Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis to improve teaching of the chemical and environmental engineering department in master's studies

Abstract

University teaching must be continuously evaluated to identify weaknesses and propose the improvement actions to avoid the lack of motivation by the students and to encouraged them to participate into the learning process. The analysis is not always carried out efficiently due to its complexity. For this reason, this study evaluates the application of a SWOT analysis in the teaching of the Environmental Engineering Master (EEM) and Chemical Engineering Master (CEM) at the University of Seville (US). The SWOT methodology consisted of identifying weaknesses and suggesting ways to improve, which were implemented through various teaching innovation projects. Several weaknesses were identified such as difficulties with the initial adaptation process, high academic workload and poor academic performance. A portfolio of improvement actions was designed and applied in the CEM and EEM. It was observed that the duration of studies decreased 0.85 and 0.13 years for EEM and CEM, respectively and that the number of students presenting their Master's theses in the same year of enrolment increased by 27 %. The main results were the high level of student satisfaction - 4.21/5.00 in the last survey and the significant improvement of key learning aspects such as interdisciplinarity, learning outcomes and student/professor engagement.