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Co-op Program

The Faculty of Science currently offers co-op opportunities for students who are full-time, Honours students or specializing in one of the following programs of study:

  • Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Biomedical Science
  • Biotechnology
  • Chemistry
  • Environmental Biology
  • Environmental Science

The York University Co-op Program provides students in specific programs with an opportunity to integrate their classroom learning with hands-on, paid, work experiences related to their field of study. While on work terms, co-op students apply their classroom learning in a work environment, explore potential career options, and build relationships with colleagues and employers. Co-op students will begin their first work term after their second year of classroom study and can take part in three, full-time, four-month work terms that alternate with periods of academic study.

The Faculty of Science’s Experiential Education (EE) office’s goal is, amongst other things, to continuously expand Co-op and Internship opportunities for science students. Please take advantage of the help we can provide.

Students who are interested in applying for the Co-op Program must attend an information session before submitting their application.

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Benefits of Co-op

Co-op gives students the opportunity to gain professional, paid work experiences related to their program of study. Each job is approved by York University to ensure that students are engaging in productive and meaningful work in their respective disciplines. Other benefits include:

Gaining hands-on work experience before you graduate

Earning income as all co-op positions are full-time and paid

Networking with professionals in your field

Learning by applying theoretical knowledge in professional work environment

Co-op Program FAQs

Students who are enrolled as a full-time student (Honours or Specialized) in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Environmental Science, and Environmental Biology.

Overall cumulative GPA close to 6.5 to be accepted into the Co-op Program.

Interested in gaining professional work experience before graduation.

We recommend students apply after they complete their 1st year of studies. Co-op is available to both domestic and international students.

Step 1: Attend a co-op information session. If you weren’t able to attend an information session and you’re interested in applying, please contact sciexped@yorku.ca.

Step 2: Applications for the 2019-2020 Co-op Program are now closed. Applications for 2020 – 2021 will open in April 2020.

Step 3: Confirmation of Acceptance: All student applications will be reviewed and checked for eligibility. Successful candidates will be notified by e-mail that they have been accepted. Only those students who have been accepted will be given permission to enroll in SC/COOP 2000 2.00.

Step 4: Enroll in SC/COOP 2000 2.00 for the upcoming Fall term.

Applications for 2019-2020 are now closed. We recommend students wait until they receive all their grades from the previous fall/winter session before applying.

Fall TermWinter TermSummer Session
Year 1StudyStudyApply for Co-op Program
Year 2SC/COOP 2000 2.00StudyFirst Co-op work term
Year 3StudyStudy or Co-opStudy or Co-op
Year 4Study or Co-opStudy or Co-opStudy or Co-op
Year 5Study*
*Note: there must be at least one term of full-time studies after the last work term.

Yes, all co-op positions are paid. You will be working full-time with your employer for the duration of co-op.

Undergraduate students are considered full-time if they are registered in a course load of at least 60% or 9.00 credits in each term. If you are an undergraduate student with a permanent disability, you are considered full-time if you are registered in a course load of at least 40% or 6.00 credits in each term.

Program Enrollment Fee – $200 (This fee is to cover the costs of providing customized job search and career support services for co-op students, access to the co-op job posting board and the overall administration of the program)

Work term courses (per course, i.e. for each 4 month work term) – $475

The academic course, COOP 2000 2.00, carries the normal per credit fee as it will count towards your elective credit.

Upper level students in 3rd or 4th year may not be eligible for co-op as you need time to complete SC/COOP 2000 2.00 during the Fall term and have at least 9.00 credits remaining in your degree before you go on your first work term. We still encourage all students who meet the eligibility criteria to apply, however, as all student applications will be reviewed one by one to determine eligibility.