FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
Certificate FAQ
Technical & Material Requirements FAQ
Policies & Procedures FAQ
Financial FAQ
What
is the Equine Science Certificate?
The Certificate, created through the partnership between the Equine Research Centre (ERC), the University of Guelph, and CanAdapt consists of six distance education courses (four core courses and two electives) taken online. It is a unique program designed to provide the essential knowledge you need, through flexible online learning, to better care for your horse.
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Why Participate in the Equine Science Certificate
Program?
Upon completion of this unique program you will gain the knowledge necessary to directly improve the health and welfare of your horse. The certificate uses the Internet to deliver highly specialized, content-rich courses, which you can take at home and at a time convenient to you, without interrupting your work. The courses are based on scientific research and are presented in a practical format, making it easy for you to directly apply the newly gained insights to improve the health and performance of your horse.
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Who is the target audience for
the courses?
The Equine Science certificate courses are targeted at horse owners who
want to know more about caring for their horses. The courses are suitable
for those with no experience with horses although access to horses and
horse housing establishments will make the course more enjoyable and relevant.
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Who will benefit from this Certificate?
The program is designed to benefit those looking to increase their understanding
of the horse, advance their careers in the equine industry, and expand
their knowledge and skills in the areas of equine anatomy, exercise physiology,
nutrition, health and disease prevention, equine management, and growth
and development.
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Is owning a horse a requirement for taking any of the
equine courses?
Although owning a horse is not required, it is strongly recommended
that you have access to a horse for each course, and access to a horse
facility for Management of the equine environment.
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What age of student is required?
The Equine Science Certificate courses have been designed for adults who have completed Grade 12 or equivalent, or are at least 18 years of age.
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Where do I take the courses?
You can take the course from wherever you have a computer linked to
the Internet! The benefit of the online format is that you can work around
your busy schedule by studying from the comfort of your own home and at
a time convenient to you. There are no classes to attend. All that is
required is a computer, an Internet connection, and a desire to learn
more about horses and their care. Click
here to see the countries represented in the program.
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How long are the courses?
Each course in the Certificate is 12-13 weeks in length. Students log
onto the course web site several times per week to find out what to do,
talk with classmates and instructors in the course bulletin board conference,
submit assignments, and check grades. Courses are broken down into modules
that are completed each week. Having the course paced like this over each
week ensures the support from classmates and instructors that you need
since everyone progresses through the course at the same time. You have
time flexibility within each week to determine when you will participate
in the course.
Courses are offered once per year with some courses being offered more often. It can take two years or more to complete all of the courses. Contact the Office of Open Learning to confirm course dates.
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When can I start?
For specific start dates, call the Office of Open Learning at 519 767-5000
or see the course info page.
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What courses do I need to obtain my
Certificate?
To obtain the Certificate, you must complete the four core courses and two of the electives successfully. Should you wish, you can also opt for individual courses only. While it is possible to take the courses in any order we suggest starting with the Management of the Equine Environment. The required courses (in the recommended order listed here) for the Certificate are as follows:
Core Courses (All four are required):
Management of the Equine Environment
Learn how to set-up and manage a safe and environmentally responsible
horse housing establishment.
Equine Health and Disease Prevention
Learn about proactive steps you can take to prevent illness.
Equine Nutrition
Enhance the overall health and performance of your horse through improved
nutrition.
Equine Functional Anatomy
Gain an appreciation of the functional anatomy of the running machine.
Elective Courses (Select two):
Growth and Development
Understand the basic concepts of growth and manage the development
phases of your horse.
Equine Behaviour
Enhance the welfare of horses in your care by adapting their environment and handling to compliment their behaviour.
Equine Exercise Physiology
Gain insight into equine body systems, functions, and how to strengthen
your equine athlete.
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How long does it take to finish the Equine Science
certificate?
The Certificate program consists of six courses, four core courses and two electives. If you were to take one course a semester, it would therefore take six semesters, or approximately two years. However, many students choose to complete two courses a year and receive the certificate in three years. You can take up to ten years from the start of your first course to complete and receive the Equine Science Certificate.
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How much time will I need to devote to my distance
course each week?
Distance courses are just as demanding as on-campus university courses. They require a significant amount of reading and writing, and a corresponding amount of time is required to complete course requirements. A general rule of thumb is that you should expect to spend 10 - 14 hours per week for each course taken. However, there is some variation in the nature of assignments and instructor requirements, as well as individual study habits. We recommend that you establish a study routine and schedule early in the semester.
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Could you send me an Office of Open Learning
catalogue?
