Department of Mechanical Engineering CSU Northridge

Contact Information:
Shoeleh Di Julio
Tel: (818) 677-2496
Fax: (818) 677-7062
Email: sdijulio@ecs.csun.edu

INTERIM DEPT/PROGRAM
ASSESSMENT FORM

Date: 5/30/97

Department/Program: Mechanical Engineering

Name of Liaison: Shoeleh Di Julio

I. Goals

A. Understand the fundamentals of engineering principles, engineering design and physical nature.
B. Understand the impact of engineering design in a global societal context.
C. Knowledge of industry's practices and emerging technology
D. Developing a sense of exploration and lifelong learning

II. Objectives

A.. Problem solving skills
B. Oral and written communication skills
C. Understanding the design process and optimization; engineering design skills
D. Ability to design and conduct experiments, analyze and interpret data as a member of a team.

III. How will the objectives be measured?

ME faculty will meet two times during each semester to review specific curriculum areas within the ME Program. These include:

Senior design, thermodynamics and fluid mechanics, machine design, control and system dynamics, experimental techniques and applied courses.

Faculty will discuss the content of courses related to these areas and demonstrate how program objectives are evaluated and met. Results of faculty evaluations on program improvement and ways to implement them will be documented and carried out by faculty.

More specifically, the department's Program Objectives will be measured on the basis of individual courses:

A. Random samples of student work, exams, and especially the assigned design problems in all fundamental ME courses will be collected and evaluated to demonstrate problem solving skills.

B. Writing and Presentation Skills

1. Progress in writing skills will be evaluated by ME faculty through the review of random samples of student reports in ME 391, ME 491, ME 309, ME 470, ME 485, ME 573, ME 630 and ME 486 A and B.

2. Students' technical presentation skills will be evaluated by ME faculty in courses such as ME 491, ME 630, ME 485, and ME 486 A and B.

C. Students' design experience in the ME capstone senior design course will be evaluated by ME faculty. Students' final presentation and final written reports will be reviewed.

D. ME 391 and 491 student project reports and also senior design final reports will be evaluated to demonstrate the ability to design, conduct experiments, analyze and interpret data as a member of a team.

IV. Method of Feedback of Assessment Results How Will the Department/Program Use the Results?

Starting in Fall 1997 specific curriculum areas in the Mechanical Engineering program and the senior design projects will periodically be presented, discussed and assessed by the ME faculty. Faculty will demonstrate how program objectives are measured and met in various courses relating to each curriculum area. Collective faculty evaluations will be documented and used to improve the program.

A. An exit interview has been developed by Shoeleh Di Julio. Every semester graduating senior students in ME 486 A and B will be surveyed.

B. Professor Bill Rivers, Mel Epstein and Tom Mincer will develop an Alumni Survey to document career placement and development activities and professional accomplishments.

C. The ME Department will also develop an Employers Survey to document alumni professional and technical preparedness, performance and accomplishments.