Science Careers and Co-op Program: Experience Your Education
Why Join Science Co-op?
Get Career-Ready with Science Co-op!
Work-integrated learning is more than just a job — it’s a chance to take what you’ve learned in class and apply it in real-world settings, all while getting paid. You can participate in 4 to 16 months of work experience. As a co-op student you have the flexibility to choose opportunities that work for you.
As a Co-op Student, You’ll:
- Gain paid work experience in a professional environment
- Apply what you’re learning in the classroom to real projects
- Build valuable workplace skills that help you stand out to employers
- Graduate with a Co-op Education Designation on your transcript and degree after completing 8 months of co-op work
Science Co-op helps you build confidence, grow your resume, and gain a competitive edge before you even graduate.
The COOP course carries a block of non-credit units to ensure you maintain your full-time status with the University of Calgary. More information on these courses can be found in the ‘Next Steps After Receiving a Job Offer’ section below.
Apply Now!
Interested in joining the Science Co-op Program? Applications open at the beginning of each academic term.
Apply on Elevate.
To learn more about the program and the application process, register for a Science Co-op Info Session on Elevate. Once on Elevate look under the Faculty of Science > Science Events to register.
Application and Admission Information
Apply on Elevate!
- Co-op applications are open during the Fall term (September – October) and Winter (January – February).
- If you are looking to apply off cycle, please email science.careers@ucalgary.ca.
Academic Requirements:
- 30 units of coursework completed prior to the semester of application.
- A minimum 18 degree-required units remaining after the semester of application.
- GPA of 2.0, calculated on the most recent 30 units of coursework completed by the application deadline and be in Good Academic Standing.
- Resume and Cover Letter on Science’s Approved Template.
Stay Updated: Admission information and updates are sent to your ucalgary.ca email address.
Admission Fee: If you receive admission to the Science Co-op Program, you will then be charged the $50 admission fee, which will appear on your student centre in term following.
The Science Co-op Program offers an incredible opportunity to gain 4 to 16 months of valuable, paid, full-time work experience alongside your academic studies. While the program itself does not replace existing course requirements, earning the Science Co-op Designation enhances your degree by providing hands-on professional experience.
Students who have secured a co-op position and are registered in the COOP 505 course will be eligible to enroll in SCIE 505 — a specialized, 3-unit option course designed exclusively for Science Co-op students. Successfully completing SCIE 505 allows you to count this credit toward your degree’s required option courses, adding even more academic value to your co-op experience.
The Science Co-op Designation, combined with SCIE 505, uniquely integrates practical work experience with your academic program, empowering you to graduate with both enhanced skills and valuable course credits.
Schedule an appointment with a Program Advisor in the Undergraduate Science Centre to discuss how to fit the Science Co-op Program into your degree and how it may affect your course progression. Meet with a Program Advisor.
If you have secured a position and meet the Science Co-op Program admission criteria, please connect with us at science.careers@ucalgary.ca to discuss next steps.
Next Steps After Admission
After admission into the Co-op program, you will receive a detailed email to your ucalgary.ca email address. The email outlines next steps and your eligibility for work.
Science Co-op Prep Program
- Delivered online and asynchronously
- Cover topics to enhance your job search. (E.g. resume building, etc.).
Once you’ve successfully completed the Prep Program you will receive access to the Co-op Job Board.
Please refer to the IRCC webpage for updated information on work permit regulations.
Support from the Science Career Team
The Science Careers Team is here to help you every step of the way. We offer advising appointments, employer events, and workshops.
Job Searching & Employment
- Most Science Co-op students secure a position within 6 months of joining the program.
- Your Co-op job doesn’t have to match your major exactly — you're encouraged to explore roles that align with your interests or long-term career goals.
- Work terms can last 4, 8, 12, or 16 months and must align with academic semesters.
- Research positions are also eligible as Co-op work terms.
International students will receive a letter to support their application for their Co-op Work Permit after completing all required Co-op Prep tasks. Please connect with International Student Services at the University of Calgary for any questions regarding permits or the application process, as they have certified consultants legally able to advise on study permits, work permits, visas, electronic travel authorizations, work regulations, and Government policies related to international students.
Students must return from their work terms on an academic term. To participate in a work term, students must have at least 9 required units remaining in their degree.
It is your responsibility to search for and secure an opportunity. Students have a full year from being admitted to the Science Co-op Program to secure your first position, provided you remain academically eligible. To participate in a co-op term, students must have at least 9 required units remaining in their degree. Any students who do not secure a co-op term within this timeline will be removed from the Science Co-op Program.
Science Co-op Mentorship Program
Applications will open in Fall 2026
The Science Co-op Mentorship Program offers a peer-to-peer mentorship experience tailored for Science Co-op students.
It connects newly admitted Co-op students with current work-term participants and Science Co-op alumni, fostering valuable relationships and knowledge sharing.
The program’s goal is twofold: to boost students’ confidence and readiness when searching for and securing Co-op placements, and to give senior students the opportunity to share their insights while building their leadership skills.
If you are interested in applying to be a mentor or mentee head to the link below to learn more.
Next Steps After Receiving a Job Offer
Submitting Your Job Offer
Once you’ve accepted a job offer, you are required to report it to the Science Co-op team. Please refer to the Science Co-op Preparation D2L shell for next steps.
COOP 505
COOP 505 is a non-credit course you’ll be required to complete during each of your Co-op work terms. You’ll be enrolled in a different version of the course depending on the number of work terms you complete (e.g., COOP 505.01, 505.02, etc.).
To receive the Co-operative Education Designation on your degree and transcript, you must:
- Complete at least two work terms (minimum of 8 months total).
- Successfully finish both COOP 505.01 and COOP 505.02.
COOP 505 has associated tuition and general fees. For details, refer to the Academic Calendar on the University of Calgary website.
Support While You’re Working
While you’re on your work term, the Science Co-op Team is here to support you. If you need any support while on your work term, you are welcome to reach out for one-on-one support at any time.
“... I've learned so much about writing code in a professional environment. From testing to pipelines, I've touched so many different areas of software engineering and I am falling more in love with the career. I feel more prepared and confident with every day and every challenge I face.”
Alejandro C., BSc Computer Science
“Nothing has surprised me more than how much I've grown in this opportunity as an intern. A friend recently commented on how much more confident and articulate I am when giving talks, saying that I carry myself like a seasoned science communicator. Students and colleagues have also taken note of the quality of my research, one colleague even describing my work as graduate level. As an undergrad working in industry, this filled me with a lot of pride and confidence.”
Eric H., BSc Astrophysics
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Office Location and Email
Undergraduate Science Centre
Science B149
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, AB T2N 1N4
Email us at science.careers@ucalgary.ca