59 undergraduate courses in the 2024–25 Undergraduate Calendar, and 3 graduate courses in the Spring 2025 Graduate Calendar.
Undergraduate
BME 101Communications in Biomedical Engineering-Written and Oral0.25 units
This course introduces first-year students to biomedical engineering with a focus on the engineering profession and technical communication skills. Through in-class and independent activities leading to formative and summative assessments, students will consider and reflect on communication intention, audience, content, medium, format, and tone to demonstrate and improve upon their listening, written and oral communication skills for academic, engineering, and professional context.
BME 101LCommunications in Biomedical Engineering-Visualization0.25 units
This laboratory course introduces students to visual communication methods relevant to engineering analysis and design. Through in-class and independent activities leading to formative and summative assessments, students will consider and reflect on communication intention, audience, content, medium, format, and level of detail to demonstrate and improve upon their skills in graphing, freehand sketching, technical drawing, and computer-aided design (CAD).
Biomedical engineering first-year students will meet with a faculty member designated as their class professor. Performance in assignments, conceptual difficulties with courses, interrelation of coursework, later work, and engineering practice will be discussed.
The key skills necessary to develop software solutions to solve biomedical engineering problems. Topics include software development, software design, programming language syntax, object oriented programming, structured programming, arrays, matrices, pointers, and algorithm efficiency. The topics will be reinforced in the context of practical biomedical software systems such as physiological monitoring systems and clinical support systems.
Topics of structured software design, data structures, abstract data types, recursive algorithms, algorithm and data structure analysis and design from both computational and memory perspectives, lists, stacks, queues, trees, graphs, sorting and searching, hashing, and problem-solving strategies. Embedded programming in health monitoring systems and healthcare management systems.
BME 161Introduction to Biomedical Design0.50 units
Topics related to biomedical design will be covered: multidisciplinary system design, design process, problem definition, life-cycle design, design specification, function analysis, design evaluation and decision-making, introduction to mechanical design, prototyping, experimentation, safety and responsibility in engineering design, design for society and environment, and design documentation.
BME 162Human Factors in the Design of Biomedical and Health Systems0.50 units
Design of human-machine environments, designing for patient safety and reduce human error in decision-making, analytical methods of determining user needs, information processing and human sensory processes and consideration of these elements in the design of systems with humans, and consideration of human physical capabilities in ergonomic design. Topics will be reinforced in the context of the design of prosthetics or rehabilitation devices.
Introduction to the basic theory and principles of mechanics of static systems. Topics covered include statics of particles, rigid bodies and force systems, equilibrium of rigid bodies, analysis of joints and frames, distributed forces, centroids and moments of inertia, and friction. Applications of mechanical principles to musculoskeletal systems will be presented.
The science of motion is taught with initial focus on particles, and then progressing to planar rigid body systems. Concepts such as inertia, momentum, work, energy, Newton's laws, and contact dynamics are covered, with particular application to human motions (e.g., walking, running, jumping, lifting, and throwing).
The stoichiometry of compounds and chemical reactions. Periodicity and chemical bonding. Energy changes in chemical systems. Electronic structure of atoms and molecules, correlation with the chemical reactivity of common elements, inorganic and organic compounds. Discussion of the structure, nomenclature and reactions of important classes of organic compounds. Stereochemistry and its role in reaction mechanisms.
Biomedical engineering second-year students will meet with a faculty member designated as their class professor. Performance in assignments, conceptual difficulties with courses, interrelation of coursework, later work, and engineering practice will be discussed.
Biomedical engineering second-year students will meet with a faculty member designated as their class professor. Performance in assignments, conceptual difficulties with courses, interrelation of coursework, later work, and engineering practice will be discussed.
BME 213Statistics and Experimental Design0.50 units
Fundamentals of probability and statistics, and applications to biomedical engineering. Random variables and statistical distributions, statistical estimation, hypothesis testing, regression, and experiment design considerations. Applications to biomedical experiments, biomedical imaging data, and clinical trials.
Models and analysis of linear systems in the context of measurement and processing of biosignals such as electroencephalography (EEG), electrocardiography (ECG), and electromyography (EMG). Discrete and continuous time systems, difference and differential equations, impulse and frequency response, transform domain techniques, transfer functions and frequency response, frequency domain analysis of linear systems, sampling theory, stability, and linear filters.
