Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
University of Wisconsin - Madison

Assessment of Individual Outcomes Summary

State of satisfaction of individual outcomes, based on program assessment tools

a)   an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering

      Our students continue to meet our expectations at this outcome as given by a number of direct and indirect assessment tools, e.g. Course Evaluations, EBI survey, Alumni survey, recruiter and co-op evaluations.  The inclusion of more biological content into these areas is motivated by these inputs and is an ongoing activity to adjust the science content to meet new expectation from students and employers.

b)   an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data

      The assessment tools (Table, page 8 of this report) indicate that our students are currently achieving this outcome at or above an acceptable level of competence.

c)   an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs

      The assessment tools (Table, page 8 of this report) indicate that our students are currently achieving this outcome at or above an acceptable level of competence.

d)   an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams  

      We continue to enhance and assess our efforts at increasing the interdisciplinary, team-based skills of the students through changes outlined above. These will continue to be on our ‘watch list,’ and we will continue to assess over the next years the improvement in our assessment of this outcome.

e)   an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems

      The assessment tools (Table, page 8 of this report) indicate that our students are currently achieving this outcome at or above an acceptable level of competence.

f)    an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility

      Through changes in course content, we are hoping to call greater attention to these issues. We are investigating InterEng 160 as a forum for a more detailed discussion of these issues.  After evaluation, we will further determine the utility of this and other approaches. 

g)   an ability to communicate effectively

      We are increasing the communication-components in a variety of classes, and have focused on CBE 324 and CBE 424 as specific areas where an enhanced communications component are being effectively included. 

h)   the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context

      We have expanded the range of liberal arts options for the student in order to allow a more student-centered broadening experience to enhance the engineering education. This range of course offerings allows the student to explore, with both a range of depth and breadth, those other important aspects of their education. 

i)    a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning

      We continue to emphasize the changing nature of the profession and the need for adaptability through a continued learning process.  The increase of biological context is an example of such a need for continued reflection. The recognition of the rapidly changing nature of the profession is discussed frequently. At present, this has not been indicated as an immediate area of concern or action.

j)    a knowledge of contemporary issues

      We are increasing the component of current issues within our course offerings principally in response to student-based indicators. Changes to CBE 250 as well as the conscious effort to introduce contemporary engineering examples unobtrusively in the current courses will be evaluated through course evaluations and the EBI survey.   

k)   an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice

      The assessment tools (Table, page 8 of this report) indicate that our students are currently achieving this outcome at or above an acceptable level of competence.

l)    Program criterion - ChE knowledge

      This has not been indicated as an immediate area of concern or action. See outcome a above for related discussion.

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Date Created: November 11, 2004
Last Modified: November 15, 2004
Content By: Thatcher Root
Markup By: Thatcher Root
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