Biomechanics

Target Audience

Upper division undergraduate majors in Exercise Science, Physical Education and Athletic Training.

Prerequisites

Recommended: Physics

Course modules with online components:

• Linear Kinematics and Projectile Motion (Completed)
• Angular Kinematics
• Linear Kinetics, Friction (Completed)
• Linear Kinetics, Impulse and Momentum (Completed)
• Linear Kinetics, Impact
• Work, Energy, Power
• Angular Kinetics, Torque (Completed)
• Angular Kinetics, Moment of Inertia and Angular Momentum
• Center of Mass (under development)
• Fluid Mechanics
• Biomechanics of Selected Sports Events
• Clinical Applications of Biomechanics, Gait
• Biomechanics in the Work Place

Course Features

• This is an introductory mechanical principles course pertinent to the understanding of human motion.  There is a lot of mechanics (physics) involved, and also some math.  Even though physics is recommended as a prerequisite the instructor assumes that the students have not had any prior courses in physics, and the level of mathematics assumed will be high-school algebra. Although the course deals both with biology and mechanics, there is a great emphasis on the mechanical basis of human sports and everyday motion.

• We have designed a system of web-based cooperative problem sets that groups of students must complete and discuss on-line within a flexible time frame. These online problem-solving assignments are based on small group collaborations outside of class time, but without the constraints of simultaneous group meetings. Each on-line cooperative problem set is presented to the student as a web page using WeBWorK with the following components:
  • a brief theoretical foundation for the concept,
  • a description of the problem(s) in text form with graphics and/or videos as required,
  • a link to an on-line calculator,
  • a link to a basic equation set,
  • one or more work areas where the student supplies a short narrative explanation of each step of the solution and the derivation, and
  • a submission button that links the answers to a common discussion forum using OnCourse.
  • At this point, asynchronous discussions within the group are available, monitored and guided by an assistant instructor (each group's objective is to arrive at a problem set solution).
  • The final step is for each student to resubmit the problem set with his own comments.

  Instructor solutions are available to all students on-line after the deadline.

Course web page

(Selected web components are password protected. Contact the instructor below for permission.)

For Further Information, contact ...

• Betty Haven, Dept. of Kinesiology, School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, Indiana University
  e-mail haven@indiana.edu