A Chemistry Co-op gives you a head start exploring career options with the opportunity to work in various industries, within the field of synthetic and analytical chemistry. Many of our placements will put you at the cutting edge of science and will give you an opportunity to put into practice what you have learned in school. Your work experience will take the form of multiple work placements with a variety of different organizations in Canada and internationally in industries including biomedical research, materials science and environmental chemistry. Completion of all four work terms is required in order to receive a Co-op designation on your transcript.
Application Deadlines
| Apply in Year | Application Deadline Date |
|---|---|
| 2 | Wednesday, March 5, 2025 |
| 3 | Wednesday, October 1, 2025 |
Application requirements
If you wish to apply to Chemistry & Chemical Biology Co-op, you must be a second or third-year student enrolled at UBC.
- Have a minimum cumulative average of B- (68%)
- Be a full-time UBC (Vancouver) student in good academic standing in mathematics, English and the sciences
- Have at least 30 credits remaining of your graduation requirement at the time of application
- Good communication skills, and a responsible, mature attitude
- Demonstrated leadership, teamwork and time management
- Demonstrated interest in your chosen field
- Be flexible and willing to accept a work placement outside the Lower Mainland
NOTE: Being eligible does not automatically guarantee your acceptance into the Co-op Program.
Work terms schedules
Schedule A
| Year | Fall | Winter | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Study Term 1 | Study Term 2 | - |
| 2 | Study Term 3 | Study Term 4 + Apply for Co-op | - |
| 3 | Study Term 5 + Co-op Workshops | Work Term 1 | Work Term 2 |
| 4 | Study Term 6 | Study Term 7 | Work Term 3 |
| 5 | Work Term 4 | Study Term 8 + Graduate | - |
Schedule B*
| Year | Fall | Winter | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Study Term 1 | Study Term 2 | - |
| 2 | Study Term 3 | Study Term 4 + Apply for Co-op | - |
| 3 | Study Term 5 + Co-op Workshops | Work Term 1 | Work Term 2 |
| 4 | Work Term 3 | Study Term 6 | Work Term 4 |
| 5 | StudyTerm 7 | Study Term 8 | - |
Schedule - 3rd Year Intership
| Year | Fall | Winter | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Study Term 3 | Study Term 4 | - |
| 3 | Study Term 5 + Apply | Study Term 6 + Co-op Workshops | Work Term 1 |
| 4 | Work Term 2 | Work Term 3 | Work Term 4 |
| 5 | Study Term 7 | Study Term 8 + Graduate | - |
*This schedule is intended to accommodate students who wish to complete an 8-month honours thesis in their final year of study.
The above schedules are highly recommended by the Co-op Program in order for students to complete their program within the shortest time frame. Alternate scheduling is available in consultation with your Co-op Coordinator.
Sample Jobs and Companies
Bayer Healthcare
Research Assistant The Co-op student will work in the department Global Drug Discovery of Bayer HealthCare in Berlin. Our main research fields are the development of novel contrast media as well as life cycle management for our marketed product portfolio. The successful applicant will be working as a team member learning routine analytics using state of the art UPLC/HPLC/MS/ICP equipment. Additionally, in depth questions and unique challenges will give the candidate the chance to exploit her/his trouble shooting skills. The advertised position is in the center of an interdisciplinary environment allowing for direct interaction with chemistry, biology, analytics and physical chemistry.
Automotive Fuel Cell Co-operation (AFCC)
Co-op Student AFCC Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation Corp. (AFCC) -- a joint venture between Daimler and Ford Motor Company -- is developing next-generation technology for zero-emission automobiles. Today, AFCC fuel cell technology powers more than 200 zero-emission vehicles, driven over 6 million kilometers and counting. Our work is about empowering the world to be sustainable; our workplace is about empowering our people to make that happen. Responsibilities: Perform catalyst ink formulation, catalyst layer coating and MEA fabrication to optimize process conditions Perform lab scale synthesis reactions and characterization Materials characterization for fuel cell components Data collection using electron microscopy techniques, analysis and documentation Operation of fuel cell test stations Analysis of fuel cell/stack test results.