CIS 4615 Learning Objectives and Outcomes
This page specifies the learning objectives and outcomes for the course. Objectives are skills that students will exhibit 3 to 5 years after the course; that is, they are long range goals. Outcomes are skills that students are measured against during the course. In essence, the objectives are a (requirements) specification we refine into the more detailed outcomes, which we try to achieve by the instruction given in the course.
General information about this course, including more traditionally presented learning objectives and outcomes, and the course's syllabus are found on separate web pages.
Learning Objectives
The learning objectives below are set for the Computer Science (CS) and Information Technology (IT) bachelor's degrees as a whole, and the statements of these outcomes are quoted (or modified) from Computer Science's Mission & Objectives web site. The purpose of the following is to tie this course in with Computer Science's objectives for these degree programs. Thus the presentation is organized by these objectives, and within each of these, the impact on the course's objectives is stated. Links to this course's learning objectives look like [SecurelyImplement].
CS Objective 1 [CSObj1]
"CS graduates participate as effective and productive team members or team leaders in the development of large computer and software systems covering a broad range of engineering and scientific applications in their chosen careers."
Being an effective and productive member of a software development or security team is an important objective that leads to all the course's essential outcomes [SecurelyImplement] [Analyze] [ReverseEngineer].
Impact: Teamwork and team leadership are part of Software Engineering [SoftwareEng], which is an enrichment objective for CIS 4615, since the class is not primarily about managing and rewarding secure software engineering practices, which is an advanced topic.
CS Objective 2 [CSObj2]
"CS graduates demonstrate the knowledge and skills to do advanced studies and research in computer science and related engineering and scientific disciplines."
Impact: Research is an enrichment objective for this course [Research].
IT Objective 1 [ITObj1]
[IT] "Graduates demonstrate the technical competence necessary for careers in information technology as well as in a wide variety of disciplines that integrate information technology into their respective fields of activity."
Impact: This is an important objective that leads to all the course's essential outcomes [SecurelyImplement] [Analyze] [ReverseEngineer].
IT Objective 2 [ITObj2]
[IT] "Graduates demonstrate communication skills, teamwork capabilities, and leadership abilities necessary for a successful professional career."
Impact: Software Engineering [SoftwareEng] is an enrichment objective for CIS 4615, since the class is not primarily about managing and rewarding secure software engineering practices, which is an advanced topic.
IT Objective 3 [ITObj3]
[IT] "Graduates participate in life-long learning activities appropriate to their profession, including graduate study, professional training, and involvement in professional societies."
Impact: Research is an enrichment objective for this course [Research].
Learning Outcomes
The learning outcomes below are set for the CS and IT bachelor's degrees as a whole, and the statements of these outcomes are quoted (or modified) from Computer Science's Mission & Objectives web site. The purpose of the following is to tie this course's outcomes into those of the CS and IT degrees. Thus the presentation is organized following those outcomes, and within each of them, the impact on this course's outcomes is stated. Links to this course's learning objectives, which describe assessment for that outcome, look like [SecurelyImplement]. For more on assessment, see also the course assessment plan. Note that since the CS and IT degree outcomes are drawn from ABET's outcomes for these degrees, they are largely identical for both degree programs.
CS and IT Outcome 1 [CSITOut1]
"be able to: apply knowledge of computing and mathematics appropriate to the discipline; specifically to include the application of mathematics, science and engineering to solve and reason about computational problems."
Impact: This is an important outcome that leads to the essential outcome [Validate], which should be consulted for assessment.
CS and IT Outcome 2 [CSITOut2]
"be able to: analyze a problem, and identify and define the computing requirements appropriate to its solution."
This is an important outcome that leads to the essential outcome [SecurelyConstruct], which should be consulted for assessment.
CS and IT Outcome 3 [CSITOut3]
"be able to: design, implement and evaluate a computer-based system, process, component, or program to meet desired needs and budget, by applying best practices in software development processes, methods, and tools."
This is an important outcome that leads to the essential outcomes [SecurelyConstruct] and [Validate] which should be consulted for assessment.
CS and IT Outcome 4 [CSITOut4]
"be able to: function effectively on teams to accomplish a common goal."
