Educational Objectives, Student Learning Outcomes and ABET Criteria

The Department of Computer Science operates using the following definitions:

• Educational Objectives are broad statements that will describe what graduates are expected to attain within a few years of graduation.
• Student Learning Outcomes are specific skills that the students will possess at the end of the degree program.
• ABET Criteria provides the minimum list of attributes for the program that a student must achieve by the time of graduation.
• Measures are detailed metrics that indicate whether a specific Learning Outcome has been achieved.

Educational Objectives (Program)

1. Students who enter the workforce will have established themselves as effective professionals by having solved real problems through the use of their computer science knowledge and their communication, critical thinking, and problem solving skills.
2. Students who continue in academia will have been successful in pursuing advanced degrees and in demonstrating their ability to master advanced areas of computer science. 
3. Students will have demonstrated their ability to adapt to a rapidly changing environment by having learned and applied new skills and new technologies.

Student Learning Outcomes (Program)

1. Students will be able to apply concepts and techniques from computing and mathematics to both theoretical and practical problems.
2. Students will be able to demonstrate fluency in at least one programming language and acquaintance with at least three more.
3. Students will have a strong foundation in the design, analysis, and application of many types of algorithms.
4. Students will have a fundamental understanding of computer systems.
5. Students will have the training to analyze problems and identify and define the computing requirements appropriate to their solutions.
6. Students will have the training to design, implement, and evaluate large software systems working both individually and collaboratively.
7. Students will be able to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
8. Students will have the knowledge, skills, and attitudes for lifelong self-development.
9. Students will have the ability to analyze the local and global impact of computing on individuals and society.
10. Students will have a fundamental understanding of social, professional, ethical, legal, and security issues in computing.

Student Learning Outcomes (Institutional)

Students acquire Knowledge (K), the mastery of content and process of inquiry, and develop Proficiency (P) in intellectual, creative, and social skills, which supports Engagement(E) with their local, regional, national, and global communities and serves to promote the positive Transformation (T) of their worlds and themselves.

ABET Criteria