BSCS Assessment Plan – Updated Rubrics, January, 2016

Contents
Outcome a: An ability to apply knowledge of computing and mathematics appropriate to the discipline ............................................................................................................................................ 2
Outcome b: An ability to analyze a problem, and identify and define the computing requirements appropriate to its solution .......................................................................................................... 3

Outcome c: An ability to design, implement, and evaluate a computer-based system, process, component, or program to meet desired needs ............................................................................... 4
Outcome d: An ability to function effectively on teams to accomplish a common goal. ........................................................................................................................................................................ 5
Outcome e: An understanding of professional, ethical, legal, security, and social issues and responsibilities. ...................................................................................................................................... 6
Outcome f: An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences. ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Outcome g: An ability to analyze the local and global impact of computing on individuals, organizations, and society ....................................................................................................................... 8

Outcome h: Recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in continuing professional development. ........................................................................................................................................ 9
Outcome i: An ability to use current techniques, skills, and tools necessary for computing practice. ................................................................................................................................................. 10

Outcome j: An ability to apply mathematical foundations, algorithmic principles, and computer science theory in the modeling and design of computer-based systems in a way that
demonstrates comprehension of the tradeoffs involved in design choices........................................................................................................................................................................................... 11

Outcome k: An ability to apply design and development principles in the construction of software systems of varying complexity. ................................................................................................. 12

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Outcome a: An ability to apply knowledge of computing and mathematics appropriate to the discipline

PI a1 Plan and write programs that demonstrate programming, debugging and troubleshooting skills
Performance Novice Emerging Competent Proficient Exemplary
Measures/Appraisals 1 2 3 4 5
Sample shows little ability Sample shows some Sample demonstrates Sample proves good Sample demonstrates
Plan and write programs that demonstrate in planning, writing and ability to plan and write a acceptable ability in ability in program exceptional skill in
programming, debugging and troubleshooting
debugging a complete program and to identify program development development and programming
skills
program. potential bugs and debugging debugging development as well as
good coding style
Target: C+P+E >= 70%

Strategies for Assessment

A quiz or assignment which requires students to develop and debug a complete program within limited time.

PI a.2 Use mathematics to analyze data and model problems.

Performance Novice Emerging Competent Proficient Exemplary
Measures/Appraisals 1 2 3 4 5
Needs assistance to identify Demonstrates some ability to Demonstrates acceptable Demonstrates ability to Demonstrates ability to
and use mathematical identify and use a ability to identify and use a identify multiple appropriate identify multiple appropriate
techniques to evaluate the mathematical technique to mathematical technique to mathematical techniques and mathematical techniques and
Students use mathematical techniques to
performance of algorithms. evaluate the evaluate the use one to evaluate the use the most accurate or
evaluate the performance of algorithms.
performance of algorithms. performance of algorithms. performance of algorithms. optimal technique to evaluate
the performance of
algorithms.
Target: C+P+E >= 70%

Strategies for Assessment

Homework problems that requests from students to mathematically evaluate the asymptotic complexity and performance of algorithms.

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Outcome b: An ability to analyze a problem, and identify and define the computing requirements appropriate to its solution

PI b.1. Identify key components and algorithms necessary for a solution to a given problem.
Performance Novice Emerging Competent Proficient Exemplary
Measures/Appraisals 1 2 3 4 5
Needs assistance identifying Demonstrates ability to Demonstrates acceptable Demonstrates ability to Demonstrates ability to
the key components and the partially identify the key ability to identify the key identify the key components critically evaluate the key
Identify key components and components and the components and the and the techniques or components and techniques
techniques or algorithms
algorithms necessary for a solution to techniques or algorithms techniques or algorithms algorithms used to solve a or algorithms used to solve a
used to solve a problem. used to solve a problem. used to solve a problem. problem and recognize any problem and offers optimal
a given problem.
of their limitations or alternatives.
shortcomings.
Target: C+P+E >= 70%
Strategies for Assessment
Students develop a project or experiment and must design the components and select the most appropriate algorithms and data structures or students are required to discuss the
essential features and applications of data structures an algorithms.