BME 261Prototyping, Simulation and Design0.50 units
Problem-solving approaches, agile design and development, rapid prototyping, revision control, design patterns, development cycles, and simulation. Topics will be reinforced in the context of biomedical engineering projects conducted in groups within a collaborative environment.
Introduction to mechanical response of materials and stress-strain relationship. Behaviour of prismatic members in tension, compression, shear, bending, and torsion. Shear-force and bending-moment diagrams. Introduction to instability. Mechanical properties of biological tissues, and viscoeleastic models. Applications to bone, cartilage, and biomedical implants.
BME 282Materials Science for Biomedical Engineers0.50 units
Crystalline structure, crystal defects, non-crystalline materials, structure and properties of metals, ceramics, glasses, semi-conductors, polymers, and composites. Factors in materials design, material selection and processing in the context of biomedical devices and instruments will also be discussed.
BME 284Physiological and Biological Systems0.50 units
The structure, functions, and properties of the major biological systems (musculoskeletal, nervous, cardiovascular) will be presented in relation to the design of biomedical devices (imaging, assistive, and diagnostic). Concepts in modelling biological systems will be introduced. Various aspects of pathology and how they influence medical device design will also be discussed.
Introduction to basic concepts of biochemistry and cell biology. Overview of the chemistry of amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acid. Structure and properties of proteins and enzymes. Elements of cell structure and diversity, and relationship of biochemistry with cell metabolism. A focus on biomedical engineering with relevant examples such as biomimetic engineering design, system biology, and tissue engineering.
BME 294Circuits, Instrumentation, and Measurements0.50 units
Basic concepts of hardware measurement systems pertaining to the measurement of biosignals: active and passive circuit elements, Kirchhoff's laws, mesh and nodal circuit analysis, principle of superposition, step responses of first and second order networks, sinusoidal steady state analysis, input-output relationships, transfer functions and frequency response of linear systems, operational amplifiers, analog signal detection, conditioning and conversion systems, transducers, difference and instrumentation amplifiers, A/D and D/A conversion. Examples will be presented in the form of physiological monitoring hardware for vital measurements such as electroencephalography (EEG), electrocardiography (ECG), and electromyography (EMG).
Biomedical engineering third-year students will meet with a faculty member designated as their class professor. Performance in assignments, conceptual difficulties with courses, interrelation of coursework, later work, and engineering practice will be discussed.
Biomedical engineering third-year students will meet with a faculty member designated as their class professor. Performance in assignments, conceptual difficulties with courses, interrelation of coursework, later work, and engineering practice will be discussed.
Introduction to systems theory as a general modelling method, and applied to the skeletal, neuromuscular, central nervous, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems of the human body. Time-domain simulations, sensitivity analyses, and parameter identification, with the latter driven by experimental measurements of system performance.
Classical and state space representations of control systems. Stability, controllability, observability, and sensitivity. Routh-Hurwitz and root-locus methods. Frequency domain behaviour, Bode plots, Nyquist stability criteria. Pole placement, PID, phase-lead and phase-lag controllers. Application to anatomical system models, including musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems, and to physiological feedback systems.
Design methods: problem definition, requirements analysis, criteria and generation of alternative solutions, feasibility analysis, and optimization. Product development. Design survey of biomedical equipment and assistive technologies. A term-long design project in small groups.
BME 362Biomedical Engineering Design Workshop 10.50 units
Engineering design project course where students work in small groups applying the principles of engineering problem solving, systems analysis, simulation, optimization, and design to a biomedical engineering problem of their own choosing. Lecture topics include project management, risk management, standards, regulatory clearance, and certification for biomedical devices.
This course examines key economic issues in health care and biomedical industries. Topics include the market for medical care, health insurance, various models of healthcare delivery and competition and the role of government in policy, financing and delivery of health care. This course will train students to use economic analysis to model and understand the complex interactions between health care delivery, insurance markets, health innovators, governments, and firms.
This course explores ethical issues in biomedical engineering practice, including professional ethics, medical ethics, the ethics of human and animal subject use in biomedical research, and the impact of biomedical engineering solutions on society and the environment.
