Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences | Rutgers-New Brunswick

The Co-op Learning Contract

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Once a student has secured a cooperative education position, he/she must complete the process of developing a cooperative education Student Learning Contract (62k PDF). After attending a Learning Contract Seminar or watching the video, the student must draft a list of Learning Objectives and submit them to his/her faculty sponsor for approval. Several faculty sponsors have requested that we post sample learning objectives specific to each curriculum, so that students may view them.

Animal Science Sample Learning Objectives
Knowledge or Skills Sought Indicators of Achievement
1. To gain experience and knowledge of the general care and handling of small animals in a clinic setting. 1. In writing, I will be able to describe the care of small animals.
2. To understand how a veterinary clinic is run & maintained with respect to billing patients, setting appointments, and handling emergency situations. 2. In writing, I will be able to describe how the clinic is run.
3. Being able to help clients deal with decisions involving euthanasia. 3. I will be able to determine the reasons for the client's doubts and give them the information they need to make an informed decision.
Atmospheric Sciences Sample Learning Objectives
Knowledge or Skills Sought Indicators of Achievement
1. Proficiency in use of the WSI Weather Spectrum 9000+ system for building graphics used for on-air presentation. 1. Using the gathered data, I will be able to build the necessary graphics acceptable for use on an actual broadcast.
2. Knowledge of the functions/responsibilities of weather anchors on broadcast news. 2. Orally or in writing, with or without notes, I will be able to describe a weather anchor's functions/responsibilities.
3. Development of on-air technique and on-air personality. 3. I will work towards and attempt to produce a demo tape of myself delivering a weather segment and receive feedback from my faculty sponsor and/or supervisor.
Biochemistry Sample Learning Objectives
Knowledge or Skills Sought Indicators of Achievement
1. Proficiency in laboratory safety rules, standard operating procedures (SOP's), and precautions that should be taken in the lab. 1. Will be able to explain the general safety rules and procedures that should be followed in the Quality Control lab.
2. To gain knowledge of how the Quality Control tests I carry out relate to: a) quality of the final product (and therefore consumer satisfaction); b) adherence to environmental regulations; and c) profitability of the company. 2. Orally or in writing, I will be able to explain what properties of the product are measured by the tests I perform, and how these properties are important to the quality of the product, environmental responsibility, and company profitability.
3. To gain knowledge about Immunoaffinity Chromatography and its usage. 3. I will be able to describe, in the daily log, synthesis and technique papers, what kind of chromatography this is, for what it is used, when it is used, and what its limitations are.
Biological Science Sample Learning Objectives
Knowledge or Skills Sought Indicators of Achievement
1. Proficiency in cellular biology assays (e.g., ALP) 1. My supervisor will evaluate my ability to conduct cellular biology assays.
2. Will develop my scientific writing skills. 2. I will submit a scientific paper detailing the research I conduct this semester.
3. Proficiency in immunochemical stains. 3. My supervisor will evaluate my ability to conduct the immunochemical staining procedure efficiently.
Bioenvironmental Engineering Sample Learning Objectives
Knowledge or Skills Sought Indicators of Achievement
   
2. Knowledge of the function of the Engineering Division 2. In writing, I will be able to describe the division's function.
   
