Co-Op Engineering Technology

Course Description

ETG2949 – Co-Op Engineering Technology is a 1-credit, sophomore-level cooperative education course within the Engineering Technologies > General Engineering Technology taxonomy of the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS). The course provides the on-the-job training component of the cooperative method of instruction, integrating supervised, career-related work experience in an engineering technology setting with the student's academic program of study. Students are placed at an approved industry, governmental, or institutional workstation where tasks and equipment are directly relevant to the engineering technology occupation the student has chosen as a career goal. The course may be repeated for additional credit as the student advances through their program.

In accordance with Florida Department of Education cooperative education guidelines, each enrolled student must have a formal training agreement and a training plan signed by the student, the faculty coordinator, and the employer. The training plan specifies instructional objectives, a list of on-the-job and in-school learning experiences, and the requirements of the workstation. The faculty coordinator conducts site visits and communicates with the site supervisor at least once per grading period to evaluate student progress.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

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

• Execute assigned engineering technology tasks at an approved worksite in a safe, professional, and ethical manner consistent with industry standards.
• Apply technical knowledge and skills acquired in prior Engineering Technology coursework to real-world workplace problems and projects.
• Follow a formal, individualized Training Plan that specifies on-the-job and in-school learning objectives agreed upon by the student, faculty coordinator, and employer.
• Demonstrate professional workplace behaviors including punctuality, communication, teamwork, and adherence to company policies and safety protocols.
• Complete all employer-evaluated performance assessments and submit required documentation (e.g., time logs, activity journals, or progress reports) to the faculty coordinator.
• Reflect on the relationship between academic coursework and workplace experience through written or oral reporting to the faculty coordinator.

Optional Outcomes

Depending on the employer worksite, specialization track, and institutional requirements, students may also:

• Participate in quality assurance, process improvement, or manufacturing operations aligned with MSSC (Manufacturing Skills Standards Council) competencies.
• Gain exposure to industry-specific software platforms such as CAD/CAM systems, SCADA, PLC programming environments, or ERP tools.
• Develop and present a professional portfolio or capstone report documenting projects completed during the co-op semester.
• Network with engineering technology professionals and begin building industry contacts relevant to post-graduation employment.
• Pursue or prepare for an industry certification (e.g., MSSC CPT, IPC-A-610, or OSHA 10) with employer support during the co-op placement.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Training Agreement and Plan Development: Establishing the tripartite agreement between student, faculty, and employer; defining individualized learning objectives and performance benchmarks.
• On-the-Job Technical Practice: Application of core Engineering Technology skills (electronics, instrumentation, mechanical systems, quality, safety, CAD, or related specialization) in an approved workplace setting.
• Workplace Safety and Regulatory Compliance: Observing and following OSHA standards, company safety protocols, and engineering technology industry regulations at the worksite.
• Professional Conduct and Ethics: Demonstrating reliability, integrity, communication, and teamwork consistent with the expectations of engineering technology employers.
• Progress Documentation and Reporting: Maintaining time logs, work journals, or activity records; submitting periodic reports to the faculty coordinator as required by the training plan.
• Faculty Coordinator Site Evaluation: Participation in at least one formal faculty site visit per grading period; completion of employer performance evaluation forms.

Optional Topics

Coverage of the following topics varies by worksite, employer, and institutional program requirements:

• Advanced Manufacturing Processes: CNC operations, robotics, automated production systems, or additive manufacturing, depending on employer specialization.
• Electronic Systems Troubleshooting: Diagnosis and repair of electronic assemblies, control systems, or networked equipment in an industrial or commercial environment.
• Quality Systems and Statistical Process Control (SPC): Participation in ISO 9001, Six Sigma, or lean manufacturing quality initiatives at the employer worksite.
• Industry Software Applications: Use of employer-specific engineering technology software, including CAD, ERP, SCADA, or PLC programming tools.
• Professional Portfolio Development: Compilation of project documentation, technical drawings, or work samples demonstrating competency growth during the co-op experience.
• Career Exploration and Goal Setting: Structured reflection on career pathways, industry trends, and post-graduation employment planning facilitated by the faculty coordinator.

Resources & Tools

• Training Agreement / Training Plan: Required institutional document co-signed by student, faculty coordinator, and employer; specifies learning objectives and worksite expectations.
• Student Work Journal or Activity Log: Used to document daily tasks, hours worked, and skills practiced at the worksite throughout the semester.
• Employer Performance Evaluation Form: Completed by the site supervisor; used by the faculty coordinator to assess student progress and assign a final grade.
• Florida DOE Cooperative Education Manual: Published guidelines for students, teachers, and employers governing all aspects of Florida co-op programs (available via fldoe.org).
• Florida SCNS Online Database (flscns.fldoe.org): Reference for course profiles, transfer equivalencies, and statewide course information.
• FLATE (Florida Advanced Technological Education Center): Statewide resource center supporting Engineering Technology curriculum alignment, industry standards, and faculty development.
• MSSC Certification Resources: Study materials for the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council Certified Production Technician (CPT) credential, where applicable to the worksite.

Career Pathways

Successful completion of ETG2949 contributes to readiness for entry-level and advanced technician positions in Florida's high-technology and manufacturing sectors. Career areas directly supported by this experience include:

• Manufacturing Technician – Production, quality, and process technician roles in advanced manufacturing facilities.
• Electronics / Electrical Technician – Installation, testing, and troubleshooting of electronic assemblies and control systems.
• Instrumentation & Controls Technician – Operation and maintenance of industrial instrumentation, PLC systems, and SCADA environments.
• Mechanical Engineering Technician – Support of mechanical design, prototyping, testing, and maintenance functions.
• Quality Assurance / Quality Control Technician – Inspection, process control, and compliance roles within ISO or lean manufacturing environments.
• Assistant Engineer / Engineering Support Specialist – Technical support roles bridging production and engineering design teams.

Students who complete the Engineering Technology A.S. degree (which may include ETG2949) are also prepared to pursue Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) degrees at Florida state colleges and universities through established 2+2 articulation agreements.

Special Information

Cooperative Education Requirements (Florida DOE): Per Florida Department of Education curriculum framework guidelines, the cooperative method of instruction requires a formal Training Agreement and a Training Plan signed by the student, faculty coordinator, and employer before work begins. The workstation must reflect equipment, skills, and tasks relevant to the student's chosen engineering technology career goal. The faculty coordinator must conduct at least one formal contact with the site supervisor per grading period. The student must be compensated for work performed where required by the institution's co-op policy.

Grading: This course is typically graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) or Pass/Fail basis, with the final determination made by the faculty coordinator based on employer evaluations, student documentation, and adherence to the Training Plan.

Repeatability: ETG2949 may be taken in multiple semesters for additional co-op credit as the student progresses through the Engineering Technology program, provided a new Training Plan is established and new learning objectives are identified for each enrollment.

Industry Certification Alignment: The Engineering Technology A.S. program, of which this co-op course may be a part, aligns with the MSSC Certified Production Technician (CPT) credential and the IPC-A-610 electronics assembly standard. Students are encouraged to pursue applicable certifications during or following their co-op placement.

Transfer Notice: As a cooperative education / internship-type course in the _900–999 SCNS series, ETG2949 is not automatically transferable between Florida institutions and must be evaluated individually by the receiving institution. Transferability is at the discretion of the receiving institution.