========================================== Course number: COP 3330 Course name: Object-Oriented Programming with C++ Course review committee members: Robert Myers, Chris Lacher, Ann Tyson, David Gaitros Report submitted date: 09/nnn/2013 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Were there any problems with the course last year? If Yes, describe the problems. Instructors of the course feel that the coverage and topics are all appropriate and that they are being covered consistently. The main problems appear to be some inconsistency in the level of preparation of students coming out of the COP 3014 course in varying semesters, as well as the higher incidences of honor code violations (or attempted violations). The other general concern that was addressed was the SMALCS/ABET program assessment to be done during COP 3330. There hasn't been complete agreement as to the interpretation of the stated objective of this assessment ("The student will be able to construct computer software solutions for simple programming problems.") We set a goal to better align our interpretation of this outcome (i.e. what level is really meant by "simple programming problems"). It would be nice to have a more clear outcome/objective statement, however. It was noted that the mapping of ABET requirements to the specific outcome statements was done several review cycles ago, and it was suggested that the department could do with re-evaluation of what course the ABET objectives should be measured in. Chris Lacher made a case for measuring the objectives in later courses that were taken primarily or exclusively by majors in the Computer Science BS track -- since there are students from many other related degree programs that actually take these lower-level core courses (COP 3014 and COP 3330), such as Computer Criminology, BA in Comp Sci, etc. and those other degrees are not part of ABET accreditation. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Course committee recommendations to current/future instructors. Follow the university's curricular file syllabus to ensure consistency of topic coverage (this seems to be getting done for the most part in COP 3330). Use software plagiarism detection software (such as MOSS) regularly to detect and prevent honor code violations, and follow up on such cases. Coordinate with other COP 3330 instructors more regularly to better align how the required ABET/SMALCS program outcome A is assessed (i.e. at the same level of material / rigor). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Course committee recommendations to department/UCC regarding this course. - We recommend that the UGCC consider making COP 3353 (Intro to Unix) a pre-requisite for COP 3330, rather than a co-requisite, so that students already have the base unix knowledge before they start working with g++ in COP 3330. - Recommend that only regular full-time faculty teach this course (as opposed to being taught by adjuncts or grad TAs).