BCS Co-op Program

The BCS (ICS) Program offers a co-operative education option to students who are interested in gaining work experience in the information technology field prior to the completion of their degree. Students interested in the Co-op option are encouraged to submit a separate application through the Computer Science Co-op Program (https://sciencecoop.ubc.ca/prospective/apply/bcs), after they have been admitted to BCS. Students tend to start their Co-op work-term after the third or fourth academic term (see Academic Schedule); contact the Co-op office for further details. BCS students normally do not go out on Co-op during the first summer.

BCS students who have been admitted into the Co-op program receive training through a series of mandatory workshops on such topics as resumes, cover letters, interview skills, and transitions to the workplace before they begin applying for Co-op positions. Students apply for Co-op positions in conjunction with the Co-op office, as well as conducting their own job search, if they wish.

Co-op positions are full-time, paid positions related to a student's degree. For BCS students, these positions can be in Computer Science or in a position that combines their knowledge from their previous degree (and/or prior work experience) with what they have learned in the academic terms of BCS.

Students successfully placed with a company will be enrolled in a Co-op course and pay the associated Co-op fee for each Co-op term (see Program, Course, and Faculty Fees section in UBC Calendar). In their prior academic term, Co-op students must also budget additional time for applying for Co-op jobs and for preparing for, and attending, interviews. This can take as much time as an extra course.

Please also note that BCS students cannot end their program with a Co-op term; it must be study term.

The Co-op program is an optional program in which students apply for admission. BCS students must fulfill the minimum co-op requirements to be eligible (see https://sciencecoop.ubc.ca/prospective/apply/bcs for more details):

1. Be in the process of completing CPSC 110
2. Maintain a cumulative average of B- (68%)
3. Demonstrate consistent and sufficient progress through the BCS program, including achieving the class average and above in Computer Science courses
4. Demonstrate sufficient technical, communication and teamwork skills useful to Co-op employers

After the application is assessed, the students meeting the eligibility will be interviewed, where they are assessed for soft skills such as verbal and written communication, professionalism, a good attitude and computer related technical skills. Students need to maintain good progress through their coursework in order to be considered for the co-op program.

Co-op is a competitive program; therefore, not all students are accepted into the program. However, about 75% of the BCS students decide to apply to the co-op program, and a majority of them are accepted.

The BCS Co-op program is administered by the Science Co-op office. If you have been admitted to the BCS program, you can contact the Co-op administrative assistant (CSCoop@sciencecoop.ubc.ca; 604-822-8844) for more information about the Co-op option.