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CRITERION 3-(b) OF 'ABET' FOR LABORATORY PRACTICES IN CIVIL ENGINEERING EDUCATION Joseph C. Sener, Ph.D., P.E. Civil Engineering Department Boise State University College of Engineering 1910 University Drive, MEC 403K Boise, ID 83725-2075, USA

Abstract

The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), 2003-2004 General Engineering Criteria for Basic Level Program Outcomes and Assessments, requires engineering programs to demonstrate that their graduates have an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data (ABET 2003-2004/Criterion-3b). The goal of this requirement is to deviate from “go-through-the-motions” style ASTM procedures, and allow a team of students to design, develop and conduct integrated laboratory experiments. The outcome of this effort is to move from the basic goal of an established test (e.g." a given material characteristic, or property) to devising new equipment and experimental procedures that will bring out student creativity and establish interest in research throughout their education in the future. This paper will document the recent approach used at Boise State University, the College of Engineering, in the Engineering Properties of Construction Materials Laboratory where teams of students design their own experiments to investigate the particle shape and surface texture analyses of coarse aggregates.

Keywords: ABET, Engineering Education, Enhancing Laboratory Testing Practices, Outcomes and Assessments, Criterion 3-(b).

1. Introduction

The quality of the performance of the students and graduates is one of the most important considerations in the evaluation of an engineering program. [1] The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET) has established a 'General Criteria for Basic Level Programs', and the Criterion 3-(a) through (k), 'Program Outcomes and Assessments', outlines the requirements for engineering programs to demonstrate for their graduates. Specifically, the Criterion 3-(b), 'an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data,' addresses the assessment of the following skills of the students and graduates of the program: • Recognition of the need for experimental work; • Ability to plan and formulate an appropriate experimental program;

Proceedings of the 2004 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2004, American Society for Engineering Education

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Sener, J. (2004, June), Criterion 3 (B) Of 'abet' For Laboratory Practices In Civil Engineering Education Paper presented at 2004 Annual Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah. 10.18260/1-2--13035