Co-operative Education in Science (Science Co-op)
Telephone: (902) 494-2044
Fax: (902) 494-6643
Email:
sciencecoop@dal.ca
Website:
http://www.sciencecoop.dal.ca
Director
McKinnon, A., BSc (MSVU), BEd (SMU) (494-3378)
Co-op Coordinator
Galway, L., BSc (CBU) (494-1768)
Employer Development Manager
Myra, T. (494-6448)
Academic Director
Lewis, M.R., BS, MS (UMd), PhD (Dal)
Co-op Academic Advisors
Cyrus, T., Economics (494-6992)
Dowd, M., Statistics (494-1048)
Labrie, D., Physics (494-2322)
McAllister-Irwin, N., Marine Biology (494-3818)
McCarville, M., Biology (494-7072)
McLeod, R., Biochemistry (494-7013)
Milson, R., Mathematics (494-6366)
Mushkat, P.W., Environmental Science (494-8056)
Stoltz, D.B., Microbiology/Immunology (494-2590)
Wach, G., Earth Sciences (494-8019)
White, R., Chemistry (494-6403)
I. Science Co-operative Education
Science Co-operative Education (Science Co-op) is an academic program where academic study is combined with career related work experience. Students complete three to four work terms throughout their academic study terms and graduate with a Bachelor of Science, Co-op. Science Co-op is available in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Environmental Science, Economics, Marine Biology, Mathematics, Microbiology & Immunology, Physics and Atmospheric Science, and Statistics. Students may choose a Major, Honours, or Double Major (where only one of the disciplines is a recognized Science Co-operative Education program).
Students who are accepted into Science Co-op generally begin their first work term in January or May of Year II. Work terms are paid employment related to the student’s field of study. The program includes three to four work terms and a minimum of eight academic terms comprising 20 academic credits. The Science Co-operative Education degree program normally takes approximately four and a third years, depending upon the field of study chosen.
Students in Science Co-op must plan their academic class load carefully under the guidance of the departmental Co-op Academic Advisor. Science Co-op students have limited opportunity to take certain numbered classes and the choice of classes in the summer academic term may be limited. It is important that students realize that successful completion of the work terms is an integral part of their academic studies and degree.
A. Eligibility
Students must be eligible to work in Canada and demonstrate sufficient academic potential (B average or better, consult departmental listings). Students apply to this program and approval of the academic department and Science Co-op Office is required for entry. Applications must be received by August 1st. Students must be able to check their email every week day. With the permission of the Co-op Academic Advisor, some students may be admitted on a probationary basis pending an improvement in their grades. Co-op students whose grades drop below a B average (3.00 GPA) overall may be required to withdraw from the Science Co-op program. Academic departments may, at their discretion, allow a probationary period before the requirement to withdraw is enforced. During this probationary period, the student may not undertake any new work term commitments but may honour pre-existing arrangements.
B. Science Co-op Seminar Series, SCIE 2800.00
This class is a required prerequisite to the first work term and is a mandatory component of the Science Co-op program. All Science Co-operative Education students are required to register for, and attend this class, upon acceptance into the program. A grade of Pass is required before students undertake the first work term experience. This class is designed to introduce Science Co-op students to aspects of career development and preparation for their work terms.
SCIE 2800.00 is a required non-credit class which is offered in the fall term only. Students must register for this class, in addition to their full course load, in the fall term of the year they join Science Co-op. More detailed information about the class may be found at
http://www.sciencecoop.dal.ca
C. Work Terms
A work term is a period of study conducted in an employment environment and each work term is offered as a class listing within each academic discipline for registered Science Co-operative Education students only. Although the Science Co-op office has an outstanding job posting record, it is ultimately the responsibility of the student to arrange their work term. Students are expected to conduct their own job search as well. During a work term, the student is an employee in matters pertaining to the conditions of employment and is a student for the purpose of academic evaluation. The university accepts no liability for the working environment of the students work term. Students are remunerated according to employer policy and the labour laws of the province in which the work term takes place. Students must be remunerated, unpaid work terms are not permitted. Upon accepting a job the student must sign a Work Term Acceptance Agreement which acknowledges awareness of Co-op regulations, their responsibility to register for the work term with the Registrar’s Office, pay a Co-op Fee* (consult the fees section of the calendar), complete a Work Term Report, and other related forms. During the work term the student and employer normally receives contact from a Science Co-op staff member to ensure that the academic objectives of the work term are being met. Failure to complete all requirements of a work term will result in a grade of F.
Work terms must be a minimum of 13 weeks at 32.5 hours per week, or an equivalent combination of hours and weeks worked. Three work terms are required for graduation with a Bachelor of Science, Co-op. A fourth work term is optional, space permitting.
*Please Note: The Co-op Fee is a program fee, not a “work term” fee.
D. Work Term Sequence
Work terms alternate with study terms in a pattern set by you and your Co-op Academic Advisor, for each program. The work term sequence must be noted on the application to Science Co-op. Any request for change of work term sequence must be approved by the departmental Co-op Academic Advisor and the Director, Science Co-op. Requests must be received by the Science Co-op office 14 weeks before the next scheduled work term i.e., before January 15, May 15, or September 15. Two consecutive work terms are permitted. Three consecutive work terms may not be permitted.
Please consult with the Co-op Academic Advisor, in your discipline of choice, regarding your work term sequence. Work term sequences must be set and approved with your Co-op Academic Advisor and Science Co-op office.
E. Work Term Reports
At the end of each work term, each student must submit an acceptable work term report. Specific guidelines for writing this report and submission deadlines are available on the Science Co-op website (
http://www.sciencecoop.dal.ca). Satisfactory work term reports are required for continuation and graduation in the Science Co-op program. Satisfactory performance in the work place is also required and Co-op employers submit an Employer Evaluation for students in the program. The grade for the work term is based upon the work term report, employer and student evaluations of the work term, and the work term visit. Failure to complete the work term requirements will result in the student being required to withdraw from the Science Co-op program and a failure mark would be given for the work term.
F. Fees
Science Co-op students are required to register for their work terms and pay Co-op Fees regardless of whether the services of the Co-op office are used. Co-op Fees are program fees, not work term fees, and are due and payable even if the student withdraws, does not secure a work term, or is required to withdraw, from their workterm once employment has begun. Consult the Science Co-op office or website for complete details.
