Cooperative Education in Chemistry and Biochemistry

Why come to Northeastern to study chemistry or biochemistry? One important reason is the availability of the cooperative education experience. Most of our chemistry and biochemistry majors participate in co-op, which consists of periods of relevant work, research, or other types of non-classroom experiences that alternate with periods of classroom study. Cooperative Education Coordinators help students find appropriate assignments in their area of interest. Students who participate fully in available co-op periods can obtain one-and-a-half years of work experience before graduating with a B.S. in 5 years. Not only does that experience add immensely to the overall education received, it also provides valuable contacts and references for later employment.

Click here for more information about Cooperative Education
at Northeastern University www.coop.neu.edu/student/welcome.html
And you may contact co-op advisor, Jordan Swift, in 121 Hurtig Hall at

617-373-4498  Email: j.swift@neu.edu.

Map of Campus

The American Chemical Society recognizes that cooperative education placements are valuable in that they can provide students with the following (from Undergraduate Professional Education in Chemistry: Guidelines and Evaluation Procedures, American Chemical Society, Washington, D.C. 1999):

• an appreciation of technology
• broader exposure to team research, interdisciplinary research, and societal problems
• a synthesis of pure and applied chemistry
• opportunities to use sophisticated instruments
• early professional experience, contacts, and information for career planning
• additional practice in preparing oral and written reports and in meeting deadlines

The Northeastern Chemistry Department has established a curriculum which exposes students to both classes and co-op opportunities that extend and enhance their academic and professional learning. Integration between coursework and co-op experiences occurs naturally. Although participation in cooperative education is not a requirement for Chemistry majors, about 90% of all Chemistry majors do participate - further supporting the importance of practice-oriented experiences in the field and the encouragement by the Chemistry Department to utilize both classes and co-op as a complete education for the student.

The typical calendar for a chemistry major who is participating in co-op is shown below.