Electrical and Biomedical Engineering – Faculty of Engineering

Electrical and Biomedical Engineering

A unique integrated program delivered jointly by the Faculties of Engineering and Health Sciences, blending Electrical and Computer Engineering with biomedical principles to electrify future technologies.

This program is in partnership with the Faculty of Health Sciences.
Length
5 years
Degree
Bachelor of Engineering & Biomedical Engineering (Co-op Available)
Program
Integrated Biomedical Engineering & Health Sciences (iBioMed)
Options

Co-op

Overview

Electrical & Biomedical Engineering combines electrical engineering principles with biomedical innovation to design technologies that interact with and support human health.

Through hands-on projects, and engineering courses, you’ll learn to develop systems such as medical devices, sensors, and imaging technologies. Graduates are prepared for careers in healthcare technology. Eectronics, energy, communications, and advanced engineering or graduate studies.  

Why study this program?

  1. Canada’s first undergraduate program integrating electrical engineering with biomedical applications and entrepreneurship, preparing students to design technologies that interface directly with the human body, including medical devices, sensors, and imaging systems.
  2. Develop in-demand expertise for careers in healthcare technology, medical devices, electronics, communications, energy, and transportation, with pathways to graduate studies and professional engineering practice. 
A person working at a desk examines electronic components.

What you'll learn

Study an interdisciplinary field that combines electrical engineering principles with biomedical applications to design systems that measure, process and interpret signals from the human body. 

You’ll build a strong foundation in core areas such as circuits, electronics, electromagnetics, signal processing, programming, and systems engineering, while also exploring biomedical applications including medical devices, imaging systems, and physiological signal analysis. 

This program is part of iBioMed: Integrated Biomedical Engineering & Health Sciences.

All students in McMaster’s Integrated Biomedical Engineering & Health Sciences (iBioMed) program participate in a common first year — IBEHS 1. Build a solid base in the fundamentals of engineering, health and entrepreneurship and get exposed to design work at the start of your degree.

Learn more about IBEHS 1

COMPENG 2DX3 – Microprocessor Systems Project:

A hands-on design course where you build and program embedded systems, learning how hardware and software work together in real-world devices like wearables and smart sensors. 

IBEHS 3A03 – Biomedical Signals and Systems: 

Explore how the body communicates through electrical signals such as ECG and EEG, and learn how engineers interpret these signals to support diagnosis and healthcare technologies. 

ELECENG 2CI4 – Introduction to Circuit Analysis:

Build the foundation of electrical engineering by learning how circuits power everything from medical devices to communication systems, with problem-solving focused labs and applications. 

IBEHS 4F04 – Biomedical Instrumentation and Measurement:

Work with real biomedical devices and sensors used in healthcare, gaining practical experience in how technologies like imaging and monitoring systems are designed and tested. 

ELECBME 5P06 – Integrated Electrical & Biomedical Engineering Capstone Design Project:

A culminating team-based design experience where you apply everything you’ve learned to solve a real-world biomedical engineering challenge from concept to prototype. 

Get practical experience and grow your portfolio with interdisciplinary design courses. All students in Integrated Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences take six project-based design courses:

1. IBEHS 1P10 A/B – Health Solutions Design Projects I: Introduction to Engineering Fundamentals and Design 

2. IBEHS 2PA2 – Health Solutions Design Projects II-A: Lab Skills in Genetic Engineering

3. IBEHS 2PB2 – Health Solutions Design Projects II-B: Project in Genetic Engineering

3. IBEHS 3P04 – Health Solutions Design Projects III: Economic Analysis and Risk Management

4. IBEHS 4P03 – Health Solutions Design Projects IV: Decision Making and Project Management

5. Capstone project (year-long design project)

Co-op and experiential learning

Go beyond the lecture hall with experiential learning. Our engineering co-op program provides you with the opportunity to work in real engineering positions before you graduate.

Sample co-op employers:

  • Advanced Micro Devices (AMD)
  • Boston Scientific
  • Evertz Microsystems Ltd.
  • Geotab Inc.
  • Magna
  • MDA Corporation
  • Qualcomm Inc.
  • Royal Bank of Canada
  • Ripple Therapeutics
  • Sanofi
  • Septodont
  • Synopsys
  • University Health Network
Did you know: McMaster's Faculty of Engineering has the 3rd largest co-op program in Canada.
Learn more about co-op

Potential career paths

Graduates will be be career-ready for high demand areas such as process design, energy systems, materials, and industrial operations:

  • Analog & Mixed Signal Designer 
  • Digital Design Engineer
  • FPGA Design Engineer  
  • Quality Engineer 
  • Research & Development Engineer 
  • Software Developer  
  • Technical Engineer 

Explore grad school

You’ll already be connected to world-renowned researchers leading innovation in your undergrad: continue pursuing research and innovation in a master’s program.

Biomedical Engineering programs
Electrical and Computer Engineering programs

  • Award-winning student teams

    Join award-winning student teams tackling real-world engineering challenges and competing against top universities worldwide.

    McMaster's Battery Workforce Challenge team, made up of 60+ undergraduate students, won 1st place internationally in 2025 for designing a fast-charging electric vehicle battery pack.

  • Clubs and teams

    McMaster has many clubs, teams and societies you can join to practice your engineering skills, get more hands-on experiences and explore new activities.

    McMaster Engineering is one of only two Canadian teams in the EcoCAR EV Challenge, where students convert a Cadillac Lyriq into a rare-earth-free, autonomous-electric vehicle with support from industry partners like GM
    Learn more about Mac Eng Experiences

  • Canada's largest undergraduate research program

    Engage in hands-on research and complex problems with a mentor as early as your first year.

    Electrical engineering students designed a smartphone-based imaging device for diabetic retinopathy screening, integrating optics, an iOS app, and image processing to enable affordable retinal imaging access and support telemedicine access.
    Learn about undergrad research opportunities

Financial aid & awards

Over $2.5 million in funding awarded annually

The Faculty of Engineering offers substantial financial support to students, including one of the largest faculty-based entrance scholarship programs in the country, with over $2.5 million awarded annually.

Learn more

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