Program Overview

Marine and Freshwater Biology Co-op Program

The Marine and Freshwater Biology co-op major provides a broad perspective on aquatic environments based on the physical as well as the biological sciences. Students build upon core courses in ecology, evolution, genetics, and physiology of aquatic biota as they study freshwater and marine environments and work with aquatic organisms experimentally in the field and in the lab. They perform independent research projects under a variety of field and laboratory conditions to enhance their learning experience and participate in co-op work terms to gain knowledge and skills in a workplace setting."

Program Overview"

Adding Value to Your Team"

The Marine and Freshwater Biology co-op major capitalizes on Guelph's recognized excellence in aquatic research. The state-of-the-art Hagen Aqualab on campus allows researchers and students to simulate global aquatic environments and maintain a wide variety of marine and freshwater flora and fauna in Guelph. This program prepares students for post-graduate work in the aquatic sciences and provides a sound scientific background for students pursuing careers in biology, management and conservation, aquaculture, biotechnology, education, and research in government, academic, or private sectors.

Student Strengths

Experience-Backed Understanding

Advanced understanding and appreciation of living aquatic organisms and specimens obtained through hands-on experience in the field and laboratory.

Data Analysis

Ability to collect and assemble biological data and apply mathematical and statistical methods to the interpretation of data to address questions in aquatic biology.

Critical Thinking

Ability to characterize and integrate the diversity of biological, chemical, and physical features that structure marine and freshwater aquatic environments.

Co-op Work Term Schedule

The co-op work term schedule is as follows:

• Year One: Academic (Fall and Winter), Off (Summer)
• Year Two: Academic (Fall and Winter), Work (Summer)
• Year Three: Academic (Fall), Work (Winter and Summer)
• Year Four: Academic (Fall and Winter), Work (Summer)
• Year Five: Work (Fall), Academic (Winter)

Course Sequencing

The course sequencing for the Marine and Freshwater Biology co-op program is as follows:

Year One

• Fall:
  • General Chemistry I
  • Elements of Calculus I
  • Physics for Life Sciences
  • Discovering Biodiversity
  • 1 Liberal Education elective
• Winter:
  • Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology
  • General Chemistry II
  • Biological Concepts of Health
  • Physics for Life Sciences II
  • 1 Liberal Education elective

Year Two

• Fall:
  • Ecology
  • Evolution
  • Introduction to Co-operative Education
  • Vertebrate Structure and Function
  • 2 electives/restricted electives
• Winter:
  • Introduction to Biochemistry
  • Foundations in Molecular Biology and Genetics
  • Biostatistics for Integrative Biology
  • Invertebrate Morphology and Evolution
  • 1 elective/restricted elective
• Summer: Work Term One

Year Three

• Fall:
  • Introduction to Aquatic Environments
  • Comparative Animal Physiology I
  • Lab Studies in Animal Physiology I
  • Integrative Biology of Invertebrates
  • 2 electives/restricted electives
• Winter: Work Term Two
• Summer: Work Term Three

Year Four

• Fall:
  • Limnology of Natural and Polluted Waters
  • Integrative Marine and Freshwater Research
  • 2 electives/restricted electives
• Winter:
  • Populations, Communities and Ecosystems
  • Developmental Biology
  • Comparative Animal Physiology II
  • Lab Studies in Animal Physiology II
  • 2 electives/restricted electives
• Summer: Work Term Four

Year Five

• Fall: Work Term Five
• Winter:
  • Adaptational Physiology
  • Biology of Fishes
  • Marine Ecological Processes
  • 2 electives/restricted electives