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REVIEW OF CHANGES MADE TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES – “CLOSING THE LOOP”

We have made many changes to improve outcomes. Some have been tied to our metrics (pre- 2003) and some have been tied to other assessments such as surveys or senior debriefing interviews. We list all of these together and note the genesis of the change. Bolded entries are changes originated from our outcome metrics.

Problem Diagnosed	Assessment Tool Used	Remedy Implemented
Students need study area	Senior exit survey-facilities	Room 323 renovated to include teamwork area and socializing space. This was eventually changed to a research lab for graduate students and a conference room. Room 127 currently being renovated.
Computing labs not modern	Senior exit survey, facilities survey for all students	Investment in lab equipment and software (approximately $50,000) for general purpose labs and software for specific classes as well as SIE 453, SIE 305, SIE 431.
Modernize curriculum including data base experience	Senior exit survey, SIE 495 debriefing, and IAC meeting	Adjusted curriculum adding SIE 277 (OOM) and modifying SIE 377 to include data base design.
Senior design course too short to get to implementation and do a good job	Outcome Metrics: Senior Design Reports and Client Reviews and Exit Exam-Design	2 semester sequence. Started 2003-2004. We received better client reviews. 2 projects were completed at initial scope and 2 were done at reduced scope.
Students are unclear of SE and IE differences and what SIEs do	SIE 495 debriefing	Add a sophomore seminar covering such topics in new curriculum. Added SIE 454a starting Fall 2001 as this is a required SE course.
Students have trouble deciding when to use simulation vs. analytical models	Outcome Metrics: Exit Exam- Modeling	Informed instructors to clarify modeling approaches and relevance, particularly in SIE 431. Modeling exam improvements in 2004 group after a failure in the 2003 group.
Need for modern tools	SIE 495 debriefing	Development of metrology lab (SIE 330) and introduction of SIE 277 and UML starting Fall 2001 in addition to computing lab upgrade.
Lack of breadth in traditional engineering science	Outcome Metric: Exit Exam –Design	More breadth in engineering science added in new curriculum. Students now take 1 unit of 3 different engineering science topics. Results have been mixed.
Difficulty in linear programming	Outcome Metric: SIE 340 Grades	Textbook change has improved scores. Also a refocus of the course materials seem to improve the linear programming course metrics in the new 2003 system relative to what was happening in 2002.