Biomedical Engineering

M.A.Sc, Ph.D

Biomedical engineering involves the application of engineering principles to understand, modify or control biological systems with the objective of generating solutions to health-related problems. This area is diverse and multi-disciplinary, bringing in concepts from chemistry, mechanics, biochemistry, cell biology and physiology.

This collaborative program links the graduate programs in Chemical, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering and provides shared learning experiences with interdisciplinary content, bringing students from a variety of backgrounds together to learn about research methodology and professional practice in the field of Biomedical Engineering.

Research efforts in this field include the development of polymer biomaterials for use as implantable drug delivery devices and scaffolds for tissue engineering, the ex vivo engineering of replacement soft tissue through bioreactor design and mechanical stimulation, and microencapsulation technologies for drug delivery.

This work involves collaboration with researchers in many other Departments such as: Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Anatomy, Physiology, and Mechanical Engineering. In addition, many projects involve both cardiovascular and orthopaedic surgeons. Much of the research is done within the Human Mobility Research Centre at Kingston General Hospital. Other research takes place at Hotel Dieu Hospital in Kingston and at the Schools of Kinesiology and Health Studies at Queen’s.

Degrees Offered / Length of Program

• M.A.Sc. (with specialisation in Biomedical Engineering): 2 years
  
• Ph.D. (with specialisation in Biomedical Engineering): 4 years
  

Method of Completion

All students must satisfy the coursework, thesis and other requirements of member program as well as:

• Enroll in the “Topics in Biomedical Engineering” graduate course (CBME 801) focusing on research methodology, experimental design, development of journal articles and research proposals. This course would count toward the course work requirement of your home program.
• Participate in the Biomedical Engineering Seminar series.
• Enroll in at least one course outside your home department (topics in Biomedical engineering not counted).
• Undertake a thesis project in one or more of the areas of research expertise listed. 

Supervisors and Fields of Study

The collaborative program provides opportunities for career development, as well as invaluable intra and interdisciplinary research and learning. Areas of research interest includes:

Biomechanics and Prosthetics
The biomechanics and prosthetics group focuses on the study of: (i) whole body and limb biomechanics during daily living and before/after surgical treatment and (ii) the design and development of medical implants and prosthetics (e.g. total joint replacements, lower limb amputee devices) for the industrialized world as well as novel approaches for applications in the developing world.
Researchers: Tim Bryant, Kevin Deluzio, Genevieve Dumas, Il-Yong Kim, Yongjun Lai, Quinggo Li, Chris Mechefske, Rick Sellens, Andrew Pollard, Ugo Piomelli

 

Biomaterials
This group focuses on the (i) development of natural and synthetic materials used to facilitate the repair of damaged or diseased tissues and organs, (ii) materials to be used in conjunction with biomedical tools and devices, and (iii) understanding and modeling of tissue function. Specific examples include drug delivery devices, cell encapsulation devices, tissue engineering scaffolding materials and synthetic synovial fluid as well as research on the function of connective tissues (e.g. cartilage, bone).
Researchers: Brian Amsden, Tim Bryant, Aris Docoslis, Lauren Flynn, Marianna Kontopoulou, Ron Neufeld, Keith Pilkey, Stephen Waldman, Kim Woodhouse 

 

Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
This group focuses on the development of new therapeutic approaches to advanced healthcare based on improving or replacing the biological function of damaged or diseased tissues and organs. Research in this area is conducted on the development of (i) laboratory grown functional replacement tissues and (ii) cell encapsulation devices. Specific applications include the development of articular cartilage, ligament blood vessels, intervertebral disc, adipose tissue and implantable insulin producing devices.
Researchers: Brian Amsden, Aris Docoslis, Lauren Flynn, Ron Neufeld, Stephen Waldman, Kim Woodhouse 

 

Medical Imaging
This group comprises expertise in the areas of robotics, computer vision, modeling and human performance monitoring. The research on robotic control is focused on the application of control systems in telerobotics, haptics and virtual environments with the integration of processed biological signals in the control structure. Research into computer vision is centered on pose determination and 3-D tracking, human gesture recognition and medical imaging. Discrete event systems techniques are being used in modeling emergency response to epidemiological outbreaks.
Researchers: Michael Greenspan, Keyvan Hashtrudi-Zaad, Michael Korenberg, Evelyn Morin, Karen Rudie 

Employment Opportunities

Our graduates go on to fulfilling careers in: academia, the pharmaceutical industry, the biomedical device industry, health care support (e.g. Health Canada).

Funding Information

Students enrolled in the collaborative program will be considered for funding support through their home departmental program. We encourage all students to apply for both internal and external awards including OGS, NSERC and CIHR scholarships. Entering graduate students who win federal government tri-council awards are automatically provided with a $5,000 top-up award by Queen’s .

 

Academic Prerequisites

Admission requirements for students entering the collaborative program will be consistent with those of the member department in which the student will register.