Science Co-op Program
Laurier’s Faculty of Science offers programs that are contemporary and competitive, designed to attract the highest quality students and to provide them with a stimulating education and thorough preparation for employment or further studies. Small class sizes in the science programs provide an opportunity for interaction between students and faculty and for practical laboratory learning. The faculty is a centre for research in the natural, physical and social sciences.
Science co-op is available to honours students in the following majors:
- Biochemistry and Biotechnology
- Biology*
- Chemistry
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Studies**
- Financial Mathematics*
- Financial Mathematics and Analytics*
- Geography*
- Health Sciences
- Honours Science
- Kinesiology
- Mathematics*
- Physics
- Psychology*
- Psychology and Neuroscience
*Available as Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science.
** Available as Bachelor of Arts.
Mathematics and Data Analytics is not eligible for co-op.
Scroll down for information about co-op programs for students in Computer Science, Data Science, Environmental Studies, Geography, and Water Science and Environmental Health at the Waterloo campus.
Students in Environmental Studies or Geography admitted to Science Co-op before fall 2025, you will continue to follow the co-op program and sequence assigned to you at your admission to co-op; your co-op program and sequence remain unchanged.
Student Testimonial
“For my first work term, I received a grant to found Northern Girl Fitness and publish a health and fitness journal to help others set and track their health goals.In my second work term, the Menich Award funded my job promoting physical activity at Parkwood Mennonite Home, where I launched a walking campaign for which I was recognized by Senior Care Canada.”
Heather Tunks, Kinesiology, Class of 2017
|
Year |
Fall (September-December) |
Winter (January - April) |
Spring (May-August) |
|
1 |
Study Term |
Study Term |
Break |
|
2 |
Study Term |
Study Term |
Work Term 1 |
|
3 |
Study Term |
Study Term |
Work Term 2 |
|
4 |
Study Term |
Study Term |
| Industry | Highest | Lowest |
| Academic | insufficient data | insufficient data |
| Government | $875 | $652 |
| Non-Profit | $908 | minimum wage |
| Private | $1,160 | minimum wage |
| Industry | Highest | Lowest |
| Academic | $767 | minimum wage |
| Government | $938 | $621 |
| Non-Profit | $970 | minimum wage |
| Private | $956 | minimum wage |
Overall average weekly salary for Spring 2024 was $722.
Behaviour and Inclusion Specialist
Research best practices, modify activities, create an inclusive environment, and be an advocate to ensure every child has the opportunity to participate in the camp, recreational, or program experience.
Camp Supervisor
Responsible for marketing, promotions, daily operations, developing curriculum, communicating with parents and campers, and hiring, training, and supervising camp instructors.
Digital and Social Media Intern
Incorporate the latest digital trends to plan, execute, and evaluate social media campaigns that will make a lasting impact on the organization’s marketing success.
Geographic Information Systems Intern
Collect field data, import, export, and convert and organize data, and create and maintain maps and GIS applications for internal and external use.
Junior Policy Analyst
Research, conduct analysis, and assist in developing and implementing policies, programs, and corporate strategic plans.
Laboratory Assistant
Perform scientific preparations, experiments, analysis, and reports in a laboratory setting.
Market Research Associate
Research and maintain knowledge of current trends in marketing and innovation to improve efficiency of company processes and quality of deliverables.
Program and Events Coordinator
Research, plan, promote, and lead programs and events for children, youth, and families.
Research and Evaluation Assistant
Support the planning, development, and maintenance of evaluation and research activities through literature searches, data collection and analysis. Develop and disseminate reports and communications materials.
Wellness and Recreation Facilitator
Support wellness in seniors by developing and facilitating group fitness and social programming and by supporting individual clients with their physiotherapy goals.
Computer Science students gain strong algorithm analysis and design skills in procedural, object-oriented and low-level languages. Sample courses include applied cryptology, digital electronics, computer graphics, parallel programming and Windows application programming.
Students pursuing an Honours BA or a BSc in Computer Science may apply to co-op at the end of first year. Students complete three four-month work terms. The first work term is in the fall term following 3A, the second is in the spring following 3B, and the final is in the winter, following 4A.
- The Honours BSc Computer Science and Psychology and the Honours BSc Computer Science and Psychology: Computation and Cognitive Neuroscience Stream programs are not eligible for co-op.
