Excellence in Curriculum Development in Applied Sciences

Excellence in Curriculum Development in Applied Sciences

V.Thanikachalam, Ph.D., M.Tech., M.S., B.E., FIE., FIGS.

Status • Profound changes are occurring throughout the world in the new age of rapidly advancing information technology and globalization. • The need for theory and research based applications of the applied sciences, natural sciences and social sciences has never been greater and is growing stronger as the 21st century unfolds • Untapped human capital

Program Educational Objectives in Arts & Science Programs

• Provide in-depth training to students in arts, commerce, applied sciences and applied mathematics • Provide students with an opportunity to develop their professional knowledge and expertise to a higher caliber and to qualify for leadership positions in teaching, in research, in administration and in management, and in policy analysis and program development • Harness and develop human capital

Course Outcomes in Arts and Science Programs

• Identify well defined applied science problems of importance to the professions or the community as well as generate new ideas and approaches to solve science based problems. • Apply advanced experimental analytical and computational techniques to solve complex applied science problems. • Develop new hybrid courses which would provide skills and competencies.

Outcome Based Curricula in Applied Science to Meet the Needs of Fast Growing Indian Economy • Faster Growth of Indian Economy due to globalization • Entry of MNCs • NACC Accreditation • Ensuring the skills and competencies in the Graduates, Postgraduates and Doctorates • Plan outcome based curricula in Arts and Science Programs

Impact of Globalization on the Higher Education Programs in Applied Science • Demand for creative graduates in applied sciences and arts • Expertise in IT enabled tools and analysis, and planning methods • Advanced skills and competencies in innovative product planning, design, prototype development, testing, and improvement • Problem solving skills • Leadership skills • Creative skills • Lifelong learning • Commitment for excellence

According to Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET • One year mathematics and basic science • Lab. Work, experimental planning, data collection, analysis, drawing inferences • Basic Sciences: Chemistry, Physics, & Biology • One and one half years of engineering courses • Engineering Sciences • Engineering Design appropriate to students fields of study • Roots in mathematics and basic sciences • Carry knowledge further toward creative application • Provide bridge between engineering practices and mathematics and basic sciences • General education components for the technical content of the curriculum • Consistent with the program and instructional objectives

Applied Science Programs of IITs, and NITs

• IITs and NITs are offering master and doctoral degree programs in applied chemistry, mathematics and physics • State technical universities also expanded the role of applied science departments • Many state technical universities offer interdisciplinary programs for applied science graduates • Government of India established a number of Indian Institute of Science Education and Research

Apprenticeship Training Programs for Science Graduates

• Under Apprenticeship Training Scheme of the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India introduced one year Apprenticeship Training for Science Graduates • The industries would offer one year training in science related areas with assistanceship • The graduates could learn more industrial applications

Courses, Course Outcomes and Program Educational Objectives • To achieve the planned PEOs, are there sufficient courses with appropriate learning outcomes?

• If not, how he/she would face the problem?

• Plan basic courses, core courses, applied courses, advance courses & electives to suit the career needs of the graduates

Robert Stake’s CIPP Model • Context (Globalized Economy) • Input from digital technology • Process to create new solutions • Products (Graduates) with skills and competencies

Reverse System Approach • Outcomes: Needed skills and competencies to successfully work in the competitive global environment • Output: Scientists/ Economists/ Managers/Lawyers with high performing ability • Process: Learning process to meet the competency development • Input: Resources (Lab., Library, digital technology, Resource Persons, Infrastructure, funds for development, input from the detailed job analysis, details of skills, competencies, and key performance areas • Feedback: Feedback from the employers, evaluation from the alumni, faculty feedback, views of the Board of Studies/ Academic Council, UGC Evaluation Committee, and Experts views

Planning Interdisciplinary Programs in Arts and Science • • • • • • • •

Develop Strategic Planning Create vision and mission Select areas of importance Consider industrial application Identify resource persons Obtain the support of the industries Train the faculty Modernize the labs.

National Laboratories’ Cooperation • In the absence of active National Labs- R&D Units of Industry-Institute-Government Partnership, the Outcome Based Education is NOT going to produce effective Scientists/ Managers/ Artists/Lawyers/Engineers • High end learning outcomes need a lot of resource persons and active guidance from the senior scientists

Identification of Indian Economy Needs • Spectrum of jobs that India offers to the fresh Science, Commerce, Arts, Law and Computer graduates • Job analysis with respect to intellectual needs • Synthesis of key skills and competences of Scientists/ Arts Graduates • Desired independent performance of fresh graduates • Abilities needed from fresh graduates to perform • Planned course outcomes to inculcate abilities through curriculum and instructional delivery

