After 18 months of dedicated preparation, the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Department has successfully met the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) criteria once again. ABET evaluations occur every six years, ensuring the highest standards of engineering education. This achievement reflects the department's commitment to continuous improvement and excellence in engineering education.
The ECE department adopts the ABET Student Outcomes (SOs), which encompass essential competencies for engineering students, including:
- SO1: an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics (Math/Science/Engineering/Problem Solving)
- SO2: an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors (Design)
- SO3: an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences (Communication)
- SO4: an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts (Ethics)
- SO5: an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives (Team and Project Management)
- SO6: an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions (Experiments/Data Analysis)
- SO7: an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies (Lifelong Learning).
To enhance the assessment of these outcomes, the department undertook a major initiative to refine its evaluation process. Recognizing that the previous method lacked the granularity to assess individual metrics effectively, the department formed a dedicated ABET Committee to develop a more robust and detailed Key Performance Indicator (KPI)-based assessment process. This new assessment method, implemented in Spring 2023, introduced specific metrics and rubrics for each student outcome, ensuring a sustainable and accurate evaluation process. Over past three consecutive semesters (Spring 2023, Fall 2023, and Spring 2024), the ECE ABET Committee has successfully utilized this approach, continuously improving it to streamline data collection and enhance the assessment process.
The strong ABET Committee, chaired by Dr. Laleh Najafizadeh, includes members Dr. Sasan Haghani, Dr. Dov Kruger, Dr. Hang Liu, Dr. Yao Liu, Dr. Maria Striki, Dr. Sheng Wei, Dr. Yuqian Zhang, Pamela Heinold, Arletta Hoscilowicz, John Scafidi, and Kevin Wine. This team is critical in developing, managing, and overseeing the assessment and continuous improvement processes. Their dedication is evident through regular meetings to evaluate the attainment of student outcomes, identify areas needing improvement, and present findings during faculty discussions.
We also want to extend special thanks to the individuals who participated in the interviews with the ABET evaluation team, as their contributions were critical to this success. The department chair, Dr. Yingying Chen, along with ABET coordinator Dr. Laleh Najafizadeh and Undergraduate Director Dr. Sasan Haghani, provided key insights and leadership during the meetings. Other contributors included Dr. Uli Kremer, who engaged with support departments, and faculty members Dr. Hang Liu, Dr. Shirin Jalali, Dr. Dov Kruger, Dr. Sheng Wei, Dr. Athina Petropulu, Dr. Kristin Dana, and Dr. Yao Liu, who represented the program in various discussions. Students, including Shreya Pandey (President, IEEE Student Chapter) and Rishab Patel (Vice President, 7x24 Exchange Student Chapter), along with representatives from SWE and IEEE, contributed valuable perspectives during the luncheon and student group sessions. The advisory board, represented by Don Bachman, also played a vital role. Their efforts and dedication were instrumental in demonstrating the department's excellence to the ABET evaluation team.
This achievement highlights the department’s strong commitment to providing students with high-quality education that meets global standards. It ensures our students gain the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the ever-changing field of engineering. Congratulations to all members of the ECE department for this continued success—an outstanding example of excellent teamwork!
