Students contemplating co-op should consult with their academic advisor in advance of their assignment and should obtain the signature of their academic advisor on the Co-op Work Plan. When preparing for their return to campus (after completion of their co-op assignment), students should consult with their advisor prior to registering for courses.  The MANE department's Student Services Coordinator, Marie Dieffenbach, may also serve as an informative resource for students considering co-op.

All required courses for students majoring in Mechanical Engineering are offered every term. The completion of those requirements does not ordinarily pose scheduling problems. Elective opportunities may vary from term to term, but a sufficient number are available each term to allow students to fulfill department and free elective requirements.

Most required courses for students majoring in Aeronautical Engineering are offered once a year only. The completion of those requirements often poses scheduling problems: students coming back to Rensselaer after a single term co-op assignment will find that course offerings do not match their needs. Careful planning of co-op assignments and rescheduling of academic coursework is indispensable to a timely and successful completion of the academic program.

At the completion of their co-op assignment, students must submit their Co-op Work Report (a brief executive summary of 3-5 pages) should describe the major task of the assignment, the extent of the student's participation in the project, and the specific engineering contribution to it.) to the Co-op Office.  Please note that The Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering & Mechanics does not grant academic credit for the co-op experience.