Biology co-op

by | Programs

biology co-op student in the field

Positions Biology co-op students can hold

  • Assistant wildlife biologist – Parks Canada (Lake Louise, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks)
  • Environment regulatory and sustainability co-op student – Devon Energy Corporation 
  • Eulachon assessment and pelagic ecosystems – Fisheries and Oceans Canada (Pacific Biological Station)
  • Junior wildlife rehabilitator – BC SPCA Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre
  • Biological weed and pest control assistant – Cultural Agricultural Bureau International (Switzerland)
student in hip waders conducting green crab survey

Biology co-op students work for

  • Marine biology
  • Fisheries and forestry
  • Resource management
  • Pest management
  • Environmental monitoring
  • Ecology
  • Wildlife assessment and tracking
  • Botany
  • Genetics and microbiology
  • Medical research
student holding dip net standing on shore of alpine lake

What you can learn on your work term

Biology knowledge

  • understand the biological diversity of plants and animals
  • understand genetics and the mechanisms leading to diversity (Mendelian, molecular and population genetics)
  • use genetic analysis on a biological problem
  • apply the principles of evolutionary theory and natural selection in creating diversity
  • understand plant and animal structure and function
  • analyze biological problems at the genetic, molecular, developmental, organismal and ecological levels
  • use the concepts and tools of mathematics, chemical science and physical science to understand biology
  • understand the history of ideas in biology
  • consider the larger role of biology in society

Research skills

  • understand and use the scientific method and experimental techniques to solve specific problems
  • search and assess scientific literature
  • work with new and emerging concepts
  • gather evidence through observation and experimentation
  • use inductive reasoning and deductive methods to develop a testable, falsifiable hypothesis and predict expected results
  • design quantitative approaches and experiments to test and evaluate hypotheses
  • observe and record the results of research
  • use mathematical and statistical methods and tools to evaluate data
  • draw conclusions
  • communicate results and ideas clearly in scientific reports, papers and oral presentations
  • understand research and propose steps required to further the goals of an experiment

Field skills

  • practice safety at all times 
  • maintain and operate field equipment 
  • observe the natural environment
  • identify species by sight, sound, scat or footprint
  • handle organisms and collect data such as sex, length, weight, height, tissue or blood
  • keep records in the field
  • use proper field sampling protocols

Lab skills

  • use safe and careful practices
  • keep lab records
  • use sterile and aseptic techniques
  • use pipetting technique
  • follow standard methods and procedures for lab experiments
  • take accurate measurements and identify potential sources of error
  • troubleshoot and optimize methods and techniques
  • develop methods and procedures
  • analyze, make, purify, modify and characterize compounds, samples or devices
  • use lab instruments
  • calibrate, maintain and troubleshoot instruments
  • assess lab data