Programs Overview
Are you a prospective student? Here at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering (BME), we connect researchers across the University of Toronto and its partner hospitals to develop innovative solutions to improve human health.
At the Institute of Biomedical Engineering (BME), we have 3 graduate programs and 2 undergraduate programs.
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Graduate programs
Doctor of Philosophy
Research degree that exposes candidates to cutting-edge research in a laboratory
Master of Applied Science
Research degree that exposes candidates to cutting-edge research in a laboratory
Master of Engineering
Professional degree that exposes candidates to biomedical device design to commercialization
Graduate programs comparison
| Stream: | Research | Professional |
|---|---|---|
| Program: | PhD / MASc | MEng |
| Focus: | Research intensive training in a laboratory or clinical setting. | Training in biomedical device design, implementation, and commercialization. |
| Career Interests: | Individuals pursuing careers in academia, healthcare, government, or industry, who have a passion for research and development. • Motivated to conduct cutting-edge research • Passionate about academic collaboration and science communication • Keen on becoming key opinion leaders with distinct research specialization | Individuals interested in medical device production from design to implementation in human patients. • Seeking product design knowledge • Interested in learning entrepreneurship fundamentals • Eagar to gain real-world experience in the healthcare sector |
| Degree(s) Required: | Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Engineering, Master of Applied Science (for PhD only), or Master of Engineering (PhD only). | Bachelor of Engineering or Bachelor of Science. |
| Outcome: | Program graduates excel as leaders in academia, industry, and government agencies across the globe. | Through work-integrated learning, graduates emerge as company founders, technology leaders, and start-up creators in the healthcare sector. |
| Program Length: | approx. 2 years (for MASc) or approx. 4 years (for PhD) | 1 year |
| Funding: | Unit-funded | Self-funded |
| Curricula: | • Coursework • Committee Meetings • Qualifying/Bypass Exam (for PhD) • Thesis • Defense • Final Oral Exam (for PhD) | • Coursework • Practical Experience |
Undergraduate programs and opportunities
| Year | Description | Opportunities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Engineering Science (EngSci) program students learn fundamentals of different science disciplines and begin team-based design training through praxis courses. | |
| 2 | EngSci students continue to receive foundational training through courses including BME205. Students select their major at the end of the second year. | USRA PEY Co-op |
| 3 | Biomedical Engineering major program students deepen their knowledge through rigorous academic and experiential training. | USRA PEY Co-op |
| 4 | Major students may focus on skill advancement and further knowledge and competencies through the completion of specialization courses, thesis, and design/capstone projects. |
| Year | Description | Opportunities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Engineering students establish knowledge in math and applied & basic sciences. | |
| 2 | Students expand knowledge and gain a greater depth of understanding through enhanced lab experiences and design opportunities. | USRA PEY Co-op |
| 3 | Bioengineering minor students may elect to pursue specialization courses grouped into three themes: Molecular Engineering, Cell & Tissue Engineering, and Clinical Engineering. | USRA PEY Co-op |
| 4 | Minor students may focus on skill advancement in one of the three themes (mentioned above) toward becoming a specialist in their respective field. |
Read more student news & stories
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BME graduate student receives Adel S. Sedra Distinguished Graduate Award
Mohammadamir (Amir) G. Moghaddam has been named as the recipient of the 2025-26 Adel S. Sedra Distinguished Graduate Award, recognizing his outstanding academic achievements and leadership. This prestigious award, established in honour of former U of T Vice-President and Provost Professor Adel S. Sedra, is given annually to a doctoral student who exemplifies excellence in research and extracurricular leadership.
Faces of BME – Aisha Raji
Faces of BME – Aisha Raji Growing up in Nigeria, Aisha Raji witnessed firsthand the challenges posed by limited healthcare resources, sparking her passion for biomedical engineering as a bridge […]
Black graduate engineering students expand community with new NSBE chapter
Thanks to a dedicated group of student leaders, Black-identifying members of U of T Engineering’s graduate student community now have more avenues for support and mentorship than ever before.
Faces of BME – Solumtobechukwu Ayadiuno
Faces of BME – Solumtobechukwu Ayadiuno Tochukwu Ayadiuno is a biomedical engineer with a passion for improving quality of life through advancements in medicine. Currently pursuing a PhD in Professor […]
Faces of BME – Theophilus Ofori
Faces of BME – Theophilus Ofori Theophilus Ofori, an MEng student at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering, is an accomplished biomedical engineer specializing in medical equipment management, planning, and clinical […]
Faces of BME – Jennifer Akaade
Faces of BME – Jennifer Akaade Jennifer Akaade, a Mastercard Scholar pursuing her MEng at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering, has built an impressive foundation in computer engineering. As the […]
U of T Engineering ranked first in Canada in 2025 Times Higher Education’s global subject ranking
The University of Toronto’s Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering has climbed to the 23rd spot in the Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings by Subject 2025. The faculty has jumped three spots since 2024 and is the only Canadian engineering school in the top 25.
U of T student team earns international prizes for leveraging AI to tackle antibiotic resistance
A U of T Engineering student team working on synthetic biology research and innovation has achieved its best results to date at the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition, with a platform to counter so-called superbugs that resist antibiotic treatment. With the support of Professors Michael Garton and Freeman Lan (both BME), the team started working with plasmids from E. coli bacteria to see if they could generate new sequences and validate their functionality, both computationally and in the wet lab.
Three BME students share their graduate experience
Last week, students from the class of 2T4 walked across the stage at Convocation Hall and became the latest engineering alumni. Nevena Musikic, Amber Xue, and Alyssia Sanchez shared their graduate experiences in this video.
First 48 Hours: Documentary spotlights the journey of international students
Cecil Chikezie, a PhD student at BME, has been featured in a 22-min University of Toronto documentary from the perspective of international students. It documents what life has been like within the first 48 hours of arriving on campus.
Meet the incoming class of 2024
In September, BME welcomed 100+ students into our graduate programs. We asked some of these students what they are looking forward to in graduate school, and why they chose our programs. Here’s what they have to say.