Dalhousie Academic Calendars

Academic Calendars

Science Co-op

Co-operative Education (Co-op) is a program where academic study in a science subject is combined with career-related work experience. Co-op students pursue at least three work terms that are discipline-related, career-focused and paid. Co-op work terms are interspersed with academic study terms so that students apply what they learn in class to real-world work situations and then upon returning to campus, apply what they learn at work to their classroom studies, thereby enriching their learning. It also helps students to explore their career options by test-driving different work environments before they graduate. Students who complete the Co-op program gain work experience enabling them to make informed career choices.

Co-op is available to students in a variety of our BSc (120 credit hour) Honours or Major programs OR combined Double Major programs under the primary subject. See the work term schedule table below for science disciplines with the Co-op option.

Study and Work Term Schedules for Science Co-op

Year

BIOL

BIOC

CHEM

ERTH

S10

ENVS

ECON

MATH

MARI

MICI

STAT

PHYC

Admission & Eligibility

Depending on the department program, the number of students admitted into Co-op each year can be limited. Interested students apply for admission to Co-op at the end of their first or second year of study before the application deadline. It is strongly recommended that interested students meet with their Departmental Co-op advisor early in the Winter term of their first year. Students who wish to explore the possibility of Co-op after the first-year intake are encouraged to contact their department’s faculty co-op advisor and the co-op office to explore options available to them.

Bachelor of Science students who meet the following eligibility requirements can apply for admission into Science Co-op:

Bachelor of Science students enrolled in a 120-credit hour degree program
GPA of at least 3.0 (3.3 for Microbiology & Immunology)
Successfully completed one year of university (two years in some departments) and fulfilled the applicable academic requirements of the respective department (see undergraduate calendar). Some departments have minimum grade requirements for foundational courses.
Enrolled as a major or honours in a science discipline with the co-op option available
Eligible to work in Canada (international students must apply for a co-op work permit)
Proficient in oral and written English
Motivated and capable of handling the extra workload of preparing for and actively participating in a job search while carrying a full course load

Due to limited enrollment space, acceptance is not guaranteed, even for students who meet all requirements. Science students generally apply to co-op before the end of their first year of study, however some programs have flexibility to allow students to apply at the end of their second year. Applications to apply to co-op must be submitted by the annual deadline. Applications are accepted on a yearly basis and will deadline in the winter term. Students are encouraged to monitor email for guidance on when and how to apply.

Once accepted into Co-op, students must register for, and attend the Science Co-op Orientation Course (SCIE 2800.00) typically offered in the Fall term of second year. Additionally, a minimum GPA of 3.00 is required for admission and for continuation in the Co-op program.

*Department / Contact*	*Email*
*WIL Co-op Office*
General Inquiries: “Ask Co-op"	askcoop@dal.ca
Wenying Wu, Co-op Coordinator	w.wu@dal.ca
*Academic Faculty Co-op Advisors*
Dr. Hugh MacIntyre, Academic Director, Science	hugh.macintyre@dal.ca
Prof. Mindy McCarville, Biology	mindy.mccarville@dal.ca
Dr. Jen Frail-Gauthier, Marine Biology	jfrail@dal.ca
Dr. Hyo-Sung Ro, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology	hyo-sung.ro@dal.ca
Dr. Roderick Chisholm and Dr. Marc Whalen, Chemistry	roderick.chisholm@dal.ca marc.whalen@dal.ca
Dr. Tarah Wright, Earth Science and Environmental Science	tarah.wright@dal.ca
Dr. Christos Ntantamis, Economics	christos.ntantamis@dal.ca
Dr. Robert Milson, Mathematics and Statistics	robert.milson@dal.ca
Dr. Don Stolz and Dr. Craig McCormick, Microbiology and Immunology	dstoltz@dal.ca craig.mccormick@dal.ca
Dr. Daniel Labrie and Dr. Chongyin Yang, Physics and Atmospheric Science	daniel.labrie@dal.ca c.yang@dal.ca

Further details on Science Co-op can be found on the WIL Co-op office’s website at dal.ca/wil.

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Academic Calendars

Study and Work Term Schedules for Science Co-op