Biomechanics and Kinesiology, PhD

School of Health and Kinesiology, Department of Biomechanics, College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences

Vision Statement

The doctoral degree in biomechanics and kinesiology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is a joint program between the Department of Biomechanics and the School of Health and Kinesiology.  The degree is based on the physiology, biochemistry, biophysics, motor control and development, and psychology of human movement. The program is aimed at developing researchers who are working to improve movement function and physical activity using evidence-based approaches through interdisciplinary clinical and translational research. A problem-solving approach is used across the age and health spectrum for disease prevention, health enhancement, physical rehabilitation, and motivation for physical activity.  The program offers four areas of concentration in biomechanics, physiology of exercise, motor development and control, and physical activity. 

Program Contact Information

Danae Dinkel, PhD, Doctoral Program Chair (DPC)
207 School of Health and Kinesiology (H&K) 
402.554.2670
dmdinkel@unomaha.edu

Program Email Address

Laura Rotert, Academic Program Coordinator
100 Biomechanics Research Building (BRB) 
402.554.3228
lecampbell@unomaha.edu

Sara Norgelas, Administrative Assistant for Graduate Programs
207 School of Health and Kinesiology (H&K)
402.554.2910
snorgelas@unomaha.edu 

Program Website

Admissions

General Application Requirements and Admission Criteria

Program-Specific Requirements

Application Deadlines (Spring 2024, Summer 2024, and Fall 2024)

Applications for this program are accepted on a rolling basis. All materials must be submitted prior to the beginning of the semester in which the student has elected to begin coursework. To receive full consideration for departmental assistantships, applications must be received by January 31st. 

Other Requirements

  • GPA of 3.2 in master’s program or in the last 30 hours of previous graduate work
  • Master’s degree, or minimum of 30 graduate hours in a related field, e.g., health, physical therapy
  • English Language Proficiency: Applicants are required to have a command of oral and written English. Those who do not hold a baccalaureate or other advanced degree from the United States, OR a baccalaureate or other advanced degree from a predetermined country on the waiver list, must meet the minimum language proficiency score requirement in order to be considered for admission. 

    • Internet-based TOEFL: 80, IELTS: 6.5, PTE: 53 with a score of at least 20 in all categories (listening, reading, writing, and speaking), Duolingo: 110

  • Statement of Purpose: Needs to state goals and objectives for seeking the degree. Students will identify their intended area of focus and the name of the faculty advisor with whom they wish to work (maximum 500 words).
  • Writing Sample: Provide a writing sample which could include: first-author scientific paper, thesis proposal, research paper, or similar example showcasing the student's aptitude for writing. 
  • Resume/CV
  • Letters of Recommendation: Three are required
  • Undergraduate Course Deficiencies: these courses are determined by the student's mentor in collaboration with their supervisory committee. Each student's individual deficiency courses will be approved in their program of study.
  • Identification and confirmation by a faculty member willing to act as advisor and mentor to the student (see program-related information). The applicant is expected to contact a potential advisor to determine if a suitable match in interests exists. This assures that the student will be able to develop a program of study that meets the specific goals intended. Please note that assistantship funding is a separate process and should be discussed with your faculty mentor. 
  • Applicants with International Transcripts: Any applicant to this program who has completed undergraduate or graduate coursework at an international higher education institution outside of the United States may submit transcripts and degree certificates (with an English translation) in lieu of a course-by-course transcript evaluation from World Education Services (WES), Educational Credential Evaluations (ECE), SpanTran, or Educational Perspectives. This graduate program will conduct an in-house credential evaluation of the transcript(s).
    • UNO reserves the right to require a course-by-course evaluation from WES, ECE, SpanTran or Educational Perspectives if the program is unable to complete an evaluation or should there be any questions or concerns about the documentation that is received. Applicants will be notified by the individual program if an external course-by-course evaluation is required.
    • Note: If admitted, official transcripts and degree certificates (with an English translation)/official course-by-course transcript evaluation, and any applicable official exam scores are required. 

Degree Requirements

Required Courses21
RESEARCH IN HEALTH & KINESIOLOGY
BIOSTATISTICS IN BIOMECHANICS I
ADVANCED STATISTICS
BIOSTATISTICS IN BIOMECHANICS II
GRANT WRITING FOR THE BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH
Take the following course for a minimum of 9 credit hours:
DOCTORAL SEMINAR
Concentrations
See Biomechanics and Kinesiology, PhD Concentrations24
BMKI 9990DISSERTATION15
Total Credits60
1

If required courses have previously been taken, additional research core courses must be taken in order to meet the 21-hour requirement. 

2

This seminar is designed to enhance success in academia and maximize the student’s research experiences. The student will be required to register for at least 9 credit hours (typically 3 hours per semester following their first year in the program). In these credit hours the student will attend formal reading clubs with the advisor where he/she will be engaged in reviewing the related literature via journal articles, conducting research projects, reviews of literature, meta-analyses, etc. In addition, the student will be taught how to write successful grants and develop a successful line of research. Each semester for a graded outcome, the student will have to produce material such as a manuscript based on data acquired in the laboratory from the ideas developed in the seminar, a grant that will support the research ideas developed, or significant progress on a research-related project. Students will co-develop these graded outcomes each semester and submit them for approval to the doctoral program committee. 

