Be a Trailblazer

You want to learn as much as you can about engineering. At Speed School, you can work in a professional research capacity a full year before graduation. Expand your field of knowledge and the frontier of engineering.

The Research Track

How Superior Engineers Are Made

Speed School combines classroom curriculum with on-the-job training provided through our ACCE-accredited Co-Op Program.

 

As an engineering student, you’ll normally co-op with the same employer for three alternating semesters, beginning in your fifth semester of study. Upon the completion of your Bachelor’s degree, you’ll have a full year of professional work experience and a distinct advantage over engineering graduates from other universities.

The Research Track focuses on engineering research activities that will provide you an added advantage in seeking a master’s or doctorate in this field.

Qualifications and Requirements

Learn more about the expectations you must meet.

Application Qualifications

  • Pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Engineering
  • Have not completed any co-op or internship rotations
  • 3.0 minimum GPA
  • Current resume
  • Letter of interest
  • Letter of recommendation from a professor, advisor, or mentor

Academic Coursework

  • Probability and Statistics for Engineers
  • Experimental Design in Engineering

Professional Development Activities
Participate in 10 local research knowledge-building activities on campus, such as:

  • Research seminars
  • Lectures
  • Webinars
  • Student or professional conference
  • STEM outreach activities that encourage engineering research
  • Service learning

Complete two of the following LEADERSHIP research experiences:

  • Present at one regional/local conference
  • Present at two regional conferences
  • Present at one national conference
  • Present at one international conference
  • Present at one poster session in fall for co-op students
  • Co-author one journal article submitted for publishing
  • Participate in a patent application

Complete three research rotations; each of the following activities counts as one rotation:

  • Summer REU program
  • Four semesters of research experience of 10 hours per week (at least two semesters must be paid)
  • International research experience
  • Internship rotation at a National Lab
  • Research-focused internship
  • Research-focused co-op (three rotations with one employer = three research rotations)
  • Industry experience using a new technology connected to your previous research areas
90 +

Years of cooperative education provided by Speed School and employers

250 +

Number of Speed School students receiving on-the-job experience each semester

200 +

Number of employers participating in the Co-Op Program