the abet se accreditation process software engineering

BSSE Program, MSEC 2005 5/21/05

Mark J. Sebern, MSOE 1

Software Engineering AccreditationSoftware Engineering Accreditation

Mark Mark SebernSebernProfessor &Professor &BSSE Program DirectorBSSE Program DirectorMilwaukee School of EngineeringMilwaukee School of Engineering

The ABET SE Accreditation ProcessThe ABET SE Accreditation Process

Engineering Accreditation Commission Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC)(EAC) Recommends general criteriaRecommends general criteria Chooses team chairsChooses team chairs

CSAB CSAB (IEEE-CS+ACM)(IEEE-CS+ACM) is is ““lead societylead society”” Recommends program criteriaRecommends program criteria Chooses program evaluatorsChooses program evaluators

Differs significantly from CSDiffers significantly from CS Computer science is accredited by ABET CACComputer science is accredited by ABET CAC

Computing Accreditation CommissionComputing Accreditation Commission CSAB is lead society under CAC for CSCSAB is lead society under CAC for CS

EAC General CriteriaEAC General Criteria

1)1) StudentsStudents2)2) ProgramProgram

educationaleducationalobjectivesobjectives

3)3) ProgramProgramoutcomes andoutcomes andassessmentassessment

4)4) ProfessionalProfessionalcomponentcomponent

5)5) FacultyFaculty6)6) FacilitiesFacilities7)7) InstitutionalInstitutional

support andsupport andfinancial resourcesfinancial resources

8)8) Program criteriaProgram criteria

CAC is proposing a similarstructure for CS, IS, and IT

Criterion 1: StudentsCriterion 1: Students

Student quality and performanceStudent quality and performance Performance evaluationPerformance evaluation Advising: curricular and career mattersAdvising: curricular and career matters Progress monitoringProgress monitoring

Transfer credit policiesTransfer credit policies Validation of transfer coursesValidation of transfer courses

Procedures to ensure all students meetProcedures to ensure all students meetprogram requirementsprogram requirements



Criterion 2: Program ObjectivesCriterion 2: Program Objectives

““Program educational objectivesProgram educational objectives”” Broad statements of career and professionalBroad statements of career and professional

accomplishments program is preparing graduatesaccomplishments program is preparing graduatesto achieveto achieve

Process to determine and reviewProcess to determine and review

Educational programEducational program Foster accomplishment of objectivesFoster accomplishment of objectives

Evaluation processEvaluation process Demonstrate achievementDemonstrate achievement Improve program effectivenessImprove program effectiveness

Criterion 3: Outcomes/AssessmentCriterion 3: Outcomes/Assessment

““Program outcomesProgram outcomes”” Knowledge and skills by time of graduationKnowledge and skills by time of graduation Must foster attainment of program objectivesMust foster attainment of program objectives

Processes to produce outcomesProcesses to produce outcomes Documented assessment processDocumented assessment process

Demonstrate outcomes are being measuredDemonstrate outcomes are being measured Indicate degree to which outcomes are achievedIndicate degree to which outcomes are achieved Results must be applied to program developmentResults must be applied to program development

Two classes of outcomesTwo classes of outcomes EAC-specified outcomes (EAC-specified outcomes (““a-ka-k””)) Additional outcomes articulated by the programAdditional outcomes articulated by the program

EAC-Specified Program OutcomesEAC-Specified Program Outcomes

Apply math, science andApply math, science andengineeringengineering

Design and conductDesign and conductexperiments, analyze andexperiments, analyze andinterpret datainterpret data

Design a system, component,Design a system, component,or process to meetor process to meetrequirements within realisticrequirements within realisticconstraintsconstraints

Function on multi-disciplinaryFunction on multi-disciplinaryteamsteams

Identify, formulate, and solveIdentify, formulate, and solveengineering problemsengineering problems

Understand professional andUnderstand professional andethical responsibilityethical responsibility

Communicate effectivelyCommunicate effectively Attain broad educationAttain broad education

necessary to understandnecessary to understandimplication of engineeringimplication of engineeringsolutions in global andsolutions in global andsocietal contextsocietal context

Recognize need for, andRecognize need for, andengage in life-long learningengage in life-long learning

