollment in the program continues to be extremely low.
Many entering students are not prepared for the program. Better advisement and support
for students are required to help them to persist in the program.
There is a lack of alignment of course prerequisites for ET560 and ET320.
The program lacks a recruitment plan.
Recommendations
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Institute a high school recruitment plan; this process has begun with the identification of all
borough high schools.
Review and modify the curriculum to eliminate courses without the recommended
prerequisite courses or to incorporate those courses in the curriculum.
Continue innovative initiatives and partnerships such as the math immersion program.
Major conclusions of external reviewer
Major program strengths
The program is strong and effective and grows out of a solid foundation of courses offered by
the Engineering Technology department. The faculty brings a rich background of industrial and
teaching experience to the program. The equipment used in the laboratory appears up to date,
incorporating surface mount rework facilities for experiments and “Capstone” projects.
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Major program weaknesses
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In the second Telecommunications course (ET-231), there is a need to devote additional
time to some of the more complex forms of modulation and such issues as passive
intermodulation distortion and multipath effects. It might be possible to provide an
introduction to some of these topics in ET-230, based on its strong foundation.
There is a lack of an emerging topics course—for example, Multiple Input Multiple Output
(MIMO) systems. As telecommunications is a very fast changing discipline, a course on
emerging topics will help to keep the program current.
Another area of concern is the degree to which such basic topics as biasing of transistor
circuits should be covered in light of modern operational amplifiers. The biasing techniques
of the differential pair, along with the basic voltage divider biasing system presented in ET210, should be retained as this impacts the use of the operational amplifier.
The program has separate D-C and A-C circuits courses (ET-110/140), strong fundamental
courses that serve the program well. Combining these courses, however, would provide
additional space in the program, requiring a careful examination of the impact on the
laboratory experiment sequence but providing space for an elective course.
Suggestions/Recommendations
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Develop a course on emerging topics like multiple input multiple output (MIMO) systems
Consider adding an introduction to more complex forms of modulation and other issues
such as passive intermodulation distortion and multipath effects in ET-230
Consider introducing some material on power inverters in ET-230 to account for the rapid
growth in alternative energy systems.
Consider combining ET-110 and ET-140 to allow for more elective space in the program.
4. Proposed action plan and timetable (next five years)
A. Recruitment efforts and curricular changes
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Expand recruitment efforts using the high school database developed (efforts have already
begun).
Review and modify the A.A.S. curriculum (review is being discussed).
Continue innovative initiatives and partnerships, including block scheduling and/or learning
communities and leveraging use of STEM waivers.
Consider combining ET-110 and ET-140 (being discussed).
Develop a new course in wireless and mobile communications (already developed and ready
to be submitted to the curriculum committee).
B. Assessment
Program will continue to follow the assessment of program outcomes consistent with the ABET
model, particularly considering that the pursuit of ABET accreditation is under discussion.
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