AE 460 - Industry Practicum

3 Credits

Outline Effective Date 2024 Fall
2 (2024-2025)

Practicum Hours: 120
Course Description:
Second-year Crop Technology students are placed in approved agricultural supply and/or production enterprise following successful completion of their first-year studies to gain practical experience in a working environment. This on-site experience is followed by 1 hr/week tutorial in the fall term of their second-year studies. P/F.

Rationale:
This is a course option to AE 450 (Student Managed Farm II) in the Crop Technology program. It allows students to apply theoretical knowledge and practical skills in real life situations. The opportunity to work closely with technicians, agronomists, and management of these agricultural enterprises give valuable experience and insight into the duties of an agronomist, technician, or manager.

Prerequisites: All first year courses
Corequisites: None

Course Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to

participate in the daily functions of an agricultural enterprise.
have client interaction within the business including answering phones, sales, booking appointments and directing client questions.
define the processes involved in the production/creation of the goods/services the ag enterprise offers to its customers.
apply basic agronomic knowledge to operational decisions where required. (i.e. weed id, pesticide recommendations, seeding depth, fertility and seed variety recommendations, etc.)
accomplish “agricultural enterprise” specific goals and objectives set out mutually by the student, practicum coordinator, and supervising individual at the agricultural enterprise.

Required Resource Materials:
None

Optional Resource Materials:
None

Conduct of Course:
Students must complete a minimum of 120 hours at the practicum location. Students work on mutually agreeable schedule with their practicum location. Students adhere to dress code and safety protocol of the chosen practicum location. Students/employers are required to arrange between themselves all terms of the student’s employment including compensation, hours of work, insurance, WCB, etc.

Students follow up with 1 hour/week during the fall college academic term in tutorials. Students must create and deliver a presentation to their first and second-year Crop Technology student peers. Students must complete the practicum and tutorial components of the course to successfully complete the course.

Students must participate in a minimum 120 hours of work at the agriculture enterprise as well as attend 1 hour a week of tutorials throughout the fall term. Absences totaling more than 20% of the tutorial series may result in the student receiving an R/W (required withdrawal). An R/W is a fail.

Content of Course:

Customer service
Dress for success
Information Management
Effective presentations

Course Assessments:
The assigned grade for this course is either a Pass “P” or a Fail “F”.

To receive a pass grade you must achieve completion of Course Learning Outcomes 1-5 as evaluated by the Practicum coordinator in consultation with the supervising individual at the agricultural enterprise. In addition, the student must meet a satisfactory grade in the preparation and delivery of a presentation to their peers and instructors, detailing their practicum. Expectations and a grading rubric are made available to them prior to that presentation.

Course Pass Requirements:
Pass/Fail