Last updated: August 5, 2010 @ 04:13PM

Co-operative Programs

Director
Cindy Dunne

Associate Director
Gloria Dididato

Senior Relationship Managers
Cara Boese, Dana Tonus

Relationship Managers
Amanda Etherington, John-Paul Goldsworthy, Julia Zhu

Career Consultants
Alesia Dane, Sarah Kitsemetry

General Information

Administrative Assistants
TBA
Heather Azar

Mackenzie Chown A336
905-688-5550, extension 4325
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 - 4:30
e-mail:co-op@brocku.ca
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 online 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 a 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.

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.

List of Current Co-op Programs
(Please consult calendar copy for specific course requirements.)

Accounting
(BAcc Honours, 4.5 yrs)

Applied Linguistics/Teaching English as a Subsequent Language
(BA Honours, 4 yrs)

Biochemistry
(BSc Honours, 5 yrs)

Biotechnology
(BSc Honours, 5 yrs)

Business Administration
(BBA Honours, 4.5 yrs)

Business Economics
(BBE Honours, 4.5 yrs)

Chemistry
(BSc Honours, 5 yrs)

Computer Science
(BSc Honours, 4.5 yrs)

Computing and Business
(BCB Honours, 4.5 yrs)

Computing and Network Communications
(BSc Honours, 4.5 years)

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

Dramatic Arts
(BA Honours, 4 yrs)

Earth Sciences
(BSc Honours, 5 yrs)

Earth Sciences - Environmental Geoscience
(BSc Honours, 5 yrs)

Economics -Applied Economic Analysis
(BA Honours, 5.5 yrs)

Economics
(BA Honours, 4.5 yrs)

Geography
(BA Honours, BSc Honours, 4 yrs)

Mathematics Integrated with Computers and Applications
(BSc Honours, 4.5 yrs)

Mathematics Integrated with Computers and Applications
(BSc 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)

Political Science - Public Administration
(BA Honours, 4.5 yrs)

Psychology
(BA Honours, With Major, 5 yrs)

Admission to Co-operative Programs
Admission to the co-op option at Brock University takes place in the final year of high school, and a limited number of students are also considered at the end of the fall term of their first year of university study for admission the following September.

Admission from secondary school (Ontario Grade 4U/M): Students applying to the co-op option normally require a minimum 80 percent average; some co-op degree programs also require at least one math with a 75 percent. Applicants may be required to submit a resume for consideration.

Admission from university year 1 or 2: Students are eligible to apply for admission to the co-op option with a minimum 70 per cent major average and a minimum non-major average of 60 per cent, as calculated by the Registrar's Office. Admission is competitive, and students must submit a resume and attend a personal interview. Final decisions for admission are based on the results of the interview.

Co-op Administration Fee

Co-op students are assessed administrative fees in addition to academic tuition. Universities offering co-op programs incur significant costs related directly to operating the program in which is not provided for in-government operating grants. The government Ministry has established guidelines for setting co-op fees in order that universities can recover the cost from program participants. Brock follows Ministry guidelines, and as with other Universities, sets fees to distribute cost recovery over the duration of the program. It is important to understand that the administrative fee is not a placement fee, but rather relates to all the non-academic costs of operating co-op programs. Please consult Student Accounts Financial Information regarding the amortization of Co-op fees. Co-op fees may increase each year.

Pre-employment Training

All students are required to register in and complete a co-op pre-employment training and development course comprising of lectures, presentations and site-visits for two hours each week prior to enrolment in first co-op work terms.


Work Study Sequence

The work study sequence optimizes the quality of the work experience, by providing an opportunity to work during each cycle or season of a business. The alternating terms also ensure academic course requirements are met on a timely basis.

Placement of Co-op Students
Placement of Co-op Students
Co-op programs do not guarantee work term employment. The Co-op Office assists in securing employment opportunities. Ultimately it is students' performance, skills and attitude that determine whether they are offered a co-op assignment.

Withdrawals
Withdrawals
In certain cases, students may choose to withdraw from the co-op option into the regular program. The University can withdraw a student involuntarily from the co-op option if the student has not completed the three required work terms with satisfactory evaluations, or if the student has not met the required academic performance. Involuntary withdrawals are noted on the student's academic transcript.

Graduation Requirements
Graduation Requirements
Students in the co-op option must complete a minimum of the three co-op work terms and the corresponding Co-op Work term; Integration and Reflective Learning course with satisfactory evaluations.