- The Honours BSc Computer Science and Mathematics and Honours BSc Computer Science and Physics are eligible for co-op, however students need to plan ahead to confirm course availability understanding they may need to follow a different work study sequence.
| Year | Fall (September - December) | Winter (January - April) | Spring (May - August) |
| 1 | 1A academic term | 1B academic term | Break |
| 2 | 2A academic term | 2B academic term | 3A academic term |
| 3 | Work term 1 | 3B academic term | Work term 2 |
| 4 | 4A academic term | Work term 3 | 4B academic term |
Academic Credit
Undergraduate co-op students in Computer Science receive academic credit for participating in co-op. To obtain the co-op designation on your transcript you need to pass the co-op fundamentals course, receive a rating of at least satisfactory on each work term report and receive a rating of at least satisfactory on each performance evaluation.
Average Weekly Salary
Computer Science, Data Science, Professional Experience Program (PEP)
2023 Calendar Year
| Industry | Highest | Lowest | Average |
| Academic | $770 | $665 | $728 |
| Government | $836 | $632 | $750 |
| Industry/Commerce | $1,322 | $638 | $875 |
| Industry | Highest | Lowest | Average |
| Academic | $750 | $643 | $704 |
| Government | $869 | $665 | $780 |
| Industry/Commerce | $1,322 | $661 | $940 |
| Industry | Highest | Lowest | Average |
| Government | $868 | $614 | $805 |
| Industry/Commerce | $1,827 | $750 | $1,013 |
| *Some PEP students completed a 4th work term | |||
Laurier’s Data Science program teaches students to extract insights from complex data. Participants study algorithm design, discrete mathematics, machine learning, statistical learning and data analytics, and may concentrate in big data or financial risk analysis.
Data Science co-op students complete three work terms of four months each, in approved employment related to their discipline or career goals. The first work term is in the fall term of third year, following 3A, the second is in the spring following 3B, and the final is in the winter, following 4A.
|
Year |
Fall (September to December) |
Winter (January to April) |
Spring (May to August) |
|
1 |
1A academic term |
1B academic term |
Break |
|
2 |
2A academic term |
2B academic term |
3A academic term |
|
3 |
Work term 1 |
3B academic term |
Work term 2 |
|
4 |
4A academic term |
Work term 3 |
4B academic term |
Academic Credit
Undergraduate co-op students in Data Science receive academic credit for participating in co-op. To obtain the co-op designation on your transcript you need to pass the co-op fundamentals course, receive a rating of at least satisfactory on each work term report and receive a rating of at least satisfactory on each performance evaluation.
Average Weekly Salary
Computer Science, Data Science, Professional Experience Program (PEP)
2023 Calendar Year
| Industry | Highest | Lowest | Average |
| Academic | $770 | $665 | $728 |
| Government | $836 | $632 | $750 |
| Industry/Commerce | $1,322 | $638 | $875 |
| Industry | Highest | Lowest | Average |
| Academic | $750 | $643 | $704 |
| Government | $869 | $665 | $780 |
| Industry/Commerce | $1,322 | $661 | $940 |
| Industry | Highest | Lowest | Average |
| Government | $868 | $614 | $805 |
| Industry/Commerce | $1,827 | $750 | $1,013 |
| *Some PEP students completed a 4th work term | |||
Environmental Studies students explore the intersection of natural and social sciences to deepen the understanding of human-environment interactions. Students focus on applied issues like sustainability, environmental policy, climate change adaptions, and strategies to ensure a healthy future for both people and culture.
Environmental Studies Co-op is available to honours students in BA Environmental Studies.
Students may apply to co-op at the end of first year. Students complete three four-month work terms. The first work term is in the fall following 3A, the second is in the spring following 3B, and the final is in winter, following 4A.
| Fall (September - December) | Winter (January - April) | Spring (May - August) | |
| Year 1 | 1A academic term | 1B academic term | Break |
| Year 2 | 2A academic term | 2B academic term | 3A academic term |
| Year 3 | Work Term 1 | 3B academic term | Work Term 2 |
| Year 4 | 4A academic term | Work Term 3 | 4B academic term |
| Fall (September - December) | Winter (January - April) | Spring (May - August) | |
| Year 1 | 1A academic term | 1B academic term | Break |
| Year 2 | 2A academic term | 2B academic term | Work Term 1 |
| Year 3 | 3A academic term | 3B academic term | Work Term 2 |
| Year 4 | 4A academic term | 4B academic term |
Academic Credit
Undergraduate co-op students in Environmental Studies receive academic credit for participating in co-op. To obtain the co-op designation on your transcript you need to pass the co-op fundamentals course, receive a rating of at least satisfactory on each work term report and receive a rating of at least satisfactory on each performance evaluation.
Geography students examine the characteristics of human and physical features on Earth and processes that shape them. Students learn how to analyze complex issues in areas such as travel, health, food systems, climate, or water distribution in anticipation of their future career.
