Development of a competency mapping tool for undergraduate professional degree programmes, using mechanical engineering as a case study

ABSTRACT

Mapping the curriculum of a professional degree to the associated competency standard ensures graduates have the competence to perform as professionals. Existing approaches to competence mapping vary greatly in depth, complexity, and effectiveness, and a standardised approach remains elusive. This paper describes a new mapping software tool that streamlines and standardises the competency mapping process. The available analytics facilitate ongoing programme review, management, and accreditation. The complete mapping and analysis of an Australian mechanical engineering degree programme is described as a case study. Each subject is mapped by evaluating the amount and depth of competence development present. Combining subject results then enables highly detailed programme level analysis. The mapping process is designed to be administratively light, with aspects of professional development embedded in the software. The effective competence mapping described in this paper enables quantification of learning within a professional degree programme, and provides a mechanism for holistic programme improvement.

KEYWORDS:

• Competence mapping
• mechanical engineering
• assessment
• professional standard
• cognitive development

Acknowledgements

The authors also acknowledge the contributions of the engineering program and subject coordinators for their participation in the mapping exercise, and the helpful feedback provided by Dr Peter Hoffmann, previous National Manager of the Engineers Australia Accreditation Board, following his review of the software and its results.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

David Holmes has a B.Eng.(Hons) and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and specialises in computational mechanics and the development and implementation of numerical simulation algorithms. He is presently mechanical engineering programme coordinator and senior lecturer at James Cook University and has an extensive background in research software development. A key area of his current research focusses on curriculum design and embedding professional practice within engineering curricula, including the development of modern curriculum mapping software.

Madoc Sheehan gained his PhD in chemical engineering from UMIST in 1999. He is currently a Senior Lecturer at James Cook University and programme coordinator for the Chemical Engineering programme. His research interests are in LCA, multi-scale modelling and bio-reactor design. He has won Carrick and OLT citations for outstanding contributions to student learning in 2007 and 2013. The most recent award recognises his efforts to lead the embedding of sustainability across the engineering programme at JCU. He has published widely in curriculum design for sustainability.

Melanie Birks is an experienced academic with an extensive track record in research and publication. She currently occupies the position of professor and head of Nursing, Midwifery and Nutrition at James Cook University, Townsville. Her research interests are in the areas of accessibility, innovation, relevance and quality in nursing education.

John Smithson has bachelor’s degrees in Nursing and Pharmacy. His current Doctoral studies are focused on the influence of simulation teaching strategies on skill development and transition into practice. He has extensive experience in curriculum development, course mapping and teaching. John is currently the programme coordinator of a Nurse Practitioner programme where he teaches pharmacology and therapeutics.

ORCID

David W. Holmes http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2970-9158

Additional information

Funding

The work was funded jointly by a James Cook University 2013 Teaching Learning Development Grant, and Department of Industry – Aged Care Workforce Innovation Project [through the Nurse Pathways Project. EN2RN mapping project], managed by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) on behalf of the Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council of Australia.