ABET

Computing Accreditation Commission

SELF-STUDY

QUESTIONNAIRE FOR REVIEW

of the

COMPUTER SCIENCE PROGRAM

submitted by

CaliforniaStateUniversity, Northridge
Institution
June 30, 2007
Date

to the

Computing Accreditation Commission

Primary contact: / Steven Stepanek, Department Chair
Telephone number:______FAX number: ______ / 818-677-3398 / FAX Number: / 818-677-7208
Electronic mail: /

ABET

Computing Accreditation Commission

111 Market Place, Suite 1050

Baltimore, Maryland21202-4012

Phone: 410-347-7700

Fax: 410-625-2238

E-mail:

www:

Table of Contents

I. Objectives and Assessments

A. Objectives

(The current educational objectives and expected outcomes for graduates are listed here along with the mission statement from the university and a description of the alignment of the program's objectives to the university's mission. This section also includes a description of the department's assessment process, current assessment plans, and identification of the members of the department involved in assessment.)

B. Implementation of Objectives

(This section includes a table that summarizes for each objective how it was measured, when it was measured, what improvements were identified, and what improvements were implemented.)

C. Assessments

(For each instrument used in assessment information is provided that shows its frequency and timing, the data that are collected, how the data are collected, from whom the data are collected, and how the assessment results are used and by whom. A summary of assessment activities since the last accreditation visit is provided, and the actual assessment data and analyses are included in an appendix.)

D. Program Improvement

(All significant uses of assessment results to identify program improvements and modification to objectives over the last five years are described here. This includes major program changes made as well as significant future program improvement changes planned.)

E. Program Evolution

(Any changes in philosophy or direction of the computer science program during the last five years are discussed. Also, any major developments in connection with the program in the last five years are explained.)

F. Program Current Status

(This section identifies the relative strengths and weakness of the computer science program and the department and any plans for future development of the program.)

II. Student Support

A. Frequency of Course Offerings

(Courses that are offered less frequently than once a year are identified along with an explanation of how it is determined when they will be offered. This includes both required courses, as well as, elective courses.)

B. Interaction with Faculty

(This section explains how effective communication is achieved between students and faculty. Separate discussions are included for lower and upper division students.)

C. Student Guidance

(A explanation is given as to how students are informed of the requirements to complete the program.)

D. Student Advisement

(The department's advisement process including a description of how we ensure students have access to necessary advisement.)

E. Access to Qualified Advising

(An explanation of how students get access to qualified professionals for advisement when necessary is given.)

F. Meeting the Requirements

(The "grad check" process which ensures that graduates have met all the requirements of the program is described.)

III. Faculty

A. Faculty Size

(A description is given relating the size of the faculty to the number of courses in the program demonstrating the ability to offer courses often enough to allow students to complete the program in a timely manner.)

B. Faculty with Primary Commitment

(This section identifies the number of faculty, by rank, who regularly teach coursed in the computer science program.)

C. Faculty Oversight

(An explanation of the process by which courses taught by part-time faculty are coordinated and monitored by full-time faculty is provided.)

D. Interests, Qualifications, Scholarly Contributions

(The departmental and institutional support that encourage and promote faculty currenty are described. Thespecific information for each faculty member is included in section G.)

E. Scholarly Activities

(The department, college, and university efforts to ensure all full-time faculty members have sufficient time and support for scholarly activities and professional development are described.)

F. Support for Advising

(An explanation of the department's advisement process is given explaining how faculty members are supported in this effort is given.)

G. Information Regarding Faculty Members

(For each faculty member, the following information is provided: Name, current academic rank, tenure status, date of original appointment, dates and ranks of advancement, degrees with fields, institutions, and dates, list of conferences, workshops, and professional development programs participated in during the last five years, related computing experience, consulting, principal publications, other scholarly activities, recent courses taught, other duties, number of students advised, percentage of time devoted to scholarly or research activities with a description of activities, and if part-time, percentage of time teaching.)

IV. Curriculum

(This section contains a complete description of the computer science curriculum including a chart that shows how the program meets the Criteria for Accrediting Computer Science Programs.)

A. Title of Degree Program

B. Credit Hour Definition

C. Prerequisite Flow Chart

(The current computer science prerequisite flow chart is provided.)

D. Course Requirements of Curriculum

E. Course Descriptions

(A complete description of each required and elective course in the program is given including a list of course objectives.)

V. Laboratories and Computing Facilities

(This section gives a complete description of the current laboratory and computing facilities and the support for them.)

A. Computing Facilities

B. Student Access

C. Documentation

D. Faculty Access

E. Support Personnel

F. Instructional Assistance

VI. Institutional Support and Financial Resources

(This section is to be provided by the Office of the Dean.)

A. Faculty Stability

B. Faculty Professional Activities

C. Office Support

D. Time for Administration

E. Adequacy of Resources

F. Leadership

G. Laboratory and Computing Resources

H. Library Resources

I. Continuity of Institutional Support

VII. Institutional Facilities

A. Library

(A discussion of the university support for the computer science program is provided including relevant technical collections.)

B. Classroom Equipment

(An explanation of the equipment available for classroom instruction, including a description of the "smart classrooms" is provided here.)

C. Faculty Offices

(A description of the number and average size of faculty offices is given.)

Appendix I. Information Relative to the Entire Institution

(This section is to be provided by the Office of the Dean.)

A. General Information

B. Type of Control

C. Regional or Institutional Accreditation

D. Enrollment

E. Funding Process

F. Promotion and Faculty Tenure

Appendix II. General Information on the Unit Responsible for the Computer Science Program

(This is a description of the structure of the Computer Science Department.)

A. Computer Science Program Unit

B. Administrative Head

C. Organization Chart

E. Computer-Related Undergraduate Degree Programs

Appendix III. Finances

(This information is to be provided by the Chair of the Computer Science Department)

A. Finances Related to the Computer Science Program(s)

B. Operating and Computing Expenditures

C. Additional Funding

Appendix IV. Computer Science Program Personnel

(This information will be provided by the Chair of the Computer Science Department and/or the Office of the Dean.)

A. Term of Appointment of Administrative Head

B. Number of Personnel Associated with Program

C. Policies

Appendix V. Computer Science Program Enrollment and Degree Data

(This appendix shows the enrollment figures for the first term of the current and five previous academic years and the number of undergraduate and graduate degrees conferred.)

Appendix VI. Admission Requirements

A. Admission of Students

(This section describes the criteria and procedures used for admitting students to the computer science program. It includes a discussion of the pre-major and the requirements to be admitted to the computer science program.)

APPENDIX VII. ASSESSMENT RESULTS

(The results of all the assessment activities since the last accreditation visit are included in this appendix.)

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