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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Show your pride – Angelico Obille
Meet Angelico Obille (he/they): a queer, Filipino-Canadian scientist and pianist who is currently pursuing a PhD in biomedical engineering at the University of Toronto. Also known on social media as @ScientistAnjo, Angelico takes any chance to share their insights on nature and the role of humans in the global ecosystem. Born in Mississauga, Ontario from architects who immigrated from the Philippines, Angelico has been uniquely positioned to develop his skills and to build his life with authentic Queer Filipino excellence at the core.
BME student receives 2024 Teaching Assistant Teaching Excellence Award
Shaghayegh (Shay) Chavoshian has won a 2024 TA Teaching Excellence Award from the University of Toronto’s Teaching Assistant Training Program (TATP). Shay, a PhD student at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering (BME), is one of the five recipients this year. This prestigious award acknowledges the remarkable contributions of teaching assistants who inspire and challenge undergraduate students, significantly enhancing their learning experience.
Show your pride – Shivam Chadha
Meet Shivam (they/them): a nonbinary scientist currently pursuing their PhD at BME. They grew up in Mississauga and come from a diverse background of community health, exercise physiology, and occupational health policy, along with doing their MSc work in epigenetics exploring aging and frailty. They love sharing and teaching folks about science and tech in accessible ways to cultivate health, wellness, and natural curiosity in their communities. When not in the lab or crocheting at home, they like to stay active by adventuring through the city in their bike.
Two Institute of Biomedical Engineering graduate students awarded prestigious Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships in 2024
The Institute of Biomedical Engineering (BME) at the University of Toronto is proud to announce that two of its doctoral candidates, David Li and Erica Floreani, have been awarded the prestigious Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships for the 2024 cycle.
UT BIOME: pioneering innovation at the intersection of biomedical engineering
University of Toronto Biomedical Engineering design team, led by Luka Zigomanis (4th year EngSci) and Rubaina Farin (4th year Life Sci), provided undergraduate students with a unique platform to explore the convergence of medicine and engineering
Celebrating the 40th Student Research Conference (ToBE)
This year’s event featured keynote addresses from Nobel Prize winner Dr. Jennifer Doudna, Dr. John-Ross Rizzo from NYU Langone Health, and Dr. Andrew Pelling from the University of Ottawa, all renowned for their groundbreaking work. The conference showcased student research, fostering academic discourse and networking, and included workshops on communication and entrepreneurship.
Club for Undergraduate Biomedical Engineering Awarded the University of Toronto Student Life “Program of the Year” for Promoting Innovation and Collaboration
The Club for Undergraduate Biomedical Engineering (CUBE) at the University of Toronto continues to garner recognition for its exceptional achievements and contributions to the university community. Recently, CUBE was honoured to receive the 2024 “Program of the Year” Award from U of T Student Life for its commitment to excellence and innovation in promoting biomedical engineering at the campus. In 2023 – 2024 academic year, CUBE hosted a total of 10 events and 11 workshops.
Faces of BME – Amy Huang
Meet Amy Huang: a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in biomedical engineering and currently undertaking her thesis work in Professor Cristina Amon’s lab. Amy’s journey into engineering was sparked by her passion for hands-on projects and her innate ability to turn abstract concepts into real-world solutions. Excelling in her academic pursuits, Amy was one of the recipients of the University of Toronto Student Leadership Award in 2024. In her spare time, Amy has been deeply involved in the Club for Undergraduate Biomedical Engineering (CUBE) and has served as its co-president, fostering unity and providing invaluable opportunities for fellow students.
Faces of BME – Angelico Obille
As a graduate student navigating the complexities of bioadhesion research, Angelico Obille recognizes the importance of effective communication, both within the scientific community and to the broader public. Beyond his academic endeavors, Angelico’s love for music, cultivated since childhood, serves as both a creative outlet and a metaphorical lens through which he views the scientific process.
Faces of BME – Ferdinand (Reke) Avikpe
Ferdinand (Reke) Avikpe, originally from Warri, Nigeria, came to Canada at 15 to pursue undergraduate degrees at the University of Winnipeg. Now he is pursuing AI research, focusing on computational models of stem cell differentiation under Dr. Cristina Amon at the University of Toronto.
Faces of BME – Isdora Msigwa
Meet Isdora Msigwa, a Mastercard Foundation scholar hailing from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, currently pursuing her MEng degree at the University of Toronto. Upon completing her studies, Isdora envisions herself thriving in the dynamic field of healthcare consulting, leveraging her expertise as both an R&D engineer and a Business Development Specialist within pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
Faces of BME – Jemila Abdulai
Meet Jemila Abdulai, a vibrant member of the biomedical engineering community at the University of Toronto. Her aspirations upon graduating from the MEng program include venturing into the medical device industry, where she aims to apply her skills and knowledge for meaningful contributions.