Degree requirements

This page provides information and links on the academic aspects of the Biomedical Engineering (BME) program. 

For a full description of the BME curriculum, including course listings, please see Waterloo's Undergraduate Studies Calendar.

COURSES AND PROMOTION

SPECIALIZATIONS

BME students may choose to take their technical electives (TE) from a more restricted list to receive the Neural Engineering Specialization or the Sports Engineering Specialization. Students who satisfy the requirements for Options, Specializations and Electives for Engineering Students will have the appropriate designation shown on their diploma and transcript. Refer to the Undergraduate Studies Calendar for the full list of courses required in each Specialization. 

  • The Biomaterials and Tissues Specialization consists of five courses covering biomaterial science and tissue mechanics, biomedical devices, material engineering, and biology and physiology. Students are also required to do their capstone design project with a focus on biomaterials and tissue applications. The project must be approved by the specialization coordinator.

  • The Medical Artificial Intelligence Specialization consists of five courses covering the healthcare system, pattern recognition, and methods in artificial intelligence. Students are also required to do their capstone design project with a focus on medical artificial intelligence. The project must be approved by the specialization coordinator. 

  • The Medical Devices Specialization consists of five courses covering the design and fabrication of medical devices, biocompatibility and clinical assessment. Students are also required to do their capstone design project with a focus on biomedical devices.The project must be approved by the specialization coordinator. 

  • The Neural Engineering Specialization consists of five courses covering a wide range of neuroscience topics and computational applications in neuroscience. Students are also required to do their capstone design project with a focus on neuroscience applications. The project must be approved by Dr. Bryan Tripp, the coordinator of the Neural Engineering Specialization. 
  • The Sports Engineering Specialization consists of five courses covering biomechanics, dynamics, and sports engineering. Students are also required to do their capstone design project with a focus on a new sport equipment or training device. The project must be approved by Dr. John McPhee, the coordinator of the Sports Engineering Specialization. 

TECHNICAL ELECTIVES

BME students can choose from technical electives in a variety of interest areas and pursue an individual research project in BME 499 Elective Biomedical Research Project. Technical electives are offered by several engineering departments, the Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, and departments in the Faculty of Science. 

TECHNICAL ELECTIVE SPECIAL TOPICS

BME students may also choose to take a technical elective in one of the special topic areas in the biomedical engineering discipline. 

BME 587 Biomedical signals

There is a significant range of biological or clinical measurements taken in the biomedical industry. These include human-generated signals (EEG and EKG), the influence of biological tissue on an external signal (X-ray, MRI), and other types of measurements that are relevant to biomedical modeling and analysis (force, mass, velocity).

  • Topic areas include: medical imaging, biosignals, neuroscience, and diagnostics (pattern recognition).

BME 588 Biomechanics

The human body is a physical system, and its components - whether fluid, muscle, soft tissue or bone - can be modelled and analyzed using the principles of mechanics.

  • Topic areas include: biofluid mechanics, tissue mechanics, musculoskeletal biomechanics, sports mechanics, and rehabilitation.

BME 589 Biomedical devices

Improvements in materials and the miniaturization of sensors and electronics has opened opportunities for the creation of new-generation, biomedical devices.

  • Topic areas include: assistive devices, implants, prostheses and orthoses, biomechatronics, design for the elderly, biomedical technologies, and therapeutics. 

COMPLEMENTARY STUDIES ELECTIVES