Materials and Biomedical Engineering – Faculty of Engineering

Materials and Biomedical Engineering

A unique integrated program delivered jointly by the Faculties of Engineering and Health Sciences, where students gain fundamental knowledge in material structures, properties, and processing to meet clinical challenges in biomaterials.

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

Materials & Biomedical Engineering focuses on the design and development of materials that enable medical and biotechnological devices. Through hands-on labs, design projects and experiential learning, you’ll study how material structures, properties and biological interactions influence applications such as implants, biosensors, drug delivery systems and tissue engineering.

Graduates are prepared for careers in medical devices, pharmaceuticals, biomanufacturing, healthcare innovation and research across industry, government and academia.  

Why study this program?

  1. Canada’s first program to integrate engineering, entrepreneurship and health sciences, preparing students to develop innovative solutions that improve health and technology.
  2. Develop hands-on experience through labs and design projects focused on creating, testing, and simulating materials and their interactions in biological environments.
  3. Prepare for strong career pathways in medical device development, pharmaceuticals, biomanufacturing, government research and emerging biotech industries, driven by advances in biomaterials. 
A professor helps a student construct a tabletop model of a closet.

What you'll learn

Study an interdisciplinary field that focuses on the structure, properties, and biological interactions of materials used in medical and biotechnological systems.  

You will build a strong foundation in core areas such as materials science, chemistry, biology, and physics, while exploring biomedical applications including implants, biosensors, drug delivery systems, and tissue engineering.  

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

MATLS 3B03 – Manufacturing Engineering of Multifunctional and Biomedical Materials:

Explore how advanced materials for medical and technological applications are designed and manufactured. You’ll connect material structure and processing methods to real-world performance in biomedical devices and engineered systems.

IBEHS 4F04 – Biomedical Instrumentation and Measurement:

Study the devices and sensors used to measure biological signals in medical settings. Through practical labs, you’ll work with instrumentation used in diagnostics, monitoring, and healthcare technology development  

MATLS 4MS4 – Materials Selection in Design:

Learn how engineers choose the right materials for real-world applications based on performance, safety, cost, and biological compatibility. You’ll work through design-style problems similar to those used in industry.

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:

  • ArcelorMittal
  • Boston Scientific
  • Enbridge
  • Hatch Associated Ltd.
  • Liburdi Engineering Limited
  • Mancor Industries
  • Ripple Therapeutics
  • Saint-Gobain
  • Sanofi
  • Septodont
  • Stackpole
  • Stelco
  • Tudell Trudell Medical Limited
  • 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 career-ready for in-demand careers in materials and biomedical engineering, including biomedical device design, biomaterials development, medical manufacturing, and healthcare technology innovation in industry, government, and research environments.

  • Integrity Assessment
  • Lab Technician
  • Manufacturing Engineer
  • Mechanical & Chemical Testing
  • Process Engineer
  • Product Developer
  • Quality Engineer
  • Research & Development Engineer

Explore Materials and Biomedical Engineering in 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
Materials Science & Engineering programs

  • World-class research facilities

    Students gain access to world-class electron microscopes, including instruments capable of atomic-scale imaging and materials analysis.

    CCEM houses state of the art aberration-corrected electron microscopes that can image materials at near-atomic resolution, placing it among the top microscopy facilities globally!

  • 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.

    Mac HealthHatch brings together students to work on health challenges, develop solutions and get experience with prototyping and design thinking. Each year, they host a year-end showcase where students present their prototypes and innovations.
    Learn more about Mac Eng Experiences

  • Hands-on learning laboratories

    The Biomaterials & Robotics Lab is a hands-on learning space where students design, prototype, and test biomedical materials, medical devices and robotic systems using industry-standard equipment.

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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