College of Engineering and Computer Science
Cooperative Program (Co-op)
Associate Professor Gary McDonald, Advisor
In addition to the basic four-year engineering and computer science programs a five-year optional cooperative program is available. In this program students alternate between a term in school and a term in industry or divide their time between school and industry concurrently. Typical students receive their baccalaureate degrees after five years and obtain approximately 20 months of industrial work experience.
Program Objectives: The Co-op program is designed to: (1) provide practical experience which relates academic studies to industry requirements, (2) give the student a better understanding of human relations in industry, and (3) assist the student financially.
The financial benefits to the student are usually adequate to cover most of the student’s college expenses while obtaining the B.S.E. degree.
Overall Program Structure and Requirements: The Co-op program is open to any UTC engineering student who has at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average, whose class work and school activities indicate that he or she is dependable and capable, and who is acceptable to a cooperative company. In general, a student is admitted to this program at the end of the freshman year. The specific requirements of the program are described below.
Scholastic requirements: A student must have at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average (out of 4.0) to enroll in the program. Further, the student must maintain a 2.25 cumulative grade point average to remain in the program. If the student fails to attain at least a 2.0 average in any semester while participating in the program, the student will be required to meet for advising to determine further enrollment in the program.
Registration: Co-op students are required to register each term (including each term in industry) as a co-op student. A $25 fee is assessed the student for registration during the work term.
Cooperative Seminar: All alternating engineering and computer science co-op students are expected to register and participate in Engineering 390r (Cooperative Seminar) during the term in school immediately following a work assignment. This seminar is designed to discuss and report on projects conducted as a part of the cooperative work assignment and to discuss topics relevant to the engineering profession.
Reports: Student participants are required to file a 1-3 page work report with the UTC Co-Op Office concerning the student’s work at the end of each work term.
Work Schedule: Co-op students are expected to attend school full-time during their first year and last year in the program. They will alternate each term (between school and work) or simultaneously attend school and work in industry during the three years between their first and last year in the program. (A term is considered to be either first semester, second semester, or a full summer term.)
Co-op Graduate: A co-op student is certified as a co-op graduate upon graduation if he or she has completed at least 3 alternating co-op work terms or 6 concurrent work terms and meets the degree requirement
Additional Degree Requirements for Co-op Graduates: A B.S.E. cooperative engineering student graduate completes all degree requirements of the B.S.E. graduate, plus 10 additional hours in Engineering 390r, Cooperative Seminar.
Engineering Curricula (B.S.E.)
Engineering Fundamentals: The engineering fundamental courses equip the student with an understanding of engineering economic analysis, statistical analysis tools, and strong decision making skills as well as basic engineering science knowledge. Laboratories develop an understanding of engineering instrumentation, experimental techniques, and fundamental principles. Written and oral communication is emphasized throughout the curriculum. The engineering design experiences begin with freshmen team design projects, are continued throughout the curriculum, and culminate in a two-semester industry-supported interdisciplinary design project. The study of the computer and its applications is integrated throughout the curricula.
B.S.E. Programs: UTC has four program specialties:
- Engineering: Chemical
- Engineering: Environmental
- Engineering: Civil
- Engineering: Industrial
- Plus separate electrical and mechanical programs
Each program offers specific upper-level undergraduate and graduate level courses that provide learning opportunities to support the skill and knowledge needs of a graduate of that program. Each program is governed by its own mission and set of program objectives. Students in each engineering program take a selection of additional engineering fundamentals courses (at least 7 hours) and at least 30 specialty course hours to complete their program. The descriptions and requirements of each program follow the description of the engineering curricula and fundamental courses.
Curricula Structure: The engineering curricula is highly structured. The typical engineering course has one or more prerequisites, which must be completed before enrollment in that engineering course. Additionally, some engineering courses have corequisites, which must be taken simultaneously with the engineering courses. It is expected that laboratory courses will be taken simultaneously with the related lecture courses. The structured nature of the engineering curriculum makes it advisable that students see a faculty advisor in their selected specialty prior to each registration. Typical courses of study have been prepared for each specialty, and may be obtained from the faculty advisor.
The faculty who support the various engineering specialties also teach the engineering fundamentals courses.
To obtain the Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) degree, each student must complete the following curriculum.
General Education (see
for list of approved courses)
Each
B.S.E. engineering student must complete the following general education
sequences:
- Rhetoric and Composition: English 121, 122 (6 hours)
- Mathematics: Mathematics 151/152 (4 hours)
- Statistics: Engineering 222 (3 hours)
- Natural Sciences: Two approved natural science courses, at least one including a laboratory component (7-8 hours)
- Humanities and Fine Arts: One approved fine arts course and one approved humanities course (6 hours)
- Cultures and Civilizations: One approved Non-Western Cultures and Civilizations course (3 hours)
- Behavioral and Social Sciences: Economics 101 and 102 or two approved behavioral science courses (6 hours)
Major and Related Courses
- Major and related courses vary depending upon the specialization (see below); however, all B.S. Engineering courses will require at least:
- Chemistry 121/123
- Mathematics 151/152, 161, 212, 245, 255
- Physics 231/281
- Engineering Fundamentals: Engineering 103, 104, 113, 185, 222, 246, 247, 270, 385, 485, and at least 7 additional Engineering hours as prescribed by the specialty program selected.
Note: For qualified students, Engineering 495r, Departmental Honors (4 hours), may substitute for Engineering 485 (3 hours).
Specialty and Related Courses
- Engineering Specialty Courses: At least 30 hours, as prescribed by the specialty program.
- Technical Electives: As prescribed by the specialty program.
Minimum Degree Requirements
- 128 hours (138 for co-op graduates).
- Minimum 39 hours at the 300-400 level.
- 2.0 GPA in all engineering courses.
ENGINEERING COURSES (ENGR)
001-007 Cooperative Work Experience (0)
Consecutive cooperative engineering work terms as a part of the cooperative engineering program. Student participation in off-campus work terms in industry (work term defined as either first semester, second semester, or a three month summer term in industry). Fall, spring and summer semesters.
103 Basic Engineering Science (3)
Introduction to basic concepts of engineering. Physical quantities, units, dimensions, vectors; formulation of engineering problems. Calculus-based analysis of fundamental dynamics; motion along a straight line and in a plane. Newton’s 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Laws of Motion plus applications. Work and energy. Impulse and momentum. Rotational motion. Fall and spring semesters. Lecture 3 hours. Corequisites: Engineering 113. Co- or Prerequisites: Mathematics 151 and 152.
104 Vector Statics (3)
Vector statics operations and applications; particle equilibrium, force system resultants, equilibrium of a rigid body. Structural analysis; trusses, solution techniques. Center of gravity and centroid. Internal forces. Friction. Moments of inertia. Elasticity. Temperature and expansion. Quantity of heat. Mechanisms of heat transfer. Fall and spring semesters. Lecture 3 hours.Co- or Prerequisites: Mathematics 161 and 162. Prerequisite: Engineering 103 with a grade of C or better.
113 Freshman Engineering Laboratory (1)
Laboratory experiments to support and enhance the topics listed from Engineering 103. Introduction to professional aspects of engineering, including ethics and observation of engineering practice. Written and oral presentations included. Fall and spring semesters. Laboratory 3 hours. Corequisite: Engineering 103.
