Biomedical Engineering Cooperative Education program

The Biomedical Engineering program, in collaboration with the School of Engineering, offers a cooperative education model for students in the undergraduate program.

The program, which will focus on providing on-the-job experiences for undergraduates interested in learning more about career opportunities in the biomedical and biological sciences, creates opportunities for students to network with and learn new skills from professionals working in various related fields.

Co-op students complete a preliminary course before beginning their off-campus work in basic employment competencies, which include information related to professionalism, business etiquette, and ethics in the workplace, basic resume and interviewing skills, and other job skills related to working in a science-based position.

Students are available in January to start working with companies interested in hosting them for a 6-month long cooperative education experience. Co-op terms run January 1-June 30 and July 1-December 31, annually.

Requirements

  • Eligibility: BME majors, entering third or fourth year, with first two years of course work, GPA >2.8
  • Required prerequisite course: ES85: Professional Preparation for Cooperative Education, before any co-op placement.

Application process

  1. Students complete a co-op application form and meet with a faculty advisor (Professor Qiaobing Xu) or co-op coordinator to discuss the application process.
  2. Students apply for one of four possible cycles (2 cycles in junior year, 2 cycles in senior year), both years run July to December, or January to June. Students can also apply for the 2 cycles if they choose a five-year program.
  3. Students apply for co-op positions through Handshake.
  4. The employer will screen resumes and contact students for interviews.
  5. The employer decides on a co-op hire.
  6. Both employer and student sign the employment agreement and other forms.
  7. Co-op advisor or coordinator tracks students and sites during interview process and during co-op

Timeline for application process

Co-op Cycle Months Activity

January - June

September

Students discuss with co-op coordinator for appropriate co-op options and submit application form to the department; take ES85 course

 

October-November

Co-op application through Handshake and candidate interview; Sign offer and hiring agreement

 

January

Co-op starts

July-December

January

Students discuss with co-op coordinator for appropriate co-op options and submit application form to the department; students should take ES85 in fall last year

 

February - May

Co-op application through Handshake and candidate interview; Sign offer and hiring agreement

 

July

Co-op starts

Contact

To recruit Tufts talent, contact Saqi Mehta.

For more information on the Tufts Biomedical Engineering Co-op Program, contact Professor Qiaobing Xu.

For logistics information on co-op placement, contact Tufts Student Services.

Information for students

    • For all queries regarding international student participation in the co-op program, please contact the International Center.
    • You will not be enrolled in any classes and you will not receive academic credit during the period of your co-op.
    • You will still be considered a full-time Tufts student during the time you are participating in your co-op. This means, for example, that you will be eligible to stay in on-campus housing, use the library, attend events, participate in varsity or club athletics.
    • If you have student loans, you will be reported to the federal government as a full-time student and your loans will continue to be deferred during your co-op.
    • You will not be charged tuition for your co-op.
    • As a full-time student, you will still be charged mandatory fees such as the activity fee and the health service fee, and you must continue to be covered by a health insurance plan.
    • If you have further questions, please contact Financial Services.
    • Because you will not be charged tuition, you will not receive financial aid during your co-op. Tufts assumes that most students will be paid enough during their co-op period to cover their living expenses.
    • If you need additional funds to help pay for their living expenses during your co-op period, you may be eligible for a student loan. Co-op earnings will not count towards your financial aid eligibility when you apply for financial aid in future years.
    • Please contact the financial aid office for further details.
    • All offers of employment are coordinated through the Engineering Career Center. This policy allows students to view all co-op offers at one time, maximizes the number of opportunities for students by posting alternates, and keeps the Career Center aware of a student's choices, thereby allowing each student to make the best-informed decision. Offers can be in writing or verbal but should include title, pay, and any benefits available to the student.
    • Employment offers are made for both cycles. Students who receive more than one prime offer must decline some offers, which are then made available to the next candidate. Should that candidate decline the position, it is offered to the next candidate, and so on.
    • Upon notification of a student's acceptance, the employer should send the written offer, with salary and benefit information, to the student, who will provide a copy to Engineering Career Center. It is understood that co-op salaries and housing benefits vary widely across industries and geographic locations.
    • Students are responsible for securing their own housing while participating in the co-op program. Any assistance from employers is appreciated but not mandatory.
    • For all questions related to housing while on co-op, please contact the Office of Residential Life & Learning.
    • Employers are encouraged to provide one round-trip transportation allowance from Tufts (or student's home) to worksite in addition to regular salary.

Information for industry partners

    1. Students meet with supervisors early in work term to discuss mutual expectations
    2. Students are monitored by Tufts during first work term, either by visit to work site or telephone interview
    3. Employer is expected to provide meaningful work experience with agreed-upon learning outcomes as well as mentoring/supervision
    4. Employer provides performance evaluation at end of work term (optional: midpoint of work term)
    5. Students write reflection paper at end of work term for Tufts Community access; employer encouraged to first review for proprietary purposes
    6. A member of Tufts staff may visit on-site during the first work term
  • Assessment of Student Performance
    This integral evaluation provides an opportunity for the students to receive feedback that will be useful in future employment

    Learning Outcomes Evaluation
    This document provides questions for reflecting on what the students learned during their Co-op experience. This is a useful exercise as the students begin to think about their next job, whether it is the second Co-op work term or a full-time job after graduation

    Job Summary
    Job Summary is to be submitted to the Engineering Career Center prior to the last day of the work term, and should not contain proprietary information.

    • All offers of employment are coordinated through the Engineering Career Center. This policy allows students to view all of their co-op offers at one time, maximizes the number of opportunities for students by posting alternates, and keeps the Career Center aware of a student's choices, thereby allowing each student to make the best-informed decision. Offers can be in writing or verbal but should include title, pay, and any benefits available to the student.
    • Employment offers are made for both cycles. Students who receive more than one prime offer must decline some offers, which are then made available to the next candidate. Should that candidate decline the position, it is offered to the next candidate, and so on. Employers consider alternative candidates to increase their chances of obtaining students for positions.
    • Upon notification of a student's acceptance, the employer should send the written offer, with salary and benefit information, to the student, who will provide a copy to Engineering Career Center. It is understood that co-op salaries and housing benefits vary widely across industries and geographic locations.
    • Students are responsible to secure their own housing
      • Any assistance from employers is appreciated but not mandatory
    • Employers are encouraged to provide one round-trip transportation allowance from Tufts (or student's home) to worksite in addition to regular salary