Biotechnology Sample Learning Objectives
Knowledge or Skills Sought Indicators of Achievement
1. Proficiency in the lab techniques required for analyzing samples in the wet chemistry lab (extractions and distillations). 1. Go into the field and help collect and prepare samples for analysis. Will be able to analyze samples on my own as described in my synthesis paper.
2. Discover regulations and laws governing beach monitoring. 2. Describe interview outcomes of various persons in the field including QAs/QCs, lab technicians about beach monitoring.
3. Research for special assignments using various sources, Pfiesteria, Helicobacter pylori, beach reports. 3. Create reports using knowledge gained.
Chemistry Sample Learning Objectives
Knowledge or Skills Sought Indicators of Achievement
1. Proficiency in blending and batch mixing of oil in various quantities. 1. Given a copy of a blend, I will be able to modify the blend via calculation and then successfully batch mix to achieve the final product.
2. Show proficiency in determining the viscosity and weight of any given blend. 2. Given an unknown blend, I will be able to determine the viscosity and weight to determine the grade (type) of oil.
3. Proficiency in interpreting results of tests run with instruments. 3. Comparison of test results and knowledge of proper graph curves and values.
Communications/Journalism Sample Learning Objectives
Knowledge or Skills Sought Indicators of Achievement
1. Understand market factors in the development, production & distribution of television productions. 1. Write a proposal for one of the firm's projects in development.
2. Knowledge of publicity & promotion in the distribution of a public television series. 2. Conduct outreach to public television stations, media & community organization in the release of a public television documentary.
3. Further development of interpersonal communication skills. 3. Conduct extensive telephone surveys with industry executives and media.
Computer Science Sample Learning Objectives
Knowledge or Skills Sought Indicators of Achievement
1. Learn to troubleshoot computer problems. 1. Given a specific technical problem, I will be more capable of furnishing a possible series of solutions to fixing it.
2. Using prior knowledge & on-the-job learning to gain proficiency in using various computer applications. 2. Given data, I will be able to use computer applications such as Lotus123, dBaseIII, & MapInfo with skill.
3. Development of communication skills. 3. Through various excerpts of my log book there will be obvious signs of improvement in my communication skills.
Environmental and Business Economics Sample Learning Objectives
Knowledge or Skills Sought Indicators of Achievement
1. To become proficient in defining strategic and marketing plans. 1. By the end of the semester, I will be submit samples of my strategic and marketing plans.
2. To gain knowledge about the Federal regulations that must be followed in operating the commodities trading business. 2. In writing, I will be able to describe the various regulations and how they impact commodities trading.
3. Utilizing Excel, will analyze departmental productivity in the healthcare division. 3. Will provide examples of spreadsheets analyzing departmental data and will describe the process used to determine outcome reports.
Environmental Planning and Design Sample Learning Objectives
Knowledge or Skills Sought Indicators of Achievement
1. Learn how to install a concrete paver patio and garden walk. 1. Given a site plan, materials, and equipment, I will be able to successfully construct a paver patio.
2. Expand and refine knowledge of plant material and/or uses in the residential landscape. 2. Given an I.D. test, will be able to correctly name 90% of the plant material used by my supervisor.
3. Learn how to take site data and write estimates on a landscape construction/installation project. 3. Given a design problem, I will be able to write a construction estimate for work to be done that will be approved by my supervisor.
Environmental Policy/Institutional Behavior Sample Learning Objectives
Knowledge or Skills Sought Indicators of Achievement
1. Become proficient in Microsoft Excel and Safestar. 1. Successfully generate reports and charts that are assigned to me.
2. Understand the way in which Capital Hill functions. 2. My seminar will accurately describe my experience working in a congressional office.
3. Improve listening and note-taking skills. 3. My success will be indicated by an evaluation of progress by my supervisor.
Environmental Science Sample Learning Objectives
Knowledge or Skills Sought Indicators of Achievement
1. Conduct health and safety environmental audits. 1. Be able to describe the steps needed to conduct a health and safety environmental audit.
2. To become proficient in groundwater sampling. 2. I will be able to successfully sample a monitoring well without assistance.
3. Develop public speaking skills. 3. Successfully give a presentation to potential co-op students.
Exercise Science/Sports Studies Sample Learning Objectives
Knowledge or Skills Sought Indicators of Achievement
1. Knowledge about proper use of equipment in the weight room. 1. Ability to demonstrate & teach correct equipment use, including breathing technique, repetitions, & body positioning.
2. Increase knowledge about the attachments and actions of muscles. 2. Supervisor will evaluate my ability to prescribe the proper exercises to work particular muscle groups.
3. Knowledge about proper use of equipment in weight room. 3. Supervisor will evaluate my ability to demonstrate and teach correct equipment use, including breathing techniques, repetitions, and body positioning.
Food Science Sample Learning Objectives
Knowledge or Skills Sought Indicators of Achievement
1. Be able to identify potential safety problems associated with the baking process. 1. I will make a visual inspection of each individual oven. From this inspection, I will conduct a hazard analysis and list the significant hazards.
2. Identify the critical control points where these safety problems can be controlled or prevented. 2. I will make a process flow diagram showing the steps involved in the baking process. Using a decision tree, I will determine where the critical control points are in the process.
3. Establish a way to monitor the critical control points. 3. I will create a Master HACCP sheet for each oven. This sheet will give detail procedures on how to monitor and correct errors along the baking process.
Geology/Geography/Natural Resource Management Sample Learning Objectives
Knowledge or Skills Sought Indicators of Achievement
1. Understand the role of the Nature Conservancy and the Natural Heritage Program at the Office of Natural Lands Management. 1. Be able to explain the general roles of these programs within the NJDEP after reading the Operations Manual.
2. Become proficient in computer database use such as the GIS and BCD. 2. Be able to correctly perform environmental reviews as well as other BCD functions such as source abstracts and entering field forms.
3. Learn which threatened and endangered species can be found in N.J. 3. Be able to accurately list at least 20 threatened and endangered species in N.J.
Nutritional Science Sample Learning Objectives
Knowledge or Skills Sought Indicators of Achievement
1. To become familiar with the menus for routine hospital diets. 1. Will name 3 foods from each of the routine diets.
2. Knowledge of OSHA standards and their application in food service. 2. Evaluate which OSHA procedures are being followed or violated.
3. Knowledge of work station effectiveness. 3. Taking pictures of the work area, I would be able to describe which work stations are effective/ineffective and how they can be improved.
Plant Science Sample Learning Objectives
Knowledge or Skills Sought Indicators of Achievement
1. I will learn how to use the SAS program (statistical analysis tool). 1. I will be able to collate research data and analyze that data using the SAS program.
2. I will be able to develop and implement my own research project. 2. I will successfully research, develop and implement a research project.
3. Become familiar with the role of Cooperative Extension in the community. 3. I will be able to explain the function of RCE clearly and accurately.
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