Working Group One Questions for May 25 subcommittee meeting
BS in Agriculture—Professional Golf Management major
1. Goal #3 seem to break off at the end of the sentence
Here is how the goal appears in the online form I am looking at (it was corrected several
months ago:
 Have translational plant science competency, i.e., the ability to apply horticulture, and
agronomic principles to grow and maintain healthy in an efficient, economically sound,
environmentally compatible, and socially responsible way.
2. The goals don’t mention anything about golf. It seems more about plants/sustainable
systems, are the goals the same across the horticultural science group?
The goals are the same across the Horticulture and Crop Science majors (SPS and
PGM) however the level of competency and measurable outcomes will differ with
more emphasis on business management (the major requires a Business minor), how to
teach golf to individuals and groups, and hospitality management for PGM students. In
addition the business minor, several PGM courses in HCS do teach specific
management strategies for golf professionals. FYI, the goal has been re-worded to
read:
Understand the fundamentals of management of horticulture and crop science
enterprises, e.g. planning for sufficient labor and equipment to meet crop needs such as
planting, maintaining, and harvesting ; estimating landscape design and maintenance
costs; having the appropriate materials (irrigation system components, pots, growing
media, fertilizers, golf pro-shop sales items, etc.) available at the right time,
compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
As part of developing our curriculum assessment process, we have looked at these goals and
would like to submit a modified version for CAA’s approval. We are including what we are
considering as measurable outcomes to perhaps help you understand our thinking/reasoning.
H&CS Undergraduate Learning Goals and Outcomes: Upon successfully completing
their degree program, H&CS undergraduates will:
1. Be competent in critical thinking and research.
Measurable outcomes:
“ability to” should be replaced by can (many times)
1. Ability to acquire, analyze, and interpret information/data
2. Ability to reach logical and reasonable conclusions from information and data.
2. Understand the concept of sustainability and be able to use sustainable practices in
horticulture and crop science. Formerly goal 4
Measurable outcomes:
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1. Ability to define and discuss the concept of sustainability .
2. Ability to create a sustainably sound landscape design and/or include
sustainable practices in projects that focus on the production or maintenance of
plants.
3. Have the ability to integrate the fundamentals of physical and biological sciences with
the scientific principles of plant science to develop and maintain sustainable plant
systems. Combination of former goals 2 and 3
Measurable outcomes:
1. Ability to calculate discipline-related quantitative measurements.
2. Ability to predict the effect of environmental conditions on plant growth.
3. Ability to understand the relationship between organization management
practices and scientifically based plant production and maintenance methods
(see goal 5 below).
4. Be able to disseminate information effectively through all forms of communication
(oral, electronic, written, visual, etc.) at a professional level.
Measurable outcomes:
1. Ability to effectively and professionally present information gathered for
reports and projects.
2. Ability to effectively interact with peers, other professionals, and lay persons.
5. Understand the fundamentals of management of horticulture and crop science
enterprises, e.g. planning for sufficient labor and equipment to meet crop needs such as
planting, maintaining, and harvesting; estimating landscape design and maintenance
costs; having the appropriate materials (irrigation system components, pots, growing
media, fertilizers, golf pro-shop sales items, etc.) available at the right time, compliance
with applicable laws and regulations, fundamentals of professional behavior. Formerly
goal 6
Measurable outcomes:
1 Ability to set personal and professional goals and develop plans and strategies
and to meet those goals
2 Ability to work with and supervise personnel made up of a diverse array of
individuals
3 Ability to use best practices for customer service, economics, compliance with
regulations, etc .
4 Ability to present themselves professionally to peers and clients.
6. Have an appreciation for life-long learning through self-awareness and evaluation,
seeking knowledge, and using evaluation and synthesizing skills.
Measurable outcomes:
1. Ability to locate and use continuing education opportunities such as short
courses, workshops, and seminars.
2. Ability to achieve success through continuous professional development and
promotion
3. Demonstration of increasing leadership responsibility
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4. Ability to perform self-evaluations (this is a requirement in several HCS
classes including the required senior capstone class).
7. Have developed an appreciation of and respect for diversity.
Measurable outcomes:
1. Ability to work with a people with varying cultures, backgrounds, ideas,
ideals, and status.
8. Develop the skills to act in a responsible and ethical way.
Measurable outcomes:
1. Ability to properly credit sources of information.
2. Ability to perform effectively as a contributing team member.
3. Ability to demonstrate a positive work ethic through performance in the
classroom, university sanctioned extracurricular activities, and internship
duties.
3. Why is this designed as a 4 ½ year program?
These students are preparing for careers as golf professionals. This major requires a
minimum of 16 months of internship due to the need for students to meet work
experience requirements of the Professional Golfers Association of America (PGA) for
membership in that organization and employment as golf professionals. Therefore
students must enroll for one additional semester to meet the necessary internship
minimum.
4. It appears that the internships normally occur over the summer and they are required, so
we have a series of questions about this arrangement. Are students guaranteed
acceptance into an internship program? What happens if a student does not get an
internship? Could the internship happen during autumn semester now that the term will
start earlier? What about integration into spring (and if needed May)? It says that
students need 14 weeks working 35+ hours (per week) - is this paid? Can they
accomplish this adequately in the may+summer term?
Yes, students are guaranteed acceptance into an internship program as long as they
apply for such opportunities in a timely manner.
A student not getting into an internship only occurs if a student delays arranging an
internship or chooses not to intern according to the recommended schedule. The PGM
program has a designated internship coordinator who works with every student to
obtain internships. As with all other majors, if a student does not schedule internships
or classes appropriately, graduation is delayed.
Internships can be done during any semester (Au, Sp, May + Summer).
All internship students are paid by the hosting facility.
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