Co-op Education Training Assignment in Electronics Engineering Technology

Course Description

EET2949 – Co-op Education Training Assignment in Electronics Engineering Technology is a supervised, work-based learning experience that integrates practical, career-related employment in the electronics engineering field with the student's academic program of study. Students are placed with approved industry employers where they perform meaningful electronics-related work under joint supervision of the college and the workplace. The course is repeatable for credit, with the number of credits tied directly to the number of contact hours completed in the field. Per Florida college standards, 1 credit hour requires 80 contact hours of approved work experience. The course is offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer terms and does not appear in the regular schedule until the student is registered with departmental approval.

This course is part of the Engineering Technologies > Electronic Engineering Technology taxonomy within the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS) and is designed to complement the Electronics Engineering Technology A.S. degree program by connecting classroom theory with industry practice.

Learning Outcomes

Required Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, all students will be able to:

• Apply electronics knowledge in a professional setting — Demonstrate the use of electronics principles, circuit theory, and technical skills acquired in coursework within an actual workplace environment.
• Use industry-standard tools and test equipment — Operate electronic test and measurement instruments (e.g., multimeters, oscilloscopes, signal generators) in compliance with workplace protocols and safety procedures.
• Demonstrate professional workplace conduct — Exhibit punctuality, communication, teamwork, and adherence to employer policies in a technical work environment.
• Identify and follow workplace safety standards — Apply OSHA and industry-specific safety and health practices, including electrostatic discharge (ESD) precautions and hazardous material handling.
• Complete a work experience report or learning plan — Document work activities, skills gained, and progress toward learning objectives in a written report, journal, or portfolio as required by the supervising faculty.
• Receive satisfactory employer evaluation — Obtain a passing performance appraisal from the workplace supervisor confirming competency and professional growth during the co-op assignment.

Optional Learning Outcomes

Depending on the employer site and assignment, students may also:

• Perform analog and/or digital circuit troubleshooting — Diagnose and repair faults in electronic assemblies using systematic diagnostic techniques.
• Apply soldering and assembly skills — Perform through-hole or surface-mount soldering and rework to IPC industry standards in a production or repair environment.
• Support quality assurance processes — Participate in inspection, testing, or quality control activities aligned with industry standards such as IPC-A-610.
• Utilize Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools — Assist in schematic capture, PCB layout, or simulation using industry software.
• Engage with microprocessor or programmable systems — Support programming, testing, or integration of microcontroller-based or PLC-based systems.
• Participate in manufacturing or production processes — Contribute to assembly, testing, or documentation in an electronics manufacturing setting.

Major Topics

Required Topics

The following areas are addressed by all students through the work experience and associated documentation:

• Co-op Orientation and Learning Plan Development — Establishment of specific learning goals tied to academic program outcomes; coordination between student, employer, and faculty advisor.
• Workplace Safety and Compliance — Review and adherence to employer safety policies, OSHA standards, and electronics-specific hazards (ESD, high voltage, lead-free solder handling).
• Professional Skills in a Technical Environment — Communication (written and verbal), teamwork, time management, and ethical conduct on the job.
• Application of Electronics Fundamentals — Practical use of DC/AC circuit principles, component identification, and electronic measurement as encountered in the work assignment.
• Progress Documentation and Reporting — Maintenance of work logs, activity journals, or learning portfolios submitted to the faculty supervisor at scheduled intervals.
• Employer Performance Evaluation — Formal mid-term and/or final assessment of student performance by the workplace supervisor, reviewed by the faculty coordinator.

