Biomedical Engineering

Program Overview

The Faculty of Applied Science offers a 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 discipline 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 in their second 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 one.

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. without completing the PBME STT will have to complete any missing course requirements.

Students completing their first year of the PBME modified first year timetable will also be eligible for 2nd year placement into other Engineering programs at UBC.

2021W Entry or Later

Numerous specializations are available within Biomedical Engineering, by appropriate choice of several technical electives. These specializations include: Cellular Bioengineering; Biomedical Systems and Signals; Biomechanics and Biomaterials; and Biomedical Informatics 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 pick all the courses from a particular specialization guide or they can construct their own set of courses from the 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.

2018W-2020W Entry

The program is designed with 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. After their second year, BME students indicate their prioritized stream preferences. Prospective students should be aware that a maximum enrolment limit may apply to each stream. If student preferences for a stream exceed capacity for that stream, the program Director will select students for the stream based on academic standing and demonstrated interest and ability in that specific stream.

Consult the program website for technical elective selection for each stream.

NOTE: The intake of students into streams was discontinued after the 2021W Year 3 Cohort

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.

2021W Entry or Later Program Requirements

2018W-2020W 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.