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Master of Engineering - Biomedical Systems

 The Master of Engineering in Biomedical Systems (BISY) equips students with the expertise to design and develop innovative biomedical devices and systems. This one-year program integrates knowledge of human physiology, material science, and engineering principles to prepare graduates for careers in the rapidly evolving healthcare technology sector.

Key Learning Outcomes: Graduates of the MEng in Biomedical Systems will be able to:

• Design and develop biomedical devices and systems by integrating engineering principles and human physiology.
• Understand and apply regulatory guidelines in the development of biomedical products.
• Apply principles of human physiology, material science, and ergonomics to medical device design.
• Conduct independent technical projects and effectively communicate results.

Curriculum: The program includes core courses in medical device design, biosensors, human physiology, and usability engineering, as well as elective options in areas like bioprinting, biomaterials, and nanoelectronics. Students will also complete a technical project under the supervision of a faculty advisor.

Co-op option: Up to three, optional co-op terms provide students with the opportunity to gain practical experience in the biomedical industry, further enhancing their career prospects.

The BISY program prepares students for impactful careers in life science and healthcare, combining technical skills with real-world experience.

Program details

The BISY program is one year in duration (3 academic terms of 4 months each). You may choose to pursue up to three optional co-op placement terms after the completion of the program.

The program requires 15 course credits to be completed, and consists of:

5 compulsory courses, one of which is a capstone project course:

• BME500 - Medical Device and System Design for Clinical Engineers (1.5)
• BME501 - Biosensors and Imaging for Medical Device Design (1.5)
• BME505 - Human Physiology and Systems (1.5)
• BME520 - Human Factors and Usability Engineering for Medical Devices (1.5)
• BME596 - MEng Capstone Project (3.0)

 And 6 units from a list of electives, options of which may include:

• BME510 - Bioprinting and 3D Printing Human Body Parts (1.5)
• BME515 - Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering (1.5)
• BME525 - Mechanics and Energy Conversion in Living Cells (1.5)
• BME548 - Introduction to Musculoskeletal Mechanics (1.5)
• BME552 - Microfluidics for Biomedical and Energy Applications (1.5)
• BME580 - Special Topics in Biomedical Engineering (1.5)
• ECE545 - Nanoelectronics (1.5)
• ECE547 - Electronic Devices (1.5)
• ECE591 - Professional Foundation (1.0)
• MECH576 - Introduction to Electron Microscopy (1.5)
• MECH580 - Selected Topics in Mechanical Engineering (1.5)

Full program information can be found in the graduate calendar.

Admissions information

 Please ensure that you meet the minimum graduate school admission requirements.

Application deadlines

September program start:

International students—apply by April 30

Domestic students—apply by June 30th

January program start:

International students—apply by August 31

Domestic students—apply by October 31

Visa processing times for international students may vary, and it is important to apply as soon as you are able to ensure that you can receive a student visa in time to attend. Applications are processed on a rolling basis as they are received, so you do not have to wait until after the deadline for a response.

Tuition and fees

Program fee

You can a view the tuition fee estimator or you can find a per-term breakdown of tuition and related program fees in the academic calendar.

Application fee

Acceptance deposit

Upon receiving an offer of admission a $2,000 (CAD) acceptance deposit will be applied to your first term tuition. If you are an international student and your study permit is denied, we will address the potential of deferring your acceptance to a later term or refunding your deposit on a case-by-case basis.

Co-op

Students in the Biomedical Systems program may apply for up to three terms of co-op after completion of the program (up to 12 months total). 

Please see the Engineering and Computer Science Co-op site for further details.

How to apply

You can apply through the graduation admissions application portal.

Please note that you do not need to find a supervisor to apply for the Master of Engineering, Biomedical Systems program.

FAQs

 My undergraduate degree isn’t in Engineering. Can I still apply?

Your undergraduate degree should be in engineering or applied science. If you have another type of degree or diploma combined with relevant industrial experience, you may be considered. Applicants with a degree other than engineering or applied science should be able to demonstrate knowledge in math, statistics, and calculus.

Can you please review my transcript and let me know if I am eligible to apply?

We can only evaluate completed applications once they have been submitted. Please refer to Graduate Admissions for admission requirements to Faculty of Graduate Studies and to the MEng in Biomedical Systems. 

Can my employer write a reference?

Yes. We require two assessment reports from professional or academic contacts. We strongly recommend that your referees attach a reference letter to the assessment report. Reference letters must be on official letterhead and signed by the referee.

 Can I apply before finishing my undergraduate degree?

You can apply before finishing your undergraduate or another graduate degree if the degree is completed before the entry point for which you are applying. You will be required to submit unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended including the in-progress degree.

Applicants who receive a provisional offer of admission will need to submit all official documentation before being granted full admission and being allowed to register in courses.

Is there a minimum word length for the statement of intent?

Please keep your statement of intent to one page (normally 200-250 words double-spaced on size 12 font).

What happens after I submit my application?

Graduate Admissions and Records will review your application. If it meets the minimum requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, your application will be forwarded to the program for review and a decision.

How can I defer my start date?

You must have provisional, conditional or full offer of admission to request a deferral. Please contact the Graduate Secretary with your request for an entry point change. Deferrals are only granted once per student. If you need to change a second time, you will have to pay the application fee again.

What scholarships are available to me?

While UVic offers some  and  to students in professional graduate programs, there are many more external sources of funding that you may be eligible to apply for and receive. Some further opportunities are listed on the Professional Programs site and we encourage you to seek other funding that may be available to you. 

Please click here for teaching assistant positions in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Make sure that you review application requirements and deadlines carefully.

Contact us

 For questions pertaining to this program, please contact Annick Chen: engrgsecp@uvic.ca