Biomedical engineering lies at the interface of engineering and life sciences. Using engineering and design principles, a biomedical engineer works towards the advancement of biology and medicine, developing innovative technologies and solutions to health-related problems, such as new tools and models to diagnose, monitor, treat, and prevent disease.
Biomedical Engineering, housed in the Department of Systems Design Engineering at the University of Waterloo, is a stand-alone Engineering plan. The curriculum provides an integrated systems approach to the study of biomedical engineering, where basic knowledge and skills such as biology, mechanics, physics, chemistry, system analysis and design are taught in the context of biomedical related applications while taking into consideration the complexity of biomedical systems. Three theme areas have been identified, which are served by both core and technical elective courses in the curriculum.
- Biomedical signals
- medical imaging
- biosignals
- neuroscience
- diagnostics (pattern recognition)
- Biomechanics
- biofluid mechanics
- tissue mechanics
- musculoskeletal biomechanics
- sports engineering
- rehabilitation engineering
- Biomedical devices
- assistive devices
- implants
- prostheses and orthoses
- biomechatronics
- design for elderly
- biomedical technologies
- therapeutics
The Engineering Profession
Each province within Canada has its own Professional Engineering Association. The Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) is a national organization that has representation from all of the Provincial Professional Engineering Associations. The CEAB determines what types of courses must be contained in a university engineering curriculum in order for the plan to meet the standards of Canadian engineering. The biomedical engineering plan satisfies the strict standards of the CEAB and is therefore acknowledged as a fully qualified engineering plan.
Biomedical Engineering is specifically oriented towards developing graduates who can solve problems lying at the interface of technology and human biological systems. Therefore, if you are technically oriented and also have a strong parallel interest in problems related to health and human physiology, Biomedical Engineering may be the right plan for you.
The Biomedical Engineering curriculum is quite challenging, as it requires students take five to six courses per term and the mandatory laboratory sessions associated with some of these courses. Thus, the average student in Biomedical Engineering is expected to work at least 50 hours per week as they gain further knowledge in life sciences, mechanics and electronics, develop competence in systems theory and design, and learn to apply these skills to solving biomedical problems.
Further information is available on the Biomedical Engineering website.
Employment Opportunities
Biomedical Engineering is a very diverse and multidisciplinary field. A graduate from Biomedical Engineering will have the interdisciplinary background to act as an effective collaborator between biologists, medical professionals, and engineers in different fields. From the multidisciplinary training received in our department, a graduate will be able to work in research hospitals, academic centres, industry, as well as government and/or regulatory agencies. To some extent, the technical elective area chosen by the student in the third and fourth year will determine more specifically what they do upon graduation. Thus, there are many employment opportunities which a Biomedical Engineer may be involved with such as:
- biomedical data analysis
- biomedical image analysis and pattern recognition
- medical device product design, manufacturing, testing, and management
- simulation and modelling of diseases and biological systems
- healthcare regulations
- design and engineering of sports equipment and testing
- research and development in medical devices and instrumentation
Biomedical Engineering Curriculum
The Biomedical Engineering curriculum is specifically designed to provide students with a clear understanding of human physiological systems, and systems analysis and theory, combined with a thorough knowledge of engineering and design principles. Life sciences and biomedical engineering design are taught from the start of first year. The first three years of the curriculum are intended to provide each student with a solid engineering background in areas relevant to biomedical issues.
Throughout these three years, the student's ability to grasp real engineering problems is enhanced by courses in systems design methodology followed by a series of challenging problem-solving experiences in the Biomedical Design Workshops. A focus is then given to the whole curriculum and the student learns to apply the lecture material and to develop skills in solving biomedical problems while developing design and project management abilities.
The final year of the curriculum is comprised mostly of elective courses, allowing the student to focus on one or more areas of study. This provides the required background for a future year of advanced study to the Master's degree (MASc), or for a rewarding career in industry or government with a Bachelor's degree (BASc).
Biomedical Engineering Core and Suggested Elective Curriculum
The Biomedical Engineering curriculum consists of two course groupings:
- Compulsory core courses that prepare the student for practice in engineering and comprise 70% to 80% of the course load.
