For requirements for students entering the themed program in September 2023 or prior see the 2023 Academic Calendar.

Requirements for Students entering the themed program in September 2024:

Requirements

The themed program, Science Co-op Program, aims to provide 12-20 months of practical science-related experience in an employment setting. All students enrolled in Year 2 or Year 3 of a four-year undergraduate Science or Bachelor of Medical Sciences degree program including an Honours Specialization, Major or Specialization from the Faculty of Science or the Basic Medical Sciences are eligible to apply for the Science Co-op Program.

Students must also satisfy the eligibility requirements which are: be enrolled in full-time* undergraduate studies at Western University; be in good academic standing; be in good standing within the Faculty (students with a prior scholastic offence will require Dean’s permission); be returning to full-time* studies at Western University following the work term. International students are eligible to apply for the program. 

Students interested in the program should apply through the Science Careers Office in the Faculty of Science (connect.uwo.ca) in either the fall of their second or third academic year. Additional opportunities may include up to 16 months of co-op experience between Years 4 and 5 of an eligible academic program, or between Years 1 and 2 of a second degree.

Students will be required to attend all specified preparatory workshops and meet other preparatory requirements included in Science 3391: Co-op Preparation, Experience and Reflection prior to their work terms. 

Students will have the opportunity to gain co-op work experience in the Summer Term of Year 2 and during a 16-month window between May of the penultimate (Year 3) year and September of the final year of the full-time term of study (Year 5).

First Year Entry – Special Case
A first-year student who has secured a summer co-op position independently that requires their participation in a formal work-integrated learning program, may be permitted to enrol in the Science Co-op Program at the discretion of the Faculty. The student will fulfill the same assessments as will be required of the second-year summer work term. This 4-month summer co-op experience will be counted towards program completion.

Each term will be recorded on the Academic Transcript with a course notation:

Summer after Year 2 – Science 2250,
Summer after Year 3 – Science 3351,
Fall term after Year 3 – Science 3352,
Winter term after Year 3 – Science 3353,
Second summer term after Year 3 – Science 3354.
Summer after Year 1 – Science 1150 (applied in special cases)

All co-op work experience must be completed prior to beginning the final full-time academic term of the Bachelor’s degree.

A co-op tuition will be charged for each 4-month experience term.

Students who complete preparatory requirements, are successful in securing and completing a total of at least 12 months of workplace experience and complete all subsequent final reporting requirements will receive a 1.0 credit for Science 3391 and will graduate with a Bachelor of Science or Basic Medical Sciences degree with the themed program, “Science Co-op Program”. Students who are unsuccessful in securing the 12 months of co-op work experience will be withdrawn from Science 3391 without penalty and will not graduate with the themed program.

Students who qualify to receive a continuing scholarship in the academic year in which they participate in the Science Co-op Program are permitted to defer receipt of the scholarship for one year.

Participating students will continue to have access to the student health plan while on work term.

*Students registered with Accessible Education are considered full-time if enrolled in 40% of a full course load. Students are asked to advise the Co-op Program Coordinator if they are registered with Accessible Education.

For additional information, please visit https://www.uwo.ca/sci/undergraduate/careers_and_internships/science_internship_program/