Differences in Grade Outcomes Between ICT Engineering and Computer Science Degrees

This full-paper relates to research on the effectiveness of GPA thresholding as a predictor of eventual grade performance in engineering study. Rather than rely on High School grades as a predictor of eventual success in tertiary (ICT-related) engineering, we have adopted a more open-entry model, but require a high performance from the students over their compulsory first year courses in order to progress in engineering study. In this paper we examine whether this is a satisfactory predictor of eventual student success (based on grade performance), or is it that issues such as High-School to University transition unduly negatively influence these grades and lead to a decision not to allow an otherwise capable student to progress. To examine this, we compare student GPAs and graduation rates between a four year Bachelor of Engineering and a three year Bachelor of Science degree which share similar courses. The hypothesis to test is whether students who have been excluded from continuing with Engineering study are in fact capable of passing the advanced level technical courses.