Co-Op Benefits, Eligibility & Requirements

The Co-Op Program is a highly selective, paid, yearlong internship that places approximately 6-12 UC San Diego undergraduates across disciplines with our partner companies, Catalent and Excellos. Students gain immersive, mentored industry experience while earning academic credit through the required course, BISP 182 Cooperative Education and Analysis, which integrates professional development, leadership training, and advanced science communication. Together, the internship and course form a rigorous, competitive pathway designed to prepare highly motivated and talented students for meaningful careers in the life sciences industry.

Co-Op alumni have achieved highly competitive outcomes that reflect the rigor of the program and the exceptional caliber of our students. Graduates have secured full-time roles at leading life sciences companies—including Thermo Fisher Scientific, Catalent, Excellos, and Illumina—often converting directly from their Co-Op placements into full-time scientist and engineer roles upon graduation. Others have advanced to prestigious graduate programs at institutions such as UC San Diego, UC Berkeley, UCSF, USC, MIT, and NYU, underscoring the Co-Op Program’s reputation as a premier pathway for developing industry-ready and graduate-level talent.

Eligibility for the Co-Op Program is determined by individual job descriptions, which outline company-specific qualifications and expectations. The program is open to undergraduates from all majors with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Because Co-Op placements span a full year and typically begin in summer, students graduating in the current academic year are not eligible. Some Co-Op companies consider international students; international students are encouraged to confirm eligibility directly with the company contact listed or by reaching out to biocap@ucsd.edu.

Program Timeline: Co-Op positions require a one-year commitment, typically beginning in summer and concluding the following June. For Catalent placements, start dates occur throughout the academic year, shortly after the position is posted.

Work Schedule: Students work full time during the summer (approximately 40 hours per week) and part time during the fall, winter, and spring quarters. Academic-year schedules are set in collaboration with the company supervisor and generally range from 10-20 hours per week to accommodate coursework.

Course Requirement: In parallel with their employment, all Co-Op students are required to enroll in the accompanying academic course, BISP 182 Cooperative Education and Analysis, with course-specific time commitments detailed below.

Class Schedule: Co-Op students enroll in BISP 182 Cooperative Education and Analysis for 2, 4, or 6 units during the fall, winter, and spring quarters while employed in their Co-Op positions. The course meets three times per quarter on various Mondays from 5:00-6:30 p.m., primarily in person on campus. Students are responsible for planning accordingly and avoiding enrollment in courses that conflict with this required meeting time.

Topics and Structure: The course provides structured, advanced training in career development, leadership, and science communication. Through applied instruction and guided reflection, students develop competencies in professional writing, networking, interviewing, and effective communication within industry settings, while engaging with life sciences professionals, peers, and UC San Diego faculty and staff.

Assignments and Symposia: Students complete weekly assignments aligned with their selected unit load, designed to integrate academic learning with their Co-Op experience. The course culminates in a formal poster presentation on their Co-Op work at the School of Biological Sciences Annual Student Research Symposium, providing a capstone opportunity to showcase professional and technical growth.