Objectives and Outcomes for Doctoral Programs in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Transcription

1 Objectives and Outcomes for Doctoral Programs in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Objectives for the programs are: 1. To enable students to develop as successful professionals for highly competitive positions in industry, government, and academic departments 2. To prepare students to be effective researchers in the fields of mechanical or aerospace engineering 3. To enhance visibility of the doctoral programs in mechanical and aerospace engineering nationally Outcomes for each of the program objectives are: 1. To enable students to develop as successful professionals for highly competitive positions in industry, government, and academic departments, the programs aim to provide a variety of experiences that help students to: a. achieve the highest level of expertise in mechanical or aerospace engineering, mastery of the knowledge in their fields and the ability to apply associated technologies to novel and emerging problems b. present research to local, regional, national, and international audiences through publications in professional journals and conference papers given in a range of venues, from graduate seminars to professional meetings c. participate in professional organizations, becoming members and attending meetings d. broaden their professional foundations through activities such as teaching, internships, fellowships, and grant applications 2. To prepare students to be effective researchers in the fields of mechanical or aerospace engineering, the programs aim to provide a variety of experiences that help students to: a. become independent researchers in an area of study, developing a substantial expertise in that area that allows them to make an original contribution to it b. state a research problem in such a way that it clearly fits within the context of the literature in an area of study and demonstrate the value of the solution to the research problem in advancing knowledge within that area c. apply sound research methods/tools to problems in an area of study and describe the methods/tools effectively d. analyze/interpret research data e. communicate their research clearly and professionally in both written and oral forms appropriate to the field 3. To enhance visibility of the doctoral programs in mechanical and aerospace engineering nationally, the programs aim to: a. attract, secure, and retain high-quality students

2 b. enhance doctoral education by creating advanced courses, providing more support resources for fellowships, research, travel to conferences, etc. for doctoral students, and providing special mentoring for doctoral students interested in pursuing academic careers c. place more graduates in academic positions in the U.S. d. attract, retain, and support research-active faculty e. provide more support for research-active faculty, such as reduced undergraduate teaching and increased research space Outcomes Assessment Plan Data to be collected Outcome Data Source Collected 1a. To achieve the highest level of expertise in mechanical or aerospace engineering, mastery of the knowledge in their fields and the ability to apply associated technologies to novel and emerging problems Rubric to be filled out at student s oral preliminary exam (see attached) Faculty members on student s committee At each oral prelim. defense 1b. present research to local, regional, national, and international audiences through publications in professional journals and conference papers given in a range of venues, from graduate seminars to professional meetings 1c. participate in professional organizations, becoming members and attending meetings 1d. broaden their professional foundations through activities such as teaching, internships, fellowships, and grant applications Student curriculum vitae to be updated each (details in summary below) Students At the end of each semester 2. To prepare students to be effective researchers in the fields of mechanical or aerospace engineering Rubric to be filled out at student s final defense (see attached) Faculty members on student s At each final defense

3 committee 3a. To attract, secure, and retain high-quality students 3b. To enhance doctoral education by creating advanced courses, providing more support resources for fellowships, research, travel to conferences, etc. for doctoral students, and providing special mentoring for doctoral students interested in pursuing academic careers 3c. To place more graduates in academic positions in the U.S. 3d. To attract, retain, and support research-active faculty 3e. To provide more support for research-active faculty, such as reduced undergraduate teaching and increased research space Application statistics (details in summary below); GRE scores and GPA s of admitted students Number of, and enrollment in, 700-level courses; number of 700- level courses in Ph.D. plans of work; dollar amount of support for students (details in summary below); number of graduates placed in academic positions Number of graduates placed in academic positions in the U.S. Percentage of first-choice job applicants to come to NC State Dollar amount of support for faculty (details in summary below) The Graduate School Summary: Data to be collected Rubric to be filled out at student s oral preliminary exam (see attached) Student curriculum vitae to be updated each (including items related to professional development such as publications, presentations, conferences attended, proposals written, fellowships, and teaching assistantships) Rubric to be filled out at student s final defense (see attached) Application statistics (number of applicants, percentage of applicants accepted, percentage of accepted candidates matriculating) GRE scores and GPA s of admitted students Number of 700-level courses Enrollment in 700-level courses Number of 700-level courses in Ph.D. plans of work

