Cooperative Education Internship in Electronics Technology

Course Description

EET2942 – Cooperative Education Internship in Electronics is a 2-credit, work-based learning course within the Electronic Engineering Technology program taxonomy of Florida's Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS). The course integrates applied learning in a practical, industry-based work experience directly related to the student's field of study in electronics technology. Students are placed with an approved employer in the electronics or related engineering technology industry, where they perform productive and challenging work under employer supervision and college oversight. The college monitors student progress throughout the semester, and the employer provides a formal evaluation upon completion. The course is graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis and may be repeated for additional credit up to the institutional maximum.

At 2 credit hours, students are expected to complete a minimum of 90 documented work hours at an approved employer site during the semester, consistent with Florida college standards for internship credit (45 hours per credit hour). Individual competencies will vary depending on the employer and the specific area within the electronics industry.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Apply technical knowledge and skills acquired in the classroom to real-world electronics or engineering technology work environments.
• Demonstrate professional workplace behaviors, including punctuality, teamwork, communication, and adherence to workplace safety and ethics standards.
• Perform job duties under the direction of an approved employer supervisor in a field related to Electronic Engineering Technology.
• Complete a minimum of 90 documented on-site work hours at an approved employer location during the semester.
• Respond constructively to employer feedback and formal performance evaluations.
• Maintain required course documentation (e.g., time logs, activity reports, or learning objectives agreement) as specified in the course syllabus.

Optional Outcomes

Depending on the employer, site, and departmental requirements, students may also:

• Use electronic test and measurement equipment (oscilloscopes, multimeters, logic analyzers) in production, maintenance, or R&D settings.
• Apply skills in analog or digital circuit assembly, fabrication, and troubleshooting.
• Practice through-hole and/or surface-mount soldering and rework techniques in a manufacturing or repair environment.
• Utilize Electronic Design Automation (EDA) software tools relevant to the employer's workflow.
• Participate in quality assurance, inspection, or testing processes aligned with industry standards (e.g., IPC standards).
• Develop a professional portfolio or capstone reflection document summarizing technical and professional growth.
• Demonstrate written and oral technical communication skills in a professional engineering technology context.

Major Topics

Required Topics

The following administrative and professional topics are covered for all students regardless of employer placement:

• Co-op Orientation and Policies: Program requirements, employer agreements, academic integrity, SCNS standards, and college policies governing cooperative education enrollment.
• Learning Objectives Agreement: Development and submission of individualized learning objectives in collaboration with the employer supervisor and faculty advisor.
• Workplace Professionalism: Professional conduct, workplace ethics, organizational culture, communication, and time management.
• Workplace Safety and Compliance: Applicable OSHA regulations, electrostatic discharge (ESD) control practices, and site-specific safety protocols.
• Progress Documentation: Time logs, weekly or bi-weekly activity reports, and mid-term check-ins as specified in the syllabus.
• Employer Evaluation: Formal employer assessment of student performance, used as a primary component of the final course grade determination.
• Final Reflection or Report: A written summary or portfolio entry documenting skills applied, challenges encountered, and professional growth during the internship.

Optional / Site-Specific Topics

Technical content will vary by employer placement. Common areas within Electronic Engineering Technology include:

• Circuit Assembly and Fabrication: Through-hole and surface-mount assembly, PCB fabrication, and rework procedures.
• Electronic Testing and Troubleshooting: Use of multimeters, oscilloscopes, function generators, and logic analyzers in maintenance or production environments.
• Electronic Design Automation (EDA): Use of CAD/EDA tools for schematic capture, simulation, or PCB layout.
• Microprocessor and Embedded Systems Applications: Programming, interfacing, and troubleshooting microcontroller-based systems.
• Digital and Analog Communications Systems: Supporting installation, testing, or maintenance of communication equipment.
• Quality Assurance and IPC Standards: Inspection procedures and compliance with IPC-A-610 or related workmanship standards.
• Manufacturing and Production Support: Lean manufacturing practices, production line support, and inventory or supply chain activities.

Resources & Tools

• Florida Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS): flscns.fldoe.org — official course taxonomy and profile reference.
• Florida Advanced Technological Education Center (FLATE): Statewide framework resources for Engineering Technology A.S. programs aligned with MSSC and industry certification standards.
• College Career Services / Co-op Coordinator: Assists students in identifying, applying for, and registering approved employer placements.
• Handshake or Institutional Job Board: Primary platform for locating internship and co-op opportunities at many Florida colleges.
• Canvas (LMS): Used for submitting time logs, activity reports, learning objectives agreements, and final reflection documents.
• IPC Standards (IPC-A-610, J-STD-001): Industry workmanship standards referenced in electronics manufacturing and assembly placements.
• OSHA Safety Resources: Applicable workplace safety regulations and ESD control guidelines relevant to electronics worksites.

Career Pathways

Completion of EET2942 provides students with documented industry experience that strengthens employment prospects in the Electronic Engineering Technology field. Common career outcomes for program graduates include:

• Electronics Technician — assembly, testing, troubleshooting, and repair of electronic systems and components.
• Field Service Technician — on-site installation, maintenance, and repair of electronic equipment for manufacturers or service companies.
• PCB / Electronics Manufacturing Technician — production, inspection, and quality assurance in electronics manufacturing environments.
• Biomedical Equipment Technician (BMET) — maintenance and repair of medical electronic devices in hospital and clinical settings.
• Embedded Systems / Automation Technician — support for microcontroller-based and PLC-driven industrial automation systems.
• Technical Sales Representative — application of electronics knowledge in customer-facing sales and support roles.
• Quality Assurance / Test Technician — product testing and compliance verification in electronics manufacturing or R&D.

Special Information

Grading: This course is graded Satisfactory (S) / Unsatisfactory (U) only. No traditional letter grade is assigned. Successful completion requires fulfillment of minimum documented work hours, submission of all required course materials, and a satisfactory employer evaluation.

Enrollment Requirements: Students must be actively enrolled in the Electronic Engineering Technology program (or a closely related Engineering Technology curriculum), have an approved employer placement secured prior to or at the start of the semester, and obtain instructor or coordinator approval before registering. Co-op credit cannot be applied retroactively for hours worked prior to enrollment.

Repeatability: EET2942 may be repeated for additional credit up to the institutional maximum (commonly 6 credit hours total), provided each enrollment involves new and distinct learning objectives approved by the faculty advisor and employer.

Industry Alignment: The Engineering Technology A.S. program — of which this internship is an elective component — is aligned with the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC) framework and developed in partnership with the Florida Advanced Technological Education Center (FLATE) and the Florida Department of Education, ensuring industry relevance and statewide consistency.

Certification Preparation: While EET2942 is not itself a certification preparatory course, students placed in manufacturing or production environments may gain practical exposure relevant to IPC-A-610 Certified IPC Specialist (CIS) or J-STD-001 Certified IPC Specialist credentials. Students interested in these certifications should discuss site selection with their academic advisor.