Chemistry @ IU :: Cooperative Education

Opportunities & Experience

Opportunities & Experience

Cooperative Education

The Chemistry Department at Indiana University Bloomington recognizes the need to provide undergraduates interested in future employment in the chemical industry with an integrated program of university classroom education and actual work experience. This is possible through our Chemical Cooperative Education Program.

Our Co-op Program is usually five years in length. During this time a student will complete all course requirements for a B.S. in Chemistry or a B.S. in Biochemistry and will gain approximately two years of practical experience as a working chemist. To provide the student with a practical chemical education is the primary purpose of the Co-op Program. Though the program is not intended for every student, those choosing to enter the program will learn to relate chemical theory encountered in textbooks and the classroom to applied situations in industry. Students will gain valuable knowledge needed to make a realistic long-term career choice. Finally, the salary earned during the periods of employment may enable a student to complete his or her undergraduate education, and academic credit toward graduation is received from participation in the Co-op Program.

Program Requirements

Freshmen who intend to pursue a B.S. in Chemistry or a B.S. in Biochemistry who receive a grade-point average of at least 2.5 during their first semester at Indiana University Bloomington may qualify for the Co-op Program.
Students should have completed C117 and C341 and Mathematics M211 (all with a C- or better) prior to their first work block. Completion of Mathematics M212 is highly recommended.
It is essential that the student demonstrate a sincere interest in the career area in which the Co-op Program work experience will be undertaken.

Academic Credit

Participating Co-op students will be able to earn up to six hours of academic credit only after completing their last Co-op work assignment. For the last Co-op work assignment, students will enroll in Y398 (Professional Practice in Chemistry). The credit will count as a chemistry elective for B.S. Chemistry and B.S. Biochemistry majors. B.A. Chemistry majors may not use these credits as Chemistry electives, but the credit does count toward total graduation hours.

Remuneration

Co-op students will be paid a salary for their work experience that is determined by the employer. Students should be aware that Co-op earnings may affect the amount of financial aid a student receives.

Schedule of Employment Periods

Usually a Chemistry Co-op student will work from three to five work blocks. Students will spend the entirety of their first and last years of the Co-op Program on campus. Throughout the other years the student will alternate between work in the classroom and in industry. This schedule is adaptable and is individually planned for each student.

Program Operation

Students who are interested in the Co-op program and who meet the eligibility requirements stated should visit the Undergraduate Office. Every effort is made to assist the student in locating a suitable Co-op placement. However, it is the student's responsibility to secure the Co-op assignment. In all cases, final employment decisions are made by the companies and firms involved in the Co-op Program.

Student Responsibilities

In return for valuable work experience, the student accepts certain responsibilities as an employee and a representative of Indiana University:

To take the work experience seriously and behave in a manner which will reflect favorably upon the employer and Indiana University
To understand and comply with all of the rules of the employer and the Chemistry Professional Practice Program
To cooperate by planning her or his academic program to accommodate a Co-op assignment
To prepare and submit written papers and reports as required. These reports and the employer evaluations will serve as the basis for the student's grades

Employer Responsibilities

All organizations participating in the Chemical Cooperative Education Program will accept the following responsibilities:

To provide the student with carefully planned, varied assignments which contribute to a broad perspective of chemistry as a career
To provide Co-op students with assignments of increasing challenge and responsibility for subsequent work periods
To supervise the work of the student in an manner which gives learning value to the experience
To see that work rules and standards of conduct are explained clearly to the student
To evaluate the work of the student and discuss the results with him or her
To complete, both during and at the conclusion of the work experience, reports to the University which will include:
- A brief description of the nature of the work performed by the student during their period of employment
- An evaluation of the student's ability, aptitude, and attitude
- Suggestions, if any, for the improvement of the Cooperative Education Program

For more information contact the Undergraduate Office