CSCI307: Preparation for Co-operative Education Employment
ENGR107: Preparation for Co-operative Education Employment

Course Syllabus

Preparation for first co-operative education experience through practical training in areas such as resume writing and interview skills
(1:0:0)
CSCI 307 Prerequisite: Min. "B" grade point average in all required first year CSCI and MATH courses.
ENGR 107 Prerequisite: Min. "C+" in PHYS 121 and min. "C+" in either MATH 100 or MATH 121.

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Instructor

Sarah Carruthers

  • Email: sarah.carruthers at viu.ca
  • Office: 315/217
  • Office Hours: tbd

Course Website

VIU Learn

Schedules

  • First day of classes: October 20, 2026
  • Tuesday 14:30-15:30

Required Technology

This course will take place face to face. Students will require access to VIU Learn, and a word processing tool (like Word, or Open Office).

Student access to Microsoft 365

If you are lacking in access to any of the above technologies, please contact the instructor to discuss options (which may include using the Library Commons for wireless access.)

Course Schedule

This course builds each week on what we've already learned. Here is a tentative list of what we'll cover each week. Note that the course starts October 19, 2026 and ends mid February

  1. Week 1: Course Intro
  2. Week 2: VIU Career Studio: Career Action Plan
  3. Week 3: Job Searching, intro to Job Search Journal
  4. Week 4: VIU Career Studio: Resume Writing
  5. Week 5: Resume Writing Workshop
  6. Week 6: VIU Career Studio: Cover Letter Writing
  7. Week 7: Cover Letters Workshop
  8. Winter Break
  9. Week 8: Introduction to behavioural event/competency interviews
  10. Week 9: VIU Career Studio: Preparing for Interviews
  11. Week 10: Interview Practice: round 1
  12. Week 11: Interview practice: round 2
  13. Week 12: Succeed in the Workplace (Co-op Work Term Overview, EDI, Business Etiquette, Onboarding, Workplace Safety)
  14. Week 13: Labour Market Round Table Event

A detailed schedule is available on VIU Learn.

Course Learning Outcomes

After successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  1. Develop Self-awareness & Goal Setting: Identify, describe, and evaluate personal strengths, skills, interests, and values; and formulate S.M.A.R.T goals.
  2. Enhance Written and Verbal Communication:
    • Construct high-quality, targeted resumes and cover letters with the potential to secure interviews.
    • Articulate effectively during interviews and networking events, showcasing how one's education, skills, and experiences can benefit an organization.
  3. Understand Labor Market Trends: Gain proficiency in accessing and dissecting labour market information.
  4. Promote Effective Self-marketing: Present oneself compellingly to potential employers by highlighting evidence and relevant experiences.
  5. Expand Professional Networking: Design strategies to establish and sustain a robust professional network with colleagues and industry professionals.
  6. Demonstrate Active Professionalism: Uphold and exhibit professionalism and business etiquette through diligent participation in course activities and dedicated job search efforts.

Student Evaluation

This course is evaluated using a Credit (CR) or Fail (F) No Credit system. In order to successfully complete the course, a Pass must be received in each of the following items:
  • Resume draft
  • Job Search Journal Template
  • Resume revision
  • Cover letter
  • Behavioural Event Assignment
  • Job search journal
  • Attendance, participation, and professionalism

Course Learning Materials

All course learning materials will be available on VIULearn or be provided in class.

Course Policies And Guidelines

Use of Large Language Models (LLMs) and Generative-AI: Students are expected to respect the Intellectual Property (IP) of others, and only input their own content or IP into any Large Language Model, chatbot, or generative-AI tool. All course content is the IP of the instructor and permission is not granted to input it, in part or whole, into any LLM, chatbot, or generative-AI tool. Students should assume the same for any fellow students' work unless explicit permission is granted. In accordance with VIU's student code of conduct, student work that is handed in for formative or summative assessment is assumed to be original (both individual work, or a team collaborative work) unless proper attribution (citation) acknowledges any outside sources, including LLM, chatbot or generative-AI tools. LLMs and generative-AI can be useful tools, but students should be cautious of bypassing learning opportunities through their use. Please bring any questions or concerns you have regarding the use of LLMs or generative-AI tools to your instructor.

Professionalism It is expected that students act professionally at all times in their written and oral communication. Any devices or activities which disrupt the learning of others will not be tolerated and you will be asked to stop (e.g., watching videos on laptop, texting on phone, talking to someone while others are speaking, writing an email etc.).

Participation This is a highly participative course. Each class we will be doing activities, having discussions and interacting with each other. It is expected students will participate in as many ways as possible.

Respect There may be different points of view raised in this course. It is hoped that students will respect everyone’s point of view and give people the time to speak and be heard.

Coursework Mark Appeals: All marks must be appealed within 7 days of the mark being posted.

Attendance: Students are expected to attend all lectures. It is entirely the students' responsibility to recover any information or announcements presented in lectures from which they were absent. However, students should not attend class or come to campus with any cold or flu symptoms. Stay home if you're sick. See Absenteeism, below, for how to handle missing classes or labs.

Absenteeism: Students who are unable to attend a lecture or lab are expected to behave responsibly and in a timely manner, and inform the instructor of the reason for their absence

VIU Resources and Policies

Accessibility Vancouver Island University recognizes its legal duty to provide educational opportunities that enable students with a documented disability to access courses, programs, facilities, and services. The Policy and Procedural Guidelines apply to all students who have identified themselves to the institution as having a documented disability who are inquiring about, applying to, or registered in credit or non-credit courses in both on and off-campus programs. Policy 32.02 - Services Available to Students with a Documented Disability

Academic Integrity: Integrity in academic work is a central element of learning and is the basis of intellectual pursuits in any academic community. It is also your responsibility to abide by the Student Conduct Code and Student Academic Code of Conduct. For more information see: Academic Integrity, Policy 32.05

Links to University Policies, Standards, and Guidelines