Know contemporary issuesKnow contemporary issues Use techniques, skills, andUse techniques, skills, and

modern engineering toolsmodern engineering toolsneeded for engineeringneeded for engineeringpracticepractice

Criterion 4: CurriculumCriterion 4: Curriculum

Consistent with objectives, outcomesConsistent with objectives, outcomes““Bean countingBean counting”” specifications specifications

One year of math & basic scienceOne year of math & basic science 1.5 years of engineering topics1.5 years of engineering topics

Engineering sciencesEngineering sciences Engineering designEngineering design

General education componentGeneral education component

Preparation for engineering practicePreparation for engineering practice

One “year” ≈ 32 semestercredits or 48 quarter credits



Criterion 4: Major Design ExperienceCriterion 4: Major Design Experience

Normally a significant projectNormally a significant project ““CapstoneCapstone”” or or ““senior designsenior design””

Based on knowledge & skillsBased on knowledge & skills Acquired in earlier course workAcquired in earlier course work

Must incorporateMust incorporate Appropriate engineering standardsAppropriate engineering standards Multiple realistic constraintsMultiple realistic constraints

Criterion 5: FacultyCriterion 5: Faculty

Number, qualificationsNumber, qualifications Competencies to cover all curricular areasCompetencies to cover all curricular areas Sufficient to accommodateSufficient to accommodate

Interaction with students and practitionersInteraction with students and practitioners Service activitiesService activities Professional developmentProfessional development

Must have authority toMust have authority to Ensure proper guidance of the programEnsure proper guidance of the program Develop/implement assessment processesDevelop/implement assessment processes

Criterion 6: FacilitiesCriterion 6: Facilities

Adequate, conducive to learningAdequate, conducive to learning Classrooms, labs, equipmentClassrooms, labs, equipment Foster student-faculty interactionFoster student-faculty interaction Climate encouraging professionalClimate encouraging professional

development and professional activitiesdevelopment and professional activities

Use of modern engineering toolsUse of modern engineering toolsComputing/information infrastructureComputing/information infrastructure

Support scholarly activities Support scholarly activities (students/faculty)(students/faculty)and educational objectivesand educational objectives

Criterion 7: Institutional SupportCriterion 7: Institutional Support

Must have adequateMust have adequate Institutional supportInstitutional support Financial resourcesFinancial resources Constructive leadershipConstructive leadership

Sufficient resources forSufficient resources for FacultyFaculty FacilitiesFacilities EquipmentEquipment

Support personnel & servicesSupport personnel & services



Criterion 8: SE-Specific CriteriaCriterion 8: SE-Specific Criteria

Breadth and depthBreadth and depth

“across the range of engineering andcomputer science topics implied by

the title and objectives of the program”


Breadth and depthBreadth and depthDemonstrate ability of graduatesDemonstrate ability of graduates

Skills/knowledge for complex SW systemsSkills/knowledge for complex SW systems

AnalyzeDesignVerifyValidateImplementApplyMaintain


Breadth and depthBreadth and depthDemonstrate ability of graduatesDemonstrate ability of graduates

Skills/knowledge for complex SW systemsSkills/knowledge for complex SW systems ApplyApply

Discrete math, probability, statisticsDiscrete math, probability, statistics Relevant topics inRelevant topics in

Computer scienceComputer science Supporting disciplinesSupporting disciplines

Work in one or more application domainsWork in one or more application domains

To Learn MoreTo Learn More

AttendAttend ABET/EAC faculty workshopABET/EAC faculty workshop EAC evaluator training EAC evaluator training (modest fee if not PEV)(modest fee if not PEV)

ABET web site (ABET web site (www.abet.orgwww.abet.org)) EAC criteriaEAC criteria Program evaluation team formsProgram evaluation team forms

SE education conferencesSE education conferences Conference on SE Education & TrainingConference on SE Education & Training Frontiers in EducationFrontiers in Education



DiscussionDiscussion

ABET EAC criteria

Outcome assessment

Continuous improvement

Faculty

Definition of “SE” BOK

Major design experience

Something else Your comments

EAC/CAC differences Training/workshops

the abet se accreditation process software engineering

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