BMEG Streams 101

This page provides a general summary of 4 main streams SBME students can select to specialize in during their 3rd and 4th year. Every student can apply for their desired specialization at the end of their second year and courses related to each stream can be found under the Courses tab. Students are required to take a minimum amount of credits to meet their specialization requirements. More information about the process will be released by the department to students nearing the end of their 2nd year. Please reach out to us if you have general questions or to undergrad@bme.ubc.ca for more specific questions.   

 BIOMEDICAL INFORMATICS

Biomedical Informatics involves the application of computationally-intensive analysis and statistical techniques to increase the understanding and utility of biological and medical data and focuses on using data and analytics to understand and decode highly complex biological processes. This stream explores the use of patient health care information to understand disease and pathophysiology, and to improve outcomes. Key application areas include pattern recognition, data mining, machine learning algorithms, drug design and gene finding.

BIOMATERIALS & BIOMECHANICS

Biomechanics & Biomaterials focuses on the application of principles of classical mechanics to problems in biological systems and views the body as an engineered structure. Students will learn the role mechanics plays in both injury and disease and use this knowledge to develop better prevention and treatment approaches. Biomechanics and biomaterials play a vital role in the design of novel safety devices, surgical implants and surgical instrumentation for organs, soft tissues, hard tissues and articulating joints by addressing how natural and synthetic materials interact with biological systems.

BIOMEDICAL SYSTEMS & SIGNALS

Biomedical Systems & Signals provides an understanding of the fundamental processes that produce and transform signals in biological systems, and the method by which these signals are transformed to generate information. Students will explore imaging and electronic sensing technology and analyze the measurements that supply clinicians with empirical evidence to enable informed decisions. Key application areas include X-rays, CT scans, ultrasound, MRI, ventilation and cardiac function sensing, neural engineering and wearable sensors.

 CELLULAR BIOENGINEERING

Cellular Bioengineering applies engineering principles of design, analysis and methodology to cellular and molecular biology for the development of cell-based therapeutics in regenerative medicine and drug delivery. Students will use biology, chemistry and engineering to discover how essential molecular level interactions can benefit human health. Examples of cellular bioengineering range from gene therapy, synthetic biology, tissue engineered organs, protein engineering and nucleic acid engineering.