BioSci Co-Op Program
A year at the forefront of life sciences innovation
Discover how science can take you beyond the classroom and into the life sciences industry. In the the BioSci Co-Op Program, undergraduates of any major spend a full year working in a paid position at a life sciences company in San Diego while continuing their academic journey. Along the way, you’ll gain hands-on experience, build professional skills, and take a career development course focused on science communication, career exploration, and soft skills, helping you connect what you learn at UC San Diego with the impact you want to make in the world.
Know Before You Apply
Review the eligibility, time commitment, and course requirement to understand the full scope of the Co-Op experience. This is an opportunity to take on meaningful work, build industry-ready skills, and grow professionally. Come in informed, plan ahead, and position yourself to make the most of what this program offers.
Eligibility
Eligibility for the Co-Op Program is defined by each position, with company-specific qualifications outlined in individual job postings. The program is open to undergraduate students from all majors with a minimum 2.5 GPA. Because placements span a full year and typically begin in summer, students graduating in the current academic year are not eligible.
Time Commitment
Co-Op positions require a one-year commitment, typically beginning full-time throughout summer and continuing part-time during the academic year. Students coordinate their work schedules with their supervisors to balance coursework. Academic-year hours generally range from 10-20 hours per week. The required class, BISP 182, meets only three times per quarter, supporting professional growth and academic success.
Course Requirement
In addition to their paid work experience, Co-Op students enroll in BISP 182 Cooperative Education and Analysis in fall, winter, and spring quarters. This course builds skills in career development, leadership, and science communication through interactive sessions with life sciences industry professionals, applied assignments, and reflection. Students connect their work experience to academic learning and present their work at the School of Biological Sciences Annual Student Research Symposium.
How to Apply
Position Availability: There are currently no open Co-Op positions. Check back in late summer or early fall for opportunities with Catalent San Diego, a global leader in drug development and delivery.
Hiring Process: Once available, positions will be posted on this webpage, as well as Catalent's career site and Handshake. Follow application instructions to apply. Catalent manages the hiring process and selected students begin working shortly after being hired.
Co-Op Enrollment: Students who secure a position at Catalent can enroll in the 2026-2027 Co-Op Program cohort, pairing their paid internship with BISP 182 Cooperative Education and Analysis during the fall, winter, and spring quarters, gaining hands-on industry experience while building the professional skills needed to launch a meaningful career.
Already interning at Catalent San Diego? If you're a UC San Diego student, you're eligible to join the Co-Op Program. Speak with your internship supervisor, who can connect you with the Co-Op Program Director.
Graduate Spotlight
Since 2021, the UC San Diego Co-Op Program has developed a pipeline of talented and driven life sciences graduates ready to make an immediate impact. Through year-long, immersive placements during the program across areas including manufacturing, research and development, quality control, and process engineering, students gained rigorous, hands-on experience in real-world industry settings.
Today, our Co-Op graduates are excelling in full-time roles such as scientists, process engineers, and quality control professionals, often staying on with their host company, or pursuing competitive clinical or advanced degree programs, including masters, PhD, PharmD, and dentistry. With technical depth, adaptability, and proven experience, they are driving innovation and shaping the future of the life sciences.
QUESTIONS?
If you're a student with questions or a company interested in joining our Co-Op Program, please contact the program director, Melissa Hoon, at mhoon@ucsd.edu.