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Science

Science Co-op is optional for students studying:

Learn more about how co-op works, program formats, salaries, schedules and more.

Attend an online info session

 In September 2024 we'll run an information session to provide info about:

Get your questions answered by the Science co-op coordinators.

How co-op works

Co-op gives you hands-on paid work experience related to what you're studying. It's the perfect way to develop your skills and find a career you love.

Learn more about what co-op is, how it works with your degree, and what to expect as a co-op student. 

How to join

To join, you must:

We suggest you join at the end of your first year of courses so that you can alternate terms in class with terms working with employers. This gives you more options in terms of when you complete your work terms.

If you're later in your degree, you can still participate in co-op but your schedule may look different. Contact your co-op coordinator to discuss possibilities.  

Science graduate students are also eligible for co-op. Please speak to your supervisor about your plans.

If you've registered for SCIE 201 by September 15, you'll get access to a checklist of tasks to complete to be accepted into Science Co-op. 

Once you're accepted

You'll begin your co-op education through SCIE 201: Introduction to Professional Practice classes, which you'll take once before your first work term. 

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.

The goal of the course is to give you baseline tools and skills to help you in your co-op (and later, full-time) job hunt. You'll learn about the hiring process, passive and active search options, résumé and cover letter writing, professionalism and ethics, interview skills, networking skills and how to be successful on your work term.

You only need to take SCIE 201 once.

Work terms

Co-op work terms begin in January, May and September and are typically 4 months long.

Finding a work term

In addition to the general process for finding a co-op job you need to complete the terms & conditions form in the co-op portal to receive access to co-op job postings.

You can connect with your co-op coordinator and academic advising to make a plan that works for you.

During your work term

Learn more about what happens during your work term.

After your work term

At the end of your co-op work term, you will reflect on your work experience by completing a:

You should also: 

Assignment due dates:

If the due date falls on a holiday or a weekend, the assignment will be due the next business day.

See the assignment criteria, guideline and templates in the Brightspace work term course.

Sample employers & jobs

Biochemistry and Microbiology:

Biology:

Chemistry:

Earth and Ocean Sciences:

Physics and Astronomy:

Mathematics and Statistics:

Learn more about the various jobs students can do.

A student wearing waders and a reflective vest stands in a river.

Abby Matheson (geography and biology)

Abby Matheson found herself immersed in British Columbia’s natural beauty when she accepted a job with biological consulting company Ecofor. The role took the geography major/biology...

A student sits at a desk in front of a laptop.

Chloe Leroy (science)

UVic student Chloe Leroy had the unique experience of working remotely with Universidad Catolica del Maule (UCM) in Chile.

A student feeding a giraffe.

Morgan Chisan (marine biology)

I'm Morgan (she/her), and I’m currently in my fourth year majoring in biology (with a concentration in marine biology) at the University of Victoria. During my fourth year, I decided to...

A student sits at a café in Europe.

Ola Przydatek (microbiology)

My name is Ola and I’m a third-year microbiology major at UVic. I spent my summer working as a research assistant at the Centre Hospitalier de Valenciennes (CHV) in Valenciennes,...

Paige is examining a small, fluffy white dog on a vet's examination table. The dog's owner is watching Paige work.

Paige Garat (biology)

Paige Garat's love for animals of all shapes and sizes led her to a co-op work term at Dand Veterinary Clinics.

A student stands at the top of a mountain overlooking other mountains.

Rebekah Shin (microbiology)

Rebekah Shin, a fourth-year microbiology student, spent a semester completing her co-op at the Vietnam National University as a research intern. Her co-op opportunity led her to the Biotechnology...

A student sits at a desk in front of a computer and microphone. Behind her is a projected Powerpoint presentation.

Seoyoon Lee (biochemistry and microbiology)

Seoyoon Lee (biochemistry and microbiology) found the work term of her dreams at Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena in Germany. As a research intern, Seoyoon carved out opportunities to...

Tess Grindlay is posing in a large lab building in front of machinery emblazoned with the word "Canada."

Tess Grindlay (physics and astronomy)

For a physics and astronomy student like Tess Grindlay, a summer spent working with the Canadian Space Agency on the James Webb Space Telescope was nothing short of a dream job.

A group of people stands in front of a lake.

Vivica Turnbull (biology)

My name is Vivica and I’m a fourth-year Biology major at Macquarie University in Sydney; and a proud Barkindji Ngemba woman. In 2022, I took part in the Indigenous International Work...

Average salaries

You'll receive a salary from your employer during each co-op work term. Co-op salaries vary according to many factors, including:

Here are average monthly salaries for a work term:

View salary estimates for all programs.

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:

Fees per work term for graduate students:

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:

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:

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

Transfer students

If you've completed a co-op work term at another accredited post-secondary institution, you can apply for transfer credit (or a work term transfer) for up to 2 work terms.

The work term that you want to receive transfer credit for must have been:

Contact the Science Co-op office to let us know that you plan to apply for a work term transfer.

Previous work experience

You can apply to register previous work you completed before entering the co-op program as a work term challenge, for up to 2 work terms.

The work must have:

Learn how to apply for a work term challenge.

Office & contacts

Our regular business hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Science Co-op is located on the second floor of the Bob Wright Centre (BWC).

Biochemistry and Microbiology (BCMB)

Co-op coordinator:
Jeremy Pearce
Office: BWC A237
bcmbcoop@uvic.ca
250-721-8813

Biology & Earth and Ocean Sciences

Co-op coordinator:
Brian Tucker
Office: BWC A241
Biology Co-op questions: biocoop@uvic.ca
EOS Co-op questions: eoscoop@uvic.ca
250-721-8649

Physics and Astronomy / Chemistry / Mathematics and Statistics (PACMS)

Co-op coordinator:
Meg Thompson
Office: BWC A239
scicoop@uvic.ca
250-721-7713

Science Co-op assistants

Kandie Husband, Jessica Abriel and Annette Bailey-Smith
Office: BWC A243/245
scico@uvic.ca
250-721-6122

Get support

We're here to support you with every step in your co-op journey, from applying to co-op to making sure you're supported at work. Contact your co-op coordinator or office for assistance.

If you identify as having a disability or a mental health condition, if you belong to an equity group, or if you identify as Indigenous, we have additional supports for your co-op experience. 

Science Co-op blog

Read recent stories and student experiences on our Science Co-op blog.

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