General
In accordance with the Royal Military College of Canada (RMCC) Institutional Quality Assurance Plan (IQAP), the Department of Civil Engineering submitted a self-study in September 2015 to the Director of the Office of Quality Assurance. For the programs under review, MEng, MASc, and PhD in Civil Engineering, it contained the degree level expectations for these programs, an analytical assessment of the programs, course outlines, program- related data, survey data from the Office of Quality Assurance and appendices with sample examinations and CVs of faculty members. These graduate programs are offered only in English.
External Review Committee (ERC)
Two arm’s-length external reviewers (Dr. Paul Van Geel, Carleton University and Dr. Sai Vanapalli, Ottawa University) were selected from a list of possible reviewers and approved by the Deans of Engineering and Graduate Studies. An internal reviewer, Dr. David Varey of RMC’s Department of History, was also selected for participation on the ERC. They reviewed the self-study documentation and conducted a site visit to RMC on 10 and 11 March, 2016. During the site visit, the ERC met with the Vice-Principal, Academic, the Vice-Principal, Research, the Interim Dean of Engineering, the Head of Civil Engineering, the Head Librarian, as well as several members of the Civil Engineering faculty. The ERC also had the opportunity to meet with several students currently enrolled in the programmes. The ERC subsequently produced a Report based on the Self-Study and site visit. The report was circulated to department members and discussed at a departmental meeting.
ERC Report
The reviewers submitted their report in April, 2016. In their report, they find that the Civil Engineering Programme requirements are clear, and that the outcomes are clearly identified. The ERC identified strengths in the connection with Queen’s university as well as an advantageous position with respect to space, human resources, as well as research equipment and facilities. Despite having to absorb the loss of one faculty member through Work Force Adjustment and budgetary contraction (similar to most other Programmes at RMC), programmes were assessed as well-positioned to grow and strengthen. Issues with online journal access, timely approvals for procurement, contracting and travel, unfilled technical positions, and program completion times for some students were noted by the ERC as ongoing concerns.
Conclusion
The Programme Chair, after consultation with faculty and staff in the programmes, submitted a response to the Reviewers’ Report in November, 2016. The Dean of Graduate Studies, in consultation with the Dean of Engineering, prepared a Final Assessment Report in November 2017, in which specific recommendations were discussed, and follow-up actions and timelines provided. These were approved by Senate in May 2018. The programs have been approved to continue and are scheduled for its next review in eight years (2023-24).