Mission of the College, Department and Program

We engage our diverse college community in the study of technology to cultivate and expand human potential. To that end, the college fosters a technologically and culturally global perspective. Through collaborative efforts, we develop professionals and leaders who are adept in technology, innovative in problem solving, and skillful in the communication of concepts and ideas.

The mission of the Department of Technology Systems is to prepare men and women, well able to perform and meet challenges within the professions of Aviation Studies, Construction Management and Technology, Electronics and Computer Technology, and Manufacturing Technology.

In line with the College and the Department mission, the Electronics and Computer Technology program prepares exemplary electronics and computer technology professionals who are problem solvers in the areas of Electronic Technology, Computer Technology, Instrumentation and Process Control, and Computer Networking. The program also facilitates research and development in the application of electronics and computer technology.

Quality of Curriculum and Instruction

The Electronics and Computer Technology program prepares students for technical manager positions mainly in the areas of electronics, computer hardware and networking, instrumentation and process control.

Electronics and Computer Technology includes such diverse areas of electronic circuits, electronic devices (including microprocessors), computer hardware and interfacing, digital communications and computer networking, instrumentation and process control, and electric motors.

The program was validated by our Industrial Advisory Committee. Student and employer comments from the Co-operative Education experience say that our program has well-developed curriculum. The curriculum is accredited by NAIT, and we are positioning ourselves to TAC-ABET accredited.

The curriculum is revised periodically to reflect the recent changes in industry. This resulted in creation of new courses and modifications of other courses. To cope with the increased importance of the information technology in industry, courses in computer software/hardware and networking are added to the curriculum. The program has also created a minor in its curriculum.

Students Served

The program serves North-West Ohio region. It serves both traditional students through day-time courses, and non-traditional students through evening courses. About 25% of our majors are non-traditional students. Our program attracts some women and minority students. We delivered courses at off-campus locations to cater to non-traditional students that are working full-time in industries.

Program Offerings

The ECT undergraduate program offers a strong technical knowledge combined with an emphasis in management courses and cooperative experience which prepares them to get Technical Manager positions. The ECT program faculty participate in Master of Industrial Technology (MIT) program of the College in its Manufacturing option. We are planning to develop a separate ECT option in our MIT program. The ECT program is an active member of Digital Communication Systems specialization of the Ph.D. consortium program.

Student Outcome Assessment Measures

In the Electronics and Computer Technology program, there are student outcomes and assessment measures in all courses. Matriculation requirements in the program need a grade of C or better in several basic courses. Other measures are co-operative education reports, exit interviews, follow-up alumni surveys, graduate placement record. Some of these measures are in the implementation stage. However, our records show a matriculation rate of more than 80% for our students. Feedback from students and employers show a very high percentage of employment for our graduates. Our co-op placement also shows highly satisfied employers. Our students receive scholarship awards from national organizations such as ISA - Instrumentation, Systems and Automation Society and Electrical Manufacturing and Coil Winding Association (EMCWA).

Assessment Measures in Undergraduate Courses

As described before, the overall goal of the Electronics and Computer Technology program is to prepare the students for a technical management position. This goal is met by successful completion of course work in electronics and computer technology and related areas, mathematics, science, and business operations. The expected student learning outcomes and assessment of them are as follows:

1. Demonstrate awareness of technical knowledge and abilities in electronics and computer technology regarding electric circuits, electronic circuits and instrumentation techniques.

Assessed by students meeting matriculation of earning a C or better in:

ECT 196
ECT 240
ECT 241

2. Demonstrate understanding of technical knowledge and abilities in electronics and computer technology regarding electric circuits, electronic circuits and devices, and computer system through simple circuit design, fabrication, testing, and analysis of results.

Assessed by earning a grade of C or better in the following course work:

ECT 344, ECT 386, ECT486 Communications and Computer Networking
ECT 249, ECT 349 Digital Systems and Computer Hardware
ECT 441, ECT 453 Instrumentation and Process Control System
ECT 300, ECT 310 Electric Machinery and Control

3. Demonstrate functional ability in oral and written communication skills.

Assessed by students meeting matriculation standard of a C or better in ENG 112.

Assessed by earning a C or better in laboratory reports written in following courses:

ECT 241 Electronic Circuits
ECT 344 Electronic Communication Circuits
ECT 453 Digital Computers for Process Control
ECT 486 Digital Communications and Computer Networking

Assessed by earning a passing grade of S on their Cooperative Education reports for the following:

TECH 289
TECH 389
TECH 489

Assessed by earning a C or better in IPC 306 and an oral presentation in ECT 453 and ECT 486.

4. Demonstrate functional ability in using a computer as a problem solving tool and working knowledge of computer applications relevant to electronic technology.

