# Co-op and regular

**Source**: https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/future-undergraduate-students/co-op-and-regular
**Parent**: https://cs.uwaterloo.ca

The
computer
science
program
at
Waterloo
offers
students
the
opportunity
to
customize
their
studies
by
enrolling
in
a
regular
or
co-op
option

But
how
do
these
options
compare
and
how
do
you
decide
which
option
works
best
for
you?

[Co-op
or
regular](#regular%20program)
|
[Work/study
sequences](#sequences)
|
[Co-op
jobs](#jobs)
|
[Entrepreneurship](#entrepreneurship)

## Regular program

Complete
your
studies
in
four
years
while
taking
your
summers
off
to
travel,
work,
or
develop
your
own
ideas.
Many
of
our
students
have
gone
on
to
create
their
own
businesses
and
start
ups.

### **Why regular?**

- Study from September to April each year
- Focus on your studies
- Plan your own summers
- Graduate earlier to pursue graduate studies or develop your own business ideas
- Use your time to work on your own personal projects
- Participate in more clubs, sports, and campus activities

### **Regular programs**

[Computer Science](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/node/2863)

## Co-op program

Waterloo
offers
students
the
choice
to
combine
in-class
learning
with
real
world
experience.
With
help
from
the
world's
largest
co-op
program,
students
enrolled
in
this
option
gain
up
to
two
years
of
work
experience
before
they
graduate.

### **Why co-op**

- Graduate with up to two years of work experience after 6 work terms
- Earn money to help finance your education
- Make valuable career contacts
- Choose from the world's largest selection of co-op jobs
- Explore career areas before graduation

### **Co-op programs (optional)**

- Computer Science

### **Co-op only**

- Business Administration and Computer Science
- Computing and Financial Management
- Software Engineering

### **Additional notes:**

- A minimum of five work terms (with the exception of double degree CS/BBA students, whose minimum is four work terms) will be completed within the program
- Students can set up their own co-op position with an employer as long as it is confirmed by the co-op office
- Co-op fees for all programs are $786 as of Spring 2024
- The co-op hiring and application process will begin during first year
- Resume writing and mock interview workshops are available through  [Co-operative and Experiential Education](https://uwaterloo.ca/associate-provost-co-operative-and-experiential-education/), also known as CEE

## Work and study sequences

Your sequence will determine when you are studying (on campus) or working/taking time off (off campus).

### Legend

#### **Key**

\* = Work\
 # = Sequence\
 Reg = Regular

#### **Terms (four months)**

F = Fall term (September - December)

W = Winter term (January - April)

S = Spring term (May - August)

#### **Sequences**

- Business Administration and Computer Science -\
   Sequence BBA/BCS only
- Computing and Financial Management; Software Engineering - Sequence 1 only
- Computer Science -\
   Sequence 1, 2, 3, 4 or regular

| **#** | **Year 1** | | | **Year 2** | | | **Year 3** | | | **Year 4** | | | **Year 5** | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
|  | **F** | **W** | **S** | **F** | **W** | **S** | **F** | **W** | **S** | **F** | **W** | **S** | **F** | **W** | **S** |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **1** | 1A | 1B | \* | 2A | \* | 2B | \* | 3A | \* | 3B | \* | 4A | \* | 4B |  |
| **2** | 1A | 1B | \* | 2A | 2B | \* | 3A | \* | 3B | \* | 4A | \* | \* | 4B |  |
| **3** | 1A | 1B | Off | 2A | \* | 2B | \* | 3A | \* | 3B | \* | 4A | \* | \* | 4B |
| **4** | 1A | 1B | 2A | \* | 2B | \* | 3A | \* | 3B | \* | 4A | \* | \* | 4B |  |
| **Reg** | 1A | 1B | Off | 2A | 2B | Off | 3A | 3B | Off | 4A | 4B | Off |  |  |  |
| **BBA/** **BCS** | 1A | 1B | \* | 2A | \* | 2B | 3A | \* | 3B | 4A  \*  4A | 4B  4A  \* | \*  4B  4B | 5A  \*  \* | 5B  5A  5A | 5B  5B |

## Co-op jobs

Students
find
exciting
jobs
world-wide
with
the
help
of
our
co-op
program.

| **Co-op position** | **Organization/company** |
| --- | --- |
| Cloud Computing Software Developer | Ontario Institute for Cancer Research |
| Programmer/Analyst | Trapeze Group |
| Technical Systems Analyst | RBC Financial Group |
| IT Assistant | Canadian Solar Inc |
| Agile Engineering | Xtreme Labs Inc |
| Software Developer | Desire2Learn Inc |
| Software Engineer | Facebook |
| Web Developer | Wicked Interactive Ltd |
| Programmer | Statistics Canada |

## Entrepreneurship

The
Velocity
program
at
Waterloo
offers
you
the
chance
to
take
control
of
your
own
career
by
helping
to
get
your
business
ideas
off
the
ground.

Find
out
more
about
our
[entrepreneurial
community](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/node/2869)
and
how
you
can
get
involved.

## The co-op advantage

- $50,000
  -
  $120,000
  potential
  earnings
  over
  6
  work
  terms
- 96.5%
  co-op
  employment
  rate
  as
  of
  Spring
  2024
- 80%
  of
  Computer
  Science
  students
  are
  in
  co-op