Addressing Program Outcomes In A Freshman Introduction To Engineering Course

Program outcomes are the knowledge, skills, and abilities that students should be able to demonstrate at the end of a degree program. ABET requires that accredited engineering departments must define a set of program outcomes, publicize them broadly to all constituents, and put into place a process for continuous assessment of the program outcomes. One of the biggest obstacles in assessment is the inability to engage students in the awareness of program outcomes and their importance in the curriculum. Many students see them as overly generalized statements that have no bearing on the concepts they need to pass a given course. Thus, dissemination of the notion and value of program outcomes is a major hurdle for the faculty. This paper suggests that engaging students at the freshman level in the departmental program outcomes is one strategy to foster a climate of their acceptance in later courses. Examples of freshman class assignments and projects that address specific program outcomes in a Mechanical Engineering department are presented.