Science

Science Co-op is optional for students studying:

• Biology
• Biochemistry and Microbiology
• Chemistry
• Earth and Ocean Sciences
• Physics and Astronomy
• Mathematics and Statistics

Program formats

Choose one of the following program formats:

• traditional co-op: 16 months of work alternating with your academic terms
• work experience program: 4 to 12 months of work alternating with your academic terms
• co-op internship: 12 months of consecutive work
• post-degree internship: 4 to 12 months of work following the completion of all your academic terms

Learn more about these types of co-op.

Fees

Co-op students pay a co-op tuition fee for each work term. It's free to join co-op and attend the preparation course—you'll pay your tuition fee after you secure a co-op work term.

You'll pay your fees according to the same tuition fee deadlines as regular course fees.

Fees per work term for undergraduate students:

• domestic students: $760.98
• international students: $1,414.67

Fees per work term for graduate students:

• domestic students: $760.98
• international students: $957.14

Note that the graduate co-op tuition fee is different than the graduate installment fee. If you are a grad student and register for a co-op work term, during that term, you'll pay:

• the grad co-op program fee  
• the grad ancillary fees

If you register for a course (e.g. thesis 596 or 598) and a co-op work term in the same term, during that term, you'll pay:

• the grad co-op program tuition fee
• the course tuition fee
• the grad ancillary fees

Questions about co-op tuition fees? Email us or call 250-721-7032 for assistance.

Sample employers & jobs

Biochemistry and Microbiology:

• academic research labs and institutes
  • conducting original research using modern biochemistry, immunology, molecular biology, genomics and proteomics technologies
• pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies
• breweries, wineries and distilleries
  • monitoring industrial fermentation processes
• government agencies
  • testing clinical, environmental, food and water samples for microbial or chemical contamination
• food, chemical and equipment manufacturers

Biology:

• marine biology, fisheries and forestry
  • Eulachon assessment and pelagic ecosystems – Fisheries and Oceans Canada (Pacific Biological Station)
• resource management
  • assistant wildlife biologist – Parks Canada (Lake Louise, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks)
• pest management
• ecology and environmental monitoring
  • environment regulatory and sustainability co-op student – Devon Energy Corporation
• wildlife assessment and tracking
  • junior wildlife rehabilitator – BC SPCA Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre
• botany
  • biological weed and pest control assistant – Cultural Agricultural Bureau International (Switzerland)
• medical research, genetics and microbiology

Chemistry:

• academic research projects (theoretical and applied)
• pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies
• breweries, wineries and distilleries
• food, chemical and equipment manufacturers
• natural resources management and research

Earth and Ocean Sciences:

• upstream environmental operation, water team – Husky Energy Inc.
• research geomorphologist assistant – BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
• laboratory assistant, petrophysics – Natural Resources Canada
• oceanographic data processing – Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology
• coastal naturalist – Calliope Consulting Inc.
• junior project officer – Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
• geologist co-op student – Teck Ltd.
• underwater acoustic analyst – Ocean Networks Canada
• environmental co-op student – National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces
• digital remote sensing research – Natural Resources Canada

Physics and Astronomy:

• academic research projects (theoretical and applied)
• computational and quantum physics projects
• renewable energy research and production projects
• geophysics
• nuclear physics
• oceanography
• medical research

Mathematics and Statistics:

• environmental assessment co-op student – Environment and Climate Change Canada
• investment operations intern – BC Investment Management Corp.
• junior developer – Workday (MediaCore)
• modelling and analytics support technician – Alberta Environment and Parks
• survey methodology co-op student – Statistics Canada
• Toronto investments analyst – Manulife Financial

Learn more about the various jobs students can do.

Get support

If you identify as having a disability or a mental health condition, or if you belong to an equity group, we can support your co-op experience.

We'll help you with every step, from applying to co-op to making sure you're supported at work. 

How to apply

In addition to completing an application form, you must register for SCIE 201: Introduction to Professional Practice.

The course takes place in the winter session in addition to the regular course load. It includes 50-minute in-person/synchronous sessions and a mock interview clinic.

When will you hear back?

We'll do our best to update you on your application status within 10 business days, as long as you submit it before September 15.

Applications received after September 15 will be considered for the following year’s intake.

Science Co-op blog

See recent stories on our Science Co-op blog.

Find answers to commonly questions about Science Co-op on our FAQ.