Classification of Abilities • Core abilities: - Application of mathematics, science, and engineering fundamentals - Identification, formulation, research literature to solve professional problems - Design solutions for complex problems - Conduct investigations into complex problems - Use of IT tools - Apply reasoning informed by contextual knowledge

Advanced Abilities • Understand the impact of professional science solutions in social and environmental contexts • Apply ethical principles and commit to professional ethics • Communicate effectively on complex engineering activities with engineering community

Human Relation Abilities • Function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader in diverse teams and multidisciplinary settings

Professional Abilities • Recognize the need for, and have the preparations and ability to engage in independent and lifelong learning in the broadest context of technological change

Leadership Abilities • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of social and physical science, computer and management principles and apply these to one’s own work, as a member and leader in a team to manage projects and in multidisciplinary environments

Major Questions to be Answered •

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Whether the most significant Educational Program Objectives (PEOs) in arts and science have been identified?

Whether the national laboratory representatives/employers have accepted the PEOs? Whether appropriate / relevant learning outcomes are planned for all basic, core, applied, advanced and elective courses?

Whether the sums of all learning outcomes contribute to the achievement of PEOs? Whether the learners possess adequate abilities to solve the professional challenges in the real life situation?

Do they have right attitude to professional ethics?

Major Questions to be Answered…

• Will they engage in independent and lifelong learning in the broadest context of technological digital change?

• Will s/he function as a member or leader in diverse teams and in multidisciplinary settings?

• Will s/he ensure public safety in their work?

• Will they protect environment and reduce greenhouse emissions?

Critical Success Factors • Whether the Indian economy needs are identified through needs analysis?

• Whether the key skills and competencies are identified?

• Whether critical course outcomes are prepared to meet the PEOs? • Whether the program is implemented to provide needed skills and competencies?

• Whether the learners have been trained in the current development processes?

• Whether the learners are capable of solving various case studies?

What are the Enabling Factors?

• High Performing Faculty Teams • Resources • Employers Cooperation • Feedback from Alumni and Employers • Supporting Administration • UGC • University • Board of Studies • Academic Council • Senate • Syndicate

Enabling Factors • Trained and high quality faculty with commitment for excellence • Adequate resources, infrastructure, and institutional support • Feedback from the alumni and the employers or employer’s association • Good collaboration/ cooperation with the national labs/industry • Support from the UGC, and University

Applied Mathematics • Probability and Statics –Deciding in a unified way with theory and methodology for probabilistic representation of chance phenomena, application of stochastic modelling to physical and social sciences, formulation of statistical models, fitting statistical models to data and interpretation of data

Operation Research and Optimization

• Dealing in unified fashion with the application of optimization theory and mathematical programming, computer modelling, stochastic modelling and game theory to planning and policy problems such as scheduling, allocation of resources, and facility location.

Discrete Mathematics • Traditional themes of graph theory and combinatorics • Newer topics arising from modern technological and theoretical development

Computational and Applied Mathematics

• Computing, Advanced Numerical Analysis, Advanced Matrix Analysis and Mathematical Modelling

Applied Chemistry • Modern contemporary and forward looking programs • Build upon the strong foundation and traditions of engineering chemistry • Combine this tradition with the latest advances in chemical technologies application • Design applied chemistry to address the needs of modern knowledge based industries

Industrial Application • Pharmaceuticals, bio-technology, energy, environment • Advanced manufacturing • Green technologies • Advanced materials • Bioplastics and Bio-composites • Applied organic chemistry • Sustainability of products and processes using renewable feedstocks

Botany • Plant pathology- vital to understanding disease as well as the potential problems caused by climate change • Plant ecology-concerned with how plants interact with the environment, climate change • Palae botany-fundamental to understanding the changing climate of the planet • Archaeo botany- looking at the spread of crop farming , wetland drainage, irrigation, medicinal plants • Forensic botany-use of plants as evidence in criminal trial

Applied Physics • • • • • • • • •

Industrial Applications Nanoscience Medical Physics Material Testing Acoustics Computer Applications Patent Laws Interdisciplinary Research Networks to be applied to accelerate the development

Prepare strategic plan for development • • • •

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Develop vision, mission, goals and objectives Evaluate the capability of the faculty Provide advanced training Get the support from the outstanding faculty from the high performing institutes and research & development organizations Identify new programs Develop curricula Evaluate the curricula Pilot test the implementation Improve

Summary • Develop the outcome based curricula in Applied Sciences and Natural Sciences through in depth needs analysis • Include key courses with planned outcomes which would support the achievement of PEOs • Develop the expertise in curriculum development • Compare the existing well established programs • Develop our own scientific and industrial capabilities

Summary …

• Periodically evaluate the needs of the employers and the adequacy of the present curriculum • Continuously improve the applied courses, advanced courses and electives to meet the career needs of the students • Use the case studies, improve the problem solving abilities and creativity of the learners

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