Civil Engineering
Program Mission
The mission of the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) program at Oregon Institute of Technology is to prepare students for professional practice. To be prepared to practice as professionals, engineers must be able to act responsibly and ethically, understand their limits and the limits of the tools they use, communicate effectively, work well in teams, and, amid the changing landscape of the field of civil engineering, be able to pursue graduate level education if necessary.
Educational Objectives
The following objectives are what the faculty expects graduates from the program to be able to accomplish upon commencement of their careers and stem directly from the program mission.
be able to practice civil engineering.
be able to pursue advanced education in civil engineering or a related field.
act as responsible, effective, and ethical citizens.
understand and effectively communicate the realistic constraints of civil engineering.
be able to perform effectively in a multi-disciplinary environment.
Expected Student Learning Outcomes
From these objectives, stem a number of specific and measurable outcomes. In addition to being more specific, the outcomes state what students should be able to demonstrate while in the program and provide evidence that the objectives are also being met.
- an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
- an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
- an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs
- an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams
- an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
- an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility as well as the importance of professional licensure
- an ability to communicate effectively
- the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context
- a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning
- a knowledge of contemporary issues
- an ability to use the techniques, skill, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice
- an ability to explain basic concepts in management, business, public policy, and leadership
- an ability to perform realistic and practical civil engineering design
Curriculum Map
The curriculum map for the civil engineering program can be found on the program's web page on the OIT web site.
Summary of Student Learning Outcomes
During the 2007-08 academic year, the Civil Engineering faculty formally assessed the student learning outcomes summarized in the attached report. Additional details can be found in department assessment records.
The assessments conducted during the 2007-08 revealed strengths in many areas, and weakness in three:
- Outcome h: the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context
- Outcome k: an ability to use the techniques, skill, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice
- Outcome l: an ability to explain basic concepts in management, business, public policy, and leadership
At the departmental retreat in Fall 2008, course and/or curriculum improvements will be discussed and decided upon to address these weaknesses. Decisions will also be made then about when to reassess these outcomes to ensure that the quality of the program is not only maintained but also improved. Future assessment reports will describe how these open issues have been addressed.