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About iBioMed

The Integrated Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences program is an interdisciplinary undergraduate program that will give students a strong foundation in both engineering and health sciences. Students will have a common first year before choosing to specialize in either health sciences or engineering in their second year.

Fast Facts

  • First program in Canada to offer a 5-year biomedical program that integrates engineering and health sciences
  • Common first year with a curriculum combining health sciences and engineering courses
  • Students will pursue one of two degree options:
    • Bachelor of Biomedical Engineering (B.Eng.BME) with an emphasis on biomedical engineering within a parent discipline
    • Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences (B.H.Sc.) with an emphasis on Health, Engineering Science and Entrepreneurship
  • Five-year program expands depth of experience in entrepreneurship and commercialization
  • Flexible co-op
  • Community-focused
  • Experiential & problem-based learning
  • 14 Dean’s Excellence Entrance Scholarships available

What is iBioMed?

The Integrated Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences program is an interdisciplinary undergraduate program that will give students a strong foundation in both engineering and health sciences. Students will have a common first year before choosing to specialize in either health sciences or engineering in second year.

Project-Based Approach

The Health Solutions Design Projects course will cover topics in engineering ethics and professionalism, design and graphics, computation, and materials, with the key assessment being a series of biomedical-related design projects. This course is the first in a stream of integrated learning projects that flows through the program. Beginning in Level II, students will pursue either an Engineering or Health Sciences degree.

IBEHS 1

Students wishing to enrol in the Integrated Biomedical Engineering & Health Sciences program must complete a common first year.  

Discover more here!

Admissions

Target first year enrolment is 140 for September. After first year, 90 spots are available in the Bachelor of Engineering and Biomedical Engineering program and 50 spots are available in the Bachelor of Health Sciences in Health, Engineering Science and Entrepreneurship program. Students are guaranteed a spot in second year, upon successful completion of the first year program, however, space in each program is awarded on a competitive basis.

Discover more about iBioMed admissions, timelines and supplementary application!

Second-Year Specializations

What will I do after my first year in iBioMed? After first year, 90 spots are available in the Bachelor of Engineering and Biomedical Engineering program and 50 spots are available in the Bachelor of Health Sciences in Health, Engineering Science and Entrepreneurship program. Students are guaranteed a spot in second year, however, space in each program is awarded on a competitive basis.

Bachelor of Engineering and Biomedical Engineering (B.Eng.BME.)

Learn fundamental skills and techniques in both biomedical engineering and chosen core discipline. There are eight engineering disciplines to choose from (Civil, Chemical, Electrical, Engineering Physics, Materials, Mechanical, Mechatronics, and Software). The admissions into one of these engineering disciplines will be based off of first year academic performance and the availability of space in the discipline

Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences in Health Engineering Science and Entrepreneurship (B.H.Sc.)

Integrates engineering, health sciences and entrepreneurship, creating a hybrid graduate that interacts with clinicians, researchers and patients. Health and Engineering Entrepreneurship courses from level II to V integrate business and engineering concepts including: organizational behaviour, leadership, finance and marketing, discovery, validation, design thinking, and more. Students will work in groups on the creation of value from problems in the health and engineering disciplines, learning how to develop a concept and market it

Program Structure

Use the graphic below to help you visualize your degree path, whether you choose the BME or HESE specialization.  

*Please note that this is to be used as a guideline only and that students should be referring to their degree requirements as listed in the Academic Calendar or in their Advisement Report.

Why McMaster?

As one of Canada’s top research-intensive universities, McMaster is a research-focused student-centred institution committed to pushing the boundaries of knowledge and educating our students to become the leaders and innovators of tomorrow.

McMaster is consistently ranked among the top one hundred institutions in the world for the quality and breadth of our research enterprise, the excellence of our research programs, and the discoveries and scholarly contributions of our faculty. McMaster is placed among the top 50 universities worldwide for health and medical sciences, and in the top 10 in Canada for engineering.

From combatting disease to informing public policy, making our environment healthier and helping to build the cities of the future, our students and researchers are working collaboratively to address the most urgent needs in our society, improving quality of life for communities locally and globally.