We use a variety of both informal and formal assessment instruments to collect and analyze evidence that we are achieving our goals and that students are achieving the defined program learning outcomes.
Informal instruments include student feedback surveys (conducted on a regular basis) and student evaluations of instruction. Formal instruments include course assessments and results of external reviews. These are detailed in the following table.
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INSTRUMENT
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Program(s)
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Frequency
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Who is Involved
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Criteria for Success
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Assessment Results
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Changes Based on Use of Assessment Results
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Formal Instruments
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Course Assessment Instrument
PURPOSE: Comprehensive assessment of an individual course that serves as a “quality assurance” tool to ensure that each course is achieving its defined learning outcomes and identify opportunities for improvement.
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B.S., M.S.
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Every semester
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Faculty (course instructor, peer-review by department committee)
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Majority of Course Outcomes acheived, results from prior CAI reports used to improve course where appropriate
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COMPASS Portal
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Assessment Change Log
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Graduate Student Portfolio
PURPOSE: Provides a comprehensive view of a student's educational experience in the program. Includes an inventory of knowledge and skills gained and the student's assessment of the program. Provides qualitative evidence that the student has achieved the program outcomes.
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M.S.
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Each candidate for the M.S. degree
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Graduate students, graduate faculty
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Portfolio demonstrates that the student has achieved the program outcomes
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Graduate Portfolio archive
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Assessment Change Log
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CAC/ABET Self-Study
PURPOSE: Comprehensive program self-study and review prepared prior to a CAC/ABET visit for re-accreditation of the B.S. in CS.
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B.S.
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Every 6 years
(next review: Fall 2007)
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Faculty, staff, students, administration, external review team (ABET program evaluators)
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Program accreditation maintained; opportunities for improvement identified
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COMPASS Portal
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Assessment Change Log
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Comprehensive Program Review
PURPOSE: See Office of the Provost & VPAA, Academic Program Review, also USG Academic Affairs Handbook, Section 2.03.05: Comprehensive Program Review.
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B.S., M.S.
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Every 5 years or when triggered
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Faculty, staff, administration
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Opportunities for improvement identified
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N/A - No follow-up was received from last review (2006)
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Informal Instruments
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Student Evaluation of Instruction
PURPOSE: Provides students enrolled in a course the opportunity to evaluate and comment on, anonymously, the course instructor and the course itself. The evaluation consists of both quantitative and qualitative questions.
View Sample Form (pdf)
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B.S., M.S.
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Every semester for each course
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All CS students
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COMPASS Portal
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Assessment Change Log
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Undergraduate Survey
PURPOSE: Solicits students’ views and opinions on the program as a whole, including the degree to which we are achieving our goals and suggestions on how to improve the program (and supporting resources such as lab facilities).
View Sample Form (pdf)
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B.S.
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Yearly (Spring semester)
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All undergraduate CS majors
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COMPASS Portal
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Assessment Change Log
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Capstone Survey
PURPOSE: Solicits feedback from students taking the Computing Capstone course (CS4982) on how successful the program is been in achieving its learning outcomes, and how well prepared they are to achieve the goals of the program.
View Sample Form (pdf)
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B.S.
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Yearly (coinciding with offering of CS4982)
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CS4982 students
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COMPASS Portal
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Assessment Change Log
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Exit Interview
PURPOSE: Solicits students’ feedback as they complete the program.
View Sample Form (pdf)
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B.S.
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For each graduating senior
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All graduating seniors
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COMPASS Portal
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Assessment Change Log
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Graduate Survey
PURPOSE: Solicits students’ views and opinions on the program as a whole, including the degree to which we are achieving our goals and suggestions on how to improve the program (and supporting resources such as lab facilities).
View Sample Form (pdf)
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M.S.
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Yearly (Spring semester)
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All graduate CS majors
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COMPASS Portal
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Assessment Change Log
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Alumni Survey
PURPOSE: Solicits views and opinions of CS alumni on their experiences in industry and how well they feel the program prepared them for industry.
View Sample Form (pdf)
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B.S., M.S.
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Every 3 years
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All CS alumni
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COMPASS Portal
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Assessment Change Log
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Employer Survey
PURPOSE: Solicits views and opinions of employers of CS alumni on their experiences working with graduates of the program.
View Sample Form (pdf)
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B.S., M.S.
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Every 3 years
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All employers of CS alumni
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COMPASS Portal
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Assessment Change Log
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Department of Computer Science