PI b.2. Classify generally stated problems and design solutions with appropriate specifications.
Performance Novice Emerging Competent Proficient Exemplary
Measures/Appraisals 1 2 3 4 5
Needs assistance classifying Demonstrates ability to Demonstrates acceptable Demonstrates ability to Demonstrates ability to
generally stated problems somewhat classify generally ability to classify generally classify generally stated classify generally stated
Classify generally stated problems stated problems and partially stated problems and design problems and design problems and design optimal
and designing solutions with
and design solutions with appropriate design solutions with solutions with appropriate solutions with appropriate solutions with appropriate
appropriate specifications. appropriate specifications. specifications. specifications while specifications by addressing
specifications.
identifying possible any potential shortcomings
shortcomings and limitations. and limitations.
Target: C+P+E >= 70%

Strategies for Assessment

Students develop the specifications for a project which has to be approved by faculty and then implemented against those specifications.

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Outcome c: An ability to design, implement, and evaluate a computer-based system, process, component, or program to meet desired
needs

PI c.1. Explain trends and directions of computer systems.

Performance Novice Emerging Competent Proficient Exemplary
Measures/Appraisals 1 2 3 4 5
Shows poor understanding of Shows limited understanding Sample demonstrate Demonstrates ability in Demonstrates insightful
trends and directions of of trends and directions of sacceptable understanding of identifying trends and understanding of the trends
Explain trends and directions of computer systems computer systems trends and directions of directions of computer and directions of computer
computer systems. computer systems. systems, including system
improvements needed to be
made over current systems.
Target: C+P+E >= 70%

Strategies for Assessment

Students will describe requirements for an ideal system for a specific use.

PI c.2. Identify constraints on design problems and establish criteria for acceptability of solutions; implement and evaluate solutions.
Performance Novice Emerging Competent Proficient Exemplary
Measures/Appraisals 1 2 3 4 5
Needs assistance establishing Demonstrates ability to Demonstrates acceptable Demonstrates ability to Demonstrates ability to
Identify constraints on design criteria for solution establish some criteria for ability to establish criteria for establish criteria for solution establish criteria for solution
acceptability along with solution acceptability and solution acceptability and acceptability and implement acceptability and implement
problems and establish criteria for partially implement and implement and evaluate and evaluate solutions and evaluate optimal
acceptability of solutions; implement implementing and evaluating evaluate solutions. solutions. recognizing areas of possible solutions.
and evaluate solutions. solutions. improvement.

Target: C+P+E >= 70%

Strategies for Assessment

Students will evaluate project design solutions against initial project proposals.

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Outcome d: An ability to function effectively on teams to accomplish a common goal.

PI d.1 Fulfill team duties, meet deadlines and help achieve project goals.
Performance
Measures/Appraisals
The student ensures that the workload is
effectively distributed among team members.
Novice Emerging Competent Proficient Exemplary
1 2 3 4 5
Is absent from team Sometime absent and affects Absent occasionally, but does Routinely attends, and good Routinely attends, and shows
meetings/work sessions >50% of team deadlines; prepares not inconvenience group, preparation for all team excellent preparation all team
the time; routinely fails to somewhat; contributes less than acceptable preparation for the meetings/work sessions; meetings/work sessions;
prepare for meetings; does not fair share; group meetings/work sessions; contributes well to the project proactively assumes a
contribute to group work at all sometimes depends on others to workload designated role in the group and
complete the work contributes a fair share to the
project workload

Target: C+P+E >= 70%

Strategies for Assessment

Group project: Individual journal entries giving individual efforts and time expended; Peer review and self‐assessment ratings and comments

PI d.2 Listen, communicate and share information with other team members.
Performance Novice Emerging Competent Proficient Exemplary
Measures/Appraisals 1 2 3 4 5
Does not consider the ideas of Persuades others to adopt only Listens to alternative welcomes alternative Values alternative perspectives
others; only participates if his/her ideas or grudgingly perspectives; sometimes keeps perspectives and encourage and encourages participation
The student communicates effectively and works strongly encouraged accepts the ideas of others; information to himself/herself, participation; shares information among all team members; shares
well with other team members. often keeps information to but not negatively affecting the and provides assistance to others information with others and
himself common team goal reasonably well provides assistance to others

Target: C+P+E >= 70%

Strategies for Assessment

Group project: Individual journal entries giving individual efforts and time expended; Peer review and self‐assessment ratings and comments

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Outcome e: An understanding of professional, ethical, legal, security, and social issues and responsibilities.

PI e.1 Recognize and describe current issues in security.

