Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Assessing CBE Program Outcomes in CBE 450
RMM, CTM
In CBE 450, there are numerous activities that map well onto specific departmental outcomes. These are listed below. For supporting instructors logs, data from each semester, and examples of specific activities or student work, please see the Direct Measures file for CBE 470.
To maintain a record of assessing these outcomes, we envision separate columns in the grading spreadsheet in which to record scores that measure each student’s achievement of the specific goals. 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 will be on the 1-5 scale, with corresponding base achievement targets:
1-5 scale:
Outcome (c): an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs.
Students work on both individual design projects and at least one group design project.
The instructor meets with teams of students for progress reports, write a preliminary scoping report,
a draft design report, and a final design report. The instructor evaluates students through the
class exercises and these meetings, and evaluates them on a P/F scale for their proficiency standards
in design.
Outcome (d): an ability to function on multidisciplinary teams
Students work in teams of 3 or 4 to complete their group projects. At the end of the semester
they complete self and peer evaluations of their team work. These evaluations, coupled with
instructors’ observations, are used to assign each student a grade of S (satisfactory),
M (marginal), or U (unsatisfactory) for their teamwork skills.
Outcome (f): an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
Several lectures are devoted to discussing professional responsibilities. The AIChE Code of Ethics
is distributed in class and discussed. Students complete an assignment (writing an essay or making
a presentation) that discusses ethical and professional issues in practical cases.
A P/F grade is
assigned.
Outcome (g): an ability to communicate effectively:
Students write a paper (ethics or green chemistry), multiple technical memos, and several group
reports. The writing score is 25-30% of the final grade. Students also give individual and
group talks. The individual scores on these activities are used to assign a grade of S/M/U for
their communication skills.
Outcome (h): the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions
in a global, economic, environmental, or societal context.
Through individual projects such as case studies on process accidents or green chemistry awards,
students gain an appreciation for the impact (both positive and negative) of engineering on the
“outside world”. At the end of the semester, students complete a self evaluation on whether their
understanding of professional responsibilities, impact of engineering solutions, and/or knowledge
of contemporary issues improved over the course of the semester.
Outcome (j): a knowledge of contemporary issues
Through individual projects such as case studies on process accidents or green chemistry awards,
students gain an appreciation for the impact (both positive and negative) of engineering on the
“outside world”. At the end of the semester, students complete a self evaluation on whether their
understanding of professional responsibilities, impact of engineering solutions, and/or knowledge
of contemporary issues improved over the course of the semester.
Download these guidelines in Word file
return to Direct Measures page.
Date Created: June 26, 2006
Last Modified:
September 17, 2006
Content By: Thatcher Root
Markup By: Thatcher Root
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