2001-2002 Undergraduate Calendar
	2001-2002 UNDERGRADUATE CALENDAR
	Carleton University

Co-operative Education

Co-operative Education is based on the principle that during the undergraduate years an academic program combined with alternating work periods is desirable for effective professional preparation. Work periods allow students to acquire experience in the area of career interest, while the academic terms can more properly be devoted to fundamental and theoretical studies. The practical experience is not a substitute for, but rather a complement to academic studies.

The motivation, responsibility and opportunity for insight gained through Co-operative education can be of significant value to students. The Co-operative concept enables those with a career orientation to become full-time students of their subject, both during the academic terms and during the related work terms, within a structure of organized purpose and serious study.

The following programs currently have approved Co-op options and students should refer to the individual departments for specific information:

Aerospace Engineering

Applied Physics

Architectural Studies

Biochemistry

Biology

Business (B.Com.)

Chemistry

Civil Engineering

Communications Engineering

Computational Sciences

Computer Science

Computer Systems Engineering

Earth Sciences

Electrical Engineering

Engineering Physics

Environmental Engineering

Human-Computer Interaction Concentration (Psychology)

Industrial Design

Mathematics and Statistics

Mechanical Engineering

Public Affairs and Policy Management

Software Engineering

Public Administration (administered by the School of Public Policy and Administration)

Operation of the Co-op Office

Students in the Co-op programs administered by the Co-op Office must satisfy the normal requirements for their degree programs as well as the graduation requirements specific to the Co-operative option in order to graduate with the Co-op designation.

Necessary arrangements for integrating work terms, securing potential employers, arranging interviews, and generally managing the employment process are handled by the Co-op Office. In addition, the Office is involved in counselling students, visiting them on the job, assisting them to adjust to work situations and encouraging their professional development. Each participating program has a faculty Co-op Adviser who will support and counsel students in their specific program.

Students are expected to maintain communication with the Co-op Office on all matters pertaining to participation in the Co-op program. Consultation with the Co-op Office is essential where regulations and procedures for the Co-op option are an issue.

The Work/Study Sequence

The work study sequence and number of mandatory work terms varies according to the individual program. Four-month, eight-month, twelve-month or sixteen-month work terms may be available. Please consult the calendar entry for each program for details. Students in the Co-op option normally require an additional year to complete their degree program.

Co-operative Education Admission Requirements

To be eligible for Co-op, students must be admitted to an honours degree program in Arts and Social Sciences, Commerce, Computer Science, Engineering, Public Affairs and Management, or Science, must be registered full-time and must be eligible to work in Canada. As admission and continuation requirements vary somewhat as to the year of entry and GPA required, please consult the calendar entry for the individual programs.

Students not admitted to Co-op directly from high school may apply for admission to the Co-op option of their program at the beginning of the term preceding their first work term. Completed applications should be submitted to the Co-op Office by November 1, March 1, and July 1 for the following May, September and January work terms respectively. Further information is available from the Co-op Office or from the individual academic units.

Employment

Although every effort is made to find a sufficient number of work term positions for all students enrolled in Co-op, no guarantee of employment can be made. The employment process is competitive and dependent on market conditions. As well, academic performance, skills, motivation, maturity, attitude and potential will determine whether a student is offered a job.

Where students are unable to obtain suitable employment through the normal placement process or have been given permission to seek their own job but fail to do so, they are expected to continue their academic program on a full-time basis. The only exception to this rule occurs in the Summer term.

Registration in Work Terms

Unless otherwise stated in the descriptions of specific Co-op options, all work terms must be completed before the end of the final academic term. Co-op students must be registered as full-time students in all academic terms of the Co-op option from point of entry through to the final academic term. The only exception occurs when a student may have sufficient credits to be able to register as a part-time student in the final term. During a work term, Co-op students must register in one of the work term courses designated by their program. While on a work term, students are limited to an additional 0.5 credit, unless they have written support from their employer to take 1.0 credit.

Students are normally expected to complete the full complement of work terms in the prescribed academic term/work term sequence. With prior approval from the Co-op Office, however, allowance can be made for personal considerations, educational opportunities, and other extenuating circumstances.

