OBE, PEOs & POs
IMPLEMENTATION OF OUTCOME BASED EDUCATION (OBE)
All bachelor engineering programmes at the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) have adopted the Outcome Based Education (OBE) since the academic year of 2006/2007. The OBE emphasises that the professional attributes of the graduates satisfy the current and future needs of the country and global market in general. In general, OBE is a method of curriculum design, teaching and learning that focuses on what students can actually do after they are taught and also on the graduates of the programmes upon graduation and three to five years after they have graduated.
Following the OBE, the Programme Educational Objectives (PEO) of each programme offered at the Engineering Schools are developed through interviews and surveys from the stakeholders including industries, government, parents, students, alumni and the university lecturers. This signifies that the programmes offered in USM are relevant to the current needs of industries and society and for the preparation of high quality future talents.
With the agreed PEO, the curricular structure of each programme is planned accordingly to ensure that USM graduates possess the quality attributes as suggested by the Engineering Accreditation Council (EAC) and Board of Engineer Malaysia (BEM).
In line with the OBE system adopted by all engineering schools in USM, the School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering have the following PEOs for the three undergraduate programmes offered by the school:-
Programme Educational Objectives (PEOs)
For Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Electronic Engineering), the PEOs are:
1. Graduates who are employed in the Electronic Engineering related fields.
2. Graduates who are innovative, pursue continuous career development, and participate in society related activities.
3. Graduates who have leadership qualities, ethical values and awareness in sustainability issues.
For Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Electrical Engineering), the PEOs are:
1. Graduates who are employed in the Electrical Engineering related fields.
2. Graduates who are innovative, pursue continuous career development, and participate in society related activities.
3. Graduates who have leadership qualities, ethical values and awareness in sustainability issues.
For Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechatronic Engineering), the PEOs are:
1. Graduates who are employed in the Mechatronic Engineering related fields.
2. Graduates who are innovative, pursue continuous career development, and participate in society related activities.
3. Graduates who have leadership qualities, ethical values and awareness in sustainability issues.
Also under the OBE, each programme should have Programme Outcomes (POs) that describe what students are expected to know and be able to perform or attain upon graduation. The School is adopting the POs as stated by Washington Accord and Engineering Accreditation Council in its 2012 EAC Manual which are as follows:-
Programme Outcomes (POs)
1. Ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, natural science, engineering fundamentals and an engineering specialisation as specified in WK1 to WK4 respectively to the solution of complex engineering problems
2. Ability to identify, formulate, conduct research literature and analyse complex engineering problems reaching substantiated conclusions using first principles of mathematics, natural sciences and engineering sciences (WK1 to WK4)
3. Ability to design solutions for complex engineering problems and design systems, components or processes that meet specified needs with appropriate consideration for public health and safety, cultural, societal, and environmental considerations (WK5)
4. Ability to conduct investigation of complex engineering problems using research-based knowledge (WK8) and research methods including design of experiments, analysis and interpretation of data, and synthesis of information to provide valid conclusions
5. Ability to create, select and apply appropriate techniques, resources, and modern engineering and IT tools, including prediction and modelling, to complex engineering problems, with an understanding of the limitations (WK6)
6. Ability to apply reasoning informed by contextual knowledge to assess societal, health, safety, legal and cultural issues and the consequent responsibilities relevant to professional engineering practice and solutions to complex engineering problems (WK7)
7. Ability to understand and evaluate the sustainability and impact of professional engineering work in the solutions of complex engineering problems in societal and environmental contexts (WK7)
8. Ability to apply ethical principles and commit to professional ethics and responsibilities and norms of engineering practice (WK7)
9. Ability to function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader in diverse teams and in multi-disciplinary settings
10. Ability to communicate effectively on complex engineering activities with the engineering community and with society at large, such as being able to comprehend and write effective reports and design documentation, make effective presentations, and give and receive clear instructions
11. Ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of engineering management principles and economic decision-making and apply these to one’s own work, as a member and leader in a team, to manage projects in multidisciplinary environments
12. Ability to recognise the need for, and have the preparation and ability to engage in independent and life-long learning in the broadest context of technological change