The Cooperative Education Program or Co-op Program offers the opportunity for students at St. FX to gain real work experience [http://www.sites.stfx.ca/co-op/]. It is an option for Biology students who are interested in exploring different career options. The co-op graduate with a Biology degree will be prepared to work within different levels of government, non-for-profits, or business.
What does Co-op look like?
The program consists of an alternating or internship model.
Alternating: Contains three four-month work-terms or one four month and one 8 month that are interspersed with academic studies. The work term sequencing may look like the following.
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Four month Alternating Example
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Year
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Fall
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Winter
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Summer
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1
(Not enrolled in Co-op)
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Academic Term 1
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Academic Term 2
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2
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Academic Term 3
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Academic Term 4/COOP 110
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3
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Work Term 1
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Academic Term 5/COOP 120
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Work Term 2
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4
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Academic Term 6/COOP 130
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Work Term 3
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5
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Academic Term 7/COOP 405
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Academic Term 8
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Eight month Alternating Example
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Year
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Fall
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Winter
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Summer
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1
(Not enrolled in Co-op)
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Academic Term 1
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Academic Term 2
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2
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Academic Term 3/COOP 110
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Academic Term 4/COOP 120
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Work Term 1
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3
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Academic Term 5/COOP 130
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Work Term 2
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Work Term 3
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4
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Academic Term 6/COOP 405
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Academic Term 7
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5
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Academic Term 8
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Internship: 12 months of contineous employment with a single employer.
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Twelve month Internship Example
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Year
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Fall
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Winter
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Summer
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1
(Not enrolled in Co-op)
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Academic Term 1
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Academic Term 2
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2
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Academic Term 3
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Academic Term 4
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3
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Academic Term 5/COOP 110/COOP120
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Academic Term 6/ COOP 130
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Work Term 1
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4
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Work Term 2
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Work Term 3
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Work Term 4 (optional)
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5
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Academic Term 7/ COOP 405
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Academic Term 8
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A minimum 65% overall average is required for acceptance into Co-op Program. Students who successfully complete three work terms will be awarded three academic credits.
NEW: To view an online presentation of the Co-op Education program for Biology students
click here
Interested in learning more about the program contact: Trudy Delorey (StFX Biology Alumnus), co-op@stfx.ca