BME 384Biomedical Transport: Biofluids and Mass Transfer0.50 units
Fundamental concepts in systems involving fluid flow. Basic treatment of statics, kinematics, and dynamics of fluids. Mass transfer, conservation of mass, momentum and energy for a control volume. Dimensional analysis and similarity. Discussion of flow in pipes and channels and brief introduction to boundary layers, lift and drag, ideal and compressible flow will be specifically covered in the context of the cardiovascular system (macrocirculation and microcirculation).
The fundamental laws of electricity, magnetism, and optics will be taught through the introduction to basic concepts of medical imaging: radiation for imaging, x-ray, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound or sonography imaging, electric impedance tomography, confocal microscopy, fluoroscopy. Radionuclide imaging: Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and positron emission computed tomography (PET). Emerging technologies: elastography, tHz imaging, molecular imaging will also be discussed.
Digital technology, combinatorial logic, binary arithmetic, sequential circuits, digital design, and microcontrollers. Topics will be reinforced in the context of biomedical microcontrollers and sensors used in physiological monitoring and clinical support systems.
BME 399Directed Biomedical Research Project0.25 units
A biomedical research project carried out under the supervision of a faculty member. Students interested in graduate studies or industrial research careers will gain experience in advanced research techniques and develop valuable research skills. A written report is to be submitted to the course co-ordinator. This course is extra over and above the normal course load.
A work-term poster is composed and presented at the symposium. The poster and presentation provide an opportunity for students to effectively communicate and reflect on their engineering experience gained during their co-op work terms. In the poster and presentation, students draw connections between the theoretical aspects of engineering taught in the classroom and the practical applications of that theory in the workplace.
This course is considered as DRNA.
Prerequisites
Complete all of the following
Must have completed the following:
PD11 - Processes for Technical Report Writing (0.50)
Biomedical engineering fourth-year students will meet with a faculty member designated as their class professor. Performance in assignments, conceptual difficulties with courses, interrelation of coursework, later work, and engineering practice will be discussed.
Biomedical engineering fourth-year students will meet with a faculty member designated as their class professor. Performance in assignments, conceptual difficulties with courses, interrelation of coursework, later work, and engineering practice will be discussed.
BME 411Optimization and Numerical Methods0.50 units
Interpolation and curve fitting, root-finding methods, local and global optimization methods, constrained optimization, multiobjective and multidisciplinary design optimization for biomedical applications.
BME 461Biomedical Engineering Design Workshop 20.50 units
The first half of a two-term engineering design project continuing the biomedical design workshop sequence. A prototype and interim progress report are presented at the end of the first term. Lecture topics include safety and risk analysis of biomedical technologies.
BME 499Elective Biomedical Research Project0.50 units
A major undergraduate individual biomedical research project carried out as a technical elective (TE) under the supervision of a faculty member. Students are expected to demonstrate initiative and responsibility. An oral presentation of results and a written report are the minimum requirements. The faculty supervisor or department may set other requirements. Students will arrange for a faculty supervisor prior to registration.
Prerequisites
Complete all of the following
Must have completed the following:
BME399 - Directed Biomedical Research Project (0.25)
A broad introduction to the Canadian healthcare system, with emphasis on factors related to biomedical engineering. History, structure, and function of various healthcare organizations, procurement practices in healthcare, electronic health records and information exchange.
Prerequisites
Students must be in level 3A or higher
Antirequisites
Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
BME 540Fundamentals in Neural and Rehabilitation Engineering0.50 units
Introduction to the field of neural and rehabilitation engineering (NRE). Topics include describing common neurological and musculoskeletal injuries, related neural and rehabilitation engineering approaches to address disabilities, and the development of a design framework for synthesizing a novel neural and rehabilitation engineering approach. Critical concepts in clinical research design to meet current regulatory, ethical, and practice policies will be studied.
BME 544Biomedical Measurement and Signal Processing0.50 units
This course develops an understanding of biomedical measurements through the examination of electromyographic (EMG), electroencephalographic (EEG), and electrocardiographic (ECG) signals. Measurement of human-body position, force, and pressure, and related instrumentation will also be presented. Signal processing techniques will be discussed in the context of extraction and application of useful biomedical signals.
This course focuses on the application of engineering principles to the analysis of sports equipment and their effects on athletic performance. Principles of mechanics are used to understand the motion and forces arising in sports equipment, and their interaction with the musculoskeletal dynamics of athletes.
