Co-operative Education (Co-op) is a process of education which integrates academic study with relevant, supervised and paid work experience in co-operating employer organizations.
An optional Co-op Program is available for students in all Land and Food Systems programs, with the exception of students in the Dietetics Major of B.Sc. in Food, Nutrition and Health. The Program is intended to help prepare interested and qualified students for careers within the private or public sectors with at least four work terms (i.e. each work term is normally 4 months long) supervised by qualified professionals. Faculty advisors or Co-op Coordinators also conduct site visits at the student’s work place and provide advice and support for the placement.
To be eligible, students must be in at least third year of an undergraduate program in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems (other than the Dietetics Major). Admission is by application to the Science Co-op Office. Selection of students will be based on academic performance and general suitability to the work environment as determined by the Co-op intake interview.
Total enrolment is subject to the current state of the market as well as the resources available to support coaching and job development. Acceptance into the program does not guarantee students employment in each work term. The work terms are arranged by mutual agreement between students and employing organizations.
Participating students will be registered for LFS 398, 399, 498, or 499 as appropriate for each work term, once a suitable position is confirmed, and will be required to pay the Co-op course fee and a Co-op administration and workshop fee (see Program and Course Fees).
Students admitted into the Science Co-op Program are required to accept and comply with the Program’s Terms & Conditions (refer to www.sciencecoop.ubc.ca/students/terms).
Students are not permitted to withdraw from the Co-op course without permission of the Co-op Program.
If the Science Co-op Program Terms & Conditions conflict with the UBC Academic Regulations regarding withdrawing from courses, the Co-op Program Terms & Conditions shall be followed.
Graduation in the Co-op Program for Land and Food Systems requires a student to complete LFS 398, 399, 498, and 499, in addition to the normal academic requirements.
Detailed information on the program can be obtained from the Science Co-op Office in Room 170, Chemistry and Physics Building, 6221 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1 or online.