Agronomy and Horticulture Department
ORCID IDs
Date of this Version
12-2011
Citation
NACTA Journal (December 2011)
Abstract
Virtually all graduate study requirements for MS or PhD degrees include a written comprehensive and an oral exam, the latter most often a presentation of thesis or dissertation results. The written exam takes many forms, but the goals are to test the candidate for technical competence and affirm that the prior program course work has been effective in bringing the candidate to an acceptable level of understanding of the discipline in which she or he has been immersed. Although long accepted as a useful hurdle on the path to a degree, for some exceptional students who have already demonstrated competence in multiple ways, especially at the PhD level, this has become an unnecessary chore for both students and supervisory committee members. All would rather devote quality time to something valuable for the student, rather than just busy work to re-validate what everyone already knows about the candidate. We have tested a new method of examination in a few situations, one that is focused on the student's ability to explain science to a lay audience.
Learning Objectives are to 1) encourage the student to reflect on the broad importance of the courses and research project and how this can impact society, and 2) practice writing for a general audience about the topics of courses or research. With current skepticism about science and our research in many quarters, it is increasingly important to find effective ways to communicate with the public.
Methods: include the framing of comprehensive exam questions that lend themselves to interpretation, clear articulation, and application to society's perceived challenges – quite a different challenge than writing for a journal. A recent comprehensive exam at University of Nebraska for a PhD student in practical applications of his research on use of diverse cover crop mixtures in sustainable farming systems included these five questions:
1. Select one important topic in soil microbiology relevant to organic agriculture and write an essay for a popular publication
2. What is a standard error? Explain this calculation and concept to a general audience outside of academia
3. Your research on mixtures of cover crops has potentially wide impacts on design of future farming systems; describe this practice to a general audience
4. Write an essay for the general public discussing the environmental benefits and drawbacks of agricultural intensification compared to organic agriculture
5. You have just been appointed to a farming systems and organic agriculture position at a major Land Grant University; using the advertised position description, prepare a draft of your first Hatch project
There were no further guidelines, nor time constraints put on the student to answer these questions, but rather he was urged to do as well as possible with the idea of submitting one or more of them for publication in a general interest journal in agriculture, natural sciences, or related area.
Included in
Agricultural Education Commons, Curriculum and Instruction Commons, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Commons, University Extension Commons