University of Toronto Institute of Biomedical Engineering


The Institute of Biomedical Engineering is an academic unit at the University of Toronto. The main goal of the institute is provide graduate education and advance research in the field of biomedical engineering. Established in 1962 by Dr. Norman Moody under the moniker 'Institute of Biomedical Electronics', the Institute have taken on many names in the past.
BME is home to research and teaching interests of the Faculties of Applied Science and Engineering, Dentistry, and Medicine at the University of Toronto. Located in the heart of the Toronto Discovery District, BME offers research ties with sister departments at University of Toronto, as well as researchers in the Hospital for Sick Children, University Health Network, Mount Sinai Hospital, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, The New Women's College Hospital, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Bloorview Kids Rehab and MaRS Discovery District.

History

Founded in 1962 by Dr. Norman Moody, the Institute of Biomedical Engineering is one of the oldest biomedical engineering academic units in Canada. With a heavy emphasis on applying electrical engineering concept to solve biological problems, the Institute formed between a collaboration between the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto.
In 1999, the Institute of Biomedical Engineering merged with the Centre for Biomaterials and the tissue engineering group in Chemical Engineering, to create the Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering. In addition to Medicine and Engineering, IBBME is also a part of the Faculty of Dentistry.
In the fall of 2001, with the help of funding from the Whitaker Foundation, the Institute launched the new Graduate Program in Biomedical Engineering. This program allows students to register for graduate studies directly in IBBME, without having to register in “home” or collaborative departments.
In summer of 2020, the Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering changed its name to the Institute of Biomedical Engineering.

Academics

The Institute of Biomedical Engineering hosts faculty members and students who conduct research in the topics of clinical engineering, cell & tissue engineering, and molecular engineering. As a graduate degree focused Institute, BME offers degrees in Doctor of Philosophy, Masters of Science, and Masters of Engineering. Students enrolled the PhD and the MASc program will be required to perform and advance research in one of the three disciplines listed above. As of 2019, there are 332 graduate students enrolled in all graduate programs, and majority of the student body were consisted of PhD students. While the PhD and MEng programs is focused on performing research, the MEng program primarily consists of courses and internship components.