In the second semester, parallel work experience begins consisting of 20 hours per week on site and 20 hours per week in an academic lab. 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 or 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.