BHEC …
Biotechnology & Health Engineering Centre

The Biotechnology & Health Engineering Centre (BHEC) at the University of Waterloo promotes research and education in the application of engineering principles and techniques to address human health problems and concerns. Founded in 2004, BHEC is based on a group of 27 professors at Waterloo which is focused on engineering systems to maintain, protect and improve public and personal health. The collective expertise and facilities include resources in the six engineering academic departments: chemical engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical & computer engineering, management sciences, systems design engineering. Profiles of these professors are available. Multidisciplinary investigations include colleagues in the Faculties of Science, Mathematics and Applied Health Studies in addition to external links with hospitals, industry, municipalities and other universities. With one of the largest engineering schools in Canada, Waterloo is in a unique position to address comprehensive research and educational programs in health engineering.

With the ongoing rapid advances in biotechnology, it is imperative that health engineering studies, in addition to the more traditional medical ones, be implemented to maximize the benefits of related public and private funding at universities. At Waterloo, engineering considerations are being pursued that have a significant impact in the areas of personal and public health (embryo development, prosthetic and assisted technologies, automobile design, building design, food processing, pharmaceutical production, diagnostic devices, work-flow, drinking water, remediation of contaminated air, water and soil; pollution control of industrial, agricultural and municipal wastes; risk assessment and management). The engineering tools and approaches being used and developed for these areas include: ergonomics, informatics, techno-analyses, imaging, sensors, stem cells, biochips, MEMS, recombinant cells, bioreactors, bioseparators, biomechanics, nanotechnology, control systems, machine intelligence, mathematical algorithms, computer-aided simulations and optimizations. A seminar series augments the communication network at BHEC.

Undergraduate and graduate courses relevant to biotechnology and health engineering are offered in all six engineering departments at the University of Waterloo. These courses address biomedical engineering, environmental engineering, food engineering and pharmaceutical engineering. Program options in biomechanics and biochemical engineering are also offered to undergraduate students. Course descriptions (link) are available. Special workshops and short courses are offered as required.

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