The Co-op program for data science students is intended to prepare interested and qualified students for careers in data science and involves work placements in academic, governmental and private business settings, supervised by practising professionals.
The data science major, jointly offered by the departments of Computer Science and Statistics, equips students with the knowledge and skills to ethically and transparently apply modern and broadly applicable data science methods. Its graduates are professionals who can effectively communicate complex data analyses while upholding fairness and security in their work with a commitment to continual learning and ethical conduct in the ever-evolving field.
Application Deadlines
| Apply in Year (At Time of Application Deadline) | Application Deadline Date |
|---|---|
| 2 & 3 | Thursday, October 1, 2026 |
*Applications are primarily intended for students entering their second year. Applications from third-year students will also be considered.
Application requirements
- Have a minimum cumulative average of B- (68%)
- Be registered in the DSCI program and complete or in the process of completing the following in term 1: one of DSCI 200, DSCI 220, or DCSI 221 and one of Math 200 (or have completed transfer equivalents), MATH 111/221 or STAT 201
- Be a full-time UBC (Vancouver) student
- Consistently achieve at least class average in Data Science, Statistic and Math courses
- 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
Year 2 Schedules
Work Term Schedule A
| Year | Fall | Winter | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Study Term 1 | Study Term 2 | - |
| 2 | Study Term 3 + Apply for 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 | - |
Work Term Schedule B
| Year | Fall | Winter | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Study Term 1 | Study Term 2 | - |
| 2 | Study Term 3 + Apply for Co-op | Study Term 4 | |
| 3 | Study Term 5 | Study Term 6 | Work Term 1 |
| 4 | Work Term 2 | Work Term 3 | Work Term 4 |
| 5 | Study Term 7 | Study Term 8 | - |
Year 3 Schedule
| Year | Fall | Winter | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Study Term 1 | Study Term 2 | - |
| 2 | Study Term 3 | Study Term 4 | - |
| 3 | Study Term 5 + Apply to Co-op | Study Term 6 | |
| 4 | Work Term 1 | Work Term 2 | Work Term 3 |
| 5 | Work Term 4 | Study Term 7 | Study Term 8 |
Sample Jobs and Companies:
- Statistics Canada – Junior Mathematician and Statistician
- RBC – Data Analyst
- Realtor – Software Engineer
- SunLife International – Actuarial Analyst
- BC Children’s Hospital – Data Coordinator
- WorkSafe BC – Business Intelligence Analyst
- National Research Council of Canada – Database Developer
- Agriculture & Agri-food Canada – Bioinformatics Research Assistant
- Trulioo – Business Analyst