In the Faculty of Science, we continuously strive to deliver high-quality education and experiential learning opportunities that our students need to become future global leaders. In this issue of Innovatus, I am excited to share some of the ways in which we are prioritizing excellence in teaching and learning in the Faculty of Science. 

Our Faculty has been working hard to expand co-op opportunities for our students so they graduate with real-world experience. For instance, we have launched an innovative work-integrated learning program open to all science students that has doubled its intake each year. 

Our instructors are enhancing student learning and experience by introducing new technologies and methods of teaching, such as using virtual reality to augment students’ understanding of concepts and creating podcasts to increase the accessibility of course content. They are also creating new programming to support our students in becoming future scientists, such as a new transformative course for undergraduates to learn about the structure of a research career and how to conduct responsible research. 

We have an incredible community of instructors and staff in the Faculty of Science who are committed to providing our students with the knowledge, skills and credentials they need and desire to successfully transition into rewarding and impactful careers. Our faculty members and staff are the drivers of teaching and learning innovation in our Faculty, and I am immensely proud of and grateful for their efforts. 

Thank you,  

Rui Wang
Dean, Faculty of Science 

In this issue:

91��ɫ professor pioneers podcast-based learning in biology 
Professor Elizabeth Clare swaps traditional textbooks for dynamic podcasts, offering students a fresh, interactive and accessible way to learn complex biology concepts.

Using VR in chemistry to ‘future-proof’ students
A new fourth-year chemistry course at 91��ɫ is changing the way students learn, moving beyond traditional methods to embrace modern technology and deeper learning.

New biology course prepares 91��ɫ U students for ethical research
Learn how a new fourth-year biology course is addressing scientific misconduct and teaching students the importance of integrity in research.

91��ɫ U enhances science co-op through national grant 
91��ɫ’s Faculty of Science will expand work-integrated learning opportunities and enhance experiential learning to prepare students for diverse careers in the field.

Courtesy of YFile

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Thanks to a national grant program, 91��ɫ’s Faculty of Science has expanded its work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities and partnerships to undergraduate science co-op and internship students in the new Master of Biotechnology Management program.

The Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL Canada) grant of $115,580 will enhance experiential learning opportunities in science by providing funds to 91��ɫ students and programs. 

About 80 per cent of the grant went directly to domestic students, each receiving a bursary of $1,416. (Only domestic students qualify for CEWIL funding; however, 91��ɫ International matched the grant for international students.)  

In the summer of 2024, Tiffany Pollock, formerly in the Division of Students, now serving as associate director, quality program and development, in the Office of the Vice-Provost, along with Tammy Kim-Newman, associate director of employer and alumni engagement, Career Centre, worked closely with the Faculty of Science, the science co-op team and Markham Campus to win the CEWIL Canada iHub grant in the innovation stream. This grant supports community and industry research and projects through expanding access and career pathways via science-based WIL.  

The grant activity was integrated into two science experiential education courses: COOP 2000 Introductory Professional Communications, a prerequisite for most science co-op students; and BIOT5020 Science Communication and Writing, a mandatory course before students complete a required internship.  

These two courses incorporate WIL by connecting students with 11 industry partners and having teams of students solve problems in the bioeconomy industry, ranging from workplace conflicts to technical project questions. The initiative exposed students to a wide range of careers and industry challenges they may encounter in the workforce.  

This WIL initiative increased employer engagement and career networking for 95 students in the fall term. The instructors of COOP 2000, Kathryn Franklin, course director, and BIOT 5020, Luz Adriana Puentes Jacome, assistant professor, incorporated career discovery and mentorship activities such as a panel discussion, industry networking, a virtual lunch-and-learn career series and industry events such as The Medtech Conference hosted in Toronto last fall.  

“To get them to be able to pursue the best career opportunities possible, they have to first understand where could they work. What are the pathways available to them?” Kim-Newman says.  

The grant also paid for industry training through Canadian Alliance for Skills & Training in Life Sciences (CASTL) which gave students access to globally recognized bioprocessing training and a virtual biomanufacturing facility tour.  

After completing COOP 2000 and BIOT 5020, students have access to the science WIL job board, where students apply on their own and compete with students from other universities.  

Co-op placements can range between eight and 20 months. Some use the time as an opportunity to sample different companies; others apply to the same company repeatedly and could end up with a full-time job upon graduation, Kim-Newman says.  

Students do not receive credits for co-op terms but are paid for their work and gain work experience. The program, which has doubled in enrolment since before the pandemic, now offers co-op opportunities to students in 13 science degree programs, says Mike Scheid, associate dean of students in the Faculty of Science and an associate professor in the Department of Biology. 

The co-op program is now a major draw to 91��ɫ’s Faculty of Science and its goal is to continue building co-op partnerships and develop additional WIL opportunities.  

Kim-Newman agrees that focusing on growing co-op is key to students’ future success.  

“Students’ main objective is to get a good job after they finish their studies,” she says. “We have a responsibility to help provide some open doors. It's up to the students if they go through those doors and continue down the hallway.  

“But,” she continues, “we have an obligation to provide students with some tools and access to career connections and opportunities. And this is what that grant allowed.”  

With files from Julie Carl

Courtesy of YFile

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Upcoming Events

Science Co-op Information Session (Registration Required)

• Virtual Session, Monday, June 22, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m., !
• Virtual Session, Monday, June 29, 2 - 3 p.m., !

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Employer FAQs

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Upcoming Events

Co-op Information Session

• Virtual Session, Monday, June 22nd, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.,  !
• Virtual Session, Monday, June 29, 2 - 3 p.m., !

Resources

CAREER | FIT PROGRAMS

Career | Fit professional experience programs are convenient and flexible short programs for currently enrolled university undergrads and college students that supplement your academic courses.

YU EXPERIENCE HUB

The YU Experience Hub identifies, structures and implements Experiential Education opportunities across 91��ɫ.

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Explore Co-op

Co-op Program

The Co-op Program provides students in specific programs with an opportunity to integrate their classroom learning with hands-on work experiences. Students will typically alternate between periods of work and periods of study.

Employers: Why choose our students?

Learn about the benefits of hiring our students, the Co-op Program and the process to get started, and more.

Upcoming Events and Resources

Access resources for resume and cover letter support, help with interview prep, and learn about upcoming events, workshops, and our online community.

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