Because our courses and programs are so wide-ranging, and targeted to
such a diversity of learners, we do not have a single printed catalogue.
Continuing Education
More detailed information, including registration forms, is available
on each continuing education offering. Please request a brochure regarding
the program in which you are interested.
Distance Education
A catalogue of degree-credit distance education courses is available.
Contact info@open.uoguelph.ca to request one.
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Can the courses be taken in any order?
While it is possible to take the courses in any order, we strongly recommend starting with Management of the Equine Environment, and we strongly recommend completing Exercise Physiology last if this elective is chosen. It is recommended that you take Nutrition before the elective Growth & Development.
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How does distance education work?
Distance education allows you to study at home or in your office, according
to your own schedule...there are no classes to attend. Generally, each
course comes with a manual that may be accompanied by videotapes, audiotapes,
audio CDs, computer diskettes, CD-ROMs, etc., depending on the nature
of the course. As well, most courses incorporate websites with computer
conferencing, e-mail, and computer-based quizzes using the World Wide
Web as an innovative learning environment. Distance education provides
a contemporary means through which the University of Guelph continues
its tradition of outreach and open learning opportunities.
For more information on our approach to online distance education, please
check out our new online learning portal.
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What are my technical requirements?
Click on the System Check link here or on the login page www.open.uoguelph.ca/equine to ensure your system meets the technical requirements.
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Where do I get the required textbooks for my distance
education course?
You may order textbooks from any supplier. The University Bookstore carries the required textbooks. Each course offering provides links to both on campus bookstores, as well as the publishers’ websites. Most publishers sell the textbooks online.
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How do I register for a course?
You can register online using the online registration form at the bottom
of each distance education course description. For your convenience you
may also register in other ways:
To register by fax, complete the registration form and fax it to 519 824-1114.
To register by mail, complete the registration form and mail it to:
Office of Open Learning University of Guelph 160 Johnston Hall Guelph,
Ontario Canada, N1G 2W1
Please let us know the course(s) in which you are interested.
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When should I register?
Many of our courses fill up quickly so you should register early. Registration deadlines are posted on each course offering page, but in some courses we will accept registration up until the course starts. but You should remember that we do not send out course materials until just prior to the course start dates. It can take a week or more for course materials to arrive depending on where you live. International students should allow at least a week for course package delivery. If you register when the course starts you will not receive course materials until the first week of the course is over. Register early.
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What are the registration deadlines?
Each offering has its own registration deadline. Please see the individual course descriptions, or contact us for more information. Generally, we do everything we can to get you registered for a course. However, it is advisable to register early, as the courses have limits and tend to fill early.
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Are there restrictions on who is eligible to take
courses through the Office of Open Learning?
Continuing Education
There generally are not restrictions for individuals wishing to register
in continuing education courses, workshops, conferences, distance education
courses etc. However, it is best that you read the course description
carefully, including the information on the intended target audience,
to ensure that the course is right for you.
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What English proficiency level is required to take
these courses?
The Equine Science Certificate course material is presented in English
and requires proficiency in written English. Students should supply evidence
of English proficiency (except Francophone Canadian citizens educated
in Canada) if:
- their primary or first language (meaning the language
first learned as a child) is not English; and
- they have had less than four years of full-time secondary or post-secondary
study, demonstrating satisfactory academic progress, in an English-language
school system.
Registrants who need to meet the English Proficiency Requirement should
do so by submitting the required scores in 1, 2, or 3 below, along with
their registration form.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
600 on the paper- based test (250 on the computer test) AND Test of
Written English (TWE) - 5 AND Test of Spoken English (TSE) - 50. Applicants
with scores 237-249 on the computer-based test will be reviewed on an
individual basis.
These tests are offered on several dates each year by centres throughout
the world. The TOEFL Bulletin of Information and registration form can
be obtained by writing or contacting TOEFL/TSE Publications, P.O. Box
6154 Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6154, USA; telephone (609)771-7100;
email <toefl@ets.org>; Website (www.toefl.org).
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
Minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6. Information on
test centres and registration can be obtained from IELTS Administrator,
Anglia Polytechnic University, East Road, Cambridge CB1 1PT, Great Britain
(telephone (01223) 363271; facsimile(01223) 352973; email <j.m.ferra@anglia.ac.uk>).
- The Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB)
Minimum overall score of 85 is required, a minimum composition score
of 83. In addition, applicants must present a minimum score on the oral
test of 3.