Performance Novice Emerging Competent Proficient Exemplary
Measures/Appraisals 1 2 3 4 5
Demonstrates poor Shows limited understanding Demonstrates acceptable Demonstrates good Demonstrate insightful
understanding of computer of current issues in security understanding of current understanding of current understanding of current
Recognize and describe current issues in security. issues in security issues and strategies in issues and strategies in
security. security. security.

Target: C+P+E >= 70%

Strategies for Assessment

An assignment in which students suggest remedies to common security threats.

PI e.2 Demonstrate appropriate understanding of professional ethics and practices and of implications of Information Technology policy.
Performance Novice Emerging Competent Proficient Exemplary
Measures/Appraisals 1 2 3 4 5
Needs assistance to identify Demonstrates some ability to Demonstrates acceptable Can apply some elements Can apply a professional
Demonstrates an ability to recognize ethical dilemmas and to identify ethical dilemmas and ability to identify ethical from a professional code of code of ethics and/or ethical
ethical dilemmas and apply professional apply the code of is aware of, but cannot dilemmas and recognizes ethics and/or ethical theory to theories to recognize ethical
ethical practices to make appropriate ethics from professional necessarily apply, a basic elements of a recognize ethical dilemmas dilemmas and analyze them
decisions societies and/or ethical professional code of ethics professional code of ethics and analyze them. in many ways.
theories and/or ethical theory and/or ethical theory
Target: C+P+E >= 70%

Strategies for Assessment

Essay Question or written assignment that requires students to analyze a case study with respect to ethical dilemmas and professional practices.

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Outcome f: An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.

PI f.1 Demonstrate oral skills that clearly convey information appropriate to peers and technical audiences..
PI f.2 Demonstrate oral skills that clearly convey information appropriate to lay audiences.
Performance Novice Emerging Competent Proficient Exemplary
Measures/Appraisals 1 2 3 4 5
Talk is poorly organized; major Talk organization is weak; has Acceptable organization of talk Good talk organization; speaks Excellent organization of talk
The student makes effective technical oral difficulties with the mechanical some minor difficulties with the content; speaks to audience with to audience with good volume content; speaks to audience
presentations to peers and technical audiences. aspects of the presentation; too mechanical aspects of the acceptable volume and uses and uses good amount of audio- clearly with sufficient volume
much or less technical details presentation delivery; acceptable amount of audio- visual materials; provides good and uses audio-visual materials
The student makes effective technical oral inappropriate amount of details visual materials; provides amount of technical details appropriately; provides technical
presentations to lay audiences. provided technical details detail appropriate for the time
constraint and audience.

Overall

Strategies for Assessment

Oral presentation of a class project or investigation, targeted to an appropriate audience.

PI f.3 Demonstrate written skills that clearly convey information appropriate to peers and technical audiences.
PI f.4 Demonstrate written skills that clearly convey information appropriate to lay audiences.
Performance Novice Emerging Competent Proficient Exemplary
Measures/Appraisals 1 2 3 4 5
The writing has flawed The writing shows minor The writing shows acceptable The writing shows good use of The writing shows excellent use
The student writes professional‐quality
grammar; organization is poor; grammar flaws; the writing can use of grammar and technical grammar and technical of grammar and technical
documents for peers and technical audiences.
the main ideas are unclear be improved through vocabulary; materials is vocabulary; good organization vocabulary appropriate to the
organization; ideas are not clear organized; ideas are clear of material appropriate to the audience; excellent organization
The student writes professional‐quality
at some places audiences; ideas are reasonably of materials; articulates ideas
documents for lay audiences.
clear and concise clearly and concisely
Target: C+P+E >= 70%

Strategies for Assessment

Written report on a project or essay on a current topic, targeted to an appropriate audience.

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Outcome g: An ability to analyze the local and global impact of computing on individuals, organizations, and society

PI g.1 Critically assess the significance of computers and information technology and their impact on a global society;
Performance Novice Emerging Competent Proficient Exemplary
Measures/Appraisals 1 2 3 4 5
Does not recognize the scope Recognizes at least one Recognizes several aspects of Demonstrates reasonable Demonstrates in-depth
Demonstrates an ability to analyze the and impact of computing on aspect of impact of impact of computing on understanding of the scope understanding of the scope
local and global impact of computing on individuals, organizations computing on individuals, individuals, , organizations and impact of computing on and impact of computing on
individuals, organizations, and society, and society. organizations and society. and society, though not individuals, organizations individuals , organizations
always wth understanding. and society. and society.
Target: C+P+E >= 70%

Strategies for Assessment

Essay Question or written assignment that requires students analyze the impact of computing technology in a global society.

