Last updated: March 28, 2006 @ 05:26PM

Experiential Learning Opportunities at Brock University

I.  Overview of Experiential Learning at Brock

Brock University is committed to our promise to students: Your Career Begins Here. We offer a variety of Experiential Learning Opportunities for student employment and career preparation, on and off campus. Experiential learning at Brock incorporates both alternatives that are integral to students' academic programs, and alternatives that are optional, non-credit services for students.

Academic experiential learning opportunities are offered by each of the Faculties and include:
·   Co-op degree programs
·   Internship degree programs
·   Teaching placements
·   Course-based internships and field work projects
Non-credit experiential opportunities for current students are co-ordinated in Student Services and include:
·   Experience Plus
·   Skills Plus
·   Volunteers Plus
·   Med Plus
Experiential learning at Brock is designed to develop students' skills as productive, competent, responsible and reputable graduates that are well prepared for the workplace.

II.  Co-op and Internship Programs

1.  Co-operative Programs Office

Director
Cindy Dunne

Academic South 362, extension 4325
Hours: Monday­Friday, 8:30­4:30
E-mail:coop@brocku.ca
http://www.brocku.ca/co-op/

The Co-operative Programs Office at Brock provides information and assistance to applicants and registered students for all campus co-op and internship programs, and will:
·   advise students regarding application to co-op programs, academic program requirements, job placements, and job searches;
·   recruit employers for co-op and internship placements;
·   maintain computerized on-line job banks for co-op and internship postings;
·   facilitate the co-op placement process from employer job posting through co-op employer offer to hire;
·   prepare students for successful placement experiences with pre-employment workshops;
·   introduce students and employer through co-op job postings and on-campus interview assistance;
·   monitor and support employer/student placements with regards to placement quality and student contribution through work site visitation and performance evaluation;
·   support student recruitment to co-op and internships programs and evaluate student applications for admission decisions;
·   provide placement information to the Registrar's Office for inclusion on students' academic transcripts.
Students who are interested in applying to a co-op or internship program are encouraged to contact the Co-operative Programs Office for information.

2.  What is a Co-op or Internship?
Co-operative education combines traditional undergraduate academic programming and relevant work experience in alternating terms. The work term experiences are designed to prepare students for their transition from university to the professional community. The 4 and 5 year programs enable students to acquire experience in their areas of career interest. The practical experiences and academic studies complement one another. The Co-op Programs Office manages the administration and facilitation of the co-op experience at Brock. Co-op coordinators for each program support students throughout their co-op experience.

Brock University co-op programs have clear advantages, particularly the limited class sizes that ensure appropriate time is allocated to each individual student. Students can explore career possibilities, where their interests lie and the type of work environment that best suits them, helping them make informed decisions about their career options. Co-op graduates have the highest rates of employment after graduation. Many employers use co-op programs as a way to identify and recruit their future permanent workforce.

3.  List of Current Programs

Please consult calendar copy programs for specific requirements.

Co-op programs:

Accounting
(BAcc Honours, 4.5 yrs)

Applied Environmental Science and Technology
(BSc Honours, 4.5 yrs)

Applied Language Studies - Applied Linguistics Stream
(BA Honours, 4 yrs)

Applied Language Studies - Teaching English as a Second Language Stream
(BA Honours, 4 yrs)

Biochemistry
(BSc Honours, 5 yrs)

Biotechnology
(BSc Honours, 5 yrs)

Business Administration
(BBA Honours, 5 yrs)

Business Economics
(BBE, 4.5 yrs)

Chemistry
(BSc Honours, 4.5 - 5 yrs)

Communications - Business Communications Stream
(BA Honours, 4 yrs)

Communications - Communications Policy Stream
(BA Honours, 4 yrs)

Communications - Information Technology Stream
(BA Honours, 4 yrs)

Communications - Media and Culture Stream
(BA Honours, 4 yrs)

Computer Science
(BSc Honours, 4.5 yrs)

Computing and Business
(BCB Honours, 4.5 yrs)

Computing and Solid-State Device Technology
(BSc Honours, 4.5 yrs)

Dramatic Arts
(BA Honours, 4 yrs)

Economics
(BA Honours, 4.5 yrs)

Film Studies
(BA Honours, 4.5 yrs)

Mathematics and Computer Science
(BSc Honours, 4.5 yrs)

Neuroscience
(BSc Honours, 5 yrs)

Oenology and Viticulture
(BSc Honours, 4 yrs)

Physics
(BSc Honours, 4.5 yrs)

Political Science
(BA Honours, 4.5 yrs)

Popular Culture
(BA Honours, 4 yrs)

Psychology
(BA Honours, with a Major, 5 yrs)

III.  Practica and Course-based Experiential Learning

1.  Courses With Work Placements
In addition to co-op and internship programs, many other academic programs at Brock include specific courses that require a significant work placement. Normally, these course-based experiences are arranged with public service agencies, schools or employers on a voluntary work basis rather than as paid employment. Most of these courses are a core program requirement for a particular degree program in the discipline.

2.  Records and Fees Policy
The course number, course title and final grade are listed on the student's academic transcript. At the discretion of the individual faculty teaching the course, course-based experiential learning can also be linked to students' Experience Plus Records in the following ways:
·   students may find exclusive course work placement opportunities for their course on the Volunteers Plus posting service at Career Services;
·   through the on-line posting, students can begin their placement search in the summer, to have an approved placement arranged when the course begins in the fall;
·   in collaboration with their professor, students can arrange with their placement supervisor for the placement details (location, job title, duties/employability skills) to be recorded on their Experience Plus Records. The standard course tuition fee normally covers the costs of course-based experiential learning.

