Student Guide to BMEG
Below are frequently asked questions and answers relating to the BMEG program.
General
What is Biomedical Engineering?
Biomedical Engineering brings together engineering, medicine, life sciences, computer science and mathematics to address issues affecting human health. Widespread use of quantitative approaches to fundamental problems in life sciences and medicine, together with advances in materials science, computational modelling, nanotechnology, robotics, and artificial intelligence permits innovative, improved, cost-effective innovations in health care.
What is the School of Biomedical Engineering?
Created in 2017 through a partnership between the Faculties of Medicine and Applied Science, and enabled by the leadership of British Columbia’s provincial government, the School of Biomedical Engineering (SBME) is Canada’s living laboratory for new models of convergent research and education. SBME’s Vision is for transformed health and healthcare for all, achieved through innovative research and education at the convergence of engineering, medicine and biology. The School of Biomedical Engineering lives in the newly built Gordon B. Shrum Building.
Learn more about the School of Biomedical Engineering: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXssOvdA-po&t=25s
What are examples of the typical types of work or tasks that someone in Biomedical Engineering does?
Design and develop healthcare technologies — create and improve medical devices, implants, diagnostic equipment, software, or other technologies used to prevent, diagnose, or treat disease.
Test drugs, vaccines, and biological products — help design experiments, analyze results, evaluate safety and effectiveness, develop manufacturing processes, and support quality-control and regulatory requirements.
Use AI, computing, and data — develop AI or machine-learning models, analyze medical images and patient data, build algorithms for diagnosis or prediction, and use computational tools to solve healthcare problems.
Conduct research and solve technical problems — perform laboratory experiments, analyze biological or engineering data, troubleshoot equipment or processes, and work with scientists, physicians, and other engineers.
Evaluate and implement technologies — test medical equipment, assess new products for hospitals or companies, prepare technical and regulatory documentation, train users, and work with manufacturers, healthcare professionals, or customers.
Program
What are the typical courses that someone in Biomedical Engineering takes?
For a first-year Biomedical Engineering student at UBC, the program provides a foundation in engineering, mathematics, science, biology, and chemistry, while introducing students to how these areas are applied to healthcare and biomedical technologies. The curriculum is also being modernized to place greater emphasis on programming, software development, data, and artificial intelligence, preparing students for the growing role of technology in healthcare. As students progress through the program, they will build on these foundations through topics such as biomedical data analysis, machine learning, molecular biology, cellular engineering, drug delivery, immunoengineering, medical devices, and regenerative medicine. Students interested in pursuing medicine can also choose additional chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry courses through a pre-medicine pathway. Overall, the program is designed to give students a strong combination of engineering, biomedical and clinical integration, while developing skills that can be applied to areas such as medical devices, pharmaceuticals and vaccines, biotechnology, healthcare, research, and AI-driven medical technologies.
Learn more about our Undergraduate Program: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3Tyd8D9pCU
What is a typical course load in Biomedical Engineering?
Biomedical Engineering is an intensive program. The typical work load in Biomedical Engineering is about 20 credits per term, or six to 7 courses per term.
Options
What makes BME different from the biomedical options in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering?
Biomedical Engineering provides a dedicated and comprehensive pathway at the intersection of engineering, biology, and healthcare. The program combines a strong engineering foundation with in-depth study of biology, human anatomy, physiology, and biomedical systems, allowing students to apply engineering principles directly to healthcare challenges and emerging biomedical technologies. This specialized preparation can lead to opportunities in medical device development, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and vaccines, healthcare technology, commercialization, research, and clinical engineering. In contrast, Mechanical Engineering provides a peripheral view of biomedical engineering that can be applied across many industries. Students who choose Biomedical Engineering therefore spend more of their education focused specifically on the human body, biological systems, and technologies designed to improve human health, while maintaining the engineering skills needed to work across the biomedical sector.
What is Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering?
Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering applies engineering principles of design, analysis and methodology to cellular and molecular biology for the development of cell-based therapeutics in regenerative medicine and drug delivery. Students will use biology, chemistry and engineering to discover how essential molecular level interactions can benefit human health. Examples of cellular bioengineering range from gene therapy, synthetic biology, tissue engineered organs, protein engineering and nucleic acid engineering.
What is Biomechanics?
Biomechanics & Biomaterials focuses on the application of principles of classical mechanics to problems in biological systems and views the body as an engineered structure. Students will learn the role mechanics plays in both injury and disease and use this knowledge to develop better prevention and treatment approaches. Biomechanics play a vital role in the design of novel safety devices, surgical implants and surgical instrumentation for organs, soft tissues, hard tissues and articulating joints by addressing how natural and synthetic materials interact with biological systems.
What is Biomaterials?
Biomaterials is the study of materials that are designed to be used in or with the human body, such as metals, ceramics, and polymers used for implants, prosthetics, and medical devices. Biomaterials play a vital role in the design of novel safety devices, surgical implants and surgical instrumentation for organs, soft tissues, hard tissues and articulating joints by addressing how natural and synthetic materials interact with biological systems.
What is Biomedical Informatics?
