CET - ABET Self-Study - Indiana State University

CHAPTER 3. EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES 20
and we ask for comments from the Advisory Board. New emerging technology
courses are to be offered in the revised program. Some courses have
been eliminated from the old program and new ones added. Mr. Bridgewater
asked if we based our benchmark against Computer Engineering
degrees? Dr. Raeisi and Prof. Ashby gave a course by course overview of
the courses to be included in the new program. Mr. Bridgewater asked if
any course would cover industry standards such as S95? Dr. Croft asked
for input–we on the right track, have we missed anything? Ms. Nakanishi
commented that some 200 level courses have been re-numbered as
100 level courses. Mr. Bridgewater asked how we will differentiate ourselves
from MIS or IT majors. Dr. Croft replied that the revised program
will move us to look like MSI or IT majors, but with much more added.
We will keep the IT side but will retain the industrial flavor. Dr. Cockrell
explained that in 1981 the program was called Computer Technology
and later changed to Computer Hardware Technology. Mr. Bridgewater
asked if our vision for the program is plant floor perspective or IT perspective.
He sees too much computer design. Mr. Watler agreed. Those
things are not needed in industry. Dr. Croft explained that we need to
produce a person who is employable in all facets and useful in the marketplace.
Mr. Bridgewater added that our graduates need to be able to
“program it, understand it, and communicate it”. Ms. Nakanishi sees a
product design person coming out of this program more than overall systems
integration. Mr. Roop: (1) In the power industry, there is a need for
the Computer Hardware program and that is the type of person they look
for. (2) Small and medium sized businesses are driving the economy and
this Computer Hardware Program fulfills their needs. Mr. Watler said that
careful advising will be needed to know what direction a student would
want to take. Mr. Roop wants to challenge us to be visionary– what will be
needed for the future. Mr. Watler felt like he got from the ECT Department
a very good foundation for what he needed in his career. Mr. Bridgewater
suggested that plant tours would be very beneficial, and that after tours
students should be asked what route they want to take–plant floor or IT?
We could ask alumni to give plant tours.
3. April 13 2007 IAB meeting (Figure A.3 on P. 79)
Computer Engineering Technology. Dr. Croft explained the process
that has gone into revising the old Computer Hardware Technology program
which has become the new Computer Engineering Technology major.
The ECT Department has surveyed Advisory Board members, alumni,
students, etc. After examining other programs across the country we found
that we were already a Computer Engineering Technology program. We
just didn’t have the name. Former students said that the “name” would
have made a difference in the type of job they could get. The accrediting
group would change from NAIT to TAC-ABET. Dr. Croft described