ABET Accreditation (Based on the presentations by Dr. Raman Unnikrishnan and W. J. Wilson) Assoc. Prof. Zeki BAYRAM EMU Computer Engineering Dept. 14 January 2015 Zeki Bayram

Why Accredication Accreditation is used to assure quality in educational institutions and programs. Accreditation is a voluntary, non-governmental process of peer review. It requires an educational institution or program to meet certain defined standards or criteria. The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) is a professional accrediting organization that accredits programs, not institutions. Accreditation serves to notify: parents and prospective students that a program has met professional standards; faculty, deans and administrators of a program’s strengths and weaknesses and of ways to improve the program; employers that graduates are prepared to begin professional practice; the public that graduates are aware of public health and safety considerations. Zeki Bayram

Why Accredication ABET audits engineering programs on a regular basis to assure that the program maintains high standards. In many states in the USA, having an engineering degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program is required to become a registered professional engineer. For some jobs and companies, having an engineering degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program is required just to be considered for employment. Zeki Bayram

Why Accredication The accreditation process helps your department to continually analyze and improve its courses and curriculum The accreditation process requires that your voice be heard in evaluating the program To apply for a position, most companies require graduation from an ABET accredited program Zeki Bayram

What is ABET Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology Organization responsible for monitoring, evaluating, and certifying the quality of engineering, engineering technology, computing, and applied science education in the United States, and the world!. A federation of 28 professional and technical societies representing over 1.8 million practicing professionals these fields Zeki Bayram

Lead organizations ASEE: American Society of Engineering Educations (General Engineering, Engineering Physics) ASME: American Society of Mechanical Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) IEEE: Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Electrical and Computer Engineering) BMES: Biomedical Engineering Society (Biomedical Engineering) Zeki Bayram

What ABET Accredits ABET accredits postsecondary degree-granting programs housed within regionally accredited institutions. ABET accredits programs only, not degrees, departments, colleges, or institutions. Zeki Bayram

Objectives of Accreditation by ABET Assure that graduates of an accredited program are adequately prepared to enter and continue the practice of the engineering profession. Stimulate the improvement of engineering education. Encourage new and innovative approaches to engineering education and its assessment. Identify accredited programs to the public. Zeki Bayram

ABET Philosophy Each Institution and Program define their own mission and objectives to meet the needs of their constituents. Emphasizes outcomes that prepare graduates from the program for entry into professional practice. Programs must demonstrate how their student outcomes and educational objectives are being met. Programs must design processes leading to continuous program improvement. Zeki Bayram

Structure of ABET ABET is a federation of 28 professional and technical societies. Individual members of these societies, practicing professionals from industry and academia - form the body of ABET through its program evaluators (PEVs), Board of Directors, and four accreditation commissions: Applied Science Accreditation Commission (ASAC) Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) Technology Accreditation Commission (TAC) Zeki Bayram

How does a degree program get accredited? A panel of ABET experts evaluates the program: courses, curriculum, people, and facilities The degree program must meet General Criteria that apply to all engineering degrees The program must also meet Program Criteria, which are specific to Computer Engineering The program must demonstrate that it uses a continual process of evaluating the courses and curriculum, and makes changes when needed The program must even show that it examines and improves its own evaluation process Zeki Bayram

GENERAL CRITERIA FOR BACCALAUREATE LEVEL PROGRAMS Criterion 1. Students (Evaluation of performance, advising, curricular adherence) Criterion 2. Program Educational Objectives (based on the needs of the constituencies – students, employers, parents etc.) Criterion 3. Student Outcomes Criterion 4. Continuous Improvement Criterion 5. Curriculum  one year of a combination of college level mathematics and basic sciences (some with experimental experience)  one and one-half years of engineering topics  a general education component  major design experience Criterion 6. Faculty (number and quality) Criterion 7. Facilities (Classroom and labs) Criterion 8. Support (Institutional) Criterion 9. Program Criteria (depends on the major) Zeki Bayram

Some Terminology Program Educational Objectives (PEOs): are broad statements that describe the career and professional accomplishments that the program is preparing its graduates to achieve. (3 to 5 Years after graduation) Student Outcomes are narrower statements that 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 in their matriculation through the program. (At graduation) Zeki Bayram

Student Outcomes of the Computer Engineering Program a)Graduates of the Computer Engineering program should attain b)an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering c)an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data d)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 e)an ability to function on multidisciplinary teams f)an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems g)an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility h)an ability to communicate effectively i)the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context j)a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning k)a knowledge of contemporary issues l)an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice m)a knowledge of probability and statistics, mathematics through differential and integral calculus, discrete mathematics, basic sciences, computer science, and engineering sciences necessary to analyze and design software, and systems containing hardware and software components n)an ability of multilingual communication. Zeki Bayram

EMU Computer Engineering PEOs The Computer Engineering undergraduate program at Eastern Mediterranean University prepares its graduates to: – excel in industrial or graduate work in Computer Engineering and related fields, – practice Computer Engineering in both national and international settings, conforming to ethical values and environmentally friendly policies, – have sufficient professional competence allowing them to assume leadership roles in their organization, – successfully adapt to new technologies and stay current with their professions. These objectives have been formulated by the computer engineering departmental council with input from other constituencies of our program, such as employers and alumni. Zeki Bayram

CMPE ABET portal Zeki Bayram

Thanks for listening Questions??? Zeki Bayram