- Elective courses that comprise 20% to 30% of the course load.
A minimum of three Complementary Studies Electives (CSEs) must be completed, in addition to the two complementary studies electives in the core curriculum (BME 364 and BME 381), in subjects that complement the engineering curriculum (see the Complementary Studies Electives section below). A minimum of six technical elective courses must be completed in a particular technical discipline or disciplines appropriate to a student's interests (see the Technical Elective Packages section below). The course selections must meet CEAB requirements, including a minimum number of instruction hours in the various CEAB categories.
The current core course curriculum for Biomedical Engineering students is described below by term. Average hours per week are indicated in the columns Class for Lecture or Seminar (LEC or SEM), Tut for Tutorial (TUT), and Lab for Laboratory or Project (LAB or PRJ).
|
Term
|
Course and Title |
Weight |
Class |
Tut |
Lab |
|
1A Fall
|
BME 101 Communications in Biomedical Engineering-Written and Oral
|
0.25 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
BME 101L Communications in Biomedical Engineering-Visualization
|
0.25 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
| BME 121 Digital Computation |
0.50 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
| BME 161 Introduction to Biomedical Design |
0.50 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
| BME 181 Physics I - Statics |
0.50 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
| SYDE 111 Fundamental Engineering Math 1 |
0.50 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
| SYDE 113 Matrices and Linear Systems |
0.25 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
1B Winter
|
BME 102 Seminar |
0.00 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
| BME 122 Data Structures and Algorithms |
0.50 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
| BME 162 Human Factors in the Design of Biomedical and Health Systems |
0.50 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
| BME 186 Chemistry Principles |
0.50 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
| SYDE 112 Fundamental Engineering Math 2 |
0.50 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
| SYDE 114 Numerical and Applied Calculus |
0.25 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
| One Complementary Studies Elective |
|
2A Fall
|
BME 201 Seminar |
0.00 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
| BME 182 Physics II - Dynamics |
0.50 |
3
|
1
|
0
|
| BME 281 Mechanics of Deformable Solids |
0.50 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
| BME 281L Mechanics of Deformable Solids Laboratory |
0.25 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
| BME 282 Materials Science for Biomedical Engineers |
0.50 |
3
|
1
|
0
|
| BME 285 Engineering Biology |
0.50 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
| BME 285L Engineering Biology Laboratory |
0.25 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
| SYDE 211 Advanced Engineering Math 1 |
0.50 |
3
|
1
|
0
|
|
2B Spring
|
BME 202 Seminar |
0.00 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
| BME 213 Statistics and Experimental Design |
0.50 |
3
|
1
|
0
|
| BME 252 Linear Signals and Systems |
0.50 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
| BME 261 Prototyping, Simulation and Design |
0.50 |
3
|
1
|
0
|
| BME 284 Physiological and Biological Systems |
0.50 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
| BME 284L Physiology and Anatomy Laboratory |
0.25 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
| BME 294 Circuits, Instrumentation, and Measurements |
0.50
|
3
|
1
|
0
|
| BME 294L Circuits, Instrumentation, and Measurements Laboratory |
0.25
|
0
|
0
|
3
|
| WKRPT 200 Work-term Report |
0.13 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
3A Winter
|
BME 301 Seminar |
0.00 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
| BME 355 Anatomical Systems Modelling |
0.50 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
| BME 361 Biomedical Engineering Design |
0.50 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
| BME 381 Biomedical Engineering Ethics |
0.50 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
BME 393 Digital Systems
|
0.50 |
3
|
1
|
0
|
| BME 393L Digital Systems Laboratory |
0.25 |
0
|
0
|
3
|
| WKRPT 300 Work-term Report |
0.13
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| One Technical Elective or One Complementary Studies Elective |
|
3B Fall
|
BME 302 Seminar |
0.00 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
BME 356 Control Systems
|
0.50
|
3
|
1
|
0 |
| BME 356L Control Systems Laboratory |
0.25 |
0
|
0
|
3 |
| BME 362 Biomedical Engineering Design Workshop 1 |
0.50 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
| BME 364 Engineering Biomedical Economics |
0.50 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
| BME 384 Biomedical Transport: Biofluids and Mass Transfer |
0.50 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
| BME 386 The Physics of Medical Imaging |
0.50 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
|
4A Fall
|
BME 401 Seminar |
0.00 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
| BME 411 Optimization and Numerical Methods |
0.50 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
| BME 461 Biomedical Engineering Design Workshop 2 |
0.50 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
| WKRPT 400 Work-term Report |
0.13 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| One Complementary Studies Elective |
| Two Technical Electives |
|
4B Winter
|
BME 402 Seminar |
0.00 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
| BME 462 Biomedical Engineering Design Workshop 3 |
0.50 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
| One Complementary Studies Elective |
| Three Technical Electives |
CEAB Requirements
To determine the suitability of elective courses, students should complete the CEAB planner. In addition to meeting CEAB requirements, the student's course selections (as reported in their planner) should be logical and defensible. Two planners must be completed and submitted to the director of biomedical engineering, one planner for approval purposes in the student's 3A term, and one planner for graduation purposes at the end of the student's 4A term.
