Mechanical Engineering Program Educational Objectives and Student Outcomes

Program Educational Objectives

The mechanical engineering curriculum is designed to prepare students for productive careers in industry, government, education, and private consulting as well as for graduate study. Thus, it is based on the fundamental principles of science and engineering. These provide a strong foundation that enables students to apply what they have learned to the complex technological problems of today and to teach themselves the new technologies of tomorrow. Thus, we expect our graduates to attain the educational objectives listed below within a few years of graduation. Our educational objectives are based on the needs of our constituencies.

1. Our graduates will be successful in their careers.
2. Our graduates set and meet their own goals for career fulfillment.
3. Our graduates will continue professional development.
4. Our graduates will engage the international dimensions of their profession.

Student Outcomes

Learning outcomes describe what students are expected to know and be able to do by the time of graduation. These relate to the skills, knowledge, and behaviors that students acquire as they progress through the program.

1. an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
2. an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
3. 1. Identify the problem and develop an appropriate experimental approach
   2. Select measurement techniques to collect appropriate experimental approach.
   3. Estimate experimental uncertainties.
   4. Collect and present data in an accurate and orderly way.
   5. Use appropriate statistical procedures to analyze and evaluate the information contained in a data set.
   6. Analyze the data and draw supportable conclusions from the result
4. an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability
5. 1. Understand the problem.
   2. Develop a design specification that addresses customer/client needs and constraints.
   3. Carry out a conceptual design by generating multiple solutions that address the requirements of the design specification.
   4. Evaluate the feasibility of the solutions.
   5. Choose an appropriate solution and justify that solution
   6. Carry out a conceptual-level design using appropriate design tools and methodologies.
   7. Test and refine the implementation until the product or process design specifications are met or exceeded.
   8. Document the finished product or process as appropriate for the discipline according to standard practice.
6. an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams
7. 1. Demonstrate how you reached a decision as a team.
   2. Describe the team role you filled and how that contributed to the final project.
   3. Listen openly, actively, and critically.
8. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
9. 1. Inspect and define the problem.
   2. Identify the basic principles and concepts that apply to the situation.
   3. Build appropriate model(s).
   4. Solve the problem by choosing appropriate tools (analytical, experimental, and computational).
   5. Check a solution using appropriate criteria.
10. an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
11. 1. Explain important ethical obligations associated with your discipline.
    2. Apply a systematic ethical framework to an ethical issue or situation in a disciplinary context.
12. an ability to communicate effectively
13. 1. Provide a substantive critique that includes recommendations for improvements.
    2. Adapt technical information for a non-specialized audience.
    3. Convey information effectively through visual media.
    4. Present information visually using drawings, graphs and sketches.
    5. Deliver oral presentations with clarity and professionalism.
14. the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context
15. 1. Engage in the arts (music, theater, art, dance, creative writing, etc.)
    2. Analyze patterns, dynamics, or values of human interaction in social or cultural systems.
    3. Analyze beliefs, backgrounds, cultures, or societies different from your own.
    4. interpret cultural artifacts and/or ideas in philosophy, the arts, or the sciences.
16. a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning
17. 1. Students will describe how their current state of performance in an ability has already impacted or might in the future negatively impact their project or team.
    2. Students will describe steps they will follow to reach their desired performance level in the ability.
    3. Students will describe evidence that indicates that they have achieved their professional development goal.
    4. Students will describe the "most significant" professional development they achieved and explain its impacts.
    5. Students will explain what they have learned about the professional development process that will transfer into life after graduation.
18. a knowledge of contemporary issues
19. 1. Students will identify the problem.
    2. Students will describe the problem from different perspectives (At least two sides)
    3. Students will identify stakeholders and describe how stakeholders are affected
    4. Students will justify arguments logically.
    5. Students will reference sources appropriately.
20. an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.