Evaluation of the efficiency of engineering courses in a Brazilian University: An application of Data Envelopment Analysis

Abstract

Assessing the efficiency of similar undergraduate courses based on the analysis of reliable and complete information, allows opportunities for improving courses to be identified to support the institution’s management, which are assigned the decision-making role. In this way, this research aims to evaluate the efficiency of Engineering courses at a Brazilian university from the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). For this, the BCC model was used with orientation to the output. As inputs the variables Number of Entries (x¹) and Faculty Size (x²) were used, and as outputs the Number of Graduates (y¹) and the Course Concept (y²). Thus, 13 Engineering courses, such as Civil, Electrical, Chemical, Industrial, Environmental and Sanitary Engineering and Computer Engineering were evaluated. The inefficiency of 2 courses was found and aspects of improvement were indicated to be put into practice to achieve this efficiency.