Date: November 25, 2003

Certificate or Degree Program: Computer Science B.S.

Mission Statements:

UA:

The University of Alaska inspires learning, and advances and disseminates knowledge through teaching, research, and public service, emphasizing the North and its diverse peoples.

UAF:

The University of Alaska Fairbanks, as the nation's northernmost Land, Sea, and Space Grant university and international research center, advances and disseminates knowledge through creative teaching, research, and public service with an emphasis on Alaska, the North and their diverse peoples.

CSEM

The College of Science, Engineering and Mathematics prepares students for professional excellence and public service through undergraduate, graduate and continuing education programs to benefit Alaska, the nation and the world.  We advance knowledge of natural and technological systems, including a northern perspective through research and education.

DMS

The Department of Mathematical Sciences at the University of Alaska Fairbanks has an important but simple mission as given by four primary goals:

1. To educate the students of the university and the public in general in the mathematical, computer science and statistical skills needed in order to function as useful and productive citizens in our nation and the world,

2. To add to the existing base of knowledge in the mathematical sciences through research and other scholarly activities,

3. To train new mathematical scientists and teachers of the mathematical sciences and

4. To provide the tools needed for continued scientific and technological progress.

Objectives:

1. To introduce the student to the fundamentals of computer programming and theory and to the underlying mathematical and scientific principles.

2. To prepare students for employment in the computing industry or for postgraduate study in computer science.

3. To provide students with an understanding of professional responsibilities, ethics, and the importance of life-long learning.

4. To develop skills for teamwork including collaboration and oral and written communications.

Expected Outcomes:

1. Students will achieve proficiency in calculus, discrete math, and statistics.

2. Students will achieve proficiency in Computer Science skills (fundamentals of programming, computer organization, architecture, operating systems, algorithms, theory, software engineering)

3. Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

4. Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively as part of a team.

5. Students will understand the need for continuing life-long learning and will continue to educate themselves throughout their careers.

6. Students will gain a broad background in liberal arts, fine arts, science and ethics.

7. Students will demonstrate the ability to apply their knowledge to practical problems.

8. Students will be employed in a computing-related industry or go on to graduate school.

To measure the expected outcomes, we will use the following resources:

1. CSIAC: The Computer Science Industry Advisory Council is composed of employers of our graduates. It will meet yearly to review collected material (see below), and to advise the department on curricular changes and strengths and weaknesses of recent graduates.

2. Alumni Survey: A survey of all reachable alumni will be distributed in February of even numbered years. The survey will gather information including job placement, graduate school information, salaries, and strengths/weaknesses in the program. Results will be compiled at the end of March and summarized by the CS Assessment committee. The summary will be distributed to all CS Faculty and to the CSIAC.

3. Employer Survey: A survey of employers of recent UAF CS graduates will be distributed in February of odd numbered years (and in February of 2004). The survey will gather information including strengths/weaknesses of recent graduates and industry trends. Results will be compiled at the end of March and summarized by the CS Assessment committee. The summary will be distributed to all CS Faculty and to the CSIAC.

4. Exit Survey: A survey of all students in CS 402 (the capstone senior project course) will be administered every spring. The survey will gather information including student employment plans and student opinion of curriculum. The results will be summarized by the CS Assessment committee and distributed to all CS Faculty and the CSIAC.

5. The University of Alaska’s assessment of core classes (performed separately from our department.)

1. ETS Major Field Test in Computer Science: This test will be administered to all graduating students in CS 402 (capstone course) every spring. (Information on this test is appended to this plan.) Summary results will be reviewed by the CS Assessment committee and the CSIAC.

2. Individual Course Assessment: Should the Field Test results indicate a weakness in a particular subject area, the course related to that subject area may be individually assessed. Such assessment would be performed by the CS Assessment committee and the teaching professor.

3. CS 402 Project Portfolio: CS 402 (Senior Project and Professional Practice) students complete a software engineering team project. Deliverables from this project include a written report and an oral presentation. A portfolio consisting of the report, a videotape of the presentation, and other supporting documentation (including instructor comments) is prepared for each project. Each year two of these portfolios will be selected to be reviewed by the CS Assessment committee and the CSIAC.

INTENDED OUTCOMES/ OBJECTIVES	ASSESSMENT CRITERIA	IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURES (what, when, who)
1. Students will achieve proficiency in calculus, discrete math, and statistics.	a) Completed Math 307 (Discrete Math) and Math 200 and 201 (Calculus sequence), Stat 300 (Statistics) and a 300 or 400 level Math elective with a C or better. b) Question(s) on alumni survey. c) Question(s) on employer survey. d) Review by CSIAC	a) Checked automatically by graduation office. These classes are offered by other units in our department and are separately assessed. b) See above. c) See above. d) See above.
2. Students will achieve proficiency in Computer Science skills (fundamentals of programming, computer organization, architecture, operating systems, algorithms, theory, software engineering)	a) ETS Major Field Test in Computer Science scores. b) Question(s) on alumni survey. c) Question(s) on employer survey. d) Completion of CS portion of curriculum e) Review by CSIAC	a) See above. b) See above. c) See above. d) Checked automatically by graduation office. e) See above.
3. Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.	a) CS 402 Project Portfolio. b) Completion of English core, Communications core, and ENGL 314 (technical writing.)	a) See above. b) Checked automatically by graduation office. These classes are separately assessed at the University level.
4. Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively as part of a team.	a) CS 402 Portfolios.	a) See above.
5. Students will understand the need for continuing life-long learning and will continue to educate themselves throughout their careers.	a) Question(s) on alumni survey. b) Question(s) on employer survey. c) Question(s) on exit survey.	a) See above. b) See above. c) See above.
6. Students will gain a broad background in liberal arts, fine arts, science and ethics.	a) University core requirement fulfilled.	a) Checked automatically by graduation office. These classes are separately assessed at the University level.
7. Students will demonstrate the ability to apply their knowledge to practical problems.	a) The CS 402 Project portfolio provides evidence these skills.	a) See above.
8. Students will be employed in a computing-related industry or go on to graduate school.	a) Question(s) on alumni survey. b) Question(s) on exit survey	a) See above. b) See above.