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Co-op Programs

Program Overview

McMaster Science Co-op has approximately 400 students ready to apply their academic training in a practical, real-world setting. These young professionals can bring new perspectives and experiences to your organization. Our co-op students complete a total of three or four 4-month work terms, which allow them to gain relevant professional skills and experience before graduation.

McMaster Science students enter co-op in year 3 of their program, having completed at least 5 academic semesters before their first work term. Entry to our program is competitive and is based on an application, a student’s GPA and an entrance interview. Students are given the option of combining 2 work terms for an 8-month block. Our students are highly motivated and well prepared to enter the workforce.

Our Programs:

The AFM Co-op program prepares students with the knowledge and skills to write their actuarial exams and enter the financial industry. Students have strong background knowledge in Statistical Software Programming, Functional Programming and Regression Analysis. Exposed to an interdisciplinary approach in their courses, AFM co-op students are familiar with key industry topics such as life insurance, financial markets and derivatives, risk managements and general statistical methods.

The Biochemistry Co-op program allows students to take a wide range of courses in biochemistry, chemical biology, chemistry and biology. With a specialization in biomedical sciences, our biochemistry co-op students are well equipped to work in academia and industry. Our program teaches students specialized lab skills such as spectroscopy, chromatography, ELISA and protein purification, along with research and data analysis. Students complete a mandatory senior thesis in Year 4.

Biology and Pharmacology Co-op is a limited and highly competitive program that combines courses in biological sciences and pharmacology with those in health science. With a mandatory thesis and a focus on problem-based learning and lab skills development, our Biology and Pharmacology students have specialized knowledge in the theoretical and practical applications of drugs. Students are can work in a wide range of research environments, pharmaceutical development, quality control and medical consulting.

Chemical Biology Co-op students apply the tools of chemistry to study biological applications. Students take courses in chemical biology, biochemistry and chemistry, with key topics focused on medicinal chemistry, analytical chemistry, genetics and biomolecular interactions. With rigorous lab-based training and an optional senior thesis, students learn specialized skills such as spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and chromatography. Chemical Biology Students are well equipped to work in settings such as biotechnology, pharmaceutical research and development, nuclear medicine and cancer research.

Our Chemistry Co-op Students reframe the way problems are approached by taking a unique integrated and inquiry-based approach to research and problem-solving. With a focus on analytical, inorganic, materials, organic, and physical and theoretical chemistry, our students are well prepared to work in research or industrial fields. Equipped with specialized lab skills, Chemistry Co-op students are well suited for work environments in pharmaceutical development and production, organic/inorganic synthesis, nanotechnology, wastewater treatment and more.

Our Earth and Environmental Sciences Co-op program provides a background in the fundamental sciences, and a range of geoscience and environmental science knowledge. With a focus in aqueous geochemistry, earth sciences, environmental hydrology and geographic information systems (GIS), our students meet all of the academic requirements for professional certification as geoscientists in Ontario. Equipped with a wide variety of basic lab skills, field assessment and monitoring, hydrological processes, GIS and mapping, our students are well prepared for a wide range of work settings.

Our Environmental Science Co-op program prepares our students to be adaptable and approach every problem in an interdisciplinary fashion. Equipped with skills in field assessment and monitoring, hydrological processes, geographic information systems (GIS) and mapping, and geochemistry, our students are well prepared for a wide range of work settings. Students work in areas such as climate change analysis, water and waste treatment, geochemical analysis, GIS mapping, environmental remediation, and more.

As a flexible program focused on interdisciplinary studies among Human Geography and Environmental Sciences, students develop broad knowledge and understand the linkages among societal problems and environmental ones. Equipped with a wide variety of basic laboratory skills, field assessment and monitoring, hydrological processes, geographic information systems (GIS) and mapping, our students are well prepared for a wide range of work settings.

Offering an inquiry and problem-based experience, Life Science Co-op students receive multi-disciplinary training and knowledge in a variety of fields, including life sciences, environmental sciences, health sciences, biology, chemistry, and physics. The program has a strong focus on experiential learning and includes an optional thesis, field courses, placement course and lab courses. Students work in academic and industrial research, scientific communications, pharmaceutical marketing, clinical trial monitoring, quality assurance, and many more.

The Mathematics and Statistics Co-op program prepares students with the knowledge and skills to understand and apply theoretical mathematics to the real world. Students have strong background knowledge in Statistical Software Programming, Functional Programming and Regression Analysis. With the program’s interdisciplinary approach, Math and Statistics Co-op students are familiar with key industry topics such as survey methodology, information security, auditing and consulting.

Our Medical and Biological Physics is the study of biologically relevant problems using the techniques of physics. Students learn about membranes and soft materials, molecular biophyscis, and computation and laboratory methods.

Our Molecular Biology and Genetics Co-op students acquire detailed knowledge about biological processes through a wide range of molecular biology courses. Key topics include human genetics, pathology, cytology, cell biology, molecular genetics, biotechnology and protein isolation. Our Co-op students have technical skills in assays and cell culture, protein purification, DNA isolation and many more.

Our Physics Co-op program provides our students with experience through a balance of theoretical and experimental lab courses that offer a solid basis for many roles. The program exposes students to key areas of study such as electricity and magnetism, mechanics, and an introduction to scientific computing preparing them to work in a wide range of settings.

The Honours Sustainable Chemistry program provides students with a uniquely integrated and inquiry-based approach to research and problem-solving in chemistry. The traditional practices of Chemistry are examined through the lens of sustainability, with the objective to develop students who can identify and implement better ways to practice chemistry.