This course provides an opportunity for broadening and augmenting
a student's computer knowledge through placement in an organization or agency engaged in
work directly related to a Computer Science student's academic interests. The number of
credits will vary with the nature of the work and the time commitment involved. A
student must meet Departmental requirements before registering for the course. Limited
to Computer and Information Studies Majors. Free elective credit only. This course
may be repeated for credit, but the total number of Internship credits may not exceed 6.
Prerequisites: CSC 260 and permission of Department Chairperson.
Goals and Objectives:
The primary objectives of an internship experience are to enable the
student to be exposed to new concepts and skills beyond those included in academic course
work, to see how the material learned in courses can be applied to problems in the
occupational world, and to appreciate the conections between these two arenas. Additional
benefits of such an experience are listed below.
Internship Eligibility Requirements:
- overall cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher; grade point average of 2.5
or higher in Computer Science major courses;
- no more than two grades below C+ in Computer Science major courses.
Internship Planning Procedures:
Early in the semester preceding the Internship, the student must file a
written request with the Department stating the type of work involved, the business or agency
where the Internship experience will take place, the expected time commitment and work
schedule, and the number of academic credits requested. At this time the student may also
obtain the agreement of a Department faculty member to serve as supervisor, or the supervisor
may be chosen by the Department Chairperson.
When agreement on the terms of the work experience has been reached between
the student and the potential employer, a Learning Contract must be filed with the
Department. (Forms are available in the Computer Science Department Office, MH200.)
This document specifies the type of work, the time commitment involved, and the learning
outcomes expected. The contract must be signed by the student, the employer, the faculty
supervisor, and the Department Chairperson.
On the basis of the Learning Contract, the number of academic credits for
the Internship will be determined and the student will be given permission to register for the
Internship course CSC 267 at the next advising/registration period.
Internship Evaluation Procedures:
The employer and the student's faculty supervisor will evaluate the
Internship student's performance periodically at the place of employment. The first
evaluation will determine whether the Internship should continue. The employer (or a designee
at the work-place) may file periodic reports, and completion of a weekly log by the intern
may also be required. All of these reports and evaluations will be done with reference to the
terms of the Learning Contract. A final comprehensive evaluation will take place at or near
the end of the Internship period.
In some cases, by advance agreement, additional periodic reports from the
student, a student portfolio, the submission of work-related products or the presentation of
short papers or presentations on the occupational topic may be required.
An Internship will be graded on a Pass/Fail basis. The grade and the
awarding of credit will be based on the ingredients mentioned above.
Benefits of Experiential Education:
Experiential education is based on the placement of students in an
on-the-job situation with a specific business or agency that can make use of the student's
computer-related knowledge and skills and provide an opportunity to enlarge and enhance
this knowledge and skill set. Potential benefits of such an experience include:
- learning new concepts and skill applications which are not included in the academic coursework;
- seeing the application of classroom ideas to specific problems in the occupational world;
- becoming familiar with standard job routines and functions;
- acquiring professional experience to be included on a resumé;
- exploring alternative careers;
- developing contacts in the employment world for possible future use;
- reinforcing the worker's self-confidence as a professional;
- participating in specialized "in-house" training seminars.
Bibliography:
- Green, Marianne Erlich. Internship Success: Real-World, Step-by-Step
Advice on Getting the Most out of Internships. McGraw Hill-NTC, Oct 1998.
- Kraft, Richard J.; Kielsmer, James. Experiential Learning and Higher
Education. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, Oct 1994.
- Oldman, Mark; Hamadeh, Samer. The Internship Bible — 2001.
Princeton Review Publishers, 2001.
