BioMedical Engineering Department

What is biomedical engineering?

There is considerable overlap between biomedical engineering and the fields of medical physics, biophysics, biotechnology, bioinformatics and medical informatics.

‘Biomedical engineering’ is a very broad, interdisciplinary field that involves the application of engineering, the physical sciences and computer science to medicine and the life sciences.

McGill has one of the oldest biomedical-engineering programmes in North America, but also one of the most dynamic. Home to one of the largest graduate programmes in the Faculty of Medicine, the department hosts a wide range of unique research facilities, and maintains close collaborations with clinicians and researchers both locally and internationally. Students can do experimental or theoretical research or a combination of both, and there are possibilities for research in hospitals and in the field.

What kind of biomedical-engineering research goes on at McGill?

Ongoing biomedical-engineering research at McGill includes:

• signal analysis, including brain (EEG), muscles (EMG), eyes (EOG), respiration and mass spectrometry
• systems analysis, including neuromuscular control and oculomotor & vestibular control;
• experimental and computational biomechanics, including orthopedic and auditory mechanics;
• biomaterials, including artificial cells & tissue engineering;
• medical imaging and image processing;
• micro and nanotechnology, and biosensors;
• nanoparticles and cell imaging;
• bioinformatics; and
• computers in medical education, including interactive 3-D models and haptics (force feedback).

In many of these areas there is considerable emphasis on biomedical modelling, and on the development of sophisticated instrumentation and software.

Please see Academic staff and research areas for more details about research in our department.

What are the career possibilities?

Employment growth in biomedical engineering is predicted to outstrip that of any other occupation, as demand explodes for engineers who can combine biomedical knowledge with engineering principles. Our graduates have gone on to exciting careers in industry, academia, the public sector and medicine.

What kind of undergraduate preparation is recommended?

There is no undergraduate biomedical-engineering programme at McGill. The most straightforward path to biomedical-engineering graduate studies is through a Bachelor's degree in some sort of engineering. Which sort to take depends on your interests. Either Electrical & Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Chemical Engineering could be appropriate, as could Computer Science and Physics. A Biomedical Engineering Minor is available as part of McGill's undergraduate engineering programmes.

Probably the best bet is to take what most interests you now. If possible you should try to take at least a physiology course or two as electives, and try to get involved in biomedical engineering through course projects. See also our official admission requirements.