4 Dollar amount of support for students (funding for student support, such as research assistantships, teaching assistantships, research expenditures, and travel) Number of graduates placed in academic positions Number of graduates placed in academic positions in the U.S. Percentage of first-choice job applicants to come to NC State Dollar amount of support for faculty (funding for faculty support, such as travel, cost sharing, support for proposal writing, support staff for research activities, computers, equipment, course-load reduction, start-up packages, research leaves, and TA support) Summary: When data are to be collected Data to be collected individually when available for each student Rubric to be filled out at student s oral preliminary exam Rubric to be filled out at student s final defense Data to be collected each semester Student curriculum vitae to be updated each (including items related to professional development such as publications, presentations, conferences attended, proposals written, fellowships, and teaching assistantships) Data to be collected annually Application statistics (number of applicants, percentage of applicants accepted, percentage of accepted candidates matriculating) GRE scores and GPA s of admitted students Number of 700-level courses Enrollment in 700-level courses Number of 700-level courses in Ph.D. plans of work Dollar amount of support for students (funding for student support, such as research assistantships, teaching assistantships, research expenditures, and travel) Number of graduates placed in academic positions Number of graduates placed in academic positions in the U.S. Percentage of first-choice job applicants to come to NC State Dollar amount of support for faculty (funding for faculty support, such as travel, cost sharing, support for proposal writing, support staff for research activities, computers, equipment, course-load reduction, start-up packages, research leaves, and TA support) Eight-year cycle for outcomes assessment Year Objective Data to be Analyzed Document /04 Development of outcomes, measures, and assessment plan /05 1 Rubrics to be filled out at student s oral preliminary exam Student curriculum vitae to be updated each Biennial report submitted

5 3 2005/ / / / / /11 2 Rubric to be filled out at student s final defense 3 Application statistics GRE scores and GPA s of admitted students Number of 700-level courses Enrollment in 700-level courses Number of 700-level courses in Ph.D. plans of work Dollar amount of support for students positions positions in the U.S. Percentage of first-choice job applicants to come to NC State Dollar amount of support for faculty 1 Rubrics to be filled out at student s oral preliminary exam Student curriculum vitae to be updated each to the Graduate School Biennial report 2 Rubric to be filled out at student s final defense Biennial report 3 Application statistics GRE scores and GPA s of admitted students Number of 700-level courses Enrollment in 700-level courses Number of 700-level courses in Ph.D. plans of work Dollar amount of support for students positions positions in the U.S. Percentage of first-choice job applicants to come to NC State Dollar amount of support for faculty 1 Rubrics to be filled out at student s oral External preliminary exam review Student curriculum vitae to be updated each report due 9/1/11

6 EVALUATION RUBRIC: PRELIMINARY EXAM PROPOSAL PRESENTATION Doctoral Candidate: states a research problem in such a way that it clearly fits within the context of the literature in an area of study demonstrates the potential value of the solution to the research problem in advancing knowledge within the area of study provides a sound plan for applying research methods/tools to solving research problem and shows a good understanding of how to use methods/tools effectively provides a sound plan for analyzing/interpreting research data poor competent excellent communicates research proposal clearly and professionally in both written and oral forms appropriate to the field demonstrates capability for independent research in the area of study, the ability to develop and apply substantial expertise in that area and to make an original contribution to it

7 EVALUATION RUBRIC: DISSERTATION Doctoral Candidate: states a research problem in such a way that it clearly fits within the context of the literature in an area of study demonstrates the potential value of the solution to the research problem in advancing knowledge within the area of study applies sound research methods/tools to problems in an area of study and describes the methods/tools effectively analyzes/interprets research data poor competent excellent communicates research clearly and professionally in both written and oral forms appropriate to the field has demonstrated capability for independent research in the area of study, applying substantial expertise in that area and to making an original contribution to it