Applicants can request Information Bulletins and Registration forms
from English Language Institute, Testing and Certification Division,
3020 North University Building, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor,
Michigan 48109-1057, USA (telephone (734) 763-3452; facsimile(734) 763-0369;
Website (http://www.lsa.umich.edu/eli).
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How should I prepare my distance education
assignment?
Your course package will likely contain specific directions about assignment
format.
Here are some helpful hints:
- double space your assignment and allow for margins
along the top, bottom and sides of the page
- use one side of the paper only and number the pages
- we strongly urge you to use a word-processor or
typewriter; however, if this is not possible check with your instructor to see
if he or she will accept neatly handwritten assignments
- proofread your assignment for content, spelling and
grammatical errors
- always retain a disk or hard copy of your assignments
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How many distance education assignments will I have to
complete?
Distance education courses typically have anywhere from two to ten assignments,
and each assignment has specific requirements and a set due date. Information
on your course assignments and assignment deadlines are located in the
course outline on the web and in the course information sheets.
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What happens if I can't get my assignment in on
time?
It is important for you to be aware of due dates so that you can complete
and submit your assignments in a timely fashion. Instructors may use their
discretion to deduct marks for late assignments. Contact your instructor
or teaching assistant in advance of the due date, if possible, if you
are unable to complete your assignment on time. Medical documentation
may be requested if illness has prevented you from keeping up with your
course.
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What if I decide that a course isn't for me?
If you change your mind about taking a course that you have registered for,
you will need to let us know as soon as possible. Fax the completed Drop
Form to notify us of your intent to cancel your enrolment. In order to receive
a refund, the form must be received by the cancellation deadline noted on your
course website.
Should you decide to not continue after the course drop date, you MUST still
complete and send in a Drop Form, informing us
of your intentions before the 40th class day to prevent receiving a grade of
"F" on your academic record.
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What is the course cancellation policy?
A full refund will be issued provided the Office of Open Learning receives a completed Drop Form at least 30 calendar days prior to the course start date.
A refund, less a $25.00 administration fee will be issued provided the Office of Open Learning receives a completed Drop Form at least 21 calendar days prior to the course start date.
A refund, less a $75.00 administration fee will be issued provided the Office of Open Learning receives a completed Drop Form within 20 calendar days prior to the course start date or up to the end of the second week of the course.
No refunds will be issued after the second week of the course.
Failure to take part in a course does not constitute notification of withdrawal and will result in forfeiture of the entire course fee.
Your course materials and original income tax receipt must be returned to the Office of Open Learning for the refund to be issued. Please note textbooks are non-refundable and cannot be returned.
Should you decide not to continue after the course drop date, you must still send in a completed drop form by the 40th class day to avoid academic penalty (receiving a grade of "F" on your academic record). No drop forms are accepted after the 40 th class day. (The Friday in week 8 of each course.)
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What is the grade structure for the courses
and what is the structure for granting of certificates?
The Equine Science certificate will be issued to those students who
successfully pass all 6 equine science courses. Those students maintaining
a 70% or above in all 6 courses will receive a certificate with Honours.
What is the grade structure for the courses and what is the structure
for granting of certificates?
Assignment of course grades in the Equine Science Certificate program
is according to the following standards:
80-100 (A) Excellent
70-79 (B) Good
60-69 (C) Acceptable
50-59 (D) Minimally Acceptable
0-49 (F) Fail
The Equine Science Certificate will be issued to those students who successfully pass six equine science courses, comprised of the four core courses and two electives. Those students achieving a cumulative average of
80% or higher will receive a Certificate with Distinction
70-79% will receive a Certificate with Honours
Passing grade less than 70% will receive a Certificate
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What is the cost of each course?
The cost of each course in the Equine Science Certificate is $495.00
Canadian plus textbooks. There is no discount for registering in all six
courses at once. Registration by credit card converts foreign currencies
to Canadian dollars.
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Are Open Learning courses tax deductible?
Receipts are issued. In Canada, the tuition portion of your course fees may be income tax deductible.
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Is there a corporate rate for companies wanting to
enroll employees?
For companies wishing to use the Equine Science Certificate as training
for their staff, we offer a corporate rate. For five or more employees
of the same company, the cost of registration for the certificate program
will be $2500 per person, paid in full upon registration. Refunds will
be given pro-rated to the number of courses completed. Contact Office
of Open Learning for more information.
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Is there any form of financial assistance available for
these courses?
You may be eligible to receive a bursary award towards an Office of
Open Learning continuing education activity and/or Open Learning program.
Visit www.open.uoguelph.ca/bursary for more
information.
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