Co-Op Benefits, Eligibility & Requirements

The Co-Op Program is a paid one-year internship program open to undergraduates of all majors at one of our BioCAP partner companies where you'll have a mentor at the company. You'll also gain academic units and professional development training by participating in the required Co-Op course at UC San Diego, Cooperative Education and Analysis. This course is designed to equip you with essential career development and science communication skills, setting you up for success in the world of work. Learn about eligibility, time commitment and the course requirement below, and review the application process.

1. To determine your eligibility, review individual job descriptions, as they outline specific eligibility criteria.
2. The Co-Op Program is open to undergraduate students and many positions are available to students from various majors, extending beyond Biological Sciences.
3. A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required to apply.
4. If you're graduating this academic year, you’re unfortunately ineligible to apply, as Co-Op positions span a full year and most start in summer.
5. Certain companies welcome international students, often indicated on the job description. If you're uncertain about your eligibility as an international student, don't hesitate to reach out to the company contact listed on the job description or contact us at biocap@ucsd.edu.

Program Timeline: For most Co-Op positions, the commitment spans one year. At most companies, you'll begin in the summer and conclude the following June. At Catalent, you’d start soon after the position is posted in the academic year. In some cases, companies may offer you the opportunity to extend your Co-Op position beyond one year.

Work Schedule: As a Co-Op student, you'll work full-time, averaging close to 40 hours per week during the summer and part-time during fall, spring, and winter quarters. Your schedule for each quarter will be determined collaboratively with your supervisor to accommodate your academic commitments. Most Co-Op students work 10-20 hours per week during the academic year.

Course Requirement: In addition to your work schedule, you'll also enroll in a course. Details regarding the time commitment for this course are outlined below.

Class Schedule: As a Co-Op student, you'll enroll in the required Co-Op course, BISP 182 Cooperative Education and Analysis, throughout the fall, winter, and spring quarters while working in your Co-Op position. This interactive class meets in person on campus three times per quarter on Mondays during Weeks 3, 5, and 7 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. It's essential to plan accordingly for this course and avoid enrolling in courses that overlap with it.

Topics and Structure: In this course, you'll dive deep into career development, soft skills, and leadership development. Through engaging topics and hands-on assignments, you'll master resume and cover letter development, networking strategies, behavioral interview skills, and science communication. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to foster a supportive community by connecting with professionals in the life sciences industry, as well as UC San Diego faculty, staff, and your Co-Op cohort peers.

Assignments and Symposia: Throughout the quarter, you'll complete weekly assignments tailored to your chosen unit load—2, 4, or 6 units. In spring, you'll showcase your Co-Op experience with a final presentation at a campus symposium. This course is designed to seamlessly integrate and balance with your work and academic responsibilities, with only 4.5 hours of class time per quarter and reasonable weekly homework assignments.