Horticulture, HORT 2010

Horticulture and Landscape Architecture Department, Oklahoma State University

• Introduction

  The Handbook is considered to be the syllabus for HORT 2010. It differs from a conventional syllabus because HORT 2010 is an independent study class. As such, considerable responsibility is placed upon the Student Intern for timely and proper completion of assignments.

• Internship Program Policies

  The policies outlined herein are designed to enhance the quality of the Internship Program and provide a basic framework from which the Student, the Academic Advisor, and the Cooperator can work effectively.

  1. To participate, the Student must have successfully completed at least 24 credit hours with a minimum overall grade point average of 2.0, and have at least one semester remaining toward completion of a degree.
  2.  The student is responsible for obtaining a Cooperator. One objective of HORT 2010 is to give the student practice in seeking out employment opportunities in horticulture. Advisors often provide assistance, including referrals and letters of reference. However, it is NOT the responsibility of the student's advisor to find the student a cooperator or an internship position.
  3. The student must complete an application for the Internship Program and have it approved by their Academic Advisor before beginning the internship. One copy of the completed, approved application should be given to the Department Undergraduate Advising Coordinator. Following approval of the application, academic credit for the internship is obtained through enrollment in HORT 2010. Due to grade reporting deadlines and the requirement for an oral report, most student enroll in HORT 2010 for the semester immediately following completion of the internship work experience.
  4.  Students will receive one credit hour for each 160 hours of approved work experience. A maximum of six credit hours may be earned. The grade will be assigned on a Pass/Fail basis. Credit in HORT 2010 will not substitute for required courses.
  5.  Another objective of HORT 2010 is to enhance the educational experience of the student by broadening their horizons beyond familiar surroundings. No credit will be granted to a student working for one of their family's businesses.
  6. The student is responsible for arranging transportation, housing and board, health and accident insurance, worker's compensation, and liability insurance.
  7.  The stipend to be received by the student intern is a matter to be decided by mutual agreement of the student and cooperator.
• Requirements for HORT 2010

  A student must earn a minimum of three (3) credits in HORT 2010 as part of the requirements for the B.S. degree in all options under the Horticulture major. Any exceptions to this policy must be approved in advance by the student's advisor and the Department Head.

  1. A minimum of one report is required from the student intern for each 160 hours worked. These are called "Monthly Reports," but the work period covered may include parts of two months. However, if more than four weeks are required to accumulate 160 hours (for example, if the student is working part-time over several months), then the minimum standard will be one report per month for the duration of the internship. These reports will be dated and bear the signature of approval of both the Intern and Cooperator. The student intern commits to submit the monthly reports by the dates agreed to with their advisor as listed on the application for Internship Program form. The last monthly report should be submitted as soon as practical after the completion of the internship work experience.
  2. It is recommended that the student summarize their experiences every week rather than attempting to complete a monthly report from memory. A personal journal may be helpful.
  3. The student's advisor will contact the student and the cooperator during the internship program. This contact normally will be by letter or telephone, but may also include an on-site visit.
  4. The student will present a 15-minute oral report (seminar) of their experiences to interested students and faculty during the Department's seminar series. This seminar must be presented no later than the semester immediately following completion of the internship work experience.
  5. A final written report covering the total internship experience will be prepared by the student (in the form outlined). The student also must complete a Student's Final Evaluation form. The final report and evaluation form must be turned no later than the date of the student's oral report, with earlier submission strongly encouraged.
  6. The Cooperator will complete and submit a Cooperator's Final Evaluation form and mail it directly to the Student's Advisor.
  7. The student's advisor assigns the final grade for HORT 2010, considering the monthly reports, the final oral and written reports, and the Cooperator's Final Evaluation. A student who completes all the requirement for HORT 2010 in a timely manner, including submission of an acceptable final written report, will be awarded a grade of "Pass." A student who misses any two (2) dates for completing requirement for HORT 2010, or who does not produce an acceptable final written report after one opportunity for revision, will be awarded a grade of "Fail."
• Cooperator Responsibilities

  The Cooperator's role is both that of employer and teacher. The Cooperator has knowledge, experience, and equipment that cannot be found in a classroom, and which when shared with the student can add a new dimension to the intern's education. The Cooperator's responsibilities include:

   

  1. Providing the student with a broad range of learning experiences through a work and counseling association.
  2. Encouraging the student to serve as a productive, thinking employee during the Internship Program experience.
  3. Reviewing with the student the goals and purposes set for the work experience and furnishing appropriate counseling and guidance during the student's work experience.
  4. Approving and signing each monthly report which will be sent to the student's advisor, including confirmation of hours worked.
  5. Completing a Cooperator's Final Evaluation form and mailing it directly to the student's advisor.
  6. Any student or cooperator interested in additional information on how to participate in the Horticulture Internship Program may contact: Lou Anella

  Cooperator's Final On-line Form

   

• Guidelines for Final Report

  The report must be typed.

   

  Proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling will be considered when evaluation the final report.

   

  The report must specifically address each of the following areas:

  A summary of your primary duties and activities, based on your monthly reports.

  The most important experiences which you had and the major areas of new knowledge you have gained.

  A summary of how the internship has helped prepare you for your profession. Include details of areas where you felt well prepared and areas where you discovered that additional courses and/or training would have been helpful.

   

  A brief evaluation of the total Internship Program. What were the strong points and weak points? What changes would you recommend regarding the Internship Program?

   

  The report should be sufficiently complete and detailed to allow proper evaluation. As a general guide, a minimum of five (5) double-spaced pages is expected.

Request an electronic copy of the Internship Handbook.