This course introduces students to the biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system, including motor control and rehabilitation engineering. Multibody models in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) will be used to study the dynamics of normal and pathological motions. Motor control will be included, as well as the identification of body segment parameters and the dynamics of muscles. Applications may include assistive devices, rehabilitation, human gait, occupational biomechanics, and other activities.
This course will introduce engineering students to the topic of computational biomechanics. Students will gain practical experience in biomechanical modelling and simulation, with a specific focus on the musculoskeletal (MSK) system and human body movement, injury, and repair.
BME 553Introductory Mechanics of Biomedical and Biological Materials0.50 units
This course covers select topics fundamental to the study of the mechanical behaviour of biological (e.g., bone, tendon, skin, cartilage, et.c) and synthetic (polymers, ceramics, metals, etc.) biomaterials with a strong emphasis on materials found in medicine (biomedical materials). Topics will include a selection of basics of continuum mechanics, structure-function-property (mechanistic) relationships, linear and non-linear elasticity, viscoelasticity, anisotropy, failure criteria, fracture, fatigue, and fundamentals of mechanical testing in the biomaterials and tissues context.
BME 561Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering0.50 units
The course provides an overview of the recent advances in medicine and nano-technologies for development of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Strategies and technologies for designing, testing, and manufacturing of biomaterials and tissue-engineering products will be introduced. The biological and clinical applications will be discussed. The unmet medical needs, challenges in manufacturing, regulatory approval and commercialization for tissue engineering applications will also be discussed.
BME 564Biocompatibility and Biomedical Design0.50 units
The course covers fundamental topics of biocompatibility of materials in medicine (polymers, ceramics, metals, composites) in the areas of implantable, extracorporeal, and untethered medical devices. Biocompatibility issues of biomaterials, such as protein adsorption, foreign body reaction, immune and inflammatory response, and thrombosis will be presented. Biomaterial characterization, structure-property relationship, and surface modification will be discussed in the context of improving biocompatibility. Clinical applications and design strategies to reduce complications associated with medical devices will be explored.
This course provides a comprehensive exploration of optical principles, techniques, and instrumentation used in pre-clinical research and clinical diagnosis settings. The fundamental principles of light-tissue interactions and biophotonics will be presented as well as optical sensing and the design of spectroscopy systems tailored for applications in biomedical research and healthcare.
This course deals with selected topics at the undergraduate level in biofluid mechanics, tissue mechanics, sports engineering, and rehabilitation engineering.
BME 589Special Topics in Biomedical Devices0.50 units
This course deals with selected topics at the undergraduate level in assistive devices, implants, prostheses, orthoses, biomedical technologies, therapeutics, and biocompatibility.
From the Spring 2025 Graduate Calendar. Also this year: Winter 2025.
BME 601Physiological Systems and Biomedical Design0.50 units
This course surveys the anatomy and physiology of the human body at the cellular, organ and whole-body scale, from a systems biology/physiology perspective. Cell biology and some of the physiological systems (e.g., musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, pulmonary, digestive, renal, nervous and sensory, and immune) and their integration/interactions will be introduced from a quantitative systems perspective. Where applicable, common sources of impairments of each system (e.g., pathologies, aging, etc.) will be presented along with implications for diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitative technologies (and universal design). Students will be required to perform engineering design that applies their knowledge in biology and physiology that they have gained throughout the course.
BME 602Foundations in Biomechanical Engineering0.50 units
This course focuses on equipping students with foundational knowledge in the biomechanics of human physiology, pathology, and treatment. The overarching aim of this course is to develop students’ literacy in applying biomechanics principles and modern tools towards understanding the human body. The course will build on existing knowledge in mathematics and physics to develop new expertise and hands-on experience in the biomechanical modeling and analysis of physiological systems.
BME 603Engineering Analysis of Living Cells0.50 units
Cell biology has reached a stage where it is in dire need of quantitative understanding. The vast amount of data gathered with the advance of experimental technologies, in the search for a general understanding of the complex cell mechanism at the molecular level, have often made the traditional way of direct interpretation impossible. Therefore, recent years have seen significant efforts made to understand these data with more sophisticated mathematical models, using fundamental physical laws and engineering analytic techniques. This course is an introduction to some of the successful achievements of these approaches, and the exciting potential outcomes of this line of research.