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Co-op

Kickstart on your science career. Through co-op, you’ll gain authentic job search experience and the opportunity to work with multiple employers in a range of roles. It’s a great way to find your passion and put real-world work experience on your resume— all before you graduate. Our co-op programs are accredited by CEWIL, (external link)  (Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning, Canada).

CEWIL Accredited program badge

Quick Facts

Program Length: 5 years, full-time
Work Terms: 16 weeks each (working 35-40 hours per week)
Total Experience Gained: 12-20 months, over 3-5 work terms
When to Apply: Apply after your first year of study, before second year.

Benefits of Co-op

Co-op students can gain a competitive edge by:

  • Applying your scientific learning in the real-world
  • Gaining hands-on work experience before graduation
  • Building a network with professionals in your field
  • Developing soft skills such as interpersonal, communication and time management skills
  • Earning a salary while you study (up to $7000 per work term)

Employers & Opportunities

Toronto is one of North America’s top hubs for human life sciences. With our downtown campus, Toronto Metropolitan students are within steps of potential employers in research institutes, clinics and industry. Check out where some of our co-op students have worked:

Biology

Sanofi Pasteur

  • Analytical Research & Development Student
  • Analytical Sciences - Analytical Operations & Support Student
  • Bacterial Media Co-op Student
  • Manufacturing Technology Co-op Student

City of Toronto

  • Technical Trainee (Toronto Water Laboratory)

Nitta Gelatin

  • QC Laboratory Technician

LANXESS Canada

  • R&D Student

Bamford Produce

  • Quality Control Co-op Student

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories

  • Industrial Hygiene Co-op Student

Pinchin Ltd.

  • Laboratory Technologist

PSC Biotech

  • Business Development Associate

Biomedical Science

Public Health Ontario

  • Student Laboratory Assistant

Sanofi Pasteur

  • Technologist Co-op Student
  • Micro & Viro Co-op Student
  • Purification/Fermentation & Analytics Student
  • Research Co-op Student

University Health Network

  • Genetics & Development Co-op Student

St. Michael’s Hospital

  • Co-op Student

Nucro-Technics

  • Microbiology Lab Co-op Student

City of Toronto

  • Technical Trainee - Toronto Water Laboratory

Environment & Climate Change Canada

  • Co-op Student

SQI Diagnostics

  • Research and Development Student Intern

Chemistry

Thermo Fisher Scientific

  • Lab Assistant

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

  • Co-op Student, Physical Sciences

Nanotek Materials

  • Chemical Analyst

Cystic Fibrosis Canada

  • Research Intern

Protech Chemicals

  • R&D Co-op Student

Sanofi Pasteur

  • Pharmaceutical Science & Technology Co-op Student
  • Washing & Sterilizing Co-op Student

CNOOC

  • Chemistry Laboratory Co-op Student

LANXESS Canada

  • R&D Technologist Student

Co-op Work Terms

If you’re admitted into co-op, your program will alternate between study and work terms. Work terms usually last for 16 weeks, but some students may gain approval to work for extended terms with the same employer. Here are some sample schedules.  

Semester Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Fall Study Study Study WKT 605 Study
Winter Study Study WKT 505 Study Study
Spring/Summer Free WKT 405 WKT 506 WKT 606 Graduation

“What attracted me to [TMU] was that I could embed hands-on work experience right into my degree, through co-op. It really helps you explore what interests you, and lets you solidify what you learn in lectures. Having work experience before graduation can really accelerate your career early on.”

Kelvin Urbina, BSc ’20 (Chemistry)