IV.  Part-time Experiential Learning through Career Services

Director
Amy Elder

Administrative Assistant
Sherry Seibel

905-688-5550, extension 3242
Schmon Tower 411
Hours: Monday - Friday - 8:30 - 4:30
Tuesday - 8:30 - 7:00 pm
careers@www.brocku.ca
http://www.brocku.ca/career

Career Services is dedicated to helping students explore career options, define career goals and plan their academic, work and volunteer opportunities to meet those goals. To see a complete description of the services available, please refer to the Student Services and Academic Support section of this calendar.

The following describes the experiential learning experiences available through the Career Services department, Experience Plus and Med Plus:

EXPERIENCE PLUS

Experience Plus Co-ordinator
Paulene Peer

905-688-5550, extension 4414
http://www.brocku.ca/experienceplus

Experience Plus is a free, non-credit career development program open to all Brock University students.Experience Plus activities are pursued on a part-time basis, in parallel with students' academic studies.

As an Experience Plus participant you will benefit from educational, social, volunteer and paid employment opportunities designed to develop your career planning and employability skills.

Experience Plus was created to:
·   enhance your future employability with practical experience;
·   encourage and help you try out a variety of career streams;
·   assist you with your job search after graduation by documenting your experience on an individual Experience Plus Record;
·   support your academics through increased campus involvement and commitment.
The program is divided into five main components, which are offered throughout the academic term.

1. Career Development:
Career Development includes both individual assessments and, workshops on a variety of topics, such as Learning about Personal Work Styles, Foundations in Leadership and Resume Writing, Interview Techniques, and Job Search Strategies.

2. Employment Opportunities
As an Experience Plus student, you will have access to more than 2,500 on-campus job postings through our on-line database.

3. Volunteer Opportunities
Gain valuable experience, knowledge and connections by volunteering on campus or with local business and community agencies in Niagara. Experience Plus has centralized students' access to the many service opportunities offered by various on campus and community based organizations.

4. Experience Plus Record
We'll work with you to track and record both your volunteer and on-campus paid work experiences and corresponding demonstrated employability skills.

5. Career Portfolio
We will help you develop your individualized personal and online Career Portfolio and when you upon graduate, you will be provided with a certified copied of their Experience Plus Record to be used in their Career Portfolio and in the your job search.

To register with Experience Plus, sign up as a member at http://www.brocku.ca/experienceplus. It is important that once you are registered with Experience Plus to regularly check your record ensuring that all volunteer and on campus employment, workshops and certificates have been recorded. If you need to update your record or would like to request a formal copy or your Experience Plus Record go to Career Services on the 4th floor of the tower, and we will be able to provide you with your request within one week. Currently, you can attend a majority of workshops at no cost and there is a nominal fee for copies of your Experience Plus Record.

MED PLUS

Med Plus Co-ordinator
Mark Portfolio
905-688-5550, extension 3106
http://www.brocku.ca/experienceplus/medplus

If you plan to pursue medical school or a health related career, consider Med Plus, a unique, extra-curricular experiential learning program. In partnership with area hospitals, practitioners and health organizations, Med Plus is designed to provide you with career development, practical experience and the most up-to-date information about the health care sector. Activities include:
·   site visits to hospitals, social service agencies and community health centres;
·   volunteer placements to gain valuable experience;
·   presentations by physicians and other health professionals;
·   workshops in first aid, CPR, allied health care;
·   workshops in communication, team work and self awareness;
·   current medical student mentors;
·   personalized program counselling and information on admissions to medical school;
·   university documentation of your Med Plus experiences.
For any student interested in a health profession, Med Plus is a great chance to learn more about the medical system and to build a network with health care professionals here in Niagara!

Note: this is a fee-based, part-time, non-credit program that runs concurrently with each year of the Brock academic programs.

How to apply:

Med Plus is a limited enrolment program and requires a separate application. Admission is competitive; minimum requirements for consideration include:
·   a minimum 80 percent average, as indicated by an official transcript of marks;
·   a strong interest in pursuing medicine or another health-related career, as indicated by a one-page Statement of Interest and a confidential letter of reference, to be submitted with the application;
·   application deadline is April 1st each year.

Continuation in Med Plus
Once admitted, students must participate in the full mandatory curriculum. The Med Plus program runs from September through April, over four years. Med Plus students who withdraw from the program forego their place, which is assigned to a student on the waiting list.

A significant strength of the Med Plusprogram is developing an understanding of teamwork in academic and health delivery settings. Therefore, the University may withdraw a student's place under certain conditions, including inadequate attendance, unacceptable words or actions in a placement or visit, unsatisfactory placement evaluation, or unacceptably competitive behaviour with fellow Med Plus students. Students must maintain an average of 75 percent to continue in the program each year.

Records and Fees Policy
Students receive an official Med Plusrecord, separate from their academic transcript and from their Experience Plus record. The Med Plus record documents the personal and public health learning that students have acquired by listing the workshops, speakers, site visits, and volunteer placements in which each student has participated. Attendance is taken at each Med Plus event to ensure the accuracy of this record. Since Med Plus is a full cost-recovery program, students pay an annual membership fee to Career Services. The current fee is $650 per year; students may expect annual fee increases in the order of 5-10 percent. If students withdraw from the program after accepting admission, partial fee refunds are pro-rated after June 15th. The fee is non-refundable after October 31st.