Overview
A blend of Engineering and Health Sciences
We’ve fused the best of our top-ranked health sciences and engineering programs to deliver a unique project-based learning experience that is second to none. In the iBioMed program, you’ll be working on real-world projects from day one. In dedicated design studios, you’ll learn to work in teams to define problems, pitch ideas, build prototypes and test products with real clients.
Key features:
- The only program in Canada that specializes in health, engineering science and entrepreneurship
- Assessments aligned with content and skills
- Student-directed projects featured in a personalized online portfolio
- Flexible, optional co-op program
- Cross-disciplinary collaborations among classmates
- Anatomy labs where Level II students learn anatomical concepts from
- various learning angles
- Limited enrolment of 155 students per year
After a common first year, students will enter either the Bachelor of Engineering and Biomedical Engineering or the Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences in Health Engineering Science and Entrepreneurship degree program.
Design projects and showcases
iBioMed students take various project and design courses throughout their degree. Projects evolve from year to year, culminating in the iBioMed Showcases at the end of each term. Past projects include:
- Designing a longer-lasting hip replacement
- Constructing a more affordable MRI machines
- Creating a more durable prosthetic arm
Graduates can go on to:
- Pursue careers in biomedical engineering, biotechnology, health and biomedical science
- Start their own companies or innovate within existing organizations
- Explore further studies in graduate research, professional health science careers or medicine
Mac Eng your way
No two paths in engineering look the same.
Experience Mac Eng to the fullest by pursuing extracurricular, co-curricular, co-op, research and volunteer opportunities that will enrich your academics and support your development as a well-rounded, career-bound graduate.
Upcoming admission years
Applying to start iBioMed at McMaster in Fall 2027 and beyond? Choosing the Discovery Track lets you determine your discipline at the end of first year, or you can lock in your discipline before accepting an offer by applying directly to a program.
Expandable List
The Centre for Career Growth and Experience (the Centre) provides comprehensive support, offering the knowledge and opportunities needed to build career confidence. It will be your go-to place for total career empowerment.
The Centre has a suite of offerings, including co-op programs across all engineering disciplines, dynamic student engagement initiatives and support for experiential learning opportunities like clubs and teams.
Our approach is rooted in career development theory and practice, ensuring personalized paths to success through immersive industry experiences and skill-building opportunities.
How co-op works
Your professional career starts right from your first year with an engaging introductory career planning and employment course. Throughout the year, our dedicated team at the Centre connects with more than 1,000 employers, bringing them directly to you through 250+ virtual and in-person workshops and events. We’re here to support you every step of the way — from career exploration and job search to applications, interviews and offers.
Starting as early as the summer after your first year, you can embark on a four-month-long co-op. After your third year, you’ll have the opportunity to dive into longer, more immersive co-op experiences lasting eight, 12 or 16 months.
Co-op Fast Facts
$50k average annual Salary / $25/hr average hourly rate
93% of undergrads are enrolled in co-op
10,000+ positions are posted each year by more then 1,400 employers
4,800+ co-op work terms completed by nearly 3,000 students in 2024/25 academic year
Expandable List
Skill-building experiences
Whether you’re interested in a technical challenge or cultivating community on an identity-based club, these enriching experiences help develop essential skills like leadership, communication and problem-solving that are highly sought after by employers
The Hatch Centre
Feel the energy in the Gerald Hatch Centre for Engineering Experiential Learning. This 28,000-sq ft space is home to the McMaster Engineering Society and many of our affiliated clubs and teams. Brainstorm, collaborate and bring ideas to life in student-run rooms, lounges and garages
Academic credit
Not just passion projects. You can earn course credit (3CX3 and 4EX3) for participating in both technical and non-technical clubs and teams
Global impact
Our impact defies borders. Building on our rich history, we’re an innovative education and research community committed to discovery and improving the world around us. We believe that human and societal health and well-being depends on diverse perspectives and ideas. We’re proud of our global connections.
Our international student community represents more than 100 countries, and we’ve established research partnerships with universities worldwide. We support student clubs and teams that compete internationally, facilitate global exchanges
and co-op opportunities, and graduate students who go on to work across the world.
Groundbreaking research
Mac Eng is one of Canada’s most research-intensive Faculties. Our people are leading advancements in nuclear energy, antibiotic alternatives, cultured meat, hydrogen energy, electric vehicles, recyclable materials and more. We’re home to the largest-in-Canada undergraduate research program, which allows students to:
- Participate in research as early as first year
- Access more than 50 Engineering Research Experience Scholarships issued with major entrance scholarships
- Be one of more than 200 undergraduate researchers each year working on teams making cutting-edge discoveries
Inspiring innovation
On-campus incubators like The Forge@Mac and The Clinic are dedicated to supporting aspiring entrepreneurs every step of the way. The majority of budding businesses connected to The Forge are affiliated with McMaster Engineering.
The Faculty of Engineering offers $2,500,000+ in entrance scholarships and research awards to students entering a Level 1 Faculty of Engineering program. Only one application is required to be considered for all eligible awards!
Scholarships available include Dean’s Excellence Awards and Big Ideas Awards, as well as scholarships for participation in organizations like SHAD, FIRST Robotics, and DECA. Open to both domestic and international students. See full details here.
Student Stories
Your Classes
What You’ll Take:
- Health Solutions Design Projects I: Introduction to Engineering Fundamentals and Design (IBEHS 1P10 A/B)
- General Chemistry for Engineering I (CHEM 1E03)
- Entrepreneurship in Biomedical Innovation: From Bench to Market (IBEHS 1EP6 A/B)
- Engineering Mathematics I (MATH 1ZA3)
- Engineering Mathematics II-A (MATH 1ZB3)
- Engineering Mathematics II-B (MATH 1ZC3)
- Introductory Mechanics (PHYSICS 1D03)
- Waves, Electricity and Magnetic Fields (PHYSICS 1E03)
- Biosafety Training (BIOSAFE 1BS0)
- Introduction to Health and Safety (WHMIS 1A00)
- 3 units of complementary electives
Learn more about the iBioMed I requirements here.
In second year, students will pursue more specialized courses of study in either the Bachelor of Engineering and Biomedical Engineering (B.Eng. BME.) degree or the Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences in Health, Engineering Science and Entrepreneurship (B.H.Sc. HESE) degree.
BEng BME
Students in the BEng BME degree cover fundamental skills and techniques in both biomedical engineering and a chosen core discipline. There are eight core disciplines to choose from, including Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, and Software Engineering. Admissions into one of these engineering disciplines will be based on first-year academic performance and the availability of space in the discipline.
BHSc HESE
Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences Health Engineering Science and Entrepreneurship (BHSc HESE) integrates engineering, health sciences and entrepreneurship, creating a hybrid graduate that interacts with clinicians, researchers and patients. Health and Engineering Entrepreneurship courses from level two to level four integrate business and engineering concepts including; organizational behaviour, leadership, finance and marketing, discovery, validation, design thinking, and more. Students will work in groups to create value from problems in the health and engineering disciplines by learning how to develop and market a concept.
Level II Program Selection:
As enrolment is limited in each degree options, where there is more demand than spaces, competition will be based on first-year academic achievement.
For a full list of courses that can be available in this program, please consult the academic calendar.