Comparing Programs
Below is a table that summarizes the difference between our various programs.
Master of Engineering (MEng) | Master of Applied Science (MASc) | Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) | |
|---|---|---|---|
Type of Program | Professional | Research | Research |
Duration | 12-18 months | 24 months | 48 months |
Program Components | Coursework | Coursework | Coursework |
Eligibility for Financial Assistance | May apply for Teaching Assistantships | Normally from their thesis supervisors and may apply for Teaching Assistantships, graduate awards and scholarships | Normally from their thesis supervisors and may apply for Teaching Assistantships, graduate awards and scholarships |
Cooperative Education | Co-op options available. Approximately 4-8 month terms (Credits not applicable to master’s requirements) | N/A | N/A |
*Applicants wishing to pursue a PhD in the future should apply to the MASc program instead of MEng. |
Master of Applied Science
The Master of Applied Science (MASc) in Biomedical Engineering is a 2-year research-based program. The program trains students in the fundamentals of Biomedical Engineering and provides an extended research experience. Graduates are qualified for a variety of career routes, including continuing on to PhD programs as well as pursuing research and development positions in industry, hospitals and other institutions.
Doctor of Philosophy
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biomedical Engineering program offers students an opportunity to work at the highest level of research. Students are expected to complete their candidacy examination within 18 months and complete doctoral dissertation research within three to four years. Graduates find employment at academic institutions and in high level research and development positions in industry and other institutions.
Master of Engineering
The Master of Engineering (MEng) in Biomedical Engineering is a 12-16 month program aimed at students who wish to enhance their professional skills in biomedical engineering. Students engage in a combination of course work and internship or co-op work experience. The program emphasizes the clinical and industrial aspects of biomedical engineering and prepares students for careers in hospitals and private industry. Many students find employment as clinical engineers.
PhD Rotation
Students applying for the September intake will be considered for the Biomedical Engineering Rotation Program if they apply by January 15 with all references and official documents submitted.
One of the few offerings of its kind in Canada, the SBME PhD Rotation Program is a unique opportunity for students to meet, work with, and gain experience from multiple researchers across disciplines in the Biomedical Engineering space. Collaborative and interdisciplinary research is integral to scientific advancement – exposure to an array of labs and lab cultures is deeply valuable in broadening both a student’s view of their field as well as their skill set.
Consisting of three, three-month laboratory rotations, students work directly with potential supervisors. This rotation format ensures that when students choose their thesis supervisor at the end of the third rotation, they have found and already collaborated with the best possible fit for their PhD studies.
Students accepted into the Rotation Program are required to complete all three rotations.
MD/PhD
For students interested in both clinical medicine and basic sciences, UBC’s Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Graduate Studies jointly offer a unique 7 year MD/PhD program. The PhD component of the combined MD/PhD degree is coordinated with various hosting departments and research programs within the Faculty of Graduate Studies and the Faculty of Medicine; the Biomedical Engineering Program participates in this program. Students admitted to this program receive a full fellowship for the period of their studies.
MD/PhD program applicants must apply directly to the Faculty of Medicine and not to Biomedical Engineering. For more information about admission requirements and the application procedure, please visit the MD/PhD program. If you wish to be considered for a PhD in Biomedical Engineering alone in case you are not admitted to the MD/PhD program, you will need to submit a separate application to the BME program.
Engineers in Scrubs
The first of its kind in Canada, UBC’s Engineers in Scrubs (EiS) trains graduate students to be leaders in medical innovation with a design process that emphasizes impactful outcomes and collaboration with clinical stakeholders. This 8-month addition to the MASc, PHD, and MEng programs teaches biomedical engineers to navigate the interfaces between engineering research, medical research, clinical practice, and product development. Through the program, students receive a significant portion of their training in hospitals and other clinical environments.
MUlti-Scale multi-modal Image and omics Computing for health (MUSIC) Graduate Student Program
MUlti-Scale multi-modal Image and omics Computing for health (MUSIC)” is a new interdisciplinary NSERC CREATE program that intends to respond to an acute need for a multi-faceted, data-driven approach to understanding the biological processes that lead to disease. Our goal with the program is to teach a multidisciplinary cohort of trainees from engineering, computer science, and medicine. MUSIC is a unique program in Canada that provides comprehensive training that integrates AI/machine learning skills with imaging and omics biological data across multiple scales and modalities.
MUlti-Scale multi-modal Image and omics Computing for health (MUSIC) GRADUATE STUDENT PROGRAM