Academics

There are two "BioEngineering" streams at McMaster University to choose from. Each specializes in a different area of the field. Whether you are a prospective student, or an upper year student already in a BioEngineering program at McMaster, check this page for listings of courses you need to take for each stream.

Prospective Students

Electrical and Biomedical Engineering

Chemical and BioEngineering

 

Prospective Students

To pursue an education in BioEngineering at McMaster University, your first step is to enroll in Level I Engineering at McMaster University. The first year engineering program at McMaster is generic - no matter what type of engineering you intend to study in upper years, all first years take the same courses (with the exception of 2 electives!). There are no additional requirements, other than the successful completion of these compulsory courses, to enter a BioEngineering field in upper years. 

Required Courses (For Acceptance to Level I)

6 Grade 12 U/M Courses, including:
  • English (ENG4U)
  • Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U)
  • Chemistry (SCH4U)
  • Physics (SPH4U)
Note: Taking Biology in High School, although not mandatory for acceptance into Engineering at McMaster or a BioEngineering stream, is recommended, as it will give you a headstart on some topics!
 

Level I Engineering Courses

The following are the 10 mandatory courses required in first year engineering at McMaster: (you can click on the course code to get a full description of each course)

In addition, you must choose 6 units of elective courses from the complimentary studies list, found here.

 

Electrical and Biomedical Engineering

This stream, in the Electrical and Computer Engineering department, is a branch of Electrical Engineering. It focuses on the application of electrical engineering to medicine and biology. In addition to the standard electrical engineering courses, which focus on circuit design, microelectronic development, and digital systems, you also study biology, anatomy, and more specialized medical courses, such as bioelectricity and biomaterials.

The courses for the 3 upper years of the program are listed here.

 

Chemical and BioEngineering

This stream, in the Chemical Engineering department, focuses on the application of chemical engineering the manufacture and processing of biological materials, such as pharmaceutics. In addition to the standard chemical engineering courses, which focus on chemistry, and chemical processes, you also study biology, anatomy, and more specialized biochemical courses. This is a 5 year program, that leads to a Bachelor of Engineering and Biosciences.

The courses for the 4 upper years of the program are listed here.