82.2 Cooperative Education Program

The Faculty of Engineering offers two types of degree programs: the traditional program and the cooperative education program. Students in the traditional program attend classes from September to April over four years (eight academic terms) to obtain their degree. In the cooperative education program, students complement their academic studies with five four-month terms of paid work experience. The academic requirements for both programs are identical. Because of the work experience component, Co-op students complete the last six academic terms over four years, so a degree with the Cooperative Program designation requires five years.

The Cooperative Program is offered in all Engineering programs except Engineering Physics and the Biomedical Options in Civil Engineering and Electrical Engineering. Programs normally include one fall work term (September to December), one winter work term (January to April) and three summer work terms (May to August). See §84.4 for the sequence of academic and work terms. Because of the year-round nature of the Cooperative Program, Co-op students are considered full-time students of the University of Alberta for the full 12 months of any academic year (July 1 to June 30).

Students accepted into the Co-op Program must successfully complete the following six courses and the regular requirements for an Engineering degree within their specialization: ENGG 299, WKEXP 901, WKEXP 902, WKEXP 903, WKEXP 904, and WKEXP 905.

Because work experience is required, the Engineering Co-op Department in the Faculty helps students find suitable employment. Most jobs are in Alberta, but some jobs are elsewhere in Canada or overseas. The ultimate responsibility for obtaining work-term employment is the student's. Co-op students pay a modest administrative fee for each work term. A limited number of visa students (student visitors) may be admitted to the Cooperative Education program.