Biomedical Option Program Summary
The Biomedical Engineering Option, in Electrical Engineering, allows students interested in the application of technology to medicine and the life sciences to have a course and project concentration in these areas. The option provides core courses in Electrical Engineering as well as a broad range of specific courses traditionally covered in Biomedical Engineering: anatomy, physiology, biomedical instrumentation, biosignals and systems, medical imaging, regulatory standards, design processes, and the emerging areas of micro and nanotechnology.
Students will be admitted to the option at the end of first year by permission of the option coordinator, based on a demonstrated interest in biomedical engineering, and the grade point average obtained in the first year of engineering. Students accepted into the option will take a modified version of the standard Electrical Engineering program.
Students who satisfactorily complete the following program will be given recognition as receiving the Bachelor of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering (Biomedical Engineering Option).
Why Biomedical Engineering?
There is a growing demand for engineers with biomedical training. Demand comes from industry, such as medical devices and biotechnology, as well as academic research through advanced degrees. The driving force behind this growth includes an aging population, advances in biomedical technology, and increased complexity of medical care. For more detailed information about the nature of biomedical engineering, growth trends and areas of specialization, consult the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society or the Biomedical Engineering Society.
UBC Applied Science is at the forefront of this growth by hiring new faculty in the area of biomedical engineering, expanding research facilities, and creating graduate opportunities. Find out more about UBC’s School of Biomedical Engineering here.
Application Information
Students interested in the Biomedical Engineering Option should apply at the end of First Year Engineering. Both Co-op and non-Co-op students are welcome to apply.
Click here to apply
Biomedical Option Program Curriculum
| First Term | Second Term |
| CPEN 211 (5) | ELEC 202 (4) |
| CPSC 259 (4) | ELEC 211 (2) |
| ELEC 201 (4) | ELEC 221 (4) |
| ELEC 271 (1) | ELEC 281 (3) |
| MATH 253 (3) | ELEC 292 (6) |
| MATH 256 (3) | MATH 264 (1) |
Total Credits = 40
| First Term | Second Term |
| ELEC 301 (4) | ELEC 311 (4) |
| ELEC 341 (4) | ELEC 371 (3) |
| BMEG 410 (3) | ELEC 391 (6) |
| BMEG 456 (3) |
| Breadth Electives (8) – To be chosen from the list of department-approved breadth electives* |
| One of STAT 251, MATH 302, MATH 318, STAT 302 (3)* |
| Complementary Study Electives (3)* |
Total Credits = 41
*courses can be taken in either term
| First Term | Second Term |
| ELEC 473 (3) | ELEC 422 (3) |
| ELEC 471 (3) |
| APSC 450 (2)* |
| ELEC 494 (10) |
| ELEC 481 (3)* |
| Electives (9) – To be chosen from the list of department-approved Biomedical Engineering electives* |
| Complementary Study Elective (3)* |
Total Credits = 36
*courses can be taken in either term
Biomedical Option students can use the following checklist to track their progress in the program: BME Program Checklist
Resources that can help you plan your studies:
- For up to date program checklists, elective updates, and frequently asked questions by other students, please visit our Piazza ECE Advising platform (join using access code ‘ask-us-at-ece’)
- For official course descriptions for each of the courses listed above, please visit our ECE Course Listing
- For assistance with course registration, check out our Undergraduate Registration Guidelines
Biomedical Engineering Elective Lists
Students in the Biomedical Option can refer to the lists below of department-approved electives when planning their coursework:
- Probability/Statistics
- Breadth Electives
- Advanced Electives
- Complementary Studies Electives
- Free Electives
| STAT 251, STAT 302, MATH 302, MATH 318 |
Biomedical Option students should complete 8 credits from the following Breadth Electives:
| CPEN 311, ELEC 315, ELEC 331, ELEC 342 |
Please note that 200-level courses may be taken as part of the advanced electives requirement only if they are used to satisfy the pre-requisites for another advanced elective. As standalone courses, they cannot be used to satisfy the advanced electives requirement.
| BMEG 310 |
| CPEN 333, CPEN 355, CPEN 411, CPEN 412, CPEN 455 |
| ELEC 401, 402, 403, 411, 412, 413, 415, 421, 431, 432, 433, 434, 441, 442, 451, 452, 453, 454, 455, 456, 457, 461, 462, 463, 464, 465, 472, 474, 499* – Please note that only 3 credits of ELEC 499 (Undergraduate Thesis) can be used to satisfy the Advanced Elective requirement |
| BIOC 202, BIOC 302, BIOC 303 |
| BIOL 201 |
| CHEM 203, CHEM 205, CHEM 233 |
| MATH 361 |
| MTRL 495 |
| PHYS 404 |
Students in the Biomedical Option should complete 6 credits of Complementary Studies – Humanities and Social Studies, and 3 credits of Complementary Studies – Impact of Technology on Society. Typically, students complete 3 credits from the Humanities and Social Studies credits in their first year before selecting 2nd Year ELEC.
| For all information on what courses are eligible for your “Humanities and Social Studies” and “Impact of Technology on Society” credits, please see the EAS Course Planning Page |
Free electives are intended to allow students to explore a breadth of coursework that can extend beyond engineering or science coursework. Other courses cannot be applied to more than one ECE requirement, but free elective coursework can be applied towards ECE requirements and towards requirements of Minors (e.g., Mathematics Minor, Commerce Minor).
Biomedical Option students can complete 3 credits of Free Electives and should note the following:
| Co-op courses cannot be used towards the free electives requirement |
| Free Elective credits must be completed at the university level (no transfer credit for AP coursework or for other courses completed in high school) |
| Students may count up to 3 transfer credits from another university to cover this requirement |