PI g.2 Consider a variety of available options in computing design and make a proper choice based on their impact.
Performance
Measures/Appraisals
Recognizes best computing practices to
enhance the positive impact on
individuals, organizations, and society,
Target: C+P+E >= 70%
Novice Emerging
1 2
Little recognition of the Some recognition of the
impact of computing impact of computing
practices on individuals, practices on individuals,
organizations and society. organizations and society, but
little demonstrated ability to
determine best practices.
Competent Proficient Exemplary
3 4 5
Recognizes the impact of Recognizes the impact of Demonstrates excellent
computing practices on computing practices on ability to determine best
individuals, organizations individuals, organizations computing practices to
and society, and and society and demonstrates enhance the positive impact
demonstrates acceptable good ability to determine on individuals, organizations
ability to determine best best practices. and society.
practices.

Strategies for Assessment

Essay Question or written assignment that requires students to analyze the impact of different computing practices in a global society.

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Outcome h: Recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in continuing professional development.

PI h.1 Handle problems for which the required knowledge is not complete.
Performance Novice Emerging Competent Proficient Exemplary
Measures/Appraisals 1 2 3 4 5
Needs assistance handling Demonstrates ability to Demonstrates acceptable Demonstrates ability to Demonstrates ability to
problems for which the handle some problems for ability to handle problems for handle problems, identify handle problems, identify
required knowledge is not which the required which the required relevant issues and identify relevant issues, identify
Handle problems for which the required knowledge is not complete. knowledge is not complete. possible solution options possible solution options and
knowledge is not complete. complete. even when the required select the most optimal
knowledge is not complete. approach for problems which
the required knowledge is not
complete.
Target: C+P+E >= 70%

Strategies for Assessment

Students are requested to reflect on the development of their software project or experiments they have never worked on before.

PI h.2 Read and critically evaluate papers in the professional literature and state research questions.
Performance Novice Emerging Competent Proficient Exemplary
Measures/Appraisals 1 2 3 4 5
Needs assistance to evaluate Demonstrates ability to Demonstrates acceptable Demonstrates ability to Demonstrates ability to
relevant literature and partially evaluate relevant ability to evaluate relevant critically evaluate relevant critically evaluate and assess
Read and critically evaluate papers in the formulate a research literature and formulate an literature and formulate an literature and formulate a the breadth and depth of the
professional literature and state research question. incomplete research question. acceptable research question. well-formed research relevant literature and
questions. question. formulate a well-formed,
non-trivial and non-obvious
research question.
Target: C+P+E >= 70%

Strategies for Assessment

Homework assignment that requests from students to critically evaluate the relevant literature in order to develop their own study scenario (research question).

9
Outcome i: An ability to use current techniques, skills, and tools necessary for computing practice.

PI i.1 Demonstrate awareness of current trends and technologies in data management

Performance Novice Emerging Competent Proficient Exemplary
Measures/Appraisals 1 2 3 4 5
Needs assistance to recognize Demonstrates some ability to Demonstrates acceptable ability Demonstrates good ability to Demonstrates Excellent ability
the current trends and recognize the current trends and to recognize the current trends recognize the current trends and to recognize the current trends
The student shows awareness of current trends technologies in data technologies in data and technologies in data technologies in data and technologies in data
and technologies in data management. management management management management management

Target: C+P+E >= 70%

Strategies for Assessment

Students will answer questions that are related to a presentation on current trends and new technologies.

PI i.2 Be able to select and use a variety of programming languages and assess the suitability of a particular language with respect to a given problem domain.
Performance Novice Emerging Competent Proficient Exemplary
Measures/Appraisals 1 2 3 4 5
Needs assistance to understand Demonstrates some ability to Demonstrates acceptable ability Demonstrates good ability to Demonstrates excellent ability to
The student demonstrates understanding of programming language understand programming to understand programming understand programming understand programming
programming language paradigms and the ability paradigms and to assess the language paradigms and to language paradigms and to language paradigms and to language paradigms and to
to assess the suitability of a particular language suitability of a particular assess the suitability of a assess the suitability of a assess the suitability of a assess the suitability of a
for a given problem domain. language for a given problem particular language for a given particular language for a given particular language for a given particular language for a given
domain problem domain problem domain. problem domain problem domain
Target: C+P+E >= 70%

Strategies for Assessment

Students will answer exam questions that are related to selecting and using programming languages for categories of problems.