Exit Requirements

  • Comprehensive Examination
  • Dissertation

Program-Related Information

Advisor

  • Preliminary contact is made with a potential advisor prior to applying to the program. Prior to being admitted, a student must confirm mentorship with an advisor based on mutual interests and willingness of the advisor to take on the student. 

Program of Study (must have 45 hours remaining after approval)

  • The student and his/her advisor will determine the program of study, including the required courses, deficiency courses, and general area of research for the dissertation. The program of study must be completed by the end of the first year and approved by the faculty mentor and one additional faculty member from their respective school or department (considered the program committee) as well as the Doctoral Program Committee chair. After this approval, the student will submit the program of study form with course information to the Office of Graduate. Please note, no more than six independent study/research credit hours are recommended; however, the program of study is determined by the student, faculty mentor, and an additional faculty member in the school or department.

Comprehensive Exam

  • The required comprehensive exam will be taken towards the end of the student's coursework. The supervisory committee, in conjunction with the student will determine the nature of the exam; the exam could include a take-home exam followed by an oral defense, or writing an NIH-type grant followed by an oral exam. The supervisory committee will evaluate the exam. Once a student passes their comprehensive exam they are considered a doctoral candidate.

Dissertation Committee

  • In the first semester of a students’ third year, the student must form a dissertation committee. The student must submit the Appointment of Dissertation Committee form consisting of at least four University of Nebraska graduate faculty members, one of whom must be from outside the student’s academic department/school in which the doctorate is to be granted. The chair of the dissertation committee must be a member of the graduate faculty. The outside representative must hold graduate faculty status within the NU system. The dean for Graduate Studies at UNO will appoint the committee upon recommendation of the advisor. The committee will be responsible for approving the comprehensive exam, dissertation proposal, dissertation, and its oral defense. Please note, if the potential objectives of a dissertation topic change, the dissertation committee can be altered at any time.

Dissertation Proposal Form

  • Within one year of successfully completing the comprehensive exam and being admitted to candidacy, a formal research proposal for the dissertation topic should be presented to the supervisory committee. The format of the proposal is subject to approval by the advisor and the supervisory committee. The proposal could include a formal written proposal with an oral defense or oral presentation of the proposed research project. 

Dissertation

  • After successfully completing the comprehensive exam and being admitted to degree candidacy, the student must register for at least one credit hour of dissertation for each semester until completion of the degree. A minimum of 15 hours of dissertation credit must be completed within the course of the degree.
  • It is expected that the dissertation will result in manuscript submissions in referred journals in the discipline. 
  • Upon completion of the dissertation, an updated CV must be submitted to the Doctoral Program Committee chair. 

Residency

  • The residency will be reasonably compact, continuous, and coherent, and a substantial portion done at and under close supervision of the university. Most of the students in the program will be full-time and continuously enrolled. 

Concentrations

Biomechanics Concentration

Required Courses15
ADVANCED BIOMECHANICS
ADVANCED BIOMECHANICS II
MOTOR LEARNING I
MOTOR CONTROL I
MOTOR DEVELOPMENT
MOTOR LEARNING II
MOTOR CONTROL II
MOTOR DEVELOPMENT II
CLASSICAL MECHANICS
Electives
Select 9 hours from the following:9
BIOINSPIRED ROBOTICS
METHODS IN BIOMECHANICS I
METHODS IN BIOMECHANICS II
ORTHOPEDIC BIOMECHANICS
NONLINEAR ANALYSIS FOR MOVEMENT STUDIES
IMPLEMENTING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN DIVERSE POPULATIONS
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ASSESSMENT AND HEALTH RELATED RESEARCH
MATLAB FOR MOVEMENT SCIENCES
METHODS IN CARDIOVASCULAR BIOMATERIALS RESEARCH
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS
MOTOR CONTROL I
MOTOR DEVELOPMENT
MOTOR CONTROL II
MOTOR DEVELOPMENT II
EXERCISE FOR SPECIAL POPULATIONS
MUSCULOSKELETAL SIMULATION
INDEPENDENT STUDY IN BIOMECHANICS
ADVANCED EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY
BSEN 814
Medical Imaging Systems
ADVANCED EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY II
BSEN 912
Advanced Diagnostic Ultrasound Imaging
CEEN 8336
Microprocessor System Design
CEEN 8366
Embedded Microcontroller Design
CIP 814
Scientific Writing
CIP 817
Applied Scientific Writing
DATA STRUCTURES
ADVANCED COMPUTER GRAPHICS
INTRODUCTION TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
PATTERN RECOGNITION
NUMERICAL LINEAR ALGEBRA
NUMERICAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
COMPUTER GRAPHICS
HUMAN COMPUTER INTERACTION
ELEC 8606
Labview Programming
ELEC 8636
Digital Signal Processing
ELEC 9150
Adaptive Signal Processing
PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL WRITING
GCBA 812
Human Neuranatomy
HEALTH ASPECTS OF AGING
SEMINAR IN AGING AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR
ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH AND LITERATURE IN HUMAN MOVEMENT
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS
SPECIAL TOPICