International Programs

Intensive Short Course on English Language, California Agriculture, & Graduate School Preparation
2017-04-13
 

I. INTRODUCTION

The University of California, Davis is pleased to present this proposal to deliver a customized program in California agriculture and preparation for US graduate school for students at Huazhong Agricultural University for three weeks in Davis, California.


GOALS:

The primary goals of the proposed training program are to provide an intensive short course on the following topics to students from Huazhong Agricultural University:

Ø To improve English language skills, particularly conversational and public-speaking skills

Ø To develop a better understanding of US culture and society

Ø To acquire an introductory knowledge of select topics in California agriculture and environmental issues, including global warming, food safety and security, and postharvest production issues

Ø To learn about California agriculture through visits to key facilities and farms in northern California

Ø To gain a competitive edge in applying for US graduate programs, including learning about the UC Davis graduate programs and the admission process for US graduate schools, and obtaining basic preparation for the GRE examination

Ø To experience the rich cultural and recreational activities in northern California, including the city of Davis, Sacramento (the state capitol), and San Francisco.

II. STRATEGIC CONTEXT: THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AND CHINA

With over 200,000 students, ten campuses, three Department of Energy National Laboratories, and five academic medical centers, the University of California is unrivalled by other universities in the quality and scope of its research and education programs. The University’s academic quality is built on the foundation of distinguished faculty, outstanding students, a world-class education, and internationally acclaimed research breakthroughs. UC’s 49 Nobel Prizes, 56 National Medals of Science, and 358 members of the National Academy of Sciences are unmatched by any other institution, public or private.

As a system, the University of California has enjoyed an unparalleled array of interactions with Chinese academic institutions, including research collaborations in a wide variety of fields, from science and engineering, to agriculture, medicine, business and the humanities. Thousands of Chinese scholars have earned degrees and served as visiting scientists at UC campuses, and UC alumni have gone on to make important contributions to Chinese society. Chinese students and scholars have, in turn, contributed very significantly to the quality of UC research and education, and hence to economic development in the state of California.

III. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS

The University of California, Davis is one of the ten campuses of the University of California, which is considered the premier US university system in the US. UC Davis is a Tier One research university and ranks 9th among US public universities in research funding. The University of California, Davis is considered a leader in interdisciplinary research and study. Several of its key research initiatives explore new energy technologies and how to make traditional energy sources more efficient. The campus is poised for pre-eminence in energy and water, energy and agriculture, and energy and the environment.

The University of California, Davis is the most comprehensive of the ten UC campuses with 4 colleges, 5 professional schools, 103 academic programs, and 86 graduate programs. UC Davis awards more bachelor’s and doctor’s degrees in science than any other US institution.

UC Davis is a global campus. It is deeply committed to international education. The UC Davis International Initiative strongly emphasizes international and domestic engagement. UC Davis places a strong emphasis on graduate education and research opportunities. UC Davis draws graduate students and researchers from all over the world. The university hosted more than 5,500 international scholars and students in 2012/13. It has a significant undergraduate exchange program with top tier universities throughout the world.

IV. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS EXTENSION’S CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION

      UC Davis Extension is the professional and continuing educational division of the University of California. UC Davis Extension creates a bridge between the university's academic knowledge and the working world of professionals. The mission of UC Davis Extension is to provide education that transforms people's lives.

UC Davis Extension’s Center for International Education offers robust international scholar and student programs, as well as customized training programs for government agencies and professions. Clients include leading international universities, such as Zhejiang University, National Taiwan University, Ewha Womans University, and other leading universities.

V. SHORT-TERM Program for HUAZHONG AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY

This three-week intensive course will provide selected students from Huazhong Agricultural University training on the following topical areas:

1.   Fundamental Introductory Concepts in California Agriculture

Lectures will be taught by UC Davis emeritus faculty, UC Davis faculty (if available), and/or advanced graduate students.

Suggested topics include:

a.    An Introduction to the Basics of California Agriculture

b.   Agriculture & Public Health

c.    Environmental Debates & Global Warming

d.   Postharvest Production Issues

2.   California Agricultural Field Trips

a.    Visit 2 research facilities in northern California

b.   Field trips to farms in the Sacramento Valley

3.   Introduction to Agriculture within American Society and English Language Skill Development English Language Skills

a.    Lectures and discussions focused on the role of agriculture in American society

b.   Practical experience delivering presentations in English

c.    Feedback from trained English language instructors on presentation performance and suggestions for improvement

d.   Linguistics workshops with topics including pronunciation, idioms, listening, etc.

4.   Introduction to California

a.    Cultural excursions to two destinations in northern California (Sacramento and San Francisco) that offer learning experiences about the history, culture, and educational institutions in northern California.

5.   Graduate School Preparation

Students will receive the following preparation, including:

a.    7 hours of instruction on how to prepare and succeed on the GRE placement examination from an experienced, qualified instructor (6 hours lecture instruction, 1 hour individual preparation)

b.   Information about US graduate programs.

Eligibility:

We recommend that Huazhong Agricultural University selects students with a minimum 71 iBT score in order to benefit from the course. Preference should be given to students with 80 iBT scores and above.

Proposed* Schedule:

Week 1

9:00AM

Orientation

GRE Test Prep Class

Graduate Studies

Excursion to Local Farms

(ALL DAY)

GRE Test Prep Class

10:00AM

Campus Tour

Agriculture in U.S. Culture Course

11:00AM

Shields Library Tour

12:00PM

Lunch break

Lunch break

Lunch break

Lunch break

1:00PM

Overview of California Agriculture

Lecture

Agriculture in U.S. Culture Course

Visit to Research Facilities

2:00PM

Arboretum Tour

Food Safety & Security Lecture

3:00PM

Plant Sciences Class

Plant Sciences Class

4:00PM

 

5:00PM

Welcome Reception

Week 2

9:00AM

Excursion to San Francisco

(ALL DAY)

10:00AM

Activities and Recreation Center Tour

Presentation: Higher Education

in the U.S.

Graduate Student Experience

Introduction to Modern Agriculture

Lecture

11:00AM

SISS Guest Speaker

Agri-Biotechnology

Lecture

Undergraduate Education Presentation including student panel

12:00PM

Lunch break

Lunch break

Lunch break

Lunch break

1:00PM

Health Lecture

Agriculture in

U.S. Culture Course

Food Safety & Security Lecture

Farm/Livestock

Visit

2:00PM

Health Class

3:00PM

Agriculture in

U.S. Culture Course

4:00PM

Week 3

9:00AM

Graduate Student Presentations:

Research

Excursion to Farms

(ALL DAY)

OPEN Prepare for final presentations

10:00AM

Agriculture Professor

Guest Speaker

11:00AM

US Cultural Activity

12:00PM

Lunch break

Lunch break

Lunch break

Lunch break

1:00PM

Environmental Topics Lecture

Agriculture in

U.S. Culture Course

Global Warming Lecture

Final

Presentations

2:00PM

3:00PM

Presentation Skills Workshop

4:00PM

5:00PM

Graduation Farewell Reception

*Please note that the schedule is tentative and subject to change before the program begins.

VI. PRICING

The fees to deliver the intensive short course on California Agriculture and Graduate School Preparation for students from Huazhong Agricultural University for a three-week duration in Summer 2016 are as follows:

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