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Receiving credit for a work term depends on performance in three areas:

• Midterm evaluation conducted by engineering co-op staff,
• the work term assignment, and
• the end-of-term employer evaluation.

Work term performance is assessed on a CREDIT/INCOMPLETE/NO CREDIT basis as described in the table below. Any student receiving a grade of NO CREDIT for any four-month work experience course may be required to withdraw from the Faculty of Engineering.

Students who fail a work experience course may not be readmitted to the Co-op Program, but can apply for readmission to the faculty in the traditional program.

Students may appeal grades through existing ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ appeal procedures.

NOTE: Students who are required to withdraw while on a work term will be permitted to complete the work term and start their withdrawal period after the co-op terms. This also holds true for eight- and twelve-month work terms.

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Work Term Performance Grading

Credit

• The student has met satisfactorily all requirements of the work term

Incomplete

• A temporary grade used after the completion of a work term if, for reasons beyond the student's control, the necessary evaluations have not yet been completed; OR
• The student received an overall end-of-term employer evaluation of Needs Improvement. This grade will be revised to either CREDIT or NO CREDIT based on the student's performance on their subsequent work term. If the student receives a subsequent evaluation of Needs Improvement or Unsatisfactory, the grade of INCOMPLETE will be changed to NO CREDIT.

Fail

• The student's work term performance was evaluated as Unsatisfactory by either employer or the co-op office; OR
• The student failed or refused to satisfactorily complete the requirements of a work term, including the work term assignment.

Work Term Performance

Success on your work term requires preparation, professionalism, and proactive engagement. Here are four ways to help you have a stand-out experience.

Set Clear Goals and Expectations

• Clarify your job responsibilities with your supervisor
• Set personal and professional SMART goals to measure your progress
  • SMART goals should be:
    • Specific
    • Measurable
    • Actionable
    • Realistic
    • Time-bound
• Seek feedback early and often

Be Proactive and Take Initiative

• Identify challenges and offer solutions instead of simply reporting “problems”
• Take advantage of opportunities to learn
• Engage beyond your job description

Communicate Effectively and Build Relationships

• Stay professional and in all forms of written and verbal communication
• Build your professional network and seek out opportunities to connect to those within and outside your team
• Ask thoughtful questions and clarifying instructions to demonstrate engagement

Reflect

• Seek mentorship and maintain professional connections beyond your term
• Keep track of new skills, experiences, and feedback
• Relate your work experience to academic knowledge and future career goals

Your supervisor, worksite, and co-workers play a key role in your success, too. If you encounter any workplace obstacles to your professional and personal well-being and you’re unsure what to do, contact the co-op office. Everyone has a right to work in a respectful and safe workplace, free of psychological harms, such as bullying and sexism, and physical harms, such as unsafe work sites. Your co-op team can advise and inform you of specific available options and supports.

Diverse non-work factors can also weigh heavily on your work term performance. Whether on an academic or a work term, your co-op office wants to ensure that you’re the best possible version of yourself—and we get it. Sometimes, you just need some help. Please visit the Need Help Now page for a list of resources and remember that your co-op team is always here to listen.

Common Questions

My work term has ended early / will be starting late. Will I have enough hours to attain credit for my work term?

Students who are uncertain if their opportunities meet the minimum work term placement requirements are encouraged to reach out to their Co-op Contact as exceptions may be considered for opportunities that closely meet the requirements defined above.

Can I take classes while on a work term?

Provided it does not interfere with work hours, students are permitted to take a maximum of one course during each 4-month work term (i.e. you may not take a spring and a summer course - only one 3 credit course in a 4 month period). In the event of overlap between the course and work term hours, a student must obtain permission to take the course from both the employer/supervisor and the Co-op Office. Employers are not required to give you time off for exams, or adjust schedules for night courses. Student services will delete all course overages.