Engineering Co-op

Engineering Co-operative Education

Co-operative education is a form of experiential learning that offers students a
journey of self-discovery and transformative learning experiences. All undergraduate
Engineering students participating in the Co-op program are governed by the
Engineering Co-operative Education Policy. For information on how the Engineering
Co-op program works and how to apply for the Co-op program please visit the
Engineering Co-op website.

Engineering Co-operative Education Policy

Admission Requirements

Full-time students can apply to co-op after completing their first year at Ontario Tech
University. They should meet the following criteria to apply for the Co-operative Education Program:

Have completed first year with a minimum cGPA of 2.3
Be returning to full-time studies after completing the co-op work term
No hold on their account with the University
Be legally entitled to work in Canada

Information on the application process and administrative fees are available from the
Engineering Co-op office.

Engineering students must successfully complete three (3) work terms to obtain the
Co-op designation on their degree. Students who have not successfully completed three
work terms by the end of their program will graduate without the Co-op
designation.

Participation and Continuation Requirements

Students wishing to participate in the Co-operative Education Program must meet the
admission requirements outlined above. Once accepted, they will be required to
complete and pass ENGR 1000W – Professional Competencies for Engineers (a zero
credit, online course) in the Fall semester of their second year. Students must
continue to maintain a minimum cGPA of 2.3 to participate in co-op, and must
complete second year of study before their first co-op work term. While on a co-op
work term, a student can request to take a maximum of one course. Students must have a minimum cGPA of 2.7 to request to take a course. Approval must be obtained from the co-op employer and the Faculty by completing a Co-op Course Approval Form.

Work term type

To provide students with a variety of work-integrated learning co-op opportunities, a student may complete any of the following work term types, as long as they can be verified as relevant Engineering experience. At least one co-op work term must be an industrial placement. In addition, a work term must be between 12-16 weeks of full-time work (35-40 hours per week) with a total minimum of 420 hours per work term. Note that a Co-op internship consists of several co-op work terms back-to-back. This means that an eight-month work duration would count as two co-op work terms; a 12-month work duration would count as three co-op work terms; and a 16-month work duration would count as four co-op work terms. A work term report is required at the end of each work term.

Industrial placements: A common type of placement where students are employed with organizations who specialize in engineering. Examples of this type of placement could include roles with companies like Honda, General Motors and Ontario Power Generation, where students are getting hands-on engineering experience.
Entrepreneurial placements: Students develop many skills concurrently through programs offered by Brilliant Catalyst. They can also develop ideas and concepts into marketable business ventures.
Research placements: Students support research in the engineering field or having significant engineering impacts. Ideally, students would be supporting cutting-edge research at Ontario Tech.
International placements: Students gain valuable engineering work experience with partners across the globe. Any of the above types of placements could be applicable subject to international, federal and provincial regulations.

Work Term Transfer

Transfer students into Ontario Tech University are permitted to transfer up to one co-op
term completed as part of their studies at another institution. Past co-op or
internship experience must appear on the previous institution’s transcript with pass
or a passing grade to be considered for transfer. The student must also provide a term
report or evaluation that will be included in the student’s file and serve as a measure
of support for the transfer of the work term.

Work term course codes

Work/Study Pattern

Popular options include combinations of a four-month summer co-op after second year followed by a co-op internship for up to 16 months after third year. While there are flexible options allowing students to customize their course and work term sequencing, they must be approved by the Engineering Co-op office to ensure compatibility with the scheduling of required courses in their field of study. Note that in order for Professional Engineering Ontario (PEO) to count the co-op work experience (up to 12 months’ credit) towards the required experience for PEng licensing, a student must have successfully completed half of their program of study before a co-op work term placement.

All completed co-op work terms appear on a student’s academic transcript, and the Faculty cannot guarantee a co-op placement. Assistance, advice and counselling are provided by the Engineering Co-op Office to all Engineering students enrolled in the Co-op program.

More details about the Engineering Co-op, FAQs, and registration forms can be found on the Engineering Co-op website.