IBEHS I – Faculty of Engineering

IBEHS 1

Integrating Mac’s top-ranked health sciences and engineering programs into a unique project-based learning experience.

Your chance to study at one of the world’s top health universities starts today.

Integrated Biomedical Engineering & Health Sciences (iBioMed) is the first program of its kind in Canada. Students work in teams to build prototypes, learn to pitch designs to real clients and bring their ideas to life.

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  • “As an iBioMed student, I can get an internship in an engineering industry or in a health sciences industry. The reason why I chose to come to McMaster is because it is one of the largest universities that offers co-op. You can get a co-op in the first year, or second year and it goes on.”

    Aleen, iBioMed
    Meet Aleen (Opens in new window)

  • “iBioMed gives me the opportunity to explore different kinds of fields in both engineering and health sciences. That opens a lot of doors for me. iBioMed is the first of its kind in Canada that integrates engineering and health sciences perfectly.”

    Wantong, iBioMed
    Meet Wantong (Opens in new window)

Admissions information

Target first year enrolment is 155 for September.

Minimum admission average: 90%

Admissions information

Top six Grade 12 U/M courses including:

  • ENG 4U – English
  • MCV 4U – Calculus
  • SCH 4U – Chemistry
  • SPH 4U – Physics
  • SBI 4U – Biology

Note: Students are expected to have completed Advanced Functions (MHF4U)

Offers of Admission are by selection with a minimum required average of 90%.

More competitive applicant students will need to be at least a few percentages higher. The supplementary application will be used in combination with the student’s academic performance. This holistic assessment will help us decide who we will welcome to our McMaster community in September.

  • January 15, 2025  – OUAC application deadline | OUAC application code: MEH or MEI (co-op)
    • Within 10 days, you will receive an invitation via email to access the supplementary application
  • January 30, 2025 by noon EST – supplementary applications close
  • February 19, 2025 by 11:59pm EST – scholarship applications close
  • First round offers for Ontario-curriculum students typically go out in mid-March with another round following in early May. Non-Ontario student offers are issued on a rolling basis
  • April 1, 2025 – deadline to submit additional documents if required (documents may include transcripts, English Language Proficiency results, school profiles, and others)
  • IBEHS Level II specialization transfer by March 22, 2025

What’s involved?

  • Supplementary Application (mandatory) – $50 Fee
  • Submission Deadline: January 30, 2025 at 12 p.m. (noon) ET unless otherwise noted in your supplemental application invitation email.
  • The supplementary application is a mandatory part of the admissions process for Engineering and Integrated Biomedical Engineering & Health Sciences (iBioMed).
    • Only one application is required if you are applying to both programs.
  • The supplementary application will consist of four questions (three video response and one written response) and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. Unlimited practice sessions are available for video responses, however, once you begin your formal video interview, you will only get one opportunity to answer each question.
  • You will receive an invitation by email to access the supplementary application portal after completing your application through OUAC.
  • Once you have access, you can practice as many times you want before you start your actual interview. Please note that once you begin your actual interview, you will have 30 minutes to complete the entire process.
  • For each video response: you will receive one minute to prepare your answer and two minutes to verbally respond to your question.
  • Written Response: you will have 10 minutes to complete your answer from when you receive the question.

What are some sample questions?

Examples of practice supplementary application questions (practice questions will be different from real interview questions):

  • What does being resourceful mean to you, and why is it important?
  • Tell us about a time management strategy you used. Why does it work?
  • How do you create a balance for yourself when working in a stressful environment­?
  • Give us an example of a time you acted with integrity.

I have not received the email with login information.

Please wait 10 business days for the email to be sent to you. If it has been more than 10 business days, please email thinkibiomed@mcmaster.ca with the issue and your OUAC reference number.

I am having technical problems with my KIRA application.

Please email KIRA directly at support@kiratalent.com

Applicants will be evaluated solely on their percentage grades. If applicants wish to be assessed based on IB predicted scores, they must submit a written request to the Admissions Office by May 1, 2025.

Advanced Credit

Due to the accreditation of the iBioMed program, students are only eligible to receive advanced credit for their elective course.

  • IB – Minimum 5 out of 7 in Higher level courses
  • AP – Minimum 4 out of 5

At McMaster, iBioMed students take a common Level 1 program with the following courses:

IBEHS 1P10 – Health Solutions Design Projects I
CHEM 1E03 – General Chemistry for Engineering I
IBEHS 1EP6: Entrepreneurship in Biomedical Innovation: from Bench to Market
MATH 1ZA3 – Engineering Mathematics I
MATH 1ZB3 – Engineering Mathematics II-A
MATH 1ZC3 – Engineering Mathematics II-B
PHYSICS 1D03 – Introductory Mechanics
PHYSICS 1E03 – Waves, Electricity and Magnetic Fields
ELECTIVE – 3 units approved Complementary Studies electives

iBioMed students work in industry, train to be doctors, start their own companies and so much more. Visit our alumni page to see what our graduates are doing.

Your first year

First-year iBioMed students work in state-of-the-art laboratories to learn the foundations of engineering, health sciences and entrepreneurship.

Students complete a common first year in the principles of engineering, health and entrepreneurship. They grow human tissue in labs, learn to program robots, design medical devices like hip implants and more.

First-year courses:

  • Health Solutions Design Projects I: Introduction to Engineering Fundamentals and Design
  • General Chemistry for Engineers I
  • Engineering Mathematics I, II-A, II-B
  • Entrepreneurship in Biomedical Innovation: From Bench to Market
  • Introductory Mechanics
  • Waves, Electricity and Magnetic Fields
  • Electives: 3 units of an approved complementary studies elective
iBioMed program FAQs (Opens in new window)