Biomedical Engineering

Undergraduate Program Overview

The Faculty of Applied Science offers an undergraduate program leading to the Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.) in Biomedical Engineering. Biomedical Engineering (BME) addresses fundamental problems where human biology and physical design principles intersect. The program gives biomedical engineers the skills required to make scientific discoveries and inventions that promote health.

To ensure the quality of learning, students entering our program must have access to a computer that meets UBC security requirements and has a webcam, microphone, and speaker. Students are advised to check with SBME advisors and instructors on hardware and software requirements necessary, as well as resources available, prior to the start of their program.

Typically, UBC engineering programs begin with a common first year after which students apply for, and are registered in, a specific engineering program in second year. However, entry into the second year of the BME B.A.Sc. program requires BME-specific versions of the first-year courses and students wishing to study in the BME program after their first year are strongly encouraged to apply for registration in the “Pre-Biomedical Engineering Standardized Timetable (PBME STT)” after they apply to UBC’s first-year Engineering Program. The PBME STT is a modified version of the common first year and selection for the modified timetable is limited and competitive. This timetable allows students to take introductory material core to the BME program in Year 1.  It also offers priority placement into BME in second year if all criteria are met.

Students apply for the BME B.A.Sc. after completing first-year engineering (or a comparable program at another university or college). Students who are admitted to the BME B.A.Sc. program without completing the PBME STT will have to complete any missing course requirements.

Students completing their first year in the PBME-modified first-year timetable will also be eligible for second-year placement into other Engineering programs at UBC. 
 

2022W Second Year Entry or Later to the Biomedical Engineering Program

Numerous specializations are available within Biomedical Engineering, by appropriate choice of several technical electives. These specializations include: Biomaterials; Biomechanics; Cellular Bioengineering; Biomedical Informatics; and Biomedical Systems and Signals among others. Specialization guides, consisting of groups of courses with their list of pre- and co-requisite courses in a particular area, will be provided to the students as guidance. The students can choose all the courses from a particular specialization guide or they can construct their own set of courses from the full list of technical electives. The undergraduate advisors and student services staff are available to advise the students on the specialization guides and potential strengths and considerations of other combinations of courses. Please consult the program website for a full list of specializations and technical elective selections. https://www.bme.ubc.ca/

2022W Second Year Entry or Later Program Requirements

Please note: As of 2025W, BMEG students will be required to take BMEG_V 402 to satisfy the "Impact of technology on society and sustainable development and environmental stewardship requirement within the Complementary Studies Courses.

2018W - 2021W Second Year Entry into the Biomedical Engineering Program

The program is offered four streams of technical electives to allow students to focus on particular areas of Biomedical Engineering: Cellular Bioengineering; Biomedical Systems and Signals; Biomechanics and Biomaterials; and Biomedical Informatics. Students should consult the program website for technical elective selection for each stream.

NOTE: Students who enter Year 3 standing in 2023W or later will be in the “specializations” curriculum, which has different requirements from the original “streams” curriculum. 

The program is designed to align with admissions criteria for medical school. Students intending to apply to medical school after their biomedical engineering program must take a first-year English course as a complementary study. Other courses within the program are considered equivalent for the purposes of the Biology content recommended by the UBC Faculty of Medicine. 
 

2018W - 2021W Second Year Entry Program Requirements
 

Stream Based Courses (Please note, Streams for this program are no longer offered). 

Cooperative Education Experiential Work Terms

Cooperative education experiential learning placements are an integral part of the Bachelor of Applied Science in Biomedical Engineering program. Students will typically complete four 4-month experiential learning placements coordinated through the Applied Science Co-op Program. Work terms can take place during the Winter or Summer terms. Students should refer to the program website for the current schedule. Students unable to complete one or more co-op terms should consult with a departmental advisor.

https://www.bme.ubc.ca/