Students that have combinations of electives that result in a plan that does not meet CEAB criteria will not be permitted to graduate.
Complementary Studies Electives (CSEs)
The Complementary Studies Requirements gives students some breadth of studies related to their role as educated professionals in society. In addition to the two courses in the core curriculum, at least three elective courses must be chosen to satisfy the Complementary Studies Requirements. Only courses noted in Lists A, B, C, and D are Faculty-approved complementary studies elective courses to suit their plan (and any course prerequisites).
Technical Studies Electives (TEs)
Each student in Biomedical Engineering must complete at least six approved technical electives to meet graduation requirements. Students may arrange the sequencing of the technical elective courses to suit their plan (and any course prerequisites).
The Department of Systems Design Engineering offers a wide variety of technical elective courses in the third and fourth year. Biomedical Engineering students are encouraged to design their own elective package to develop expertise in their particular interest area. Approved technical elective courses are available from Systems Design Engineering, from other Engineering departments, and from a wide list of technical courses in the Faculties of Science and Mathematics. Students may choose to take their technical electives from a more restricted list to receive the Neural Engineering Specialization or the Sports Engineering Specialization. Only courses from Engineering and Computer Science will contribute towards CEAB hours in the categories of "Engineering Science" and "Engineering Design."
Specializations
Neural Engineering Specialization
Neural engineering is a discipline within biomedical engineering that is rapidly developing with high relevance to medicine. Four of the 10 highest-impact diseases in terms of years lost to disability are brain-related (World Health Organization, The Global Burden of Disease). Brain-inspired artificial systems are also rapidly emerging. Several Fortune-500 companies are pursuing computational brain modelling for the purpose of developing new brain-like technology.
The Neural Engineering Specialization will draw from the core Biomedical Engineering and Systems Design Engineering curriculum as well as introductory science and psychology courses, giving students a technical background in brain physiology, simulation and analysis methods, and brain-computer interfaces.
Requirements
The Neural Engineering Specialization consists of seven courses covering a wide range of neuroscience topics and computational applications in neuroscience. Students are also required to do their capstone design project (BME 461/GENE 403/SYDE 461 and BME 462/GENE 404/SYDE 462) with a focus on neuroscience applications. The project must be approved by the co-ordinator of the Neural Engineering Specialization. An average of at least 60% in the seven specialization courses and a grade of at least 50% in each of the courses is required. Students who satisfy the requirements for Faculty Options, Specializations and Electives for Engineering Students will have the appropriate designation shown on their diploma and transcript.
Required Courses
Note 1: It is the student's responsibility to ensure that their course selection meets the Biomedical Engineering requirements as well as the CEAB requirements, which include a minimum number of instruction hours in the various CEAB categories. Some courses in list A (identified by A) can be counted towards Complementary Studies Requirements.
Note 2: Biomedical Engineering students may lack prerequisites for some of these courses and should ensure that they obtain the prerequisite courses prior to taking such courses. However, there are several courses in the list, as identified by an asterisk (*), where students will have the appropriate prerequisites.
