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Biomedical engineers 

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Explore a Career in Biomedical Engineering


A biomedical engineer is a forward-thinking professional who merges principles from engineering, biology, and medicine to develop innovative technologies that improve healthcare and enhance patients’ quality of life. This interdisciplinary field plays a critical role in medical research, device innovation, diagnostics, and rehabilitation across hospitals, labs, and industry settings.

 

What Do Biomedical Engineers Do?

 

Biomedical engineers apply engineering tools and problem-solving skills to medicine and biology, addressing healthcare challenges and developing life-changing solutions. Their work bridges the gap between clinical needs and technological possibilities.

 

Typical responsibilities include:

  • Designing and developing medical devices such as artificial organs, pacemakers, and imaging equipment.

  • Innovating prosthetics, implants, and wearable health monitors.

  • Conducting research in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

  • Enhancing medical imaging technologies like MRI and CT scanners.

  • Collaborating with clinicians and scientists to translate discoveries into usable technologies.

  • Performing tests and simulations to ensure safety and functionality of new devices.

  • Maintaining and improving hospital equipment for optimal patient care.

 

Pathway to Becoming a Biomedical Engineer in Canada

 

To pursue this career, students typically begin with a Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in Biomedical Engineering or a related field such as Electrical, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering with a biomedical focus. Key undergraduate coursework includes:

  • Physiology and human biology

  • Biomechanics and biomaterials

  • Medical instrumentation

  • Systems modeling and design

  • Engineering mathematics

  • Digital signal processing

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Admission Requirements for Undergraduate Programs


Undergraduate biomedical engineering programs generally require:

  • Completion of high school with strong performance in mathematics (calculus), physics, chemistry, and biology.

  • English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL) for international applicants.

  • A competitive admission average, typically above 85% for top programs.

 

Notable Canadian Universities Offering Biomedical Engineering

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  • University of Toronto – Offers a BASc in Biomedical Engineering with strong co-op and research opportunities.

  • University of Waterloo – Provides a unique co-op program with practical experience in medical device innovation.

  • McGill University – Emphasizes bioengineering fundamentals with options in biomechanics and molecular biology.

  • UBC – Features interdisciplinary learning with access to cutting-edge medical research hubs.

 

Professional Certification

 

After obtaining an undergraduate degree, aspiring engineers can pursue licensure as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) through provincial regulators (e.g., Professional Engineers Ontario), which requires:

  • Work experience (usually 4 years)

  • Passing the Professional Practice Examination (PPE)

 

Additional Certifications & Credentials

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  • Certified Clinical Engineer (CCE) – for professionals involved in managing hospital technologies.

  • Master’s or PhD in biomedical engineering – beneficial for those entering research, teaching, or advanced R&D roles.

  • Certifications in project management, ISO standards, or regulatory affairs can also enhance career prospects.

 

Biomedical engineers in Canada can find employment in a wide variety of industries including medical device manufacturing, healthcare institutions, research organizations, biotechnology companies, and government regulatory bodies. Here's a list of notable employers and sectors where biomedical engineers work:

 

Hospitals & Health Networks

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Biomedical engineers in hospitals typically focus on clinical engineering—managing, maintaining, and innovating medical technologies.

  • Toronto General Hospital (part of UHN)

  • Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre – Toronto

  • The Ottawa Hospital

  • St. Michael's Hospital – Toronto

  • BC Children’s & Women’s Hospital – Vancouver

  • Alberta Health Services – province-wide

  • Hamilton Health Sciences – Ontario

 

Medical Device & Equipment Manufacturers

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These companies design, develop, and manufacture technologies like prosthetics, implants, diagnostic machines, and surgical tools.

  • Medtronic Canada – Mississauga (medical devices, neuromodulation, diabetes care)

  • GE HealthCare Canada – Mississauga (medical imaging and diagnostics)

  • Philips Healthcare Canada – Markham (monitoring, imaging, and therapeutic devices)

  • Stryker Canada – Waterdown (orthopedics, surgical equipment, neurotechnology)

  • Zimmer Biomet Canada – orthopedic products and surgical tools

  • Baylis Medical (acquired by Boston Scientific) – Mississauga (interventional cardiology)

  • StarFish Medical – Victoria and Toronto (custom medical device design)

 

Biotech & Life Sciences Companies

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These organizations focus on diagnostics, regenerative medicine, biomanufacturing, and biosensors.

  • Synaptive Medical – Toronto (robotic surgical and imaging systems)

  • Zymeworks – Vancouver (protein engineering, biologics)

  • Thornhill Medical – Toronto (portable critical care and oxygen systems)

  • Precision NanoSystems (PNI) – Vancouver (RNA-based therapeutics, acquired by Danaher)

  • STEMCELL Technologies – Vancouver (tools for cell biology research)

  • VivoSense – Montreal (wearable sensor data analysis)

 

Government & Regulatory Bodies

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Biomedical engineers in these settings are involved in health technology assessment, standards development, and regulatory approvals.

  • Health Canada – Medical Devices Directorate

  • Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH)

  • National Research Council (NRC) Canada

  • Public Health Agency of Canada

 

Academic & Research Institutions

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Many biomedical engineers work in applied research, product development, or as faculty/staff at universities.

  • University Health Network (UHN) – Toronto

  • Toronto Rehabilitation Institute (KITE Research Institute)

  • McGill University – Biomedical Engineering Department

  • University of Toronto – Institute of Biomedical Engineering

  • Western University – Robarts Research Institute


Biomedical engineering is one of the fastest-growing engineering disciplines in Canada due to increased demand for personalized healthcare, wearable tech, and aging population solutions. Innovations from this field have enabled robot-assisted surgeries, 3D-printed implants, and brain-computer interfaces, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in medicine.

 

Career Outlook & Salary Expectations

 

Biomedical engineers in Canada work in medical device companies, hospitals, research labs, and regulatory agencies. Opportunities span roles in R&D, quality control, regulatory affairs, and clinical engineering.

  • Starting Salary: ~$60,000–$70,000 CAD/year

  • Mid-Career: ~$80,000–$100,000 CAD/year

  • Senior Positions & Specializations: $110,000+ CAD/year

 

Is Biomedical Engineering Right for You?

 

If you:

  • Love science and engineering,

  • Are passionate about healthcare and helping people,

  • Enjoy problem-solving and innovation,

then biomedical engineering may be the perfect career path for you.

 

At Alpha Study Canada, we help students explore the right university program, prepare strong applications, and plan personalized academic pathways into impactful careers like biomedical engineering.

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