This Co-op program gives you a head start exploring career options in areas such as artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, robotics, usability, and business applications. Many of our placements will put you at the cutting edge of technology and will give you an opportunity to put into practice what you have learned in school. Your work experience will take the form of four consecutive four-month work placements at a variety of different organizations in Canada and potentially internationally. Completion of all four work terms is required in order to receive a Co-op designation on your transcript. Students interested in the Co-op Option in the Cognition and Brain stream should apply through the Cognitive Systems - Brain and Cognition option.
Application Deadlines
| Apply in Year | Application Deadline Date |
|---|---|
| 1 & 2 | Wednesday, March 5, 2025 |
| 2 | Tuesday, October 1, 2024 |
Application requirements
- Have a minimum cumulative average of B- (68%)
- Have a minimum of 27 credits remaining in your degree at the time of application (excluding the current term)
- Be a full time student, majoring in COGS, or in the process of declaring COGS, as a major in the computational stream
- Have completed CPSC 110 (or CPSC 103 and 107) and are in the process of completing CPSC 121 and CPSC 210 (or have completed transfer equivalents)
- Consistently achieve at least class average in Cognitive Systems and Computer Science courses
- Demonstrate good communication skills, and a responsible, mature attitude
- Demonstrate leadership skills, interest in gaining computer skills outside of class, time management and teamwork skills
- Be flexible and willing to accept a work placement outside the Vancouver area
NOTE: Being eligible does not automatically guarantee your acceptance into the Co-op Program.
Work terms schedules
Schedule A - Spring Application (Year 1)
| Year | Fall | Winter | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Study Term 1 | Study Term 2 + Apply to Co-op | - |
| 2 | Study Term 3 | Work Term 1 | Work Term 2 |
| 3 | Study Term 4 | Study Term 5 | Work Term 3 |
| 4 | Work Term 4 | Study Term 6 | - |
| 5 | Study Term 7 | Study Term 8 | - |
Schedule B - Spring Application (Year 2)
| Year | Fall | Winter | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Study Term 1 | Study Term 2 | - |
| 2 | Study Term 3 | Study Term 4 + apply to Co-op | - |
| 3 | Study Term 5 | Work Term 1 | Work Term 2 |
| 4 | Study Term 6 | Study Term 7 | Work Term 3 |
| 5 | Work Term 4 | Study Term 8 | - |
Schedule C - Fall Application (Year 2)
| Year | Fall | Winter | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Study Term 1 | Study Term 2 | - |
| 2 | Study Term 3 + apply to Co-op | Study Term 4 | - |
| 3 | Work Term 1 | Work Term 2 | Work Term 3 |
| 4 | Study Term 5 | Study Term 6 | Work Term 4 |
| 5 | Study Term 7 | Study Term 8 | - |
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
BC Children's Hospital
Program video-game-like computerized audiovisual stimuli to be displayed while subjects undergo functional brain MRI studies
Electronic Arts
Work as technical artist, audio engineer, games developer
MDA
Design, implement and test an aviation system that helps pilots transition from en-route airways to descend to runways
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Hold research positions with the Brain Sciences Research Program in neurosciences, imaging neurosciences, mental health neurosciences
UBC Neurology Division
Provide automatic or semi-automatic analysis of the magnetic resonance images (MRIs) of patients with multiple sclerosis