Printer FriendlyThe Department of Plastics Engineering enthusiastically supports the Cooperative Education Program of the James B. Francis College of Engineering at UMass Lowell. Plastics Engineering undergraduate and graduate students are strongly encouraged to participate in this industrial-educational partnership.
Undergraduate students that work/document a minimum of 500 hours of professional activity can receive technical elective course credit (3 credits) if they elect to do so. The 500 hours can be accomplished by
1) Working full-time during the summer vacation (Internship)
2) Working full-time during an academic semester (Coop)
3) Working part-time during the school year and holiday periods.
International students are eligible to participate in this internship/cooperative education after successfully completing nine months of study at UMass Lowell. Part-time work is limited to approximately 20 hours per week during the academic year and full-time work (40 hours) during the holiday/vacation periods.
The Coop Program is coordinated by Professor Steve Driscoll 978-934-3420. The Summer Internship Program is coordinated by Professor Steve Orroth 978-934-3416.
Students interested in either Coop Jobs or Internships should submit a resume to Gail in the Plastics Department office in BL-204. All job descriptions/employment opportunities are located in a Coop/Internship notebook located in the Plastics Engineering Department office, as well as at the Career Services office in Southwick Hall.
Undergraduate Plastics Engineering students wishing to receive Technical Elective credit for their work experience should register for Industrial Experience (26.491).
To enroll in 26.491, the student must
1) Submit job description to the Coop Advisor (Prof. Driscoll).
2) Complete the Cooperative Education Employment Contract.
3) Complete the Cooperative Education Course Enrollment Form.*
4) Obtain a permission number from Prof. Driscoll or the department chair.
*This completed form ensures applicable insurance coverage and defers any student loan payments. These forms are available in the Plastics Engineering office.
A log book, documenting the student’s professional activities, must be maintained and submitted for the Coop advisor’s review. Copies of other professional reports, presentations, etc. should also be substituted to the Coop advisor.
Undergraduate Plastics Engineering students who have successfully completed all Coop Education requirements will be awarded the Technical Elective course credit.
Although not eligible for additional academic credit, undergraduate students are encouraged to enroll in Industrial Experience II (26.492) and Industrial Experience III (26.493).
For additional information on eligibility, opportunities, and enrollment literature, please contact
Prof. Steve Driscoll, Plastics Engineering Coop Advisor, BL-115, 978-934-3431
Prof. Steve Orroth, Plastics Engineering Internship Advisor, BL-202, 978-934-3416
Prof. Robert Malloy, Plastics Engineering Chair, BL-204, 978-934-3435
Prof. Sammy Shina, College of Engineering Coop Chairman, BL-220, 978-934-2590