Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

 The agreement will clearly define student, employer/supervisor, and instructor information as well as the placement description (paid or unpaid) and length of the position. The placement should extend student knowledge of Biology/Environmental Science.

Upon completion of the course students will be able to:

1. Meet mutually agreed-upon goals and learning objectives with the instructor and employer or supervisor.

2.  Demonstrate the ability to apply skills or knowledge gained in the classroom in the laboratory and/or field-placement site.

3.  Work productively in the laboratory and/or field-placement site.

4.  Communicate appropriately in the laboratory and/or field-placement site.

Deepen the understanding of the science.

Focus and broaden the understanding of the path to achieve career goals.

This course is designed to maximize learning through a co-operative work experience. Students will be supervised by a college co-operative supervisor and an on-site supervisor who is typically a company employee.
The student, coordinator/instructor, and employer develop a work experience plan which will meet the learning needs of the student. This plan provides a definition of on-the-job or in-the-lab learning activities.
 

Assessment is designed to indicate achievement of the course outcome and performance tasks. The instructor will outline the methods used to assess student progress and the criteria for assigning a grade at the beginning of the course. Assessment will be based upon a combination of participation, attendance, and supervisory evaluations and conferences.
Evaluation procedures will be discussed during preliminary meetings between the student, coordinator/instructor and employer and tailored to suit the specifics of the job or research site.

At least one site visit a term is done by the coordinator and/or instructor.

Assessment strategies could include but are not limited to:  journal entries, oral presentations, poster presentations, portfolios, scientific reports, community-based learning activities and/or other output relevant to the co-op site.

Students will develop competencies based on the mutually agreed-upon outcomes for the project.