10
Outcome j: An ability to apply mathematical foundations, algorithmic principles, and computer science theory in the modeling and design
of computer-based systems in a way that demonstrates comprehension of the tradeoffs involved in design choices.

PI j.1 Demonstrate an understanding of tradeoffs present in memory management, programming paradigms, etc.
Performance Novice Emerging Competent Proficient Exemplary
Measures/Appraisals 1 2 3 4 5
Needs assistance to identify Demonstrates some ability to Demonstrates acceptable Demonstrates ability to Demonstrates ability to
Demonstrates an ability to identify the
the trade-offs and apply them identify the trade-offs but has ability to identify the trade- identify the trade-offs and to identify the trade-offs and
trade-offs and the appropriate memory
to solve a problem. difficulty applying them to offs and apply them to solve select the optimal method to recognizes alternative
management and programming
solve a problem. a problem. apply and solve a problem. optimal methods to apply and
paradigms to solve a problem.
solve a problem.
Target: C+P+E >= 70%

Strategies for Assessment

Homework problem that requests from students to solve a problem by implementing a data structure and use a data structure traversal paradigm they have never encountered before or
to discuss advantages and tradeoffs for memory management or programming paradigms .

PI j.2 Integrate concepts and techniques involving hardware, software and networking.
Performance Novice Emerging Competent Proficient Exemplary

Measures/Appraisals
Demonstrates ability to apply concepts and
techniques, integrating hardware, software, and
networking under different scenarios.
Target: C+P+E >= 70%
1 2 3 4 5
Demonstrates poor or no Demonstrates some Demonstrates acceptable Demonstrates strong Demonstrates excellent
understanding of the understanding of the understanding of the understanding of the understanding of the
relationships among hardware, relationships among hardware, relationships among hardware, relationships among hardware, relationships among hardware,
software, and networking or software, and networking, but software, and networking, basic software, and networking and software, and networking and
ability to integrate them, not able to integrate them, ability to integrate them, how to integrate them, how to integrate them,

Strategies for Assessment

Exam questions or assignments which ask students to integrate concepts and techniques, such as comparing virtual memory and segmentation anddiscussing how memory management
schemes might affect programming paradigms.

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Outcome k: An ability to apply design and development principles in the construction of software systems of varying complexity.
PI k.1 Demonstrate an understanding of the software/system life-cycle.
Performance Novice Emerging Competent Proficient Exemplary
Measures/Appraisals 1 2 3 4 5
Needs assistance identifying Demonstrates some ability to Demonstrates acceptable Demonstrates ability to Demonstrates ability to
a software development identify and describe a ability describe and explain a compare multiple software compare multiple software
process to be used for a given software development software development development processes and development processes and
project type and available process to be used for a given process to be used for a given describe and explain one to provide supported
Students describe, explain the software resources. project type and available project type and available be used for a given project justification as to why a
development process to be used in a project. resources. resources. type and available resources. specific process is most
appropriate compared to
other processes given a
project type and available
resources.
Target: C+P+E >= 70%

Strategies for Assessment

Homework problem that requires students to select, describe, explain and justify the selection(compare and contrast with other techniques) of a software development methodology.

PI k.2 Demonstrate an understanding of software development methodology and ability to write documentation
Performance Novice Emerging Competent Proficient Exemplary
Measures/Appraisals 1 2 3 4 5
Needs assistance developing Demonstrates ability to Demonstrates acceptable Demonstrates ability to Demonstrates ability to
project documentation develop project ability to develop project develop project develop project
artifacts appropriate to the documentation artifacts documentation artifacts documentation artifacts documentation artifacts
Develop project documentation artifacts,
software development appropriate to the software appropriate to the software appropriate to the software appropriate to the software
appropriate to the software development
methodology. development methodology development methodology development methodology development methodology
methodology.
with some parts missing or with no or very few and with no parts missing or with detailed descriptions
incomplete. mostly insignificant parts incomplete. and extensive diagrams.
missing or incomplete.
Target: C+P+E >= 70%

Strategies for Assessment

Homework problem that requires students to develop a software documentation artifact such as a Software Requirements Specification, Software Architecture etc.

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