Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
University of Wisconsin - Madison

Assessing CBE Program Outcomes in CBE 250

RMM, TWR

In CBE 250, there are numerous activities that map well onto specific departmental outcomes. These are listed below. To maintain a record of assessing these outcomes, we envision extracting data from the grading spreadsheet or adding columns to record scores that measure each student’s attainment of the specific goals. The scores may be on any of several scales, depending on the measure and the use to be made of this measure, with corresponding base achievement targets:

Pass/Fail: 90% passing

Satisfactory/Marginal/Unsatisfactory:     90% S or M

1-5 scale:

Outcome (a)2: an ability to apply knowledge of science
In a homework assignment after introduction of chemical reactions, students will have a problem that requires them to balance chemical reactions. This activity is already graded for the class; a P/F score can be recorded to document the students’ ability.

Outcome (e): an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
In a homework assignment after introduction of multi-operation flowsheets, students will have a problem involving material balances on a complex flowsheet where they must construct a model from a story problem and choose a solution strategy. This activity is already graded for the class; a P/F score can be recorded to document the students’ ability.

Outcome (i): recognition of the need for, and an ability to, engage in life-long learning
In homework assignment #1, students are required to use the library or other outside resources to find a modern process flowsheet to compare with a limited version presented in lecture, and to write briefly on differences. A second problem requires them to find a process flowsheet for an assigned top-50 chemical, and to write about the major steps. This activity is already graded for the class; a P/F score can be recorded to document the students’ ability to draw on outside resources.

Outcome (k)2: Ability to use the modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice
In a homework assignment after introduction or review of spreadsheets, students will have a problem that requires them to repeatedly solve an equation and prepare a plot of the solution against temperature, pressure, or other independent variable. This activity is already graded for the class; a P/F score can be recorded to document the students’ ability.

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Date Created: November 10, 2004
Last Modified: June 21, 2006
Content By: Thatcher Root
Markup By: Thatcher Root
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