Program Overview

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Integrated Biomedical Engineering & Health Sciences

The Integrated Biomedical Engineering & Health Sciences (iBioMed) program is a unique, project-based learning experience that combines the best of McMaster's top-ranked health sciences and engineering programs. This program is the only one in Canada that specializes in health, engineering science, and entrepreneurship.

Overview

In the iBioMed program, students work on real-world projects from day one, learning to define problems, pitch ideas, build prototypes, and test products with real clients. The program features assessments aligned with content and skills, student-directed projects, and a flexible, optional co-op program.

Key Features

• The only program in Canada that specializes in health, engineering science, and entrepreneurship
• Assessments aligned with content and skills
• Student-directed projects featured in a personalized online portfolio
• Flexible, optional co-op program
• Cross-disciplinary collaborations among classmates
• Anatomy labs where Level II students learn anatomical concepts from various learning angles
• Limited enrolment of 155 students per year

Design Projects and Showcases

iBioMed students take various project and design courses throughout their degree, culminating in the iBioMed Showcases at the end of each term. Past projects include:

• Designing a longer-lasting hip replacement
• Constructing a more affordable MRI machine
• Creating a more durable prosthetic arm

Career Opportunities

Graduates can pursue careers in biomedical engineering, biotechnology, health, and biomedical science. They can also start their own companies or innovate within existing organizations, or explore further studies in graduate research, professional health science careers, or medicine.

Program Structure

After a common first year, students will enter either the Bachelor of Engineering and Biomedical Engineering or the Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences in Health Engineering Science and Entrepreneurship degree program.

Co-op, Career, and Experiences

The Centre for Career Growth and Experience provides comprehensive support, offering co-op programs, dynamic student engagement initiatives, and support for experiential learning opportunities like clubs and teams.

Co-op Fast Facts

• $50k average annual salary / $25/hr average hourly rate
• 93% of undergrads are enrolled in co-op
• 10,000+ positions are posted each year by more than 1,400 employers
• 4,800+ co-op work terms completed by nearly 3,000 students in the 2024/25 academic year

Typical First-Year Courses

• Health Solutions Design Projects I: Introduction to Engineering Fundamentals and Design (IBEHS 1P10 A/B)
• General Chemistry for Engineering I (CHEM 1E03)
• Entrepreneurship in Biomedical Innovation: From Bench to Market (IBEHS 1EP6 A/B)
• Engineering Mathematics I (MATH 1ZA3)
• Engineering Mathematics II-A (MATH 1ZB3)
• Engineering Mathematics II-B (MATH 1ZC3)
• Introductory Mechanics (PHYSICS 1D03)
• Waves, Electricity and Magnetic Fields (PHYSICS 1E03)
• Biosafety Training (BIOSAFE 1BS0)
• Introduction to Health and Safety (WHMIS 1A00)
• 3 units of complementary electives

Beyond First Year

In second year, students will pursue more specialized courses of study in either the Bachelor of Engineering and Biomedical Engineering (B.Eng. BME.) degree or the Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences in Health, Engineering Science and Entrepreneurship (B.H.Sc. HESE) degree.

BEng BME

Students in the BEng BME degree cover fundamental skills and techniques in both biomedical engineering and a chosen core discipline. There are eight core disciplines to choose from, including Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, and Software Engineering.

BHSc HESE

The Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences Health Engineering Science and Entrepreneurship (BHSc HESE) integrates engineering, health sciences, and entrepreneurship, creating a hybrid graduate that interacts with clinicians, researchers, and patients.

Level II Program Selection

As enrolment is limited in each degree option, where there is more demand than spaces, competition will be based on first-year academic achievement.

Potential Program Courses

For a full list of courses that can be available in this program, please consult the academic calendar.

Admissions

The Faculty of Engineering offers $2,500,000+ in entrance scholarships and research awards to students entering a Level 1 Faculty of Engineering program. Only one application is required to be considered for all eligible awards.

Entrance Scholarships

Scholarships available include Dean’s Excellence Awards and Big Ideas Awards, as well as scholarships for participation in organizations like SHAD, FIRST Robotics, and DECA. Open to both domestic and international students.