Co-op Preparation Classes

Co-op preparation classes are offered in the fall and winter terms to prepare students for job application, interviews and successful participation in the workplace. Topics include: Skills assessment, Resume writing, Job search, Job application, Interview Skills, Workplace safety, Workplace strategies, Business ethics, Writing the Work term Report. Co-op students are expected to attend all the classes before seeking employment.

Co-op Prep Charge

Students will be assessed a Co-op Prep Charge in the term immediately before a work term period of 4-, 8-, 12-, or 16-months.

Seeking Employment and Employer Interviews

Students are expected to seek employment through the interview process arranged by the Co-op Office (or the individual co-op programs). Students may not seek employment directly with a Co-operative employer unless specific arrangements are made with the Office. Students may arrange their own work term assignment with permission of the Co-op Office, but must have the position approved by their faculty co-op advisor before it may be considered for credit. A student who has received a job offer he/she intends to accept may not take part in the application and interview process arranged by the Co-op Office.

Student Files and Release of Information

A Co-operative Student Record is maintained for each student in the Co-operative options. This record contains information relating to the completion of work terms, assessment of work term reports, Employer Evaluation of Co-operative Student forms, records of Co-ordinator interviews, etc. This confidential file is available for examination by the student upon proof of identity. No information may be removed from the file.

By registering in the Co-op option, students agree that academic transcripts and pertinent information from their Co-op student records will form part of the application package and may be made available to potential employers.

Work Term Assessment

Successful completion of a work term is achieved by the submission of a satisfactory work term report and receipt of a satisfactory evaluation from the employer. Students are expected to submit a written work term report at the end of each four-month work term. During an extended work period the work term report requirement may be for shorter interim reports and a full-length final report. Employers may require additional reports from students as part of the job. Normally, for a report to be considered it must have been written during the work term, or immediately following the work term, and be related to or evoked by the work-term activity. In addition, Co-op students will be assessed on their work performance by their work-place supervisor, the assessment being reported to the Co-op Office.

Provision is made for students to upgrade Unsatisfactory work reports for re-evaluation. Students who fail to submit a work report or who fail to upgrade an Unsatisfactory work report will have a work-term failure recorded on their Academic Student Record.

The Co-op Office provides a common set of written guidelines for all work term reports. Work term reports are evaluated and graded by the relevant department.

An unsatisfactory work term report or a poor assessment in the work-place will not affect students' academic progress, but may result in their being required to withdraw from the Co-operative option.

Employer Performance Evaluations

Evaluation of each student's performance is recorded on the "Employer Evaluation of Co- Student" form. The student should ensure that the employer has sent a completed evaluation to the University. An Unsatisfactory evaluation is investigated by the Co-op Office and may result in a work term failure being recorded on the Co-op Student Record. Employer evaluations are not recorded on a student's transcript.

Voluntary Withdrawal from the Co-operative Option

Students may withdraw from the Co-op option without penalty. Such students are eligible to continue in their regular program provided they meet the academic standards required for continuation in that program.

Required Withdrawal from the Co-operative Option

Students may be required to withdraw from the Co-op option for one or more of the following reasons:

• failure to meet the academic standards required for continuation in the Co-op option (see individual departmental sections for details);

• failure to submit a work term report;

• submission of an unsatisfactory work term report or receipt of an unsatisfactory employer evaluation;

• dismissal with cause by an employer;

• refusal to accept a position which the student has ranked;

• failure to report to an employer or leaving an employer without prior approval;

• participating in the placement process arranged by the Co-op Office after receiving a job offer as a result of independent job search;

• missing a pre-arranged interview with an employer.

Students will lose their co-op status if they fail to pay the co-op prep charge or fail to register for a co-op work term report course.

Standing and Appeals

The Co-op Office administers the regulations and procedures applicable to the Co-operative programs and will report instances of a student's failing a work term or being required to withdraw from their Co-op option to their academic department. Any decision of the Office may be appealed through the normal channels within the University.

Co-op Regulations

Co-op students are responsible for satisfying all co-op regulations in the respective program's Co-op Handbook.

Carleton University
2001-2002 Undergraduate Calendar
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