Outcome Assessment Report
Student Outcome 1
2008-2009 Academic Year
1. Introduction
According to student outcome 1, our graduates must demonstrate:
an ability to apply knowledge of computing, mathematics, science, and engineering.
The following courses that address outcome 1 have been taught in the 2008-2009 academic year:
-
CPE 201 - Introduction to Computer Engineering
CPE 400 - Data Communications & Computer Networks
CPE 401 - Computer Network Systems
CPE 411 - Digital Computer Architecture & Design
CPE 481 - Embedded Games Development
CS 202 - Computer Science II
CS 281 - Introduction to Computer Game Development
CS 302 - Data Structures
CS 326 - Programming Languages, Concepts and Implementation
CS 446 - Principles of Operating Systems
CS 456 - Automata and Formal Languages
CS 460 - Compiler Construction
CS 474 - Image Processing and Interpretation
CS 477 - Analysis of Algorithms
CS 480 - Computer Graphics
CS 482 - Artificial Intelligence
CS 483 - Artificial Intelligence Programming
CS 485 - Computer Vision
2. Direct Assessment
In all courses indicated above, the achievement of student outcomes has been directly assessed using
specific problems in midterm and final exams, homework assignments, labs, projects or presentations.
The course assessment reports indicate how the process has been specifically implemented for each
course. The following tables and graphs have been obtained using data from the course assessment
reports.
Course-Specific Distribution of Scoring
Course
Direct
Assessment
Student
Self
Assessment
Nr. of
Students
CPE 201
CPE 400
CPE 401
CPE 411
CPE 481
CS 202
CS 281
CS 302
CS 326
CS 446
CS 456
CS 460
CS 474
CS 477
CS 480
CS 482
CS 483
CS 485
Poor
[1.0-1.5)
1
0
1
0
0
1
2
0
8
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Fair
[1.5-2.5)
0
0
0
1
0
2
1
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
Good
[2.5-3.5)
3
0
0
7
0
11
2
0
2
0
1
2
2
0
0
1
0
0
Very good
[3.5-4.5)
3
1
0
4
0
12
1
22
6
3
7
4
6
2
1
5
2
2
Excellent
[4.5-5.0]
9
12
14
5
2
10
6
7
12
16
14
2
0
16
5
2
2
0
4.1
4.8
4.7
3.5
5.0
3.7
3.6
3.9
3.4
4.8
4.5
3.5
3.6
4.9
4.2
3.5
4.1
3.7
4.3
4.2
3.7
4.7
4.2
4.2
3.8
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.7
5.0
4.7
4.4
4.8
4.6
5.0
4.5
16
13
15
17
2
36
12
29
29
19
22
9
8
18
7
8
4
3
Overall
13
8
31
81
134
4.0
4.3
267
Percent of Students
Course
Good, Very good, Excellent
Very good, Excellent
CPE 201
CPE 400
CPE 401
CPE 411
CPE 481
CS 202
CS 281
CS 302
CS 326
CS 446
CS 456
CS 460
CS 474
CS 477
CS 480
CS 482
CS 483
CS 485
[2.5-5.0]
94
100
93
94
100
92
75
100
69
100
100
89
100
100
86
100
100
67
[3.5-5.0]
75
100
93
53
100
61
58
100
62
100
95
67
75
100
86
88
100
67
Overall
92
81
3. Comments
-
An outcome has been achieved if:
a) 80% of students fall in the Good, Very Good or Excellent categories
AND
b) 60% of students fall in the Very Good or Excellent categories
According to the definition above, student outcome 1 has been achieved. The percents
obtained are 92% for a) and 81% for b).
-
Data from a total number of 267 students has been used for this report. Through direct
assessment on a 1-5 scale, the overall average performance was 4.0 (Very Good).
-
One course (CS 281) does not satisfy any of the two criteria a) and b) above. Three courses
(CPE 411, CS 326, CS 485) satisfy only one criterion. For these courses it is suggested that
their contents are revised in order to improve student performance with respect to student
outcome 1.
-
For a few courses, there is a large disparity between the directly assessed score and the score
from student self-evaluations. Beside a more careful choice of assessment metrics, it is
suggested that the instructors explicitly address the student responses in part II of the student
course evaluations, including the corrections to be made, so that students better understand how
the course improves their abilities relevant to computing, mathematics, science, and
engineering.
-
A significant benefit of the direct assessment of outcomes is the potential to provide a useful
and timely feedback mechanism. However, some courses use problems from the final exam as
the only instrument for assessing the outcome. It is suggested to incorporate additional
problems from the midterm exam or homework assignments, so that the course can be adapted
accordingly during the semester.