Our programs are good... because our students think they are

The program in Civil and Infrastructure Engineering in the School of Civil Environmental and Chemical Engineering at RMIT commenced in 2004 following an intensive period of curriculum design/development. The program was based on graduate capabilities and sustainability principles that acknowledge the full life cycle of infrastructure. The graduate attributes were based on graduate capabilities as defined by Engineers Australia in their accreditation process augmented by consultation with industry. The basic teaching paradigm was also changed to encompass project-based learning ¿ widely recognised as an effective means of developing the graduate capabilities required. Now with the first graduates active in industry, a project to evaluate the effectiveness of the program is raising questions as to the very process of curriculum evaluation. This paper describes the approach being adopted and the rationale behind it. Current evaluation practice and the value of several commonplace quality indicators are discussed with a view to stimulating discussion.