Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP)

The UROP program enables students to work one-on-one or as part of a small group of students on research projects conducted by faculty and research scientists all across campus. Students will choose research projects by looking through a catalog of over 700 research projects, and will then interview for the positions with the faculty researcher. Students spend an average nine to ten hours per week working on their research projects. Students can participate in the program for academic credit through ENGR 280. Students receive one credit per three hours of work per week. Most students register for three credits, which is a nine-hour commitment per week. Students with work-study awards in their financial aid package can also participate for work-study support. All students participating in the program are also required to attend a biweekly research peer seminar, meeting monthly with a peer advisor, read research-related articles (e.g., research ethics, research in specific disciplines, research methods) and complete short journal assignments.

All first- and second-year Engineering students are eligible to apply to UROP. Current first year students will be sent informational materials in March and the deadline to apply is March 31st, although applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Informational materials will be sent out in May to first-year students. Students are encouraged to apply early. Selection is done on a rolling basis and determined by a student's level of interest in research, academic background, area of research interest, and availability of positions. The program also has a small junior/senior program for students who have not had previous research experience.

For more information and to access the online application, please visit the UROP website at http://www.lsa.umich.edu/urop .

Also note that many individual CoE departments support undergraduate research experiences. Students should see a departmental undergraduate program advisor to discover any opportunities in each department.

Military Officer Education Program

Opportunities are offered through Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) for officer training in military, naval, and air science leading to a commission upon graduation. Enrollment is voluntary (see conditions of enrollment under the respective program by visiting the website at http://www.engin.umich.edu/students/bulletin/military/index.html. If elected, the grades earned will be recorded and used in the computation of grade point averages, and credit hours for the 300- and 400-level courses will be included with the hours completed toward the degree. A maximum of 12 credit hours of 300- and 400-level ROTC courses may be used as general electives at the discretion of the program advisors.

Cooperative Education

The Cooperative Education Program (Co-op) assists students in pursuing an optional program of work while studying in the College of Engineering. Corporations, government agencies, and industry interview students who are interested in having a work-related learning experience that enhances their academic studies. Cooperative Education positions offer work experience relevant to the student's degree interests and enhance the student's opportunities for future permanent hire. Students must work a minimum of thirty hours per week while on a co-op assignment.

Full-time students are eligible to participate in co-op and may tailor their work assignments for consecutive terms, for example May to December or January to August.

They may also stagger them and alternate work school semesters. Opportunities to co-op are available in manufacturing, design, production, software and hardware development, communications, and other technological fields.

How the Cooperative Education Program Works

Employers provide the Engineering Career Resource Center (ECRC) with a job description and requirements for the co-op position. Students should submit their resumés through the online system. The employer will review the résumé and select students to interview on campus, at the employer location, or by telephone. The co-op representative screens qualified applicants for Cooperative Education.

Final selection of a student for co-op work assignment is a mutual agreement entered into by the employer and the students, and the student becomes an employee of that company. Note that the Engineering Career Resource Center does not guarantee co-op job placement for every applicant; however, every effort is made to help students find appropriate positions.

Work assignment

While on work-term assignment, students are subject to the rules and regulations of the employer. Work assignments must be at least 30 hours per week. The employer will evaluate the student's performance at the end of the work term and forward the evaluation to the Engineering Career Resource Center. Co-op students are also required to complete and return an evaluation report of their learning experience to ECRC.

How to sign up

Students interested in Co-op should contact the Engineering Career Resource Center, pick up a Degree Plan, and discuss the rules and regulations of the Cooperative Education Program with the co-op coordinator. The co-op student is registered while on co-op job assignment; registration is by permission only and must be completed through the ECRC.