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University News Office of Communications University of Saskatchewan E280 Administration Building 105 Administration Place Saskatoon, SK    S7N 5A2 Tel: (306) 966-6607    Fax: (306) 966-6815 http://www.usask.ca/communications/       U of S Announces Latest Outcome of Program Reviews

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 11, 2003

     The University of Saskatchewan is pleased to announce the latest outcomes of Systematic Program Review (SPR) *, a major six-year review initiative designed to improve the quality of education delivered to students as well as provide expert feedback to academic units for change and future development.

     Established by the University Council in 1999, SPR is designed to encourage program improvement and innovation, demonstrate accountability, and provide information to guide decisions about programs and resources. Each review includes a self-study by the program, a site visit and report by the review team (consisting of both external and internal reviewers), responses from Deans and program heads, and decisions on outcome categories. Review results will provide timely and useful information to guide academic units as they put together their five-year plans for the Integrated Planning process.

     In 2001-02, all programs in Engineering and most Natural Science programs on campus were reviewed. Programs were evaluated according to quality (of curriculum, faculty, learning environment, infrastructure and outcomes), demand, efficiency in the use of resources and relevance to the province.

     There are four possible outcome categories: A (outstanding programs; few, if any, changes required); B (some improvements needed; program will be sustained); C (fundamental changes required; concrete action plan must be developed to address deficiencies); and D (requirement to consider termination).

     Of the programs reviewed in 2001-2002, 4 were rated A, 14 were rated B and 3 were rated C.

     University Acting Provost and Vice President Academic, Ken Coates, said: "These sorts of reviews are standard practice in most universities and aim to maintain academic quality. The review standards the U of S sets for itself are quite remarkable and very ambitious. We learned a lot from the SPR process and are pleased that the outcomes included many good solid B ratings and several A ratings. Students entering our programs in 2003 can be assured that they will receive a high-quality education at these areas and I would like to congratulate our faculty for their hard work and dedication."

     For further information, contact:

     General information:
Ken Coates
Acting Provost and Vice-President Academic
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-8484

     Michael Atkinson
Provost and Vice-President Academic
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-8484

     Information from Deans taking part in the 2001-2002 SPRs:
Claude Lague
Dean, College of Engineering
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-5273

     Ken Coates
Dean, College of Arts and Science
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-4232

  

   Information on Council decision:
Lou Qualtiere
Chair, Planning Committee of Council
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-8088

 

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PROGRAM	RANKING
Chemistry
BSc	C
GRAD MSc, PhD	B
Computer Science
BSc	A
BComm (Development of Information Systems)	C
GRAD MSc PhD	B
Engineering:
Agricultural and Bioresource
BE	B
GRAD PGD, MEng, MSc, PhD	B
Chemical
BE	B
GRAD MEng, MSc, PhD	B
Civil and Geological
BE (Civil)	B
BE (Geological)	B
GRAD MEng, MSc, PhD	B
Electrical
BE	A
GRAD MEng, MSc, PhD	A
Environmental
GRAD PGD, MEng, MSc, PhD	C
Mechanical
BE	A
GRAD PGD, MEng, MSc, PhD	B