The industrial work experience can vary, but is usually commensurate with the student's background and interests and is meant to be an important part of the overall training program. The faculty thesis advisor and the industrial supervisor serve together to monitor each student's progress in the program. Typical students who enter our Co-op Program have sound academic backgrounds, but usually little industrial experience. They often face a dilemma in choosing between graduate school and industrial positions. In many ways, our program provides the best of both worlds.
Students can learn what industry is all about and at the same time earn a graduate degree.
If an industrial career is then chosen, our graduates experience marketability and are in a much better position to make informed choices among available opportunities. Similarly, a sound, research-based MS degree provides excellent preparation for continued studies toward the PhD degree here or elsewhere. Operational Procedures Student Obligations and Requirements 1. Industrial Commitments 1. Placement of a co-op student at an industrial site is based on the mutual preferences of both the industrial representatives, departmental representatives, and the graduate students.