I. Objectives and Assessments

Standard I-1. The program must have documented, measurable objectives.

Standard I-2. The program's objectives must include expected outcomes for graduating students.

Please attach items that support or precede the objectives, e.g.,

• mission statements from institution, college, department, program
• plans (institution, college, department, etc.)
• all objectives including student outcomes (itemize)
• process for assessments
• who is involved in assessment and improvement?
• data from assessments
• inputs from any supporting Office of Assessment

1. Indicate below or attach to this document your educational objectives for this program. These objectives must include expected outcomes for graduating students.

Goals:

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science program was one of the first Bachelor of Science programs implemented at Utah Valley University in 1993.  Our goal has been to provide a quality program that meets accreditation standards while providing the students with a skill set that allows them to succeed in computing careers.

Using the Association of Computing Machinery model curriculum as our guide for the theory necessary in computing programs, we have provided students with two (three) major areas of specialization:  Computer Science, Software Engineering and Networking.  We incorporate state-of-the-art hardware and software in our program to allow students to enter the job market with a usable skill set and we emphasize the theory to provide the basis for additional learning in an ever-changing work environment.

We require the students to demonstrate communications skills and to have a background in the liberal arts. Science and math form a major part of the curriculum and students are required to take part in ethics classes as part of the general education and in their chosen area of specialization.

The curriculum emphasizes the three major categories related to capabilities and skills of computer science graduates described in the ACM CC2001 report.

Cognitive capabilities relating to intellectual tasks specific to computer science

Practical skills relating to computer science

Additional transferable skills that may be developed in the context of computer science but which are of a general nature and applicable in many other contexts as well

The structure of the curriculum recognizes the following areas of Computer Science in which clearly defined ``core topics'' have been acknowledged by the ACM Computing Curricula 2001.

Discrete Structures
Programming Fundamentals
Algorithms and Complexity
Architecture and Organization
Operating Systems
Human-Computer Interaction
Graphics and Visual Computing
Intelligent Systems
Information Management
Net-Centric Computing
Programming Languages
Social and Professional Issues
Software Engineering
Computational Science and Numerical Methods

Objectives: Each graduate should be able to:

1. Analyze, design, implement and test a computerized solution to a "real life" problem
2. Be able to accomplish objective #1 in two different computer languages
3. Demonstrate an understanding of how computing components fit into systems as a whole, including the human-computer interaction
4. Demonstrate a general background in the theory of Computer Science and understand how that theory influences practice
5. Communicate effectively orally and in writing
6. Be involved in at least one major project that involves group development and implementation

Objectives: Each faculty member should:

1. Teach a variety of courses in the core and specialization areas
2. Continue to improve in effective teaching by:
   1. setting high expectations
   2. creating synthesizing experiences
   3. promoting active learning
   4. encouraging collaborative learning and
   5. providing assessment with prompt feedback.
3. Be engaged in scholarly works and share the results of those works with the Computer Science or Computer Science Education community

Keep up-to-date in the field in general and in areas related to normal teaching assignments in particular;

2. Describe how your program's objectives align with your institution's mission.

College Mission Statement

Utah Valley University is comprised of two interdependent divisions. The lower division embraces and preserves the philosophy and mission of a comprehensive community college, while the upper division consists of programs leading to baccalaureate degrees in areas of high community demand and interest. Utah Valley University is dedicated to providing a broad range of quality academic, vocational, technical, cultural, and social opportunities designed to encourage students in attaining their goals and realizing their talents and potential, personally and professionally. The University is committed to meeting student and community lower division and upper division needs for occupational training; providing developmental, general, and transfer education; meeting the needs for continuing education for personal enrichment and career enhancement; and providing diverse social, cultural, and international opportunities, and student support services.

Our Student Community

Students are the major focus and first priority of UVU. All decisions are examined to determine whether the results assist students in attaining their goals and maximizing their potential and talents both personally and professionally.

Our Faculty and Staff Community

Our dedicated faculty members are enthusiastic about the satisfactions of teaching and giving generously of their time to students.

UVU is committed to maintaining an atmosphere for faculty and staff which encourages innovation, experimentation and entrepreneurial investigation relative to college programs and interests.

Our Diverse Community

UVU strives to provide an environment which encourages a diverse population to participate in a broad range of educational opportunities, social enrichments and cultural experiences that reflect the value of diverse voices and disparate opinions.

Our Industrial Community

UVU is committed to developing, broadening, and strengthening mutually beneficial partnerships with business and industry to provide an increasingly educated work force and to enhance economic growth and development in the community.

Our Global Community

Global awareness, understanding, and responsibility on campus and in the community are sought through internationalizing curriculum, lectures, seminars, and international exchanges.

The term "Community" is defined not only as a region to be served but also as a climate to be created.

The occupational emphasis of the CS curriculum has been developed to match the goals of UVU and the charge given to UVU by the Board of Regents and the State Legislature.  While we recognize the role of theory and abstraction in the curriculum, our primary goal is to provide graduates ready to assume a productive role in the local computer related industries.

Note: On the following page is a table which can be filled out with pertinent information relating to objectives, their measurement, and their effect on the implementation of program improvements.