Institute of Biomedical Engineering (BME)
Director: Professor Warren Chan
Website: bme.utoronto.ca
Contact: undergrad.bme@utoronto.ca
Biomedical engineering aims to use engineering or physical science principles to solve biological and medical problems. The Institute is the largest biomedical engineering hub for education, research and community at the University of Toronto and in Canada. It is the only division that is managed by three different faculties — Applied Science & Engineering, Medicine and Dentistry. The diversity in education and research ecosystems equips our researchers with the ability to address pressing medical question — ranging from fundamental mechanisms to clinical cases — and to build new companies. The Institute’s core laboratories are principally located in the Rosebrugh Building, Lassonde Mining Building, Donnelly Centre for Cellular & Biomolecular Research and MaRS Building on the St. George campus. Additionally, the Institute has labs at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and Toronto Rehabilitation Institute (KiTE).
There are over 100 faculty (core and cross-appointed) who conduct research in molecular, cell and tissue and clinical engineering. Faculty members lead state-of-art research in a series of emerging areas such as nanotechnology, systems biology, regenerative medicine, bioelectronics and rehabilitation engineering. The Institute offers two graduate programs at the doctoral- and masters-level (PhD, MASc) in biomedical and clinical engineering. Additionally, a one or two-year course-based professional Master of Engineering (MEng) program. Since an undergraduate degree in engineering is not a prerequisite for admission into the graduate programs, we have welcomed students with backgrounds in engineering, biology, medicine, chemistry, physics and psychology.
While the Institute does not have a full undergraduate program, several undergraduate student bodies are associated with the Institute. Students enrolled in the Division of Engineering Science can select the Biomedical Systems Engineering major. These students take courses in tissue engineering, imaging, control, and other relevant topics in Biomedical Engineering. The second student body is the bioengineering minor’s program, where students can learn the basic principles of Bio and Biomedical Engineering.
Students who graduate from BME work in different industrial sectors (biotechnology, pharmaceutical, computer, marketing), government agencies and academia. Many of our students are involved in building start-up companies. Overall, there are a broad range of job opportunities for BME students.