UofC

The Science Internship Program is normally a five year program which includes, in addition to an academic degree program offered by the Faculty of Science, an internship (a minimum of 8 months and a maximum of 16 months) of work experience. The Internship program provides students with the opportunity to experience the connections between academic knowledge and employment opportunities. Students who complete the requirements of the Science Internship Program will graduate with “Internship” designated on their transcripts and degree parchments.

Students who wish to enter the Science Internship Program are urged to discuss their pre-admission course selection with a Program Advisor in the Undergraduate Science Centre (USC) as early in their program as possible. Internship is available in conjunction with all Faculty of Science Major programs except for the Neuroscience Major.

Students can apply to the Science Internship Program online through CareerLink. The application deadline is February 1.

To be eligible for admission, applicants must have successfully completed a minimum of 60 units by the application deadline. Applicants must have a minimum admission GPA of 2.70. Admission GPA is calculated on the most recent 30 units (University of Calgary courses and/or transferable courses taken at other institutions). All courses attempted within a term will be included except where the number of courses taken within a term results in the overall number of units exceeding 30 units. Should this occur, the highest grades from the oldest term being considered will be used to calculate the GPA. Students will be evaluated on their coursework from the Fall semester before the application deadline and prior.

The number of spaces in the Science Internship Program is limited and entry is competitive. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Decisions happen by an Admissions committee. Students who are not admitted to the internship program, will not be offered late admission even if they secure a work term placement.

Students who have fewer than 9 units remaining to complete their degree requirements are not eligible for admission to the Science Internship Program.

Students admitted into the Science Internship Program will receive access to the Science Internship board which includes pre-approved job postings from employers wishing to hire Science Internship students. The program does not guarantee that students will obtain work placements. It is the student's responsibility to search for and secure their work term placements. If a student secures a placement outside of the Science Internship job board, the position must be approved by their Science Internship Co-ordinator.

Students must complete a minimum of 8 consecutive months, and a maximum of 16 consecutive months, work experience while registered in the Science Internship courses (Internship 505.01–505.04).

Students are limited to one 8, 12, or 16 month continuous internship work term placement during their undergraduate degree. Students who have completed one 4 month placement must complete their internship with a consecutive work term placement of either 4, 8 or 12 months. Work terms operate on the same schedule as the Academic calendar. Students may begin positions in May (Spring/Summer), Fall (September) or Winter (January). A normal 4 month work term placement must be a minimum of 12 weeks and up to 17 weeks.

Students who have completed one 4 month work term placement and are not able to secure a second work term placement immediately following, will be removed from the Science Internship Program.

Students will experience the least amount of disruption to their program progression if they complete their internship start the May after their third year. Program progression may be affected, this may result in an extended time to complete their program. Students should seek Program Advising in advance of applying to the Science Internship Program to understand the impact on their degree progression.

The mandatory work term courses (Internship 505.01-505.04) are graded on a credit (CR) or fail (F) basis. A positive assessment requires satisfactory performance on each of the following items:

The employer's evaluation of job performance. Students who are terminated from a work term placement prior to completing a minimum of 12 weeks will not receive credit for that work term and will be removed from the Science Internship Program.

A work term report prepared by the student and evaluated by the faculty.

1. Students must secure a work term placement within one year of being admitted to the Science Internship Program. If they fail to secure a work term placement within this timeline, students will be removed from the Science Internship Program.
2. While on a work term students pay an academic course fee and are considered as full-time students.
3. Science Internship students should have completed no more than 111 units required for their degree, before their first work term commences.
4. After completing the Science Internship Program requirements, students must return with a minimum of 9 units required for their degree.
5. If a student's academic performance results in the student being required to withdraw from the Faculty of Science, or being placed on probation, the student will be removed from the Science Internship Program. If the student is removed from the Science Internship Program but has already accepted a work term placement, the employer will be informed. Termination of the student's employment will be at the employer's discretion.
6. Students who are terminated from a work term placement will receive a Failure (F) and will be removed from the Science Internship Program and will not receive the Internship designation.
7. Students who receive a Failure (F) on the work term report will receive a Failure for that work term course (Internship 505.01-505.04) and will be removed from the Science Internship Program.
8. The Science Internship courses are in addition to the normal requirements for each degree, i.e. students must complete the same number of required courses as students completing the traditional degree programs, as well as a minimum of two (and a maximum of four) Science Internship courses.
9. Students who have completed the 8 month minimum work term placement requirement will not be eligible for a new work term placement.
10. Students are not permitted to take academic courses while on their first work term placement. Students wishing to complete academic courses on future work terms must seek approval from the Internship Co-ordinator and provide written approval from their work term supervisor. Student will only be approved for a maximum of 3 units per work term placement.

For further information, please contact the office below:

Undergraduate Science Centre (USC)
Location: Science B, room 149
Phone: 403.220.8600
Email address: science.internship@ucalgary.ca
Website: science.ucalgary.ca/internship