• Description of Program
• Degree Requirements
• Special Opportunities
• Careers

Description of Program

The Master’s degree program in biomechanics takes an interdisciplinary approach to the mechanical aspects of human movement, with the particular focus on gait, gait energetics, and mechanisms for lower extremity injury. Students take a variety of courses related to human movement mechanics, data analysis and processing, and the physiological and neuromuscular aspects of human movement. The research conducted in the biomechanics laboratory focuses on the gait mechanics and energetics of running and the mechanisms for running related overuse injuries.

Degree Requirements

A minimum of 35 credit hours is required for the biomechanics program. The Master of Science in Kinesiology degree must include a minimum of 20 credits from the Department of Kinesiology.  A minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) is required for graduation. A minimum grade of C– is required in each course. All electives for completing the degree must be approved by the advisor.

Complete each of the following core courses (18 cr.):

• SPH-E 651 Epidemiology (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 530 Mechanical Analysis of Human Performance (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 535 Physiological Basis of Human Performance (3 cr.)
• SPH-Q 501 Introduction to Statistics in Public Health (3 cr.)
• SPH-X 505 Public Health Foundations and Leadership (3 cr.)
• SPH-X 590 Introduction to Research in Health, Kinesiology, and Recreation (3 cr.)

Complete one of the following three core courses (3 cr.):

• SPH-K 541 Nature and Basis of Motor Skill (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 542 Neuromuscular Control of Movement (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 543 Cortical Control of Human Movement (3 cr.)

Complete a minimum of 9 credits from the following biomechanics emphasis courses:

• SPH-K 599 Master's Thesis (5 cr.)
• SPH-K 630 Biomechanics of Human Performance (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 631 Quantitative Mechanical Analysis of Human Motion (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 691 Readings in Physical Education (1 cr.)
• SPH-K 693 Independent Study and Research (2 cr.)

Complete electives to reach the required minimum 35 credits.
The following courses are recommended as electives:

• CSCI-A 592 Introduction to Software Systems (3 cr.)
• CSCI-A 593 Computer Structures (3 cr.)
• CSCI-A 594 Data Structures (3 cr.)
• CSCI-A 597 Introduction to Programming I (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 524 Exercise and Physical Activity for People with Disabilities (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 533 Advanced Theories of High Level Performance (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 541 Nature and Basis of Motor Skill (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 542 Neuromuscular Control of Movement (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 543 Cortical Control of Human Movement (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 578 Cognitive Ergonomics (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 588 Ergonomics (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 636 Cardiopulmonary Assessment Lab (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 641 Topics in Motor Integration (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 651 Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 694 Seminar in Human Performance (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 705 Experimental Laboratory Techniques: 3D Filming (3 cr.)
• SPH-Q 502 Intermediate Statistics in Public Health (3 cr.)
• SPH-Q 601 Experimental Analysis and Design (3 cr.)
• SPH-Q 602 Multivariate Statistical Analysis (3 cr.)

Special Opportunities

Students at the undergraduate and graduate levels can assist in a wide variety of ongoing research experiments in the Biomechanics Laboratory.

Careers

• Careers for the M.S. degree — Students pursuing the M.S. degree are well prepared for positions at private industry, clinical, and academic research labs. Career opportunities are also available in research and development of equipment used in the sports industry, research labs, and clinical settings. The M.S. degree also serves as preparation for pursuing Ph.D. programs.
• Careers for the Ph.D. degree — Students earning the Ph.D. in biomechanics are well prepared for faculty and teaching positions as well as research in clinical or private industry settings.