Internships/Co
Experiential Opportunities
We highly encourage and recommend all undergraduate students complete at least one
experiential program prior to graduating from our program. Internships and Co-Op Work
Agreements provide real-world experience that students can apply to the completion
of a bachelor’s degree in the field of Petroleum Engineering in the College of Engineering
and Physical Science. Undergraduate research is a great opportunity for students to
develop their analytical skills prior to working in the field.
To further enhance this recommendation for our students, we do allow course credit
for students completing an approved experiential program. The course then qualifies
as a technical elective, a requirement in their course of study.
For Internships and Co-Op Agreements, the employer is expected to evaluate overall
work performance of the student. Upon conclusion of the internship, the faculty sponsor
will determine the academic accomplishment of the student. The student is also expected
to evaluate their work experience and academic performance. The student will receive
a final grade based on the student’s and advisor’s academic evaluations and the employer’s
work evaluation.
Undergraduate Research requires similar evlauation but not an employer review since
the research program is to be overseen by a faculty member directly. Faculty may request
performance evaluations of the student from their graduate assistants and/or post-doctoral
research associates working in the same laboratory as the undergraduate student.
Course Credit Information
Course Credit for one of these types of experiential opportunities may be earned.
Each opportunity is limited to a maximum of three (3) credit hours. A student may
use up to six (6) credit hours of internship and six (6) credit hours of research
towards their technical elective requirements in Petroleum Engineering. Additional
credits may be earned, but they will not count as technical electives to satisfy degree
requirements.
How to Apply for Course Credit
Students wishing to apply for course credit (as technical electives) for an internship,
co-op work agreement, or a research project must submit their written proposal to
a Petroleum Engineering faculty member of their choice.
If the faculty member is willing to supervise your internship or project and your
proposal meets the criteria established by the Registrar, the instructor will ask
you to complete a request form, attach your proposal, and submit it for signature.
The instructor or the student may then forward the request to the department's administrative
office for review and final approval of the department head.
Internship - PETE 4970
An internship is a full time work experience, closely aligned with the student;s major
and arranged with an employer who believes it is desirable to aid in the training
and education of the student. It is of a short duration, typically three to four months
or one semester. The employer agrees to provide the intern with a progressive educational
experience, through direct personal contact hours or through a training program, and
to aid the intern in developing a summary report of his/her experience.
Student interns are expected to complete a minimum of 120 hours of supervised work
in order to earn one (1) credit of PETE 4970. Additional credits may be earned based
on additional hours worked. Internships are not to exceed 3 credit hours per opportunity,
up to a total of 6 credit hours that can be applied to technical elective requirements.
Internship courses are graded as S/U only. Final grades will not be given until the
student has submitted their final report for the semester and the instructor has verified
with the student's employer:
- Student intern's performance
- Accuracy of student intern's final report
- Any issues or concerns encountered during the student's internship
Co-Op Agreements - PETE 4970
Students who obtain a Co-Op Work/Training Agreement may also earn course credit under
Internship if they choose. The guidelines for this are the same as for an internship
described above. Students must submit their work agreement or offer letter and official
job description as the required proposal. Credit hours earned, up to the maximum of
6, will be spread out to cover all semesters affected by the term of the Co-Op Agreement.
Supervision and grading follow the same steps as an internship, see above.
Undergrauate Research - PETE 3900
A research project is a full semester, single course research experience, closely
aligned with the student's major and arranged with faculty member of the student's
choice for supervising the work, especially if a lab is needed for experimentation.
Students are expected to complete a minimum of 135 hours of supervised research or
laboratory work in order to earn three (3) credits of PETE 3900. Research projects
are not to exceed 3 credit hours per semester, up to a total of 6 credit hours that
can be applied to technical elective requirements.
Research courses are graded as S/U only. Final grades will not be given until the
student has submitted their final report for the semester and the instructor has reviewed
the following:
- Student intern's performance
- Accuracy of student intern's final report
- Any issues or concerns encountered during the student's internship
**This section is general information, summarized from information provided by the
US State Department, and does not constitute legal advice.**
International Students
Hiring international students for experiential programs who are attending college
in the U.S. is not as difficult as many employers perceive.
In general, foreign students may work in a paid internship or temporary employment
provided certain conditions are met. However, with few exceptions, they cannot work
until after completing their first academic year.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Students may work on CPT if the work is in a training program that is an “integral
part of an established curriculum," a determination which is made by the school.
- Student works with the school’s Designated School Official (DSO) to obtain or complete the necessary documentation. (This is the ISS office
at UW.)
- Job offer related to the major field of study is required to apply for CPT.
- The DSO issues Form I-120 with annotation of CPT approval.
- Annotated I-20, student’s passport and I-94 show authorization to work.
- May work up to 20 hours/week during school and full-time during official school breaks.
- Students may only use CPT prior to graduation.
*Students who use 12 months of full-time CPT are ineligible for Optional Practical
Training (OPT) after graduation (see below).*
Pre-Completion Optional Practical Training
Students who wish to work in an internship/job other than one which would qualify
for CPT can generally apply for OPT.
- Student works with the DSO to obtain or complete the necessary documentation. (This
is the ISS office at UW.)
- The DSO issues Form I-20 with OPT recommendation.
- Student uses the updated I-20 to apply for an employment authorization document (EAD)
from USCIS.
-
Generally takes 2-3 months to obtain EAD.
- Approved EAD shows authorization to work and is required for employment
- OPT used during school is deducted from allowed post-completion OPT time:
- Full-time OPT deducted at equal rate
- Part-time OPT deducted at half-time rate
