Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Advising

Tag: co-op

Are there any upcoming peer mentoring workshops?

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Yes! Here’s the current schedule for this semester. These are informal chats. Leave early, come late as your schedule permits.

Fall 2022

*Subscribe to the ChE advising events calendar for the most current date/time/location information.

Topic Date* Time* Location*
Student Organizations: Learn about how and why to involved in student orgs. Wednesday, September 7th 6:30 pm Chem Sci 215
Resumes: Bring your resume, even if it’s just a draft. Wednesday, September 14th 6:30 pm Chem Sci 215
Co-ops/Internships: What it’s like to do a co-op/internships and interview tips. Monday, September19th 7:00 pm Chem Sci 215
Preparing for Exams: Learn about campus resources to help you prepare for mid-terms. Tuesday, September 27th 6:30 pm Chem Sci 215
Enterprise: What it’s like to be on an Enterprise team. Wednesday, October 5th 5:00 pm Chem Sci 310
Registration: Start preparing for spring registration with tips on how to plan your schedule. Wednesday, October 12th 6:30 pm Chem Sci 215
Minors: Minor options and how to fit it in with your major requirements. Wednesday, October 19th 6:30 pm Chem Sci 215
Junior ChE Courses: If you’ll be taking junior-level ChE classes next semester then stop by for help planning your classes. Tuesday, October 25th 5:00 pm Chem Sci 310
Sophomore ChE Courses: If you’ll be taking sophomore-level ChE classes next semester then stop by for help planning your classes. Wednesday, October 26th 5:00 pm Chem Sci 310
First-year Courses: If you’ll be taking first-year classes next semester then stop by for help planning your classes. Tuesday, November 1st 5:00 pm Chem Sci 310
Research: What it’s like to do undergraduate research with a faculty member and how to find a research mentor. Tuesday, November 29th 6:30 pm Chem Sci 215
First-Semester Recap: How did your first semester go? Tell us about it. Tuesday, December 6th 5:00 pm Chem Sci 310

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How do I fit in a co-op?

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Be prepare for a co-op to delay your graduation by one year because of the order that the ChE classes need to be taken. These classes are also only offered in certain semesters. You can use this as an opportunity to fit in two co-op experiences. The table below shows one way to do this. Another option is to use the extra semester to spread out your classes and/or fit in a minor or study abroad.

Year Fall Semester Spring Semester Summer Semester
First Year Classes.
Take calc I plus all the usual fall freshman classes. Most of these classes are offered in the fall, spring, and summer. 		Classes.
Take calc II plus all the usual spring freshman classes. Most of these classes are offered in the fall, spring, and summer. 		Open.
Work and take a break.
Second Year Classes.
Take the usual fall sophomore classes. Some of these classes are only offered in the fall and summer. 		Classes.
Take the usual spring sophomore classes. Most of these classes are offered in the fall, spring, and summer. 		Co-op 1.
On first co-op for 6 months (summer-fall)
Third Year Co-op 1.
On first co-op for 6 months (summer-fall) 		Classes.
Take the usual fall junior classes. These classes are offered in the fall and spring and are prereqs for the spring junior classes. 		Co-op 2.
On second co-op for 6 months (summer-fall)
Fourth Year Co-op 2.
On second co-op for 6 months (summer-fall) 		Classes.
Take the usual spring junior classes. These classes are only offered in the spring and are prereqs for the fall senior classes. 		Open.
Finding a summer internship is usually easier when you have previous co-op experience.
Fifth Year Classes.
Take the usual fall senior classes. These classes are only offered in the fall and are prereqs for the spring senior classes. 		Classes.
Take the usual spring senior classes. These classes are only offered in the spring. 		Graduated!!
Start your full-time job with a significant amount of industrial experience!
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What is the difference between a co-op and an internship?

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A co-op is usually longer and during the school year. An internship is usually shorter and during the summer.

It is usually easier to find a co-op than a summer internship.

You can earn college credit while working by taking the co-op class. During the fall and spring semesters some students need student status for financial aid or insurance reasons. In this case, you will need to enroll in the co-op class or some other online course. During the summer, in most cases, it is up to you on whether or not to seek the co-op credit.

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Can I do a co-op and still graduate in four years?

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Maybe. You’ll need to plan ahead. If you come in with credit for calc I and some other courses then you might be able to get this to work. You will also need to take thermo along with the junior year ChE classes, which is challenging.

Here are the important things to know:

  • If you are done with the required math and CM 2110 Material and Energy Balances then you can take CM 3110 Transport & UO I and CM 3215 Fundamentals of ChE Lab at the same time as CM 3230 Thermo.
  • You can take CM 3240 Separations at the same time as the usual spring junior classes. This will give you 13 credits of required junior-year ChE classes, which is challenging. However if you are a strong student and very motivated then it’s doable.

If you are interested in working out a schedule like this, then make a rough draft and bring it to your academic advisor to review together.

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Do I have to register for the co-op class or can I just skip it?

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It depends.  Enrolling in the co-op class allows you to retain your student status while you are gone.  This can help you keep your financial aid, scholarships, and health insurance.  You can also use the credits towards your degree requirements as technical electives or free electives.  

Your next step is to check with Financial Aid to see how the co-op will impact your situation. They can help you determine if you should be taking the co-op class and if you should take it for one or two credits for financial aid purposes.  In most situations one credit will give you part time status and two credits will give you full time status.

If you are here on an F-1 visa then Career Services recommends you register for co-op credits during the summer as well.  By registering as a co-op student you are considered a full-time student and will not be utilizing your practical training time.

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How many credits do I get for co-op? Do I get a grade for this class?

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For each semester of co-op you can sign up for 1 or 2 credits of co-op class .  If you need to be a full-time student during your co-op then you need to be signed up for 2 credits.

Yes, your co-op class is graded.  It is a course that you will complete on Canvas while on co-op. Your employer will do a midterm and final evaluation on your work, and this evaluation will be submitted to Michigan Tech.  You will be asked to do a midterm and a final evaluation of your employer as well.  Lastly, to complete your co-op you must write a final report.  All of this is used to determine your grade for the class.

See also : Do I have to take the co-op class or can I just skip it?

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