SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

Electrical Engineering Technology: 

Program Objectives and Outcomes

 

PROGRAM EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES

 

The specific educational objectives of the program are to:

  1. Demonstrate broad knowledge and skills related to applied design, application, installation, manufacturing, operation, test and maintenance of electrical, electronics and computer systems as required by their employer.
  2. Apply mathematical, scientific and engineering principles for technical problem solving in areas which may include controls, communications, electric machines and power systems, programming, microcomputers, circuit analysis, and analog and digital electronics.
  3. Utilize computers and software in a technical environment.
  4. Demonstrate competence in written and oral communication.
  5. Work effectively as an individual and as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
  6. Show awareness of ethics, social concerns and professional responsibilities in the workplace.
  7. Continue their professional training and adapt to changes in the workplace through additional formal or informal education.
  8. Apply project management techniques.

 

PROGRAM OUTCOMES 

 

  1. Demonstrate proficiency in the knowledge techniques and skills appropriate to their discipline, which can include: controls, communications, electric machines and power systems, programming, microcomputers, circuit analysis, and analog and digital electronics.
  2. Use standard analysis tools and problem-solving methods of the electrical engineering technology professional to recognize, analyze, formulate, develop, and implement practical solutions to technological problems in state-of-the-art electrical, electronic, computer, and electrical power systems.
  3. Design and conduct experiments, and then analyze and interpret results.
  4. Solve mathematical expressions using algebra, trigonometry, and simple calculus (at the associate level) and integral and differential calculus (at the baccalaureate level) and apply them to engineering technology related problems.
  5. Be fluent in the operation of computer hardware and software, and capable of programming computer systems.
  6. Communicate effectively in oral, visual, graphical, and written modes.
  7. Work effectively individually and in teams.
  8. Have a commitment to quality, timeliness, and continuous improvement.
  9. Identify social, economic, safety, quality, reliability, and ethical issues in an engineering technology problem and demonstrate that their solution to the problem addresses these issues.
  10. Pursue lifelong learning and be prepared to continue their education through formal or informal study.
  11. Organize and effectively manage an industrially based project (at the baccalaureate degree level), including writing specifications, budgeting both time and money, ensuring compliance with specification requirements, working effectively in a team environment, using proper judgment, and communicating progress and achievements both verbally and orally.

According the ABET accreditation agency, “Program Educational Objectives are broad statements that describe the career and professional accomplishments that the program is preparing graduate to achieve. Program Educational Outcomes are narrower statements that describe what students are to know and be able to do by the time of graduation.”

The Program Educational Objectives were established through the input from employers of our students, alumni, and industrial constitutes of the program.  The achievement of Program Educational Objectives is assessed through the use of alumni and employer surveys, as well as employer focus groups. The Program Educational Outcomes are assessed using a combination of the following instruments:

  • Direct assessment of Student work. Each year faculty members in the program assess graded examples of student work to determine the level of achievement.  The examples of student work are linked directly the Program Educational Outcomes.
  • Senior Exit Surveys.  This assessment survey is completed by all graduating seniors in which they are asked to rate how well the Educational Outcomes were achieved.
  • Internship Employer Surveys.  This assessment survey is completed by supervisors of students who receive internship credit. Employers are asked to rate how well the Educational Objectives were achieved.
  • Senior Design Industrial Sponsor Surveys. This assessment survey is completed by supervisors of senior design projects to measure how well the outcomes of the senior design experience were achieved.
  • Fundamentals of Engineering Exam reports from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying. This nationally administered exam provides a national benchmark for assessing achievement of the Program Educational Outcomes.

The Program Educational Outcomes are assessed annually and each academic program employs at least three of the measurement tools above. More detailed information for each program is available upon request.

 


Web site contact: engineering@psu.edu
Updated September 4, 2008
© 2005 The Pennsylvania State University