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As per the MDSAI (Co-op) Academic Calendar, students in the MDSAI full-time co-opÌýprogram must complete one work term, which is expected to take place in their third term. They are then expected to return to campus for a final study term. Any exceptions to thisÌýstandard sequence requires additional approval. Students may also apply for a one-term (4 month) extension of their work term with the same employer. To complete the work report, students must have had a work placement and receive at least a satisfactory evaluation for their co-operative education term.Ìý

• StudentsÌýare required to enroll and completeÌýWIL 601: Career Foundations for Work-Integrated LearningÌýto help prepare them for co-op at the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ. Student must enroll in WIL 601 through Quest. Details of how to enroll can be found on theÌýWIL 601Ìý±è²¹²µ±ð.Ìý

• The standard sequence for MDSAI (co-op) students is below. In extenuating circumstances, a student may request to change this sequence by emailing a completedÌýco-op sequence change formÌýto theÌýProgram AdministratorÌýbefore the student's recruitment term (normally in the student's first Fall term). Please note that aÌýrequest to end on a co-op work termÌýis normally not allowed but a student may complete aÌýpetition for exception to academic regulationsÌýto make their case.

  • Term 1 (Study)Ìý- Fall (September to December)
  • Term 2 (Study) - Winter (January to April)
  • Term 3 (Co-op) - Spring (May toÌýAugust)
  • Term 4 (Study) - Fall (September to December)
• Students may request a one-term (4 month) extension of their work termÌýwith the same employerÌýfor a total of 8 months.ÌýA request should be made to theÌýProgram DirectorÌýand copyÌýtheÌýProgram AdministratorÌýusing theÌýrequest for academic/work term sequence change form. Students may not extend their work term with different employers, nor may they add on additional co-op terms.Ìý
• Students may also apply directly for 8-month co-op jobs with the same employer. If a studentÌýplans to accept an 8-month job offer, the same extensionÌýrequest should be made to theÌýProgram DirectorÌýand copyÌýtheÌýProgram AdministratorÌýusing theÌýrequest for academic/work term sequence change form.
• Students will find co-op opportunities onÌýÌý(access is provided the term before your co-op term).
• Students who are unable to find a co-op job may request to transfer to theÌýregular (non co-op) stream MDSAI program. This request must be made through theÌýProgram AdministratorÌýby completing and submitting aÌýGraduate Program/Plan Change form.Ìý

• There are lots of different ways to find a co-op job! You can apply for jobs on theÌýÌýCo-op job board and also search for opportunitiesÌýoutsideÌýthis portal at any time during the co-op employment process. This is what isÌýcalled "arranging your own job" (AOJ).

• Just like when searching for jobs on À¶Ý®ÊÓƵWorks, there are certainÌýguidelines that you must followÌýin order to receive co-op credit. To be eligible for credit, all AOJs are assessed on a case-by-case basis that must be related to data science.

• If you receiveÌýan offer from an employer outside À¶Ý®ÊÓƵWorks and you think the job meets our requirements, follow theÌýsteps below to arrange your own job for co-op credit.

• Students must complete and submit aÌýMDSAI Co-op work report form (.docx)ÌýÌýthrough theÌýWork Report DropboxÌýwithin 1 month after completion of one work term (or an extended 8-month work term with the same employer) on an approved job OR 2 months prior to completing their degree requirements (whichever is sooner). Therefore, if a student has been approved to end on a co-op term, they must submit their work report 2 months before the last day of final exams.
• Your co-op work report should not include any material that is deemed confidential by your employer. It does not have to discuss original research or relate to a new technical discovery. You can do one of the following:
  • Choose a topic, discuss the underlying problem encounteredÌýon your co-op term, your approach to solving the problem, and the progress you made in solving it. You should identify an analytic component, compare and evaluate several methods or techniques. You can discuss advantages and disadvantages of different approaches in the report.
  • Reflect on specific ways that your co-op working experience has helped you in becoming a better data scientist. What new understanding about which specific aspects of the data science have you gained through your work experience? How has the work experience changed your views on data science? How has the work experience changed your assessment of your skills to work in the data science industry? What are some skills that you need to improve most and why? Connect your reflection to specific experiences and events encountered on your co-op term.
• In addition, in concrete terms, describe how the courses you have taken so far in the MDSAI program at the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ relate to your work. The topic and reflection should be based on your co-op job experience.
• A report is unacceptable if it is simply a users’ guide or other documentation, or if you simply summarize your work term tasks. Your report should contain conclusions, which summarize key points derived from the work experience.Ìý
• As a guideline, your report should be approximately 10 pages, with a maximum of 15 pages. Reports must be at least 6 pages to be considered acceptable. If your report falls below the required page count, please revise and update it before submitting.