Six sigma quality improvement methods for creating and revising computer science degree programs and curricula

Abstract

The first Bachelor of Science in computer science program was offered by our department 25 years ago. Today, as a School of Information Technology, we offer six computer science undergraduate degree programs, two graduate degree programs, and one doctoral degree program. In this paper, we report how our existing undergraduate degree programs have been revised using the six sigma DMAIC methodology to guarantee the continuous quality improvement of the programs and the quality of the graduates. We report on how two new unique undergraduate degree programs (B.Sc. in Computer and Cyber Security and B.Sc. in Office Computer Technology) were created by applying the DFSS six sigma concept. This not only guarantees the quality of the program and our graduates, but also ensures that we can meet the future demands of employers. We also report DFSS results on our two unique graduate programs: the M.Sc. in Computer Education Technology, a multi-disciplinary program combining computing, learning psychology, education, computer business, and ethics, and the M.Sc. in Information Technology Strategy which has derived from a combination of information technology, management, ethics, and strategies. Our doctoral program called Quality Information Technology, opened in 2005, is also briefly reported as our newest curriculum resulting from our six sigma-based research and development project.