Computer Science (CMPBC) Educational Objectives
The program educational objectives of the Penn State Behrend Computer Science Program are to produce graduates who, within three to five years after graduation, are able to:
- Be employed in industry, government, or entrepreneurial endeavors to demonstrate professional advancement through significant technical achievements and expanded leadership responsibility;
- Demonstrate the ability to work effectively as a team member and/or leader in an ever-changing professional environment; and
- Progress through advanced degree or certificate programs in computing, science, engineering, business, and other professionally related fields.
Graduates of the program are expected to demonstrate:
- Analyze a complex computing problem and apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
- Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
- Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
- Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
- Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
- Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions.
According the ACM and IEEE, “Learning objectives are central components of any body of knowledge; basically they capture important elements that are typically absent from a mere list of knowledge topics. They are intended to capture what students are able to do with knowledge.”
The Program Educational Objectives were established through input from employers of our students, alumni, and faculty. The achievement of Program Educational Objectives is assessed through the use of surveys.
The Program Educational Outcomes are assessed using a combination of:
- Direct assessment of Student work. Each year faculty members in the program assess graded examples of student work to determine the level of achievement. The examples of student work are linked directly to the Educational Outcomes.
- Senior Exit Surveys. This assessment survey is completed by all graduating seniors in which they are asked to rate how well the Educational Outcomes were achieved.
- Internship Employer Surveys. This assessment survey is completed by supervisors of students who receive internship credit. Employers are asked to rate how well the Educational Objectives were achieved.
- Senior Project Evaluations. This assessment tool is completed by faculty judges of senior projects at an annual research conference. The judges, from Penn State Behrend and other colleges, measure how well the deliverables of the senior projects perform and how well students present their deliverables, processes, and professional demeanor.
The Program Educational Outcomes are assessed annually and the Computer Science program employs at least three of the listed measurement tools. More detailed information for the program is available upon request.