PCDR
Four co-op students wear lab coats, medical masks, and medical gloves, gathered around a computer discussing.

Microbiology Co-op Information for Employers

Adding Value to Your Team

Microscopic organisms, including bacteria, yeast, molds and viruses, are the most abundant forms of life on earth. These organisms play vital roles in our ecosystems as well as within the human body. Students come to learn about the complex interaction of these organisms such that some microorganisms cause disease while others produce antibiotics that remedy disease. At Guelph, an in-depth understanding of the role of microbiology in industrial processes, the production of food, environmental issues and in biological and medical research, provides students with a complete education and an option to specialize in an area of emphasis.

University of Guelph Advantage

The University of Guelph Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology has a reputation for cutting-edge research in areas such as antibiotic resistance, vaccines and immunization, microbial ecology and viruses. Areas of emphasis include:

  • Industrial Food Microbiology
  • Environmental Microbiology
  • Molecular Microbiology
  • Pathogenic Microbiology

Our co-op process responds to your needs. Employers can post, interview, and hire throughout the semester and our students are available for 4, 8, or 12 month work terms. The Experience Guelph hiring tool makes hiring Guelph students easy!

Student Strengths

 Lab Work

Quality control laboratory work in food, pharmaceutical and brewing plants.

 Research

Public health studies and research, including microbiology research in hospitals.

 Analysis and Policy

Food safety analysis and policy setting.

Microbiology Co-op Work Term Schedule

YEAR
 

FALL

 

WINTER

 

SUMMER

ONEAcademicAcademicOff
TWOAcademicAcademicWork
THREEAcademicAcademicWork
FOURWorkWorkOff
FIVEAcademicAcademic 

Microbiology Course Sequencing

Please see the current undergraduate calendar for more information.

Fall

  • Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology
  • General Chemistry I
  • Elements of Calculus I
  • Physics for Life Sciences
  • 1 Liberal Education elective

Winter

  • Discovering Biodiversity
  • General Chemistry II
  • Physics for Life Sciences II
  • Biological Concepts of Health
  • 1 Liberal Education elective

Fall

  • Introduction to Biochemistry
  • Introduction to Co-operative Education
  • Introduction to Microbiology
  • Foundations in Molecular Biology and Genetics
  • Statistics I
  • 1 Liberal Education elective

Winter

  • Structure and Function in Biochemistry
  • Methods in Microbial Culture and Physiology
  • Molecular Biology of the Cell
  • 1 elective
  • 1 Liberal Education elective

Summer

Work Term One

Fall

  • Microbial Diversity and Ecology
  • 3 electives/restricted electives
  • Microbial Physiology and Genetics

Winter

  • Laboratory Methods in Molecular Biology
  • Advanced Methods in Microbiology
  • 2 electives/restricted electives

Summer

Work Term Two

Fall

Work Term Three

Winter

Work Term Four

Fall

  • Microbial Cell Biology
  • 4 electives/restricted electives
    • May include Research Project in Molecular and Cellular Biology I

Winter

  • 5 electives/restricted electives
    • May include Research Project in Molecular and Cellular Biology

 

See Undergraduate Calendar for Restricted Electives