What is ABET?
ABET, or Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, is a company that approves degree programs.  The company focuses on guidance, training, education, and recognition.  They look for the supply of information to engineering students and potential students, the plans for personal and professional development, appraisal of engineering curricula and maintaining a list of accredited curricula, and the development of methods where-by individuals could achieve recognition by the profession and the general public.

Why is IDE seeking ABET accreditation?
Their stamp of approval provides us with a structured mechanism to assess, evaluate, and improve the quality of our program. Accreditation also helps students and their parents choose quality college programs. It enables employers to recruit graduates they know are well-prepared.

Why doesn't IDE have ABET accreditation presently?
In order to become ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) accredited, a program must complete a detailed self-study and request a visit by an ABET program evaluator (PEV). Before such a visit can be requested, a program must first have graduates.  We've recently had two graduates in December and two in May.  Due to these recent graduations, we have requested a visit for the academic year 2008-2009.  We believe that ABET accreditation is crucial to the success of the IDE program and have carefully designed the program to meet all ABET applicable criteria. While we cannot guarantee eventual accreditation, we look forward to our ABET accreditation visit October 19-22.

How does this affect IDE students?
Accreditation assures that a program has met quality standards set by the profession.  To employers, graduate schools, and licensure, certification, and registration boards, graduation from an accredited program signifies adequate preparation for entry into the profession.  Whether you study applied science, computing, engineering, or technology, ABET accreditation is an important indicator of your program’s commitment to quality and may be a key to your professional future.

You can view ABET's official website here or contact them at the following address:

ABET, Inc.
111 Market Place, Suite 1050
Baltimore, MD. 21202
410.347.7700
410.625.2238 FAX

Program Educational Objectives

Engineering Design Methodology and Application:   Graduates of the Interdisciplinary Engineering program will be knowledgeable and experienced in engineering design of products, systems and processes, and in analyzing and solving complex problems.

Communication Skills:   Graduates of the Interdisciplinary Engineering program will be able to engage, motivate, and inform others, including business, management,  labor, engineering, and non-technical audiences, through oral, written, technical, web, graphical, video, and other forms of communication.

Teamwork:   Graduates of the Interdisciplinary Engineering program will be productive and valuable team members.

Creativity and Innovation:  Graduates of the Interdisciplinary Engineering program will be able to ideate, assess, and effectively implement ideas.

Business Processes:  Graduates of the Interdisciplinary Engineering program will be knowledgeable in regards to business principles, practices and processes.

Professional Responsibility: Graduates of the Interdisciplinary Engineering program will be aware of and understand their role as an engineer who devises solutions in the context of a wide range of social, ethical, environmental, cultural, legal, and political issues prevalent in an increasingly global economy.

 

Program Outcomes

1.  An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering.
2. An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data.
3.  An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability.
4.  An ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams.
5.  An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems.
6.  An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.
7.  An ability to communicate effectively in a variety of formats and media, such as orally, in writing, graphically and through electronic media.
8.  The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context.
9.  A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning.
10.  A knowledge of contemporary issues.
1 1.  An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.

Program Mission
To enable students to understand and practice the breadth of interdisciplinary engineering analysis and design, and to prepare students to be productive members of an increasingly technological society while working in an interdisciplinary environment, including meaningful team design projects and high quality instruction, especially as it pertains to the development and use of suitable software to enhance learning.