Co-op Program

Students undertake their Final Year Project (FYP) with close supervision by faculty members who are recognized worldwide in both academia and the industry for their expertise and accomplishments in their particular research area.  Students are assigned a final year project in May and start working on it in summer, and continue throughout their fourth year of studies (from July till April of the following year).

To foster a closer tie with the industry, the Department solicits collaboration opportunities in co-op program, in which a company mentor and a faculty member will be specially assigned to supervise the student project and help monitor its progress. It provides training for students in real projects, while it is also an excellent opportunity for companies to make use of this temporary help to explore new designs and ideas and identify potential employees to meet its recruitment needs.

By working together with the Department, companies may keep abreast of the latest research and technological development. On the other hand, students may benefit from state-of-the-art research facilities and mentorship of experts from the industry.

 

Requirements

The co-op program MUST be at least 5-month long.  It can take place in either the Fall Term (e.g. September to January of the following year) or the Spring Term (e.g. February to June).  The exact start and end dates are to be discussed and mutually agreed between the company and the student.  Students are expected to work full time in the company during the co-op program.  They may take Leave from Study during the period.  Final year and penultimate year undergraduate students in ELEC programs are eligible to apply for the program.

 

Assessment

Students will be enrolled in ELEC4910 Co-op Program, a 6-credit course.  Students are NOT required to enroll in ELEC4900/4901/4907 Final Year Design Project/ Final Year Project/Thesis.  Students should submit all assignments on Final Year Project Management System (https://fypms.ece.ust.hk/) by the respective deadlines depending on the co-op period of each student.  Individual student should refer to the system for the exact due dates of his/her assignments.

 

Important Notes to Students

  • Students are not encouraged to defer their graduation because of the participation in the co-op program.  They should plan in advance and consult with their advisor(s) on their plan of study and credit overloading so as to complete the degree program within the normal duration of study.
  • Students should complete the Industrial Project and submit all required assignments on or before the respective deadlines
  • Student should complete other tasks assigned by the Industrial Supervisor
  • Students are required to meet with the Academic Supervisor ONCE every month

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any pre-requisites or requirements that I have to fulfill to be eligible for taking the co-op program

Students who have completed at least three out of four 2000 level courses, one 3000 level course, and demonstrate capability and basic background knowledge for the project would be eligible for taking ELEC4910.

 

How do I apply if I am eligible?

Eligible students should submit the completed Application for Co-op Program (ELEC4910) together with Application for Leave from Study (RR-8) and a copy of the company contract to the ECE Department.

 

When is the deadline or schedule for applying for co-op program?
Period of Co-op Program Application Deadline
Year-long (Fall and Spring Terms) / Fall Term By the end of June
Spring Term By the end of November

 

Do I have to look for a supervisor among the list of ECE professors by myself?

Co-op program students should identify faculty supervisor by him/herself.

 

How many group member(s) is/are required for co-op program?

Co-op program students used to work on individual projects.  Group projects are considered on case-by-case basis, mutual agreement among co-supervisors and students should be sought.

 

What are the submission deadlines for co-op program?

For co-op program in Fall Term:

  • Proposal report – ASAP and by 3 weeks after the internship commencement date
  • Progress report – the middle of the internship period
  • Poster and final report – 1 month after the internship end date 
  • Oral presentation and poster presentation – 1 month after poster and final report submission
  • Students would enroll ELEC4910 in Spring Term. The students should then get letter grade (6 credits) in Spring Term.

 

For co-op program in Spring Term:

  • Proposal report – ASAP and by 3 weeks after the internship commencement date
  • Progress report – the middle of the internship period
  • Poster and final report – 1 month after the internship end date (adjustment may be needed for Spring co-op)
  • Oral presentation and poster presentation – 1 month after poster and final report submission (adjustment may be needed for co-op program in Spring Term).
  • For those final year students who are not required to take study leave, they should enroll ELEC4910 ONLY in Spring Term (6 credits) and then get letter grade in Spring Term.
  • For those students who are required to take study leave during co-op, they should enroll ELEC4910 when they resume study in the next Fall Term and get letter grade during the Fall Term.

 

For year-long co-op program, students should follow all FYP guidelines and deadlines of that academic year, and:

  • For those final year students who are not required to take study leave, they should enroll ELEC4910 ONLY in Fall and Spring Terms (3 credits respectively) and then get letter grade in Spring Term.
  • For those students who are required to take study leave, they should enroll ELEC4910 when they resume study in the next Fall Term and get letter grade during the Fall Term.

 

Is there a list of partnered company for co-op program?

Co-op program topics will be posted in Final Year Project Management System or disseminated to students by emails.  Students who are interested in co-op program could be proactive in identifying internship via job boards in Career Center or ECE Department.

 

Is the company required to submit document for co-op program application?

The hiring company is not required to submit documents for an application.  It should provide an internship contract to the co-op program student.

 

Should the company or HKUST own the intellectual property of co-op program?

Normally, the hiring company would own the intellectual property of the co-op program.

 

Should I pay tuition fee when I am on study leave?

Students who applied for leave from study for a term are not required to pay tuition fee for that term.

 

If the company allows me to enroll course(s) while taking the co-op program, do I still need to take study leave?

Under normal circumstances, students should take leave from study for taking the co-op program. Final year students who ONLY require ELEC 4910 Co-op Program (6 credits) to graduate and they got co-op offer for a year or Spring Term, students can decide on their own if they would like to take study leave. Other than ELEC 4910, it is expected that the students not to enroll any other course in the same semester when joining the co-op program.

 

 

Enquiries

 

ELEC Co-op Program Coordinator
Prof. Patrick YUE
Tel: (852) 2358 7047
Email: eepatrick

 

Officer
Ms. Catherine Soong
Tel: (852) 2358 7034
Email: eecatsoong

 

Last Updated on 23 April 2021