ABET Outcome

5) Provide students an understanding of contemporary societal, economic, and environmental issues and an appreciation of the role of engineering on these issues.

Outcome 5 covers EC-2000 critieria h,j.

ECEN defines this outcome in a broad sense to mean that students who graduate from OSU in electrical or computer engineering have a general education and see the role of engineering in a broader human context. Such a general education is specifically mentioned in the university and college mission statements and a required part of the university curriculum. However, a significant portion of a student’s general education is covered by many areas of the curriculum that are not directly taught by ECEN faculty. To meet this outcome ECEN is responsible for oversight and assessment to a larger extent than active participation in education.

The oversight role of ECEN is defined as providing academic advising to students to make sure the H and S electives provide this general education. Specifically ECEN shall ensure the H and S electives of students provide a coherent sequence of introductory and advanced courses in a one or more areas.

The assessment role of ECEN is to ensure that students have the educational background to place larger human issues in perspective. This educational background will be assessed by monitoring the course content of those courses that fulfill the ECEN H&S requirements, ensuring students maintain adequate grades in these courses, and by surveying students. ECEN, in conjunction with CEAT, shall annually assess H&S electives and add, modify, or remove electives as necessary.

The active participation of ECEN will be twofold. First, the relation between engineering and contemporary societal, economic, and environmental issues will specifically be addressed in one-hour courses taught by ECEN. Second, ECEN shall annually assess the content of H&S electives determined from the syllabus. ECEN shall work with H&S faculty and/or adjust elective course options to ensure adequate general education requirements.