Impact: the course grading policies allow students to work in teams. However, since this is not required, due to the nature of the material, it is also not assessed.
CS and IT Outcome 5 [CSITOut5]
"be able to: demonstrate an understanding of professional, ethical, legal, security, and social issues and responsibilities."
Impact: This is an enrichment outcome for the course [LegalEthical], so it will not be directly assessed.
CS and IT Outcome 6 [CSITOut6]
"be able to: communicate effectively with a range of audiences."
Impact: This is an enrichment objective for the course [Writing], and will not be directly assessed.
CS and IT Outcome 7 [CSITOut7]
"be able to: analyze the local and global impact of computing on individuals, organizations and society."
Impact: This is not an outcome for the course, although it is related to an enrichment outcome [LegalEthical]. It will not be directly assessed.
CS and IT Outcome 8 [CSITOut8]
"be able to: recognize the need for and an ability to engage in continuing professional development."
Impact: This is not an outcome for the course, so it will not be directly assessed.
CS and IT Outcome 9 [CSITOut9]
"be able to: Use current techniques, skills, and tools necessary for computing practices."
Impact: This is an important outcome for the course and leads to the essential outcomes: [SecurelyConstruct] [Validate], and [Reversing] which should be consulted for assessment.
CS Outcome 10 [CSOut10]
"Graduating CS majors shall be able to: apply mathematical foundations and computer science theory, in particular principles of algorithmic design and complexity analysis, in the modeling and design of computer-based systems in a way that demonstrates comprehension of the tradeoffs involved in design choices."
This is an outcome that directly determines some of the course objectives: [SecurelyConstruct] [Validate], which should be consulted for assessment.
IT Outcome 10 [ITOut10]
"By graduation each [IT] student should be able to: use and apply current technical concepts and practices in the core information technologies."
This is an outcome that directly determines some of the course objectives: [SecurelyConstruct] [Validate], which should be consulted for assessment.
CS Outcome 11 [CSOut11]
"All graduating CS majors, by the time of their graduation, shall be able to: apply design and development principles in the construction of software systems of varying complexity."
This directly relates to one of the course's essential outcomes [SecurelyConstruct], which should be consulted for assessment.
IT Outcome 11 [ITOut11]
"By graduation each [IT] student should be able to: identify and analyze user needs and take them into account in the selection, creation, evaluation and administration of computer-based systems."
This directly relates to one of the course's essential outcomes [SecurelyConstruct], which should be consulted for assessment.
CS Outcome 12 [CSOut12]
"All graduating CS majors, by the time of their graduation, shall be able to: demonstrate their knowledge of, and ability to apply, programming fundamentals in at least three programming languages."
Impact: this is not an outcome that is important for this course, and will not be assessed, although students will gain additional experience with the C language and with Intel assembly langauge.
IT Outcome 12 [ITOut12]
"By graduation each [IT] student should be able to: integrate IT-based solutions effectively into the user environment."
Impact: this is not an outcome that is important for this course, although it is related to the essential outcome [Validate], and the enrichment outcome [DevelopTools].
CS Outcome 13 [CSOut13]
"All graduating CS majors, by the time of their graduation, shall be able to: Demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of, and their ability to apply the concepts and design principles relating to: data structures, computer architecture and organization, programming languages, operating systems, and networks."
Impact: This outcome only indirectly affects the essential outcomes for the course, and as such will not be directly assessed.
IT Outcome 13 [ITOut13]
"By graduation each [IT] student should be able to: understand best practices and standards and their application."
Impact: This outcome only indirectly affects the essential outcomes for the course, and as such will not be directly assessed.
IT Outcome 14 [ITOut14]
"By graduation each [IT] student should be able to: assist in the creation of an effective project plan.
Impact: This is not an outcome for this course, and as such will not be directly assessed.
Last modified Wednesday, August 12, 2015.
This web page is for CIS 4615 at the University of Central Florida. The details of this course are subject to change as experience dictates. You will be informed of any changes. Please direct any comments or questions to Gary T. Leavens at leavens@eecs.ucf.edu. Some of the policies and web pages for this course are quoted or adapted from other courses I have taught, in particular, Com S 342 and COP4020.