Co-op for prospective students

The study, understanding and exploration of biological processes using chemical and biological techniques.

Here’s what Biochemistry students can do for you:

• Basic laboratory techniques including; media preparation and molecular techniques including; PCR and cloning, gel electrophoresis, protein and nucleic acid purification, enzyme assays as well as lab safety protocols
• Routine operation of instruments; incubators, UV/vis spectrophotometers, centrifuges and liquid handling
• Sample collection and preparation
• Data collection, analysis and visualization-R, Python, SPSS, MATLAB
• Research – experiential design; scientific literature searches

Transferable skills

Science Co-op students are equipped with a solid foundation of transferable skills which include:

• Critical thinking and creative problem solving
• Research, analysis and project management
• Communications and writing
• Digital Technology
• Leadership and teamwork
• Cultural and historical awareness

For a detailed list of courses to learn of the areas covered by Biochemistry lectures and labs, please refer to the University of Manitoba’s Academic Calendar.

Biological Science deals with many different levels of the organization of life:  structure, functioning and evolution of organisms and the interactions of organisms and with the environment.  These levels encompass large differences in scale, ranging from molecules such as DNA to the functioning of ecosystems.  Biology students may specialize in one of two areas of concentration or have the option to choose courses from both areas:  Ecology and Environmental Biology and/or Cellular and Molecular Biology.

Here’s what Biological Science students can do for you:

• Basic laboratory techniques including; media preparation and molecular techniques including; PCR and cloning, gel electrophoresis, protein and nucleic acid purification, enzyme assays as well as lab safety protocols
• Routine operation of instruments; incubators, UV/vis spectrophotometers, centrifuges and liquid handling
• Environmental sample collection and analysis
• Data collection, analysis and visualization-R, Python, SPSS, MATLAB
• Fundamental field techniques; surveying, water and soil sampling, plant/tree ID, wildlife and IPM
• Research – experiential design; scientific literature searches

Transferable skills

Science Co-op students are equipped with a solid foundation of transferable skills which include:

• Critical thinking and creative problem solving
• Research, analysis, and project management
• Communications and writing
• Digital Technology
• Leadership and teamwork
• Cultural and historical awareness

For a detailed list of courses to learn of the areas covered by Biology lectures and labs per theme, please refer to the University of Manitoba’s Academic Calendar.

Chemistry is the study of properties of materials, syntheses of compounds, characterization and determination of structures of compounds, measurement of reaction kinetics and understanding the mechanisms of chemical processes.

Here’s what Chemistry students can do for you: 

• Basic laboratory techniques including; media preparation and molecular techniques including; PCR and cloning, gel electrophoresis, protein and nucleic acid purification, enzyme assays as well as lab safety protocols
• Routine operation of instruments; incubators, UV/vis spectrophotometers, centrifuges and liquid handling
• Sample collection and preparation
• Data collection, analysis and visualization-R, Python, SPSS, MATLAB
• Research – experiential design; scientific literature searches

Transferable skills

Science Co-op students are equipped with a solid foundation of transferable skills which include:

• Critical thinking and creative problem solving
• Research, analysis, and project management
• Communications and writing
• Digital Technology
• Leadership and teamwork
• Cultural and historical awareness

For a detailed list of courses to learn of the areas covered by Chemistry lectures and labs, please refer to the University of Manitoba’s Academic Calendar.

Computer Science hosts one of the largest Co-op programs at the University of Manitoba with an average of 180 placements per year. Our program revolves around three four-month work terms per year where students are employed by companies and government departments across Canada and internationally.

The majority of our Co-op students are in 3rd or 4th year of a four year honours or majors Computer Science degree program. Admission to the Computer Science Co-op program is based on grade point average, performance in completed second year Computer Science courses and other factors.

Normally, the first Co-op work term takes place January 2 through April 30. Students must successfully complete the equivalent of three work terms to receive the Co-op designation on their degree.

Most students who participate in the Co-op Program graduate in December of their fifth year, rather than April of their fourth. We also provide the Co-op option for students enrolled in the following joint Honours programs with Computer Science: Mathematics, Physics and Astronomy and Statistics.

Here’s what Computer Science students can do for you:

Co-op students will have completed courses covering a broad range of topics that may include:

• Algorithms and Data Structures
• Programming in Java, C, C++, Assembly
• Object Oriented Design
• Databases
• Operating Systems
• Software Engineering
• User Interfaces
• Computer Organization and Digital Logic
• Analysis of Algorithms

Transferable skills:

Science Co-op students are equipped with a solid foundation of transferable skills which include:

• Critical thinking and creative problem solving
• Research, analysis and project management
• Communications and writing
• Digital Technology
• Leadership and teamwork
• Cultural and historical awareness

For a detailed list of courses to learn of the areas covered by Computer Science lectures and labs, please refer to the University of Manitoba’s Academic Calendar.

Data Science is an emerging field of study that combines mathematics, statistics and computer science to collect, analyze, visualize and interpret data.

Visit the Data Science website for more information.

For a detailed list of courses to learn of the areas covered by Computer Science lectures and labs, please refer to the University of Manitoba’s Academic Calendar.

Genetics explores advances in medicine, agricultural techniques, heritable IQ, genetically modified organisms, genetic counselling and gene therapy.

Here’s what Genetics students can do for you: 

• Basic laboratory techniques including; media preparation and molecular techniques including; PCR and cloning, gel electrophoresis, protein and nucleic acid purification, enzyme assays as well as lab safety protocols
• Routine operation of instruments; incubators, UV/vis spectrophotometers, centrifuges and liquid handling
• Sample collection and preparation
• Data collection, analysis and visualization-R, Python, SPSS, MATLAB
• Research – experiential design; scientific literature searches

Transferable skills

Science Co-op students are equipped with a solid foundation of transferable skills which include:

• Critical thinking and creative problem solving
• Research, analysis, and project management
• Communications and writing
• Digital Technology
• Leadership and teamwork
• Cultural and historical awareness

For a detailed list of courses to learn of the areas covered by Genetics lectures and labs, please refer to the University of Manitoba’s Academic Calendar.

