Electrical and Computer Engineering

If you are a student in the Electrical or Computer Engineering programs, you can incorporate a cooperative educational or internship experience into your academic program. These experiences are considered professional, career-related experiences in an organizational setting for which the student may receive academic credit that applies to the degree program.

These experiences are valuable for a student’s professional career development. You are responsible for finding the position on your own. You can utilize the resources offered by Penn State Behrend Career Services and the University Park Career Resources & Employer Relations to find a position.

Cooperative Education Program

Cooperative (Co-op) education programs typically require that you alternate semesters between school and work and therefore extend your time to graduation, normally to five years. In a co-op program students typically alternate semesters between working full-time and going to school full-time. The choice of particular rotation depends on both the needs of the co-op employer, your personal situation, and the courses you have completed. You need to carefully consider the prerequisite sequence for the program, as well as the fact that many courses are only taught in the semester listed on the scheduling pattern.

Internship Program

Internship experiences are less formal than co-op rotations. Internship experiences can occur during the academic year or during the summer. During the academic year, internships differ from a co-op in that students work and attend the university at the same time. The amount of time spent by the student at the internship location is approximately ten to fifteen hours during the academic year and ten to forty hours during the summer. Sample internship program schedules are available below and in the School of Engineering Student Handbook.

If you have questions or would like to apply for a Penn State Behrend Electrical or Computer Engineering cooperative or internship educational program, please contact Dr. Wen-Li Wang, associate professor of Computer Science and Software Engineering and the internship coordinator.

Requirements for the Cooperative Education Program

To obtain academic credit for the co-op experience or internship that you can apply as a secondary technical elective in the Penn State Behrend Electrical or Computer Engineering programs, students must obtain any 3-credit combination of E E/CMPEN1 395 or 495 credits.

The credits must meet the criteria outlined below.

  • E E/CMPEN 395 credit
  • One (1) credit will be awarded for the first experience (either a single semester or a summer assignment).
  • The student must be accepted into an engineering academic program (EE BD or CENBD).
  • The experience must be approved by the Internship Coordinator before or at the start of the assignment. This includes a statement of intended work with supervisor’s approval.
  • Must be engineering activities. No drafting, lab technician support, data entry, sourcing, etc.
  • If the assignment is during the summer, you must enroll for credits during the summer term. Registering for credits during a semester in which you are not working is not permitted.
  • The internship grade will be determined by a combination of the following:
    • A mid-semester assessment and progress report submitted via Canvas.
    • A final assessment and report submitted via Canvas.
    • A supervisor’s evaluation of job performance at the end of the semester/summer internship period.
  • If the internship experience is during the academic year, you agree to: 1) work no more than fifteen hour/week, and 2) take no more than fourteen credits including the internship course.

E E/CMPEN 495 credit

The requirements for credit are the same for E E/CMPEN 395, except:

  • Two (2) credits will be awarded for a second full-time cooperative/internship education experience.

1If the position is obtained through the University Park Cooperative Education and Internship Office, then the student must register and complete the required assignment/paperwork in the ENGR X95 version of this course. However, to gain credit that can be applied to the Penn State Behrend program, the ECE assignments (mid-term report, final report, and supervisor evaluation) must be completed. The assignments are submitted online via Canvas and are arranged with the Internship Coordinator.

Steps for Completing a Co-op or Internship in Electrical and Computer Engineering


Prior to starting the experience, you must:

  1. Obtain an engineering co-op or internship position. It is the responsibility of the student to obtain the position. The Behrend Career Development Center can provide assistance with preparation and locating resources.
  2. Read and understand the description and requirements for the program.
  3. Enroll for E E/CMPEN 395/4952 credit as appropriate.

You cannot enroll for these courses through eLion and must do so using a Registration Drop/Add form. Bring the completed Drop/Add form to the Internship Coordinator for signature. The completed Drop/Add form needs to be delivered to the School of Engineering Office to complete enrollment for the credit(s).

Once you are in the course, you must:

  • Submit your Contact Information, Statement of Work, and Approval form via Canvas.
  • Submit a Mid-semester Assessment and Progress Report via Canvas.
  • Submit the Final Assessment and Report via Canvas.
  • At the end of the semester, your supervisor will be contacted directly and asked to complete the evaluation online.

