Polymer Engineering and Science
Program Educational Objectives
The educational objectives of the Penn State Behrend Polymer Engineering and Science program are to produce graduates who, within three years of graduation, are able to:
- Be employed in fields such as materials design, research, development, applications, testing, manufacturing, processing, safety, quality, and technical sales as an engineer or scientist,
- Assume positions of leadership and responsibility within an organization, and/or
- Progress through advanced degree or certificate programs or participate in continuing education in engineering, business, and/or other professionally related fields.
Student Outcomes
- an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics,
- an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors,
- an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences,
- an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts,
- an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives,
- an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions,
- an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
According to ABET, “Program Educational Objectives are broad statements that describe the career and professional accomplishments that the program is preparing graduate to achieve. Student Outcomes are narrower statements that describe what students are to know and be able to do by the time of graduation.”
The Program Educational Objectives were established through the input from employers of our students, alumni, and industrial constitutes of the program. The achievement of Program Educational Objectives is assessed through the use of alumni and employer surveys, as well as employer focus groups. The Student Outcomes are assessed using a combination of the following instruments:
- Faculty Evaluation 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 the Student Outcomes.
- Senior Exit Surveys. This assessment survey is completed by all graduating seniors in which they are asked to rate how well the Student Outcomes were achieved.
- External Advisory Board Meetings. External Advisory Board Meetings are held at least once annually. A recurring agenda item will address student outcomes. Concerns expressed by the board are documented, discussed in department meetings, subject to actions when required and reported back in subsequent meetings.
- Industrial and/or Senior Design Sponsor Surveys. This assessment survey is completed by supervisors of senior design projects to measure how well the outcomes of the senior design experience were achieved.