One Health Co-op Student Information
About The Program
The College of Biological Science (CBS), in collaboration with the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences (CSAHS), the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC), and the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC), is offering a new undergraduate degree in One Health (OH), with the co-operative education option. Graduates of OH will be well equipped for employment, in Canada and globally, in governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, health institutions, industries, and academia.
One Health is an approach that recognizes that the health of people is closely connected to the health of animals and our shared environment. Students in the OH program will have the choice of one of four areas of specialization including: • Disease, Biocomplexity and Health • Environment, Food and Health • Policy, Economics and Health • Culture, Society and Health. These areas of emphasis allow for a diverse range of potential co-op work terms, for example roles in public health, food safety, biosecurity, pandemic planning, health promotion, infectious diseases, health economics, policy development, biodiversity, molecular and microbiology, ecology, etc
Why Co-op?
As a co-op student, you will gain relevant work experience, build professional networks, and develop essential interpersonal skills needed to succeed in the workplace, all while getting paid and earning your university degree. Guelph’s co-op program is unique due to the exceptional level of support provided throughout the co-op experience. Students will complete a comprehensive course preparing them for the co-op employment process, and will receive guidance from a knowledgeable team of staff dedicated to their development and success.
Course Sequencing
| YEAR | FALL | WINTER | SUMMER |
|---|---|---|---|
| ONE | Academic | Academic | Off |
| TWO | Academic | Academic | Off |
| THREE | Academic | Academic | Work |
| FOUR | Work | Work | Off |
| FIVE | Academic | Academic |
Acquired Knowledge & Skills
Knowledge
In-depth knowledge of the interactions of humans, animals and the environment, and their impact on global, cultural, economic and societal issues in a professional working environment.
Application
Hands on experience with advanced technology to explore the various areas of emphasis of this degree.
Communication
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Collaboration
Strong problem solving and collaboration skills gained through coursework and co-op work terms.
Sample Jobs
There is a diverse selection of jobs made available to One Health Co-op students, in government, academic, and private sectors. Students may work in a laboratory, in the field, or in an office setting. Below are some examples of positions that may be held by OH Co-op students:
Student Triage and Surveillance Analyst, Consumer Product Safety Program
The student will support activities related to cosmetic/consumer product incident reporting and its media monitoring process. You’ll assist an office team in assessing these incidents, including the write-up of reports, administrative screening, and prioritization.
Junior Microbiologist/Lab Technician
The successful candidate will maintain and test Biosafety Level 2 microbiological cultures; conduct microbial toxicity and biodegradation studies; support the culturing and holding of fish, aquatic invertebrates and plants; perform testing of water, effluent and wastewater samples, chemicals, sediments, and leachates/elutriates with fish, aquatic invertebrates and plants; perform general housekeeping practices; and measure routine water quality parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen, water hardness and conductivity.
Food Quality Assurance Technician
You’ll work in a vegetable processing facility to ensure safe and nutritious products by measuring and recording process parameters and completing pre-operational checks of the processing lines. You’ll assess food safety/ quality risks associated with products and you’ll check production areas for environmental pathogens. You’ll also maintain QA forms, do data analysis and report all unsafe or unhealthy conditions to supervisors.
Sample Employers*
- Maple Leaf Foods
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency
- Sanofi Pasteur Ltd.
Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Agribusiness (OMAFA)
- Public Health Agency of Canada
*This shows a sample of recent co-op employers and will vary depending on employer recruitment needs. During a job search, students are encouraged to be actively engaged and are supported in establishing and maintaining their own personal contacts.
Salary Information
Students receive compensation from their employer for co-op work terms. The rate of pay will vary depending on a number of factors including the industry, the student’s program of study, and work term level. For your reference, a Co-operative Education Salary Guide is available on our website, which provides hourly rates (averages and ranges) for each degree program.