Geography Co-op is available to honours students in the following programs:
- BA Geography
- BSc Geography and Geomatics
- BSc Geography
Students may apply to co-op at the end of first year. Students complete three four-month work terms. The first work term is in the fall following 3A, the second is in the spring following 3B, and the final is in winter, following 4A.
| Fall (September - December) | Winter (January - April) | Spring (May - August) | |
| Year 1 | 1A academic term | 1B academic term | Break |
| Year 2 | 2A academic term | 2B academic term | 3A academic term |
| Year 3 | Work Term 1 | 3B academic term | Work Term 2 |
| Year 4 | 4A academic term | Work Term 3 | 4B academic term |
| Fall (September - December) | Winter (January - April) | Spring (May - August) | |
| Year 1 | 1A academic term | 1B academic term | Break |
| Year 2 | 2A academic term | 2B academic term | Work Term 1 |
| Year 3 | 3A academic term | 3B academic term | Work Term 2 |
| Year 4 | 4A academic term | 4B academic term |
Academic Credit
Undergraduate co-op students in Geography receive academic credit for participating in co-op. To obtain the co-op designation on your transcript you need to pass the co-op fundamentals course, receive a rating of at least satisfactory on each work term report and receive a rating of at least satisfactory on each performance evaluation.
Honours Computer Science students in the Professional Experience Program may have completed courses in software engineering, machine learning, system programming, digital system design, and algorithm design and analysis before their extended work term begins after third year. Students pursue work in areas such as programming, networking technology, quality assurance, technical support or information technology consulting. Participants begin a 12-16-month term in May.
What Students Say
“Automating processes and rebuilding a website for Manulife enhanced my technical skills, and gaining some experience with machine learning helped confirm that field as a career goal.”
TEJASVI PAL, PEP, CLASS OF 2020
Academic Competencies
Computer Science
The aim of the Computer Science program is to develop strong algorithm analysis and design skills in procedural, object-oriented and low level languages. In addition to these essential concepts, students gain necessary experience in group work, project administration, and time management.
By the end of the third year all Computer Science students will have developed competence in the following areas and tools:
- software engineering
- algorithm design and analysis
- data structures
- operating systems
- computer networks
- database
- object-oriented programming
- differential and integral calculus
- linear algebra
- C, JAVA, Maple, Python
- Linux, Windows, PalmOS
- Assembly for Motorola 68000
- SQL
| Year | Fall (September-December) | Winter (January-April) | Spring (May-August) |
| 1 | Study Term | Study Term | Break |
| 2 | Study Term | Study Term | Break |
| 3 | Study Term | Study Term | Work Term |
| 4 | Work Term |
Work Term |
Work Term |
| 5 | Study Term | Study Term |
Average Weekly Salary
Computer Science, Data Science, Professional Experience Program (PEP)
2023 Calendar Year
| Industry | Highest | Lowest | Average |
| Academic | $770 | $665 | $728 |
| Government | $836 | $632 | $750 |
| Industry/Commerce | $1,322 | $638 | $875 |
| Industry | Highest | Lowest | Average |
| Academic | $750 | $643 | $704 |
| Government | $869 | $665 | $780 |
| Industry/Commerce | $1,322 | $661 | $940 |
| Industry | Highest | Lowest | Average |
| Government | $868 | $614 | $805 |
| Industry/Commerce | $1,827 | $750 | $1,013 |
| *Some PEP students completed a 4th work term | |||
If you are a first-year student in Water Science and Environmental Health, contact coopadmissions@wlu.ca if you have any questions after reviewing the information on our site.
Water Science and Environmental Health is an interdisciplinary program jointly operated by the departments of Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Geography and Environmental Studies.
Students completing a Water Science and Environmental Health degree learn about hydrology, limnology, biogeochemistry, toxicology, biology, water governance and policy.
Participants complete two eight-month work terms. Their first begins in January after 3A, and their second begins in May after 4A.
| Fall (September - December) | Winter (January - April) | Spring (May - August) | |
| Year 1 | 1A academic term | 1B academic term | Break |
| Year 2 | 2A academic term | 2B academic term | Break |
| Year 3 | 3A academic term | Work Term 1 | Work Term 2 |
| Year 4 | 3B academic term | 4A academic term | Work Term 3 |
| Year 5 | Work Term 4 | 4B academic term |
Academic Credit
Undergraduate co-op students in Water Science and Environmental Health receive academic credit for participating in co-op. To obtain the co-op designation on your transcript you need to pass the co-op fundamentals course, receive a rating of at least satisfactory on each work term report and receive a rating of at least satisfactory on each performance evaluation.