Manufacturing/Mechanical Engineering Technology
Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET)
Results of Assessment
2002-2003 (submitted 10/03/03)
Outcomes Assessed
- All ABET
outcomes (a. through k.) are addressed on an on-going basis via program
level and course level loop actions. All MET courses have experienced at
least a one-year loop action cycle, which means that course-level
improvements have been implemented in all MET courses. The program level
loop has gone through two cycles. The program level and course-level loop
action instruments are maintained by the program coordinator.
- In the spring of 2003, all ABET outcomes were assessed via the graduate
survey, previously referred to as the alumni survey. Out of ten MET
graduates in 2003, four responded to the survey.
- Outcome f. was again assessed via the MET assessment examination at the
end of the spring semester. This is the second time this assessment
instrument has been used.
- Two MET senior projects were completed during the 2002 - 2003 year. The
written reports and oral presentations were evaluated by the MET faculty at
the end of the school year. Senior projects embrace all eleven ABET outcomes
to some extent.
- Outcome c. was primarily assessed by evaluating written laboratory reports
and other class reports required by the faculty.
- In-class examinations are used to generally assess outcome a. on an
ongoing basis.
Data Gathered
- All eleven of the I-P (importance-preparation) parameters in the graduate
surveys fell within the acceptable range of ±1. However, as was the case in
the 2001 - 2002 survey, all values were positive, indicating a general
opinion of under preparation.
- The scores on the MET assessment examination ranged from 51% to 83%. Eight
MET seniors took the exam. In general, the seniors achieved higher scores in
subjects recently taken in the curriculum than those taken one or two years
ago, which suggests a knowledge retention factor in the data.
- The ABET learning outcomes were discussed with the advisory committee
spring 2003. Feedback from the committee concerning the MET curriculum was
also solicited. The consensus of the committee was that the major subject
areas in the curriculum are appropriate and should not be altered in any
significant way. However, the committee felt that the faculty should attempt
to integrate small projects into some junior level courses so all the
project experiences are not bunched in the senior year. The committee also
recommend that involvement in the student chapter of ASME be more vigorously
promoted. Also, the advisory committee is helping us to establish some COOP
programs.
- Seven MET seniors took the Fundamentals of Engineering examination. To our
knowledge, four students passed it. While the FE examination is not a formal
assessment instrument in the MET program, it is an indicator of students’
mastery of outcomes a. and f.
- Course level loop instruments generated some improvements in MET courses,
resulting in additional or improved laboratory work and some fine tuning in
some lecture materials, subject coverage, and delivery methods.
- Program level loop instruments generated some ideas for improvement such
as restructuring the machine design and machine design sequences.
Changes Implemented/To Be Implemented
- Discussions among the faculty will be held concerning the graduate survey
data to address the question of whether the responses suggest any changes in
the curriculum.
- Some students have suggested that perhaps the FE examination should
replace the MET assessment examination. If this is done, the FE examination
would become a required part of the MET program in order to generate ongoing
assessment data. This idea will be discussed among the faculty this year.
- The MET program has two machine design courses and two dynamics courses.
The MET faculty believe that there is too much coverage of these subjects in
the program. Curriculum changes to reduce the total credits in these two
subjects may be made this year. The reduction in credits would be replaced
with credit hours in new course(s) and/or extra credit hours in existing
courses.
- A large grant (about $1 M) has been submitted to the federal government to
establish a major materials testing laboratory at WSU. If funded, the
laboratory will be used to enhanced materials testing capabilities in the
MET, MfET and the new WET program.
- A more detailed and formal senior project evaluation instrument was to be
developed this year. No significant progress was made in this regard, so
this action item will be moved to the next year.
Outcomes To Be Assessed During 2003 - 2004
- All eleven ABET outcomes will be assessed using the program level loop
action, course level loop action, and graduate survey instruments. The use
of these instruments is ongoing.
- Depending upon whether the faculty decide to use the FE exam in replace of
the MET assessment exam, this could be the last year the MET assessment exam
is used to assess outcome f. A decision on this will be made by the end of
the school year.
- A more formalized senior project evaluation tool will be developed this
year to more adequately measure outcomes b, d, e and g.
Mission
Statement / Student
Learning Outcomes / Curriculum
Grid / Assessment
Plan / Contact Person
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