(B.Eng.BME. Co-op Optional)

Software and Biomedical Engineering

The Software and Biomedical Engineering program is a five-year program where students are required to complete core Software Engineering courses in addition to project- and design-based courses from the iBioMed program.

Current Student Inquiries:

Email:: ibiomed
Phone:: +1 905.525.9140 x 27371
Office:: MDCL 3511

View Calendar

Future Student Information

Overview

Software engineers (SEs) are engineers who specialise in designing, building, testing, and "maintaining" the software in computer systems. Such systems include systems that control electrical and mechanical devices, computerised communication systems, information systems, in particular also in medical devices and health care infrastructure.

Since software is now used in every type of organisation, and in designing every type of device, career opportunities are essentially unlimited.

Software Engineers are ultimately responsible for the usability, safety, and reliability of their products, which is particularly relevant for medical devices. For example, the Software Engineer must make sure that the system and its documentation are consistent, that the hardware configuration is appropriate to the task, that programs will behave as required, and that the system will meet all real-time deadlines and other performance requirements. Because they must understand what is going on outside the computer, not just the software, the Software and Biomedical Engineering program includes much more than software design; it prepares students for a career in a rapidly changing field by emphasising fundamental design principles, material that will still be useful and valid three decades from today. Students learn to apply basic mathematics and science (including relevant Computer Science and Medical Science), as well as undertake disciplined testing and simulation to ensure that any system they design will perform its tasks adequately when delivered to a customer for use.

Discover more here.

Admission Requirements

Admission to either the B.H.Sc. (Honours) Health, Engineering Science and Entrepreneurship (HESE) specialization or the B.Eng.BME Biomedical Engineering (BME) specialization requires successful completion of all non-elective Level I IBEHS courses with a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.0.

All students who successfully complete the first year of the program will have a space in one of the two degree options. As enrolment is limited in each of the two degree options (HESE or BME), where there is more demand than spaces, competition will be based on first-year academic achievement.

Students seeking admission to the BME specialization will be admitted to one of eight Level II Engineering programs (Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Engineering Physics, Materials, Mechanical, Mechatronics, or Software). Admission to a Level II Engineering program is guaranteed for all students who meet the general progress requirements. All engineering programs have limited enrolment; should there be more applicants than the limiting number in any program, admission to that program will be based on GPA.

Students who do not meet the requirements to proceed to Level II in May will have a Pending flag put on their allocation. The Pending flag will be removed in August if the student completes the requirements over the summer.

Notes

As well as completing the academic requirements as specified in this Calendar, students in a Co-op program must complete IBEHS 1EE0. IBEHS 2EC0 will be added to the academic record for each 4 month work term.

Co-op and Experiential Learning

Students enrolled in either the BME or HESE stream at McMaster will have the opportunity to apply for co-op positions.

Co-op placements are flexible and can be taken up at any time.

Co-op is offered for both degree options
Students are able to add co-op at any time up to the end of their penultimate year of studies
A minimum of 12 months of relevant work experience is required to receive your co-op designation

For maximum flexibility, options include:

4 month summer work-terms
8 to 16 month continuous internships

iBioMed students have landed co-op placements within the following industries:

	Healthcare
	Education
	Finance
	Government
	Tech