Biomedical Informatics involves the application of computationally-intensive analysis and statistical techniques to increase the understanding and utility of biological and medical data and focuses on using data and analytics to understand and decode highly complex biological processes. This stream explores the use of patient health care information to understand disease and pathophysiology, and to improve outcomes. Key application areas include pattern recognition, data mining, machine learning algorithms, drug design and gene finding.
What is Biomedical Systems & Signals?
Biomedical Systems & Signals provides an understanding of the fundamental processes that produce and transform signals in biological systems, and the method by which these signals are transformed to generate information. Students will explore imaging and electronic sensing technology and analyze the measurements that supply clinicians with empirical evidence to enable informed decisions. Key application areas include X-rays, CT scans, ultrasound, MRI, ventilation and cardiac function sensing, neural engineering and wearable sensors.
Career
How does Co-op work with the program?
Undergraduates can apply for the Engineering Co-op Program at the beginning of their second year of their Engineering degree. The year-round program entails one spring and one fall work term as well as two to three summer work terms. Participation in the program will require an extra year of study for undergraduates to finish their BASc. Other work term combinations can also be accommodated, through discussion with the BMEG co-op advisor. THis includes a 16 month work term following year 2, and a 4 month work term in later semesters, as well as other combinations.
The BME Co-op schedule differs slightly from the regular Co-op schedule:
What types of industries and jobs does someone in Biomedical Engineering work in?
Undergraduate Biomedical Engineering students take several different pathways upon graduation. These primarily include industry, Medical School, research, graduate/advanced/professional degrees and entrepreneurial activities.
For those that go on to employment, biomedical engineers work in biotechnology companies, hospitals, education and medical institutions, industrial and government research facilities, government and regulatory agencies, and biomedical device manufacturing. They design, develop, and evaluate biological and health systems in medical facilities or industrial research laboratories. This translates into careers working with artificial organs, prostheses, instrumentation, medical information systems, and healthcare management. They analyze problems within the medical environment and coordinate with other professionals to design solutions that improve patient care, health and quality of life in the community, and increase caregiver efficacy.
What are examples of job titles that Biomedical Engineers might have?
- Clinical Engineer / Biomedical Engineer
- Biomedical Engineering Technologist
- Medical Device Design / Product Development Engineer
- R&D Engineer
- Verification & Validation Engineer
- Quality Engineer / Regulatory Affairs Specialist
- Pharmaceutical / Bioprocess Engineer
- Drug Development or Vaccine Research Scientist
- Biomedical Research Engineer / Research Associate
- Bioinformatics / Computational Biology Scientist
- Medical Imaging Engineer
- AI / Machine Learning Engineer in Healthcare
- Biomedical Software Engineer
- Biomechanical / Rehabilitation Engineer
- Manufacturing / Process Engineer
- Applications or Field Service Engineer
- Healthcare Technology Consultant
What are the career opportunities like for biomedical engineering graduates in Vancouver and B.C.?
The broader biomedical and life-sciences sector in B.C. offers strong and growing career opportunities for biomedical engineering graduates. According to Life Sciences BC, the sector includes approximately 1,800 companies and 28,500 employees, contributes $3.1 billion to B.C.’s GDP, and offers average compensation 21% higher than the provincial average. The sector has also faced a shortage of skilled talent, estimated at around 500 workers, with that gap projected to grow to approximately 5,500 workers by 2027 if industry growth and talent supply continued along the study’s projected trajectory. This represents a 10-fold increase in the projected talent gap, highlighting the growing demand for skilled professionals in B.C.’s life-sciences and biomedical industries.
Student Experience
What is it like to be a student in Biomedical Engineering?
The student experience at the School of Biomedical Engineering (SBME) extends well beyond the classroom, with regular opportunities for students to connect, build friendships, and feel part of a close-knit community. Throughout the year, students can take part in informal social events such as BBQs, matcha and coffee events, and gatherings around holidays and special occasions. SBME also works with groups such as REDI (Respectful Environment, Diversity and Inclusion) to celebrate different cultures, communities, and holidays, creating opportunities for students from different backgrounds to connect and learn from one another. Events organized through the Indigenous Engagement Centre (IEC) provide additional opportunities for community, learning, and connection.
Students can also get involved beyond school-organized events through undergraduate clubs such as iGEM and BMEUSA and design teams such as BEST. These groups give students opportunities to participate in projects, competitions, social events, and activities related to biomedical engineering, while developing leadership, teamwork, and professional skills. Together, these opportunities create a student experience that combines academic learning with community, collaboration, and social connection, helping students build relationships with classmates, faculty, and the broader biomedical engineering community throughout their degree.
Learn more about the student experience at SBME: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrAttUdi47s
“As a second year BMEG student, I’m enjoying the breadth of content we get to learn. So far, I’m taking cell biology, software design, thermodynamics, biomechanics, and of course, a bunch of math! The program is super interdisciplinary so you get to learn about various aspects of the field and then choose what you want to focus on in later years. We also have a tight-knit community, and I’ve been able to make new friends with my peers and upper year students through our undergraduate events!” - Benjamin, Year 2 BMEG Student.
Alumni Profile – Renata Lawrence