Major Assessment Plan

Major Assessment Plan

Department of Computer Science

Georgia State University

March 2004

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

Master of Science in Computer Science

Doctoral of Philosophy in Computer Science

Within the Georgia State mission of research, education, and public service, the mission of the Department of Computer Science encompasses the following areas.

Research: To make leading contributions to basic and applied science by:

· conducting broadly based research in both theoretical and applied areas of computer science. Current active research areas are: Artificial intelligence and neural networks, Bioinformatics, Combinatorial optimization, Computer architecture, Computer networks, Databases, Digital libraries, Graphics and visualization, Parallel and distributed computing, Programming languages, Simulation, and Software engineering.

· collaborating on interdisciplinary efforts with other units including Biology, Chemistry, Computer Information Systems, Mathematics and Statistics, Philosophy, Physics, and Psychology.

Educational Programs: To provide the next generation of leaders and capable lifelong learners in computer science. The Department of Computer Science offers programs at the baccalaureate, master's and doctoral levels.

Service: To support other programs at Georgia State by offering rigorous training in basic computer science to non-majors and to support collaboration with colleagues in other disciplines.

PROGRAM PURPOSES AND PHILOSOPHY

The Department of Computer Science offers one undergraduate degree, the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. The basis of the degree program provides students with underpinnings for today’s applications in industry, science, government, and business and prepares the foundation for tomorrow’s applications in ubiquitous computing, medical cures for diseases, and instant access to information by every one.

The baccalaureate program contains the following:

a) courses needed to meet general institutional degree requirements;

b) a core of foundation courses to develop a strong background in mathematics and physics and to build a scientific foundation for areas such as computer design, computer programming and software, information processing, algorithmic solutions to problems, and the algorithmic process itself;

c) concentration courses that provide for appropriate breadth and depth of knowledge in the discipline. These concentrations are: Computer software systems, Databases and knowledge-based systems, Graphics and human-computer interaction, Hardware systems, Networks and parallel and distributed computing, and Theoretical computer science;

d) computer science upper division electives that enable the student to further explore their interests in computer science.

The B.S. in computer science provides strong preparation in the fundamental principles and processes of computation and the basic computer science upon which these principles and processes depend. In addition, the program provides for the application of these principles to problems in the areas of science and technology.

INTENDED LEARNING OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES

Below are expected competencies for computer science majors. The first six are also included in the General Education Assessment Plan.

1. Communication

Students communicate effectively using appropriate writing and oral conventions and formats.

2. Collaboration

Students participate effectively in collaborative activities

3. Critical Thinking

Students formulate appropriate questions for research.

Students appropriately evaluate claims, arguments, evidence and hypotheses.

Students use the results of analysis to appropriately construct new arguments and formulate new questions.

4. Contemporary Issues

Students effectively analyze contemporary issues within the context of diverse disciplinary perspectives.

Students effectively analyze contemporary multicultural, global, and international questions.

5. Quantitative Literacy

Students effectively perform arithmetic operations, as well as reason and draw appropriate conclusions from numerical information. Students effectively translate problem situations into their symbolic representations and use those representations to solve problems.

6. Technology

Students effectively use computers and other technology.

7. Algorithm Design and Analysis

Students understand the principles and methods of analyzing algorithms and have a working knowledge of algorithm design techniques.

8. Discrete Mathematics

Students understand the mathematics of discrete structures and have a working knowledge of the application of discrete mathematics in computer science.

9. Computer Systems Development

Students understand the principles, processes, and life cycles of computer systems development and have a working knowledge of the modeling techniques and tools to specify systems under development and of computer systems project team management.

10. Programming Skills

Students understand the current, best-practices programming paradigms and have a working knowledge of programming in high-level programming languages that implement the paradigms.

11. Hardware Systems

Students understand the principles and processes of hardware systems development and have a working knowledge of the modeling techniques and tools to represent the phases of development.

12. Computer Organization and Programming

Students understand the principles, organization, and process for designing and programming digital logic devices. Students have a working knowledge of current technologies.

IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

The undergraduate coordinator will have overall responsibility for maintaining data collection, reporting, and dissemination of assessment results to faculty in the Department of Computer Science. Our Undergraduate Committee will be responsible for considering and enacting curricular changes in the light of assessment findings within the Department of Computer Science. Specific measurement implementation includes:

Examinations: Student ability will be assessed via examinations. Copies of selected examinations will be collected from individual faculty members for future inspection by the Assessment Committee. (each semester)

Written Class Assignments, Lab Reports, and Research Reports: Copies of selected written class assignments, lab reports, and research reports will be collected from individual faculty members for future inspection by the Assessment Committee. (each semester)

4000-Level Course Oral and Written Presentations – Copies of selected presentations and oral reviews will be collected from individual faculty for future inspection by Assessment Committee. (each semester) Students are encouraged to participate in external design competitions where they are judged relative to their peers from other institutions. (ongoing)

Senior Level Course Surveys and Senior Exit Interviews: A senior level course survey and exit interview will be conducted each term to solicit input from graduating seniors on a self assessment of their education, on their concerns with the department, and their ideas for possible curricular improvements. The undergraduate coordinator will administer the survey in conjunction with the graduation audit check out.

Alumni Surveys: An alumni survey will be mailed to alumni via the departmental newsletter on an annual basis. Survey will solicit input from alumni on job promotions, success in graduate schools, job satisfaction, etc. Results will be provided to the Assessment Committee for review.

Department of Computer Science

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

Intended Learning Outcomes and Assessment Methods

Intended Learning Outcomes

Communication

Collaboration

Critical Thinking

Contemporary Issues

Quantitative Literacy

Technology

Algorithm Design & Analysis

Discrete Mathematics

Computer Systems Development

Programming skills

Hardware Systems

Computer Organization and Programming

Assessment Methods

Examinations^*

•

Written Assignments, Lab Reports, or Research Reports^*

•

4000 Level Course Oral/Written Presentations^*

•

Senior Level Course Surveys and Exit Interviews

•

Alumni Surveys

•

^*Note: Material collected from any one course may not provide a basis for assessing mastery of all 12 learning outcomes. However, material collected from required courses will cover all 12 learning outcomes.