- BME 461 Biomedical Engineering Design Workshop 2 or GENE 403 Interdisciplinary Design Project 1 or SYDE 461 Systems Design Capstone Project 1
- BME 462 Biomedical Engineering Design Workshop 3 or GENE 404 Interdisciplinary Design Project 2 or SYDE 462 Systems Design Capstone Project 2
- SYDE 552 Computational Neuroscience or SYDE 556 Simulating Neurobiological Systems
Two courses from list A (anatomy and physiology of the nervous system)
One course from list B (computational applications in neuroscience)
- AMATH 451 Introduction to Dynamical Systems
- AMATH 382/BIOL 382 Computational Modelling of Cellular Systems*
- BME 487 Special Topics in Biomedical Signals (requires approval from the co-ordinator of the Neural Engineering Specialization)
- BME 499 Elective Biomedical Research Project (requires approval from the co-ordinator of the Neural Engineering Specialization)
- STAT 441 Statistical Learning - Classification
- STAT 444 Statistical Learning - Function Estimation
- SYDE 522 Machine Intelligence*
- SYDE 552 Computational Neuroscience*
- SYDE 556 Simulating Neurobiological Systems*
- SYDE 572 Introduction to Pattern Recognition*
One additional course from either list A or B.
Sports Engineering Specialization
Sports engineering has grown from a hobby of Isaac Newton and Lord Rayleigh to a multi-billion dollar industry, and today's athlete is highly dependent on the design and performance of their equipment and training systems. The modern sports engineer must be familiar with a wide range of topics ranging from sport biomechanics and light-weight materials to mechatronic system dynamics and control.
The Sports Engineering Specialization will draw from the core Biomedical Engineering and Systems Design Engineering curriculum which are complemented by several technical elective courses in material science, image and signal processing, biomechanics, and sports engineering to give students specializing in sports engineering the broad range of skills required for this emerging discipline.
Requirements
The Sports Engineering Specialization consists of two specific required TE courses, which provide the necessary background on the musculoskeletal dynamics and optimal performance of athletes as well as sports equipment design, training devices, and their interaction with the athlete, plus three additional courses drawn from the provided list. Students are also required to do their capstone design project (BME 461/GENE 403/SYDE 461 and BME 462/GENE 404/SYDE 462) with a focus on the design of a new sport equipment or training device. The project must be approved by the co-ordinator of the Sports Engineering Specialization. An average of at least 60% in the seven specialization courses and a grade of at least 50% in each of the courses is required. Students who satisfy the requirements for Faculty Options, Specializations and Electives for Engineering Students will have the appropriate designation shown on their diploma and transcript.
Required Courses
- BME 461 Biomedical Engineering Design Workshop 2 or GENE 403 Interdisciplinary Design Project 1 or SYDE 461 Systems Design Capstone Project 1
- BME 462 Biomedical Engineering Design Workshop 3 or GENE 404 Interdisciplinary Design Project 2 or SYDE 462 Systems Design Capstone Project 2
- BME 550 Sports Engineering
- BME 551 Biomechanics of Human Movement
Any three courses from the following list must also be taken:
- BME 488 Special Topics in Biomechanics
- BME 499 Elective Biomedical Research Project (requires approval from the co-ordinator of the Sports Engineering Specialization)
- CIVE 460 Engineering Biomechanics
- ECE 417 or SYDE 575 Image Processing
- KIN 340 Musculoskeletal Injuries in Work and Sport
- ME 362 Fluid Mechanics 2
- ME 533 Non-metallic and Composite Materials
- ME 559 Finite Element Methods
- SYDE 544 Biomedical Measurement and Signal Processing
- SYDE 553 Advanced Dynamics
Note
It is the student's responsibility to ensure that their course selection meets the Biomedical Engineering requirements as well as the CEAB requirements, which include a minimum number of instruction hours in the various CEAB categories.
Faculty of Engineering Approved Options
Students who complete the requirements for a Faculty of Engineering approved option will receive a final academic transcript with a statement that the option has been successfully completed. Students should refer to the Options, Specializations and Electives for Engineering Students section of this Calendar for further information or contact the option co-ordinator.