Assessed by earning a C or better in:

CS 101
CS 201

Assessed by successfully creating a computer simulation of electronic circuit, exercising the simulation, and generating a hard copy of results in:

ECT 241
ECT 249
ECT 341
ECT 349

Assessed by successful programming in a high level language for data communication, and process control problems in

ECT 349
ECT 386
ECT 441
ECT 453
ECT 486

5. Demonstrate functional awareness and coping skills in an industrial environment through structural field experiences.

Assessed by successfully preparing and updating a resume per Cooperation Education standards.

Assessed by successfully earning a passing grade (S) in meeting all Cooperative Education requirements.

6. Demonstrate functional understanding of mathematics and physics.

Assessed by students meeting the matriculation standard of earning a C or better in:

MATH 128
PHYS 201.

7. Demonstrate functional understanding of business operations and management techniques.

Assessed by earning a C or better in:

MGMT 300
MGMT 305

Assessed by earning a successful grade on Question 8 of the TECH 389 Cooperation Education report which asks the student to analyze the management style or leadership behavior of his superior.

8. Graduates will be qualified to obtain and retain a professional position based upon their preparation and experiences.

Assessed by alumni follow-up survey within six months of graduation.
Assessed by a follow-up five years after graduation.
Assessed by Electronics and Computer Technology Exit Questionnaire.
Assessed by Industrial Advisory Committee feedback.

Information on these measures is gathered and available in the students' files kept with the Program Services Office and the faculty advisors.

Inference Drawn from Co-operative Education Reports' Assessment

One of the assessment methods used in the Electronics and Computer Technology program is to use students' feedback from the questions (in section 5-C) in their Co-operative Education reports about the program. Student reports of the past five years are assessed, and the following inference is drawn.

There is enormous amount of information in electronic technology.
There is enough emphasis on laboratory work in ECT courses, which is beneficial to students.
ECT 196, 240 and 241 courses are useful, and gave enough background to get my co-op experience started.
Electronic classes have given basics in PID temperature controllers, PLCs and motion control devices.
I received an education that was worth every penny.
Some of the courses may benefit from including more emphasis on trouble shooting and fault detection.
Laboratory grades should worth more than what it is in some of the courses.
Need a program concentration in electric vehicle technology.
The ECT program has prepared me to enter the field in an entry-level position in Electronic Technology.
There are schedule conflicts with co-op and Fall/Spring course offerings.
Equipment in the labs needs to be updated. They are obsolete and over used.
I did not like TECH 101 and 102 courses.
More PLC work is needed.
Preparation in computer science is meager.
Need a class in C language.
Experience in my major was more demanding than other majors. This is good because it made me work very hard.
Limited number of faculty in ECT program.
There are too many general education courses. Reduce them and add more ECT courses.
The business component of the curriculum gave enough background to function in an industry.
Business courses gave good introduction to nontechnical side of the industry.
Algebra and calculus classes have helped in courses dealing with problem solving skills.
Combination of technical courses, business courses and general education courses provided a well rounded education.

Action taken from Co-operative Education Reports' Assessment Inferences

Based on the inferences drawn from the Co-operative Education Report questions reported in 5-C, the following changes were made to the ECT program curriculum.

A PLC course was added to the curriculum.
ECT curriculum now needs two required computer science courses, and one of them is a C language course.
Emphasis on computer and information technology is being increased. A second course in digital communication and computer networking is added to the curriculum, and other courses are planned.
TECH 101 and 102 courses were dropped from the curriculum.
In the program strategic plan, one more permanent faculty is requested for the program.
The scheduling conflicts are being closely observed, and adjustments are being made wherever possible. ECT courses are also being offered in summer.
In the program strategic plan, request is made to replace all the aging laboratory equipment with new ones. A new Computer Networking facility is being developed. Also plans are being made to get Ohio Board of Regents (OBOR) and other external funds to improve the laboratory equipment.

Assessment Integration Statement

As described before, the overall mission of the Program is to prepare students for technical management roles in the area of electronics and computer technology in industry. This preparation is carried out by developing the competencies. The students gain these competencies through the Electronics and Computer Technology curriculum as described in the undergraduate catalog and program definition section.

The student progress is recorded in student files in the Program Services Office. This is reviewed through faculty advisement, matriculation, and senior audits on an on-going basis. On the program check-sheet a schedule for taking the courses by students is suggested as a way of progressing towards graduation. The program success is directly based on the quality of our students, which can be assessed from the records kept in the Program Services Office, and the Co-operative Education Office. The Program Services Office regularly develops data on the number of majors and graduates of the program. Further records related to the program success are the student co-op placements, alumni placement and the scholarly works of the faculty and students. The record of placement is kept in the Co-op office, which reviewed and up-dated regularly. The teaching, scholarship and service of the faculty is assessed on an annual basis.