The Co-operative Education Program (C.E.P.) is an educational process which combines two learning methods, the academic programs of the University and practical applications of the business world. The CEP is based on a rotation of both learning methods. Students not only gain job training and experience throughout different periods of the year, but also get a progressive preparation for their entrance into the professional world.
Hiring a Co-op student could offer many advantages.
A recent study of Co-operative Education in Canada undertaken by the Science Council of Canada demonstrated that employers believe that Co-operative Education allows them to continously recruit and select potential full-time employees and enhances the image of the organization at the educational institution. The study also showed that Co-op students were able to handle more difficult job assignments (than non Co-op students) and were able to become productive employees more quickly.
The forestry sciences CEP includes four mandatory work sessions distributed throughout the year. The level of competence of Co-op students increases with each academic and work session and it is important that the tasks assigned to them are geared to their qualification and skill levels. The following is a brief description of the level of education received before the start of each work semester.
Work Semester 1 - Summer: The student has acquired knowledge in the basic sciences, economics, sociology, communications and report writing, forest botany, dendrology, tree physiology, quantification of forest ressources, forest fauna, and remote sensing.
Work Semester 2 - Summer: The student has acquired all the knowledge necessary for his first work session and also knowledge in the following areas: pedology, geomorphology, meteorology, hydrology, forest flora, computer programming, statistics, ecology, decision-making techniques, and Geographical Information Systems.
Work Semester 3 - Autumn: The student has acquired all the knowledge necessary for his second work session and also knowledge in the following areas: forestry statistics, silviculture, forestry operations, entomology, fire management and forest pathology.
Semester | |||
Year | Fall | Winter | Summer |
1 | Academic 1 | Academic 2 | |
2 | Academic 3 | Academic 4 | Work 1 |
3 | Academic 5 | Academic 6 | Work 2 |
4 | Work 3 | Academic 7 |
The Co-operative Education Program is not accessible to all students enrolled in the forestry science bachelor's degree program. Only those with the necessary qualifications may apply for the Co-operative Education Program. The criteria are as follows:
Candidates meeting all of these requirements may complete an application form in themonth of October preceding the first work session. The application form must be accompanied by the student's curriculum vitae and two letters of reference. After an initial selection, the candidates retained will be asked to attend an interview so that a final decision can be made. This final selection will take place in January, preceding the first work session.
Employers wishing to obtain a Co-op student must follow these procedures:
Most of the interviews will be held at the Faculté de foresterie, and can be preceded by a general information session with the candidates. This procedure enables the employer to introduce his Company and specify its objectives, allowing him or her more time to select the best candidates during personalized interviews.
At the end of the work session, the supervisor will be asked to complete an evaluation form concerning the student's performance. It is strongly suggested that the employer and the Co-op student meet to discuss the student's strong points and those that could be improved. This meeting may lead to discussions concerning the possibility of a subsequent work session and the additional tasks to be accomplished for the Company.
The report will also be used for a final evaluation of the Co-op student's work session. In the event that the report contains confidential information, the employer will be requested to evaluate the report. Following this, the Coordinator and the employer could meet and determine if the student has successfully completed his work session.
The Faculté de foresterie de l'Université de Moncton is managing its cooperative program independently. To accomplish this, we have appointed a coordinator who is responsible for establishing contacts between employers and students and providing the following services:
For more details concerning this Program, you can communicate with the Co-ordinator of the Co-operative Program by writing, telephoning or e-mailing at the following address:
Programme coopératif
Faculté de foresterie
Université de Moncton - Campus d'Edmundston
165, boulevard Hébert
Edmundston, N.-B.
E3V 2S8
Phone: 1-800-561-9064 or (506) 737-5238
Fax: (506)737-5373
Email: coop@umce.ca [1]
Liens
[1] mailto:coop@umce.ca