Renewable Energy Systems
Mission
The Renewable Energy Systems Bachelor of Science degree program prepares students for the challenges of designing, promoting and implementing renewable energy systems in society's rapidly-changing energy-related industries. The department will be a leader in providing career-ready candidates for the Pacific Northwest Region's renewable and sustainable engineering fields. Faculty and students will engage in applied research in emerging technologies and provide professional services to their communities.
Educational Objectives
In support of this mission, the program graduates are expected to demonstrate the following program educational objectives:
Establish a firm understanding of the fundamentals of energy, based on the concepts of science and mathematics, such that graduates excel as professionals in the various fields of energy engineering.
Provide open-ended engineering problems, practical working examples and opportunities for applied senior projects via partnerships with industry and other institutions such that graduates become creative, independent leaders who are ready for immediate employment.
Convey the importance of becoming life-long learners and responsible citizens who think critically, communicate effectively and are aware of professional and ethical responsibilities in implementing sustainable engineering solutions.
Expected Student Learning Outcomes
Students in the Renewable Energy Systems program must demonstrate:
a. an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering.
b. an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data.
c. an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability.
d. an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams.
e. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems.
f. an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.
g. an ability to communicate effectively.
h. the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context.
i. a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning.
j. a knowledge of contemporary issues.
k. an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.
l. an ability to apply the fundamentals of energy.
m. an understanding of the obligations for implementing sustainable engineering solutions.
n. an appreciation for the influence of energy in the history of modern societies.
Curriculum Map
The curriculum map for the Renewable Energy Systems 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 RES faculty formally assessed the student learning outcomes summarized below. Additional details can be found in the attached assessment report and in department assessment records.
SLO a: an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
Strengths: Students met or exceeded expectations in use of math, science and engineering principles to predict, analyze and solve problems, and in applying fundamental concepts to solve technical problems.
Areas needing improvement: None at this time.
SLO b: an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data.
Strengths: Students met or exceeded expectations in conducting an experiment, analyzing results and data, interpreting results and data, and improving a design or process.
Areas needing improvement: None at this time.
SLO c: an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability.
Strengths: Students met or exceeded expectations for defining a design problem, designing a strategy, employing models/simulations, evaluating solutions, and selecting a best design solution.
Areas needing improvement: None at this time.
SLO d: an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams
Strengths: Freshmen students demonstrated an acceptable ability to participate in a team, communicate within the team, and reach group consensus.
Areas needing improvement: At the freshman level, students had some difficulty with selecting a leader and dividing up tasks. This outcome will be assessed at the upper-division level after students have taken SPE 321 Small Group and Team Processes.
SLO g: an ability to communicate effectively
Strengths: Students met or exceeded expectations for performing and oral presentation and answering questions during the presentation. This was also true for written communication where students met or exceed expectation for gathering information, organizing content, demonstrating writing technique, and drawing conclusion.
Areas needing improvement: Improvement is needed in student ability to organize an oral presentation. In the classes involved, REE 221 and EET 102, the instructors will stress the importance of preparation and practice on future assignments and revisit this outcome next year.
SLO l: ability to apply the fundamentals of energy
Strengths: Students met or exceeded expectations for understanding the fundamentals of energy and developing an efficient energy distribution system for a society.
Areas needing improvement: None at this time.