Co-op Information for Industrial & Management Engineering Majors
Industrial and Management Engineering (IME) majors are encouraged to take two-term or three-term co-op assignments to complement their academic program. If a student takes up a three-term assignment, s/he is strongly encouraged to include at least one semester of full time study here at Rensselaer between the first and third co-op terms.
A student should consider taking up a two-term co-op assignment in the fall semester of the senior year and the preceeding summer. A three-term co-op assignment should ideally be spread over the junior and senior years and alternated with at least one semester of full-time college study. For example: a three-term co-op assignment may begin in the fall semester of the senior year, followed by full-time coursework in the spring semester of the senior year, and a two-term co-op in the following summer and fall semester.
With proper planning, it is possible for a student to take up a two-term co-op assignment and still graduate with his/her class. This requires some courses (e.g., free electives) be taken at a college near the work assignment and during summer. It should be understood that a two-term or three-term co-op assignment will, most likely, delay graduation. This must be weighed against the valuable work experience that a co-op provides.
Before taking up the co-op assignment, the student should set up a degree plan with his/her advisor. The degree plan should list all the courses required for the IME degree and specify when they will be taken. A student can get academic credit for a free elective provided s/he completes a two-term or three term co-op assignment and writes a report detailing the work done during their assignment. For further information on co-op assignments in Industrial and Management Engineering, please consult your faculty advisor. |
