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Careers and Co-op

TMU is one of the few universities with optional co-op streams in each of its science programs which embeds real-world, paid work placements right into a degree. Co-op adds an extra year to your academic program, but you'll finish with many competitive advantages – all before you graduate. All the Faculty of Science co-op programs are accredited by CEWIL (external link)  (Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning, Canada).

CEWIL Accredited Program badge

Why Co-op?

Fill your resume
Gain real-world work experience in your field

Build your network
Meet industry professionals and gather references

Earn a salary

Co-op students can earn over $7,000 per term

Ben Cornish

Student Spotlight

“Co-op has been, by far, the most valuable piece of my [TMU] experience. Through work terms in data science at TD Bank, I’ve expanded my career skills, boosted my confidence in the workplace, and applied course material that I never thought I’d need!” – Ben Cornish, Financial Mathematics co-op student

Program Highlights

The optional co-op stream is available in each one of our Faculty of Science programs. Check out more details within the range of science co-op programs, including some of the roles and employers our co-op students have worked in.

  • Program Length: Five years, full time
  • Work Terms: 3-5 work terms, each 16 weeks long, at 35-40 hrs/wk
  • Experience Gained: Total of 12-20 months full-time experience
  • Co-op Fees: Extra fees are paid in installments over the entire program.
  • Wages: Students can potentially earn over $7000 per work term. Science co-op students earn, on average, the highest hourly wages compared to other co-op programs.

Find out more about how co-op works.

Where Could You Land?

Students often say that co-op helped them decide on a specific career path. By working in different roles at various organizations, you’ll try out firsthand what interests you most and where you might prefer to work after graduating. Our co-op students have gained exposure to top organizations including:

Royal Bank Canada (RBC)
Google
Sick Kids Hospital
Apotex Canada
Ministry of Agriculture
Statistics Canada & more...

Jason Silva

Employer Spotlight

“Our company has employed co-op students for years. When it’s a good fit, we’ve even hired them outright after graduation. We love the fresh thinking and enthusiasm [TMU] students bring. They get to build their professional network and apply what they’ve learned in class to the real world — and our company gets access to a diverse set of talented, hardworking individuals.” – Jason Silva, Managing Director, ServiceEcho

STEM-Focused Counselling

The science job market is highly specialized, with its own unique characteristics. To meet your career development needs, talk with the Faculty of Science’s own Career Education Specialist. Book an appointment for help with:

  • career direction
  • graduate school options
  • job searching
  • and more

 

Job Search Support

Whether you’re looking for a part-time job or you’re planning a professional job search before graduation, the Toronto Met Career & Co-op Centre can help. Guides, resources and advice are available:

STEM Career fair at Ryerson.

Career Fairs, Networking & Events

Check out prospective employers. Connect with hiring recruiters. Chat with recent graduates. Explore different career options. The Toronto Met Career & Co-op Centre organizes career fairs and networking events — including the annual STEM Career Fair.  

Alumni Career Services

Even after you finish your degree, you can still come back for career help. Alumni can access career & co-op services for up to five years after graduating.  

Work Term Schedule Examples

Semester Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Fall
Study Study Study WKT 605 Study
Winter Study Study WKT 505 Study Study
Spring Free WKT 405
WKT 506 WKT 606 Graduation
  • Science Schedule* – *Applies to Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry, Financial Math, Mathematics and its Applications and Medical Physics
  • Schedule 1 & 2* – Applies to Computer Science Co-op program.
  • Some co-op programs allow students to change their work term sequence with the permission of their Co-op Faculty Advisor. Depending on the students’ schedule and preference, their work term may be extended to 8, 12 or 16 months of continual employment.
     
Semester Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Fall
Study Study WKT 203
Study Study
Winter Study Study Study WKT 403
Study
Spring Free WKT 103 WKT 303 WKT 503 Graduation
  • Science Schedule* – *Applies to Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry, Financial Math, Mathematics and its Applications and Medical Physics
  • Schedule 1 & 2* – Applies to Computer Science Co-op program.
  • Some co-op programs allow students to change their work term sequence with the permission of their Co-op Faculty Advisor. Depending on the students’ schedule and preference, their work term may be extended to 8, 12 or 16 months of continual employment.
     
Semester Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Fall
Study Study Study WKT 303
Study
Winter Study Study Study WKT 403
Study
Spring Free WKT 103 WKT 203 WKT 503 Graduation
  • Science Schedule* – *Applies to Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry, Financial Math, Mathematics and its Applications and Medical Physics
  • Schedule 1 & 2* – Applies to Computer Science Co-op program.
  • Some co-op programs allow students to change their work term sequence with the permission of their Co-op Faculty Advisor. Depending on the students’ schedule and preference, their work term may be extended to 8, 12 or 16 months of continual employment.
     

“Everyone should visit the Career Centre and attend their workshops. I'm also grateful for the work experience I gained on campus. These all built my confidence and helped me decide on a career path after graduation.”

Akin Ojo, Medical Physics Co-op '17
Akin Ojo