Co-op Program

Prospective & Current Students

BMLSc Co-op

Alternate your studies with paid work terms in academic, clinical, and industrial laboratories — supervised by practising professionals, in partnership with UBC Science Co-op.

Apply via Science Co-op Read Vivian’s story
What is BMLSc Co-op?

Real lab work, woven into your degree

Minimum average B− 68% Cumulative, good standing
Eligible Year 3 Once you’ve completed the Year 3 Standard Timetable
Work terms start May · Sept · Jan Flexible placement timing
In partnership with Science Co-op UBC Vancouver

The BMLSc Co-op program prepares qualified students for careers in medical laboratory science through work placements supervised by practising professionals. Developed in partnership with the UBC Science Co-op Program, it’s open to BMLSc students who have completed the Year 3 Standard Time Table (STT).

Admission is based on academic performance and employment suitability, usually determined through an application and interview. You might work as a research assistant or technical support staff in an academic, clinical, or industrial lab. Being admitted to Co-op doesn’t guarantee a placement in every work term.

How to apply

Deadlines & eligibility

Applications open to students who have completed the required prerequisites. For the full, current deadline and eligibility details, always check the Science Co-op website.

Application deadline
Year 3 at time of applying
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Submit before the deadline in your third year to be considered for the following work terms.
  • Minimum cumulative average of B− (68%)
  • Full-time UBC (Vancouver) student in good academic standing
  • Strong communication skills and a responsible, mature attitude
  • Demonstrated leadership, teamwork, and time management
  • Genuine interest in your chosen field
  • Flexibility to accept a placement outside the Lower Mainland
Meeting the eligibility criteria doesn’t automatically guarantee acceptance into the Co-op Program.
How it fits together

Your work-term schedule

Years 1–2 are your college or university-transfer study terms. From Year 3, study and work terms alternate:

Year
Fall
Winter
Summer
3
Study Term 5Apply for Co-op
Study Term 6Study
Work Term 1Work
4
Work Term 2Work
Work Term 3Work
Work Term 4Work
5
Study Term 7Study
Study Term 8Study
—
Study term Work term Apply for Co-op
Where you might work

Sample placements

A snapshot of the kinds of roles BMLSc Co-op students take on with our employer partners.

Recent Co-op roles

Two employer partners
Stemcell Technologies Inc.

Protein & Antibody Technologies Co-op Student

Mammalian cell culture, cell-based activity assays, SDS-PAGE, column chromatography, ELISA and western blotting, literature searches, and data collation in GraphPad — alongside the routine tasks of running a working laboratory.

NanoVation Therapeutics

Preclinical Co-op Student

Formulation, concentration, and characterization of lipid nanoparticles; cell culture media preparation; LNP transfection in human primary and secondary cell cultures; protein extraction; and sample analyses using bioluminescence and fluorescence assays.

BMLSc Co-op Student

Vivian’s story

Co-op · Summer Vivian, a 4th-year BMLSc Co-op student
Vivian 4th-year BMLSc · Co-op at ALS Global (Geochemistry)

Co-op has helped me grow both personally and professionally, giving me a clearer sense of direction in my career.

What do you do in your current Co-op placement?

At ALS Geochemistry, a laboratory group that provides analytical testing services for the mining industry, I work as a laboratory assistant, assisting with various tasks related to the analysis of mineral samples. This includes sample preparation followed by different digestion procedures such as acid leaching and fluoride fusions. I also operate instruments for elemental determination within the digested samples while evaluating QC checks and calibration standards.

How is Co-op helping your personal growth?

Co-op has significantly enhanced my social and communication skills through day-to-day interactions with my mentors and supervisors. My Co-op experiences have also strengthened my confidence in both technical and soft skills as I became more familiar with the professional working environment.

For employers

Hire a BMLSc Co-op student

Get started

Our students are available to start in January, May, and September.

The Science Co-op Program Office can guide you through hiring, step by step.

Why UBC Science Co-op Employer FAQ
Contacts