Here’s what Microbiology students can do for you:

• Basic laboratory techniques including; media preparation and molecular techniques including; PCR and cloning, gel electrophoresis, protein and nucleic acid purification, enzyme assays as well as lab safety protocols
• Routine operation of instruments; incubators, UV/vis spectrophotometers, centrifuges and liquid handling
• Sample collection and preparation
• Data collection, analysis and visualization-R, Python, SPSS, MATLAB
• Research – experiential design; scientific literature searches

Transferable skills:

Science Co-op students are equipped with a solid foundation of transferable skills which include:

• Critical thinking and creative problem solving
• Research, analysis, and project management
• Communications and writing
• Digital Technology
• Leadership and teamwork
• Cultural and historical awareness

Modern microbiology has had a great impact on medicine, ecology and industry due to the active research conducted in the many areas covered by both the basic and applied aspects of this science.

Some microbiologists are interested in the basic biology of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, algae, protozoa) and may concentrate on particular functional processes. They work in areas such as microbial cytology, biochemistry, physiology, ecology, genetics and molecular biology.

Others may have a more applied orientation and they work on practical microbiological problems in medicine, food and dairy industries, public health and biotechnology.

Recent surveys indicate that career prospects in these areas are better now than at any time in the recent past and openings may be available in the medical field (national research labs, hospitals, universities); ecology (environmental institutes, marine and freshwater biology labs, soil labs, pollution control centres) and in applied and basic research in industries (biotechnology, food, dairy) and universities.

For a detailed list of courses to learn of the areas covered by Microbiology lectures and labs, please refer to the University of Manitoba’s Academic Calendar.

Here’s what our Psychology students can do for you:

• An understanding of physiological, emotional, cognitive and social determinants of behaviour
• Basic understanding of the various disciplines in psychology as well as major theories and history of psychology
• Familiarity and experience with the psychological research methods, including data collection and analysis
• Knowledge of research ethics
• Earn research participation marks towards your final grades with the opportunity to have an “up close” look at psychology research.
• Specific knowledge and abilities related to your specialization (ie: Cognition, Neuroscience, Developmental, Social, HCI, Forensic, etc.)

Transferable Skills:

Science Co-op students are equipped with a solid foundation of transferable skills which include:

• Critical thinking and creative problem solving
• Research, analysis, and project management
• Communications and writing
• Digital Technology
• Leadership and teamwork
• Cultural and historical awareness

For a detailed list of courses to learn of the areas covered by Psychology lectures and labs, please refer to the University of Manitoba’s Academic Calendar.

Students from these programs have solid backgrounds in electronics optics, quantum mechanics, thermal physics, particle physics and medical physics.

Here’s what our Physics and Astronomy students can do for you:

• Data abstraction, acquisition and analysis
• Fundamentals in organic chemistry and biochemistry
• Basic to intermediate electronic skills
• Lab work in molecular biology and immunology, cell physiology
• Complex variable and differential equations
• Fundamentals in quantum mechanics and thermal physics

Transferable skills:

Science Co-op students are equipped with a solid foundation of transferable skills which include:

• Critical thinking and creative problem solving
• Research, analysis, and project management
• Communications and writing
• Digital Technology
• Leadership and teamwork
• Cultural and historical awareness

For a detailed list of courses to learn of the areas covered by Physics and Astronomy lectures and labs, please refer to the University of Manitoba’s Academic Calendar.

• Computer Science (Major, Honours)
• Joint Honours with Computer Science
  • Computer Science and Mathematics Joint Honours
  • Computer Science and Physics and Astronomy Joint Honours
  • Computer Science and Statistics Joint Honours

• Data Science (Major)
• Mathematics (Major, Honours, Double Honours)
• Applied Mathematics (Major)
  • Computer Science Option (Major)
  • Economics Option (Major)
  • Statistics Option (Major)
• Physics & Astronomy (Major, Honours)
• Statistics (Major, Honours)
  • Statistics – Mathematics Joint Honours

• Biochemistry  (Major, Honours)
• Biological Sciences (Major, Honours)
• Chemistry (Major, Honours)
• Genetics (Major, Honours)
• Microbiology (Major, Honours)
• Psychology (Major)

The above table represents the schedule for Computer Science students who enter co-op in September of their third year and participate in their first work term in January. This is referred to as a “regular stream”.

There are a variety of reasons why co-op students may not follow this schedule. Here are three situations that might find students “out-of-stream”:

• Students seeking their second degree require fewer credit hours than first-degree students. These students may be allowed to join co-op at different times.
• Students seeking a joint Honours Degree can normally only participate in summer work terms. Intake for these students occurs in December with an anticipated first work term in the summer between the 2nd and 3rd year.

It is possible some students who enter co-op in September will not receive job offers for the winter work term (January to April). If these students have followed all co-op procedures and guidelines, job placement may be deferred to the summer recruitment period, and may require an eight-month work term (May to December).

There are the two basic schedules Co-op students in Computational, Life and Physical Sciences can choose for alternating their academic and work terms.

Winter Start

Summer Start

NOTE: Schedule B is strongly recommended for International Students to allow time for application and obtainment of Science Co-op Work Permit required for every International Student who is successfully admitted in Science Co-op to apply for co-op positions. See more details.

Alternate scheduling is available in consultation with your coordinator.

This is the basic schedule for Psychology Co-op students for alternating their academic and work terms.

Summer Start

Alternate scheduling is available in consultation with your coordinator.