Potential Objections and Responses to WPI CS Reply to CAC Preliminary Report

Version: Mon Jun 23 16:16:45 EDT 2003

OBJECTION:

The Standard must be be satisfied in all cases.

RESPONSE:

The CAC's own definitions say that: "For a program to meet the Intent of a Criterion, it must satisfy all the Standards in that Criterion
OR
demonstrate an alternative approach to achieving the Intent of the Criterion." [our caps]

i.e., you can achieve the Intent without satisfying all the Standards.

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OBJECTION:

If a school chooses to follow the Intent, and not the Standards, then the Standards become the guidelines for satisfying the Intent.

RESPONSE:

This is not stated in any ABET CAC document. If it is not stated then it cannot be imposed on any school seeking accreditation. Schools are allowed to "demonstrate an alternative approach to achieving the Intent of the Criterion", but no restrictions are placed on these alternatives.

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OBJECTION:

WPI has not shown that its program could not meet the Standard.

RESPONSE:

It is not necessary to show that a program cannot meet the Standard in order to demonstrate Intent.

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OBJECTION:

WPI has not shown that its program is unique enough to justify avoiding meeting the Standards.

RESPONSE:

Nothing in the ABET CAC documents indicates that programs must justify the choice of how to satisfy the Intent Criteria. Programs may, at their discretion, demonstrate that they satisfy the Intent criteria by meeting the Standards or through an alternative approach. WPI has chosen the alternative approach.

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OBJECTION:

Three science courses does not constitute an emphasis on science as required by the Intent.

RESPONSE:

The Intent requires an "emphasis on science and mathematics", not necessarily an "emphasis on science" and an "emphasis on mathematics".

The program's requirement of 7 mathematics courses, 3 science courses, and 2 science/engineering courses is an emphasis on science and mathematics.

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OBJECTION:

CAC intended an "emphasis on science" and an "emphasis on mathematics".

RESPONSE:

This is not what was written. In any case, we assert that 3 science courses plus 2 science/engineering courses constitutes an emphasis.

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OBJECTION:

Some engineering courses, such as Introduction to Computer-Aided Design, have little or no science content.

RESPONSE:

Even if a student takes one such course, there is still adequate science in the program.

CAD applies mathematical concepts, such as analytic geometry, to real-world problems, and so contributes to the emphasis on science and mathematics in the program.

For students who go on to develop graphical software or work with mechanical engineers, this course plays a role in their preparation for professional practice.

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OBJECTION:

Few, if any, programs have tried alternative approaches to meeting the Intent.

RESPONSE:

The mechanism of demonstrating an alternative approach to achieving Intent was instituted in order to give programs such as WPI's the opportunity to be innovative and distinctive without sacrificing accreditation.

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