Improve the health of others (without the hefty med school bill)
Design bionic limbs. Create laser-guided surgical devices. Develop wearable tech to help athletes perform better. In Biomedical Engineering, you’ll use engineering know-how to develop better ways to diagnose illnesses, treat health problems, and enhance health.
You’ll study biomechanics, physics, chemistry, and design. With that broad knowledge, you’ll be able to collaborate with all kinds of different experts: biologists, medical practitioners, policy makers, and engineers, to name a few. You’ll also learn to model and design complex biomedical systems—and you’ll get plenty of hands-on experience through two years of paid co-op work terms, plus a fourth-year design project.
By the time you graduate, you’ll be ready to create tomorrow’s life-saving and life-enhancing innovations.
in Canada for engineering (US News & World Report 2020)
Gain two years of experience in the
co-op program
Students earn $15,700 on average per co-op term
Biomedical Engineering admission requirements
Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including
- Advanced Functions (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
- Calculus and Vectors (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
- Chemistry (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
- Physics (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
- English (ENG4U) (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
Admission averages: Individual selection from the mid-90s
Why Waterloo Engineering?
With its renowned co-op program and a supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem, Waterloo Engineering is one of the world’s top engineering schools. You'll have access to emerging technologies, innovative professors, and world-class facilities.
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Ask them questions such as why they chose their program, what the classes are like, and how you can get involved on campus.
First-year courses and beyond
January to April
- BME 102 - Seminar
- BME 122 - Data Structures and Algorithms
- BME 162 - Human Factors in the Design of Biomedical and Health Systems
- BME 186 - Chemistry Principles
- SYDE 112 - Fundamental Engineering Math 2
- SYDE 114 - Numerical and Applied Calculus
- One Complementary Studies Elective
Sample upper-year courses
BME 261 – Prototype, Simulation and Design
BME 361 – Biomedical Engineering Design
BME 386 – Physics of Medical Imaging
BME 450 – Sports Engineering
Co-op = relevant paid work experience
By alternating school terms and paid co-op work terms throughout your degree, you can explore new career areas and types of employers as your career interests evolve.
Sample co-op job titles
- Junior biomedical engineer
- Medical device software developer
- Signal processing algorithm developer
- Bioengineering research assistant
- Medical device design
- Robotics and embedded sensor research assistant
Sample co-op employers
- The Hospital for Sick Children
- Intellijoint Surgical Inc
- PointClickCare
- Synaptive Medical
- Exact Imaging
- Nest Labs
What can I do with a Biomedical Engineering degree?
Graduates often pursue careers in health, design, robotics, and research. They usually work in health care centres, laboratories, and more.
Recent graduates
- Microbiologist – Apotex
- Climate Change Information Analyst – Northern Climate ExChange
- Medical Officer – Canadian Forces
- Genetics Technologist – Princess Margaret Hospital
- Lead Instructor – Stem Lab Robotics
- Epidemiologist – Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CIFA)
- Medical Radiation Therapist – University of Toronto
Possible professional designation
Learn about the future of careers in engineering.
Student life, including Women in Engineering
Student design teams
Have fun and develop hands-on experience through one or more of our 20+ student-led design teams! Design teams include rocketry, concrete canoe, robotics, solar car, submarine racing, autonomous vehicle, Space X Hyperloop, Formula Motorsports, Engineers Without Borders, and more.
You’ll meet people with similar interests and goals, benefit from networking with experts in the engineering profession, and develop some great skills for your résumé.
Women in Engineering
Women in Engineering (WiE) supports female students and engineers while encouraging the next generation of women to pursue careers in engineering. Regardless of gender, orientation, or background, you’re welcome to join this inclusive community to participate in outreach events as well as mentorship and volunteer opportunities.
Any student is also welcome to join Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (WiSTEM), a student-run club that promotes equality in STEM through skills workshops, discussions, and guest speakers.
Engineering Society (EngSoc)
EngSoc is run by students for students and provides many social and academic events and services to make your experience as a Waterloo Engineering student the best it can be.
Benefit from mentoring for first-year students or get involved and meet other students through an annual conference, semiformal, career fair, charity events, community outreach, and much more!
Campus-wide activities
Our campus is packed with opportunities to get involved – no matter how unique your interests. Between our 250+ student-run clubs, sports and recreation opportunities, student government, and events, student life at Waterloo has something for everyone.
What’s the difference between Biomedical Sciences and Biomedical Engineering?
Biomedical Sciences is the study of life from a medical perspective. You’ll learn about the body, disease, healing processes, genetics, physiology–the knowledge of how the body works and responds to stimuli.
Biomedical Engineering is the application of that scientific knowledge to develop medical technology. For instance, a surgeon needs to understand biomedical science to operate on a patient – and might use laser-guided surgical devices, artificial internal organs, or replacements for body parts developed by a biomedical engineer. The two work in tandem, but their approach is different.
Is Biomedical Engineering a path to become a doctor? In theory, yes, although it’s not recommended because it can be difficult to take the courses required to apply to medical school. The decision is whether you want to be a doctor or an engineer. Biomedical Sciences is a good route to becoming a doctor or other health care professional. Biomedical Engineering leads to becoming an engineer, usually in the medical field.
Earn a Bachelor of Applied Science degree
Ready to learn more?
Current research
Visit our Waterloo Stories website to learn about current research related to Biomedical Engineering at Waterloo.
Gain a broad education
Learn from engineering professors who specialize in systems design, electrical and computer, chemical and mechanical and mechatronics.
Be more than a number
Biomedical Engineering is one of Waterloo’s smaller engineering programs, so you'll quickly get to know your classmates and professors.
Offered by the Faculty of Engineering
Apply directly to this program on your application
