> The Capstone Experience

Established by the Faculty at the June 6, 1995 meeting.

The goals of the capstone experience are to:

• build interdisciplinary connections;
• build skills for teamwork;
• develop skills in problem solving and critical thinking;
• develop communication skills.

Seniors in plant pathology will prepare a review of on-going research, teaching, or extension activity in the Department of Plant Pathology and evaluate its value in meeting societal needs. If possible the students would work in groups of their choosing. They would gather information, in part, by interviewing faculty, students, staff in the department. They might also participate in research meetings, teaching discussions, or extension activities to learn about the chosen activity.

The students complete the project with either a written or oral presentation that would summarize their perception of how plant pathology would meet societal needs, how certain of our department’s activities do this, and identification of areas they think should be better addressed by our research program.

The faculty member will act as a capstone advisor and work with students to develop the details and strategy for the project. It is up to the student and advisor to narrow the focus of each specific project.

Examples of experiences students could participate in include:

• participation in a faculty members research program;
• reading and extending history of the discipline and the department;
• one or more integrated plant disease clinic-like experiences that involve receiving the problem from the client, processing the diagnosis, participating in the decision as to what to proscribe, and participating in the delivery of the recommended procedures or information;
• demonstrating a knowledge of information sources, types of sources, and their uses and values;
• demonstrating an understanding of where plant pathology fits in the broader plant and global health scene;
• attending professional meetings as part of the learning experience.

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