General Course Information
The course is based on three main course objectives: an overview of the current problems in movement biomechanics, a description of the engineering tools needed to study human movement, and a framework for self-teaching and research.
- The first objective, an overview of the current problems in movement biomechanics, will be achieved by overview lectures and outside speakers. Furthermore, a field trip to the gait lab in addition to student presentations will enhance both the overview lectures and speaker presentations.
- The second objective, a description of the engineering tools needed to study human movement, will be described by exploring muscle-tendon models, joint models, muscle-joint systems, experimental motion analysis, and skeletal dynamics.
- Finally, the framework for self-teaching and research will be composed of computer simulation exercises, individual consultations, research papers, and student presentations.
Skeletal Muscle Structure and Function by Richard L. Lieber, Willimas & Wilkins: Philadelphia,1992
Muscles, Reflexes, and Locomotion by Thomas A. McMahon, Princeton: Princeton, NJ, 1984
It will be assumed that all students have a background in both statics and dynamics. Students should be able to draw pictures of spring-mass systems and multilink systems. They should also be able to write equations of motions.
5% Homework/Computer projects
20% Exam 1
20% Exam 2
20% Midterm Project
35% Final Project (outline, oral presentation, and paper)
The projects will be on topics related to the biomechanics of human movement. The written version of the final paper is due by noon on Friday, May 17, 2002. More details will follow.
There will be two exams, covering the material indicated in the course syllabus. The second exam will be scheduled before the final student presentations. All examinations will be closed book. Calculators will be allowed.
