Biological Science and Management – Complementary Studies – Co-operative Education

General information

As students proceed through the Biological Science program, they will obtain a background in cell biology, genetics and molecular biology, physiology, biochemistry and developmental biology. Senior level courses such as Bioethics, Neuroscience, Functional Genomics and Proteomics, along with access to modern laboratories, computational tools, sophisticated equipment and state-of-the-art facilities will enable advanced research work and skills training in industry best practice and in research.

The Biological Science program offers specializations in Life Sciences , Environmental Toxicology  and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology , as well as an unspecialized Biology degree (Complementary Studies ).

Co-operative education and experiential learning

The Faculty of Science offers an optional co-operative education program to students in Applied and Industrial Mathematics, Biological Science, Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics, and the Management options. Eligible students in the Forensic Science program have the opportunity for academically-related work experience in a fourth year Thesis Project under the supervision of a faculty member or with a forensic professional in an external forensic agency.

As defined by the Canadian Association for Co-operative Education (CAFCE), co-operative education is a program that formally integrates a student’s academic studies with paid, career-related work experience with participating employers. Co-operative education provides many benefits to students including the opportunity to gain valuable practical experience, to earn competitive salaries that partially offset the cost of their education, to help clarify career objectives, and to develop valuable networking that will enhance opportunities for full-time employment upon graduation. Studies have shown that students in the same academic program who graduate from a co-operative education stream have lower debt loads and are employed faster and with higher starting salaries than those who graduate from the regular stream.

Interested students may apply to the Faculty of Science co-operative education program as early as the Fall of Year 2. Applicants are accepted based on their cumulative grade point average (minimum cGPA of 2.70 (B-) required), their academic standing, and having no record of misconduct. While the Faculty of Science cannot guarantee a co-op placement, assistance, advice and counselling is provided to all students in co-operative education.

Beginning after Year 2 of their academic program, eligible students have the opportunity to integrate their academic studies with up to 20 months of relevant experience.  Traditionally, the distribution of academic and co-op work terms have adhered to the pattern outlined below. However, alternative patterns of academic terms and co-op terms may be approved by an advisor, provided the pattern still meets the CAFCE criteria for co-operative education and is acceptable to the employer and the student.

The schedule of study terms and co-op work terms is as follows:

Students will be required to attend mandatory co-op pre-program workshops prior to attending their placement for the first time.  Each co-op work term is assessed by a faculty advisor on the basis of the student’s work term report and an employer valuation. Co-op work terms are graded on a pass/fail basis. Please note that four work terms are required in order to satisfy the co-op degree requirements.

Students will have opportunities to undertake research inside or outside the university. Please consult science.uoit.ca for details.

Science and Management

The combination Science and Management program will consist of the curriculum from the selected science program and 10 courses in business and management that are taken in Year 6 of the Co-op program. Graduates will benefit from a complete science education complemented by solid accounting, finance, operations, human resources and marketing skills.

UOIT’s Bachelor of Science and Management (Honours) is available to students in any specialization including co-op education within the following programs:

• Applied and Industrial Mathematics and Management – Co-operative Education  
• Biological Science and Management – Complementary Studies – Co-operative Education  
• Biological Science and Management – Environmental Toxicology specialization – Co-operative Education  
• Biological Science and Management – Life Sciences specialization – Co-operative Education  
• Biological Science and Management – Pharmaceutical Biotechnology specialization – Co-operative Education  
• Chemistry and Management – Comprehensive – Co-operative Education  
• Chemistry and Management – Chemical Biology specialization – Co-operative Education  
• Chemistry – Pharmaceutical Chemistry specialization – Co-operative Education  
• Computer Science and Management – Comprehensive – Co-operative Education  
• Computer Science and Management – Digital Media specialization – Co-operative Education 
• Physics and Management – Comprehensive – Co-operative Education  
• Physics and Management – Astrophysics specialization – Co-operative Education  
• Physics and Management – Energy and Environmental Physics specialization – Co-operative Education  

Students in one of the Faculty of Science regular programs may also complete a Science and Management combination program. The Science and Management programs (without co-op) will take students five years to complete. Details are available within the specific program pages.

Admission requirements

Applications to the Bachelor of Science and Management will be accepted in the winter semester of student’s third year of study. A minimum GPA of 2.3 is required to be eligible to apply to the program. This program may have limited space and applications are considered on a competitive basis.  Successful applicants will be notified by the Registrar’s office by the end of May term of application.

Program details and degree requirements

The Science and Management program follows the same program map and degree requirements as the four-year degree program for each option. The program includes the addition of 10 BUSI courses in sixth year. Please note the Business electives are subject to availability of space and not all electives are offered each semester.

Biological Science – Complementary Studies

Students must successfully complete 120 credit hours according to the following requirements:

Science and Management – Program map (for co-op students)

Science and Management – Program map (for co-op students)