Optional Topics

Topics covered will vary based on the nature of the co-op employer site and may include:

• Analog and Digital Circuit Fabrication and Testing — Hands-on work with circuit boards, test fixtures, and production equipment.
• IPC Soldering and Assembly Standards — Application of IPC-A-610 acceptability standards and through-hole or surface-mount assembly techniques.
• Electronic Design Automation (EDA) — Use of CAD/EDA tools for circuit design, simulation, or PCB documentation.
• Microprocessor Architecture and Programming Support — Assistance with embedded systems, microcontroller programming, or digital communications equipment.
• Industrial Quality Control Methods — Participation in inspection, statistical process control, or documentation within a manufacturing quality system.
• Communications and Signal Systems — Exposure to RF, wireless, or data communications equipment in a lab or field service context.
• Robotics and Automated Systems — Support of automated production lines or robotic systems used in electronics manufacturing.

Resources & Tools

• Co-op Training Agreement — A tri-party document signed by the student, employer, and faculty coordinator outlining duties, hours, and learning objectives.
• Learning Outcome Plan (LOP) / Work Log — Template provided by the college for tracking weekly activities and competency development.
• Employer Evaluation Form — Standardized rubric used by the workplace supervisor to assess student performance at midterm and/or the end of the assignment.
• Electronic Test Equipment — Multimeters, oscilloscopes, function generators, LCR meters, and spectrum analyzers as available at the employer site.
• IPC Standards Documentation — IPC-A-610 (Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies) and related standards relevant to the placement site.
• Florida SCNS Course Information — Available at flscns.fldoe.org for transfer and equivalency information.
• College Career Services / Co-op Coordinator — Campus office responsible for employer partnerships, placement approval, and student registration support.

Career Pathways

EET2949 provides direct, employer-facing experience that supports entry into and advancement within the following career areas:

• Electronics Engineering Technician — Build, test, and troubleshoot electronic assemblies and systems in manufacturing or R&D environments.
• Electronics Test Technician — Operate automated and manual test equipment to verify product performance to specification.
• PCB Assembly and Rework Technician — Perform IPC-compliant soldering, assembly, and repair of printed circuit board assemblies.
• Field Service Technician — Install, maintain, and repair electronic equipment at customer sites across industrial, medical, defense, or aerospace sectors.
• Quality Control / Inspection Technician — Apply IPC and ISO standards to inspect and document electronic product quality.
• Production Supervisor / Manufacturing Technologist — Coordinate electronics manufacturing workflows, schedules, and personnel in a production environment.
• Embedded Systems / Microcontroller Technician — Support the development, programming, and testing of microprocessor-based products.

Graduates of the Electronics Engineering Technology A.S. program, including co-op experience, are eligible to transfer to Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) and B.S. programs at Florida institutions including Daytona State College, Florida A&M University, Miami-Dade College, and the University of West Florida.

Special Information

Registration Requirement: EET2949 does not appear in the standard course schedule. Students must obtain permission from the Electronics Engineering Technology department chairperson or program coordinator prior to registration. Enrollment is contingent upon securing an approved co-op placement.

Credit-to-Contact Hour Ratio: This course is offered for 1–4 variable credit hours. Each credit hour corresponds to 80 contact hours of approved work experience (1 credit = 80 hours; 2 credits = 160 hours; 3 credits = 240 hours; 4 credits = 320 hours). The 1-credit section requires a minimum of 80 field contact hours.

Certification Preparation: Co-op placements may support preparation for industry-recognized credentials commonly associated with the Electronics Engineering Technology program, including:

• IPC-A-610 Certified IPC Specialist (CIS) — Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies
• IPC J-STD-001 Certified IPC Specialist (CIS) — Soldering Standards
• MSSC Certified Production Technician (CPT) — Manufacturing Skills Standards Council national certification aligned with the Florida ET core curriculum
• ESD Association Certification — Electrostatic Discharge control awareness and prevention

FLATE Alignment: This course supports the statewide Engineering Technology framework developed through the Florida Advanced Technological Education (FLATE) Center in partnership with the Florida Department of Education. The work-based component reinforces industry certification standards embedded throughout the A.S. degree program.

Grade Requirement: A grade of "C" or higher is typically required in prerequisite EET coursework before enrolling. Final grade is determined by the combination of the employer evaluation, student work logs, and faculty coordinator assessment.