2ENGR X95 if position is obtained through the University Park Cooperative Education and Internship Office.

Computer Engineering Sample Internship Rotation (CENBD-B.S.)

Sample scheduling pattern for students enrolled in formal internship program

Note: This pattern allows you to maintain full-time status (12 credits) and meet all prerequisite requirements. If you use a different pattern, consult with your adviser about prerequisites.

Summer following Sophomore Year - Full time internship at company

Fall Semester – Junior Year

  • CMPSC 465 Data Structures & Algorithms, 3 credits
  • CMPEN 371 Advanced Digital Design, 3 credits
  • E E 310 Electronic Circuit Design, 4 credits
  • CMPEN 351 Microprocessors, 3 credits
  • CMPEN 395 Internship, 1 credit

Total Credits:14

Spring Semester – Junior Year

  • CMPEN 352W Embedded Systems Design, 3 credits
  • CMPEN 431 Intro to Computer Architecture, 3 credits
  • E E 352 Signals & Systems, 4 credits
  • Health and Physical Activity, 1.5 credits
  • CMPEN 395 Internship, 1 credit

Total Credits:12.5

Summer - Full time internship at company

Fall Semester – Senior Year

  • STAT 301 Statistical Analysis I, 3 credits
  • CMPEN 461 Communications Network, 3 credits
  • CMPEN 480 Computer Engineering Design,3 credits
  • Arts or Humanities or Social Science, 3 credits
  • CMPEN 495 Internship, 1 credit

Total Credits:13

Spring Semester – Senior Year

  • CMPEN 481 Computer Engineering Projects, 3 credits
  • Technical Elective, 3 credits
  • CMPEN 411 VLSI Design Circuits, 3 credits
  • Arts or Humanities or Social Science, 3 credits
  • CMPEN 495 Internship, 1 credit

Total Credits:13

Summer - Full time internship at company

Fall Semester – 5th Year

  • CMPEN 441 Operating Systems, 3 credits
  • Technical Elective, 3 credits
  • Arts or Humanities or Social Science, 3 credits
  • Arts or Humanities or Social Science, 3 credits
  • CMPEN 495 Internship, 1 credit

Total Credits:13

Electrical Engineering Sample Internship Rotation (EE BD-B.S.)

Sample scheduling pattern for students enrolled in formal internship program

Note: This pattern allows you to maintain full-time status (12 credits) and meet all prerequisite requirements. If you use a different pattern, consult with your adviser about prerequisites.

Summer following Sophomore Year - Full-time internship at company

Fall Semester – Junior Year

  • E E 312 Electrical Circuit Analysis, 3 credits
  • E E 310 Electronic Circuit Design I, 4 credits
  • E E 316 Embedded Microcontrol, 3 credits
  • STAT 301 Statistical Analysis I, 3 credits
  • E E 395 Internship, 1 credit

Total Credits:14

Spring Semester – Junior Year

  • E E 352 Signals & Systems, 4 credits
  • E E 383 Signals & Controls Lab, 1 credit
  • E E 380 Intro Linear Control System, 3 credits
  • E E 313W Electronic Circuit Design II, 4 credits
  • E E 395 Internship, 1 credit

Total Credits:13

Summer - Full time internship at company

Fall Semester – Senior Year

  • ENGL 202C Technical Writing, 3 credits
  • E E 400 Engr Design Concept, 3 credits
  • E E 360 Communications Sys I, 3 credits
  • Arts or Humanities or Social Science, 3 credits
  • E E 495 Internship, 1 credit

Total Credits:13

Spring Semester – Senior Year

  • E E 401 Design Project, 3 credits
  • E E 331 EM Fields Waves, 3 credits
  • Technical Elective, 3 credits
  • Health and Physical Activity, 1.5 credits
  • Health and Physical Activity, 1.5 credits
  • E E 495 Internship, 1 credit

Total Credits:13

Summer - Full time internship at company

Fall Semester – 5th Year

  • E E 387 Energy Conversion, 3 credits
  • Technical Elective, 3 credits
  • Arts or Humanities or Social Science, 3 credits
  • Arts or Humanities or Social Science, 3 credits
  • E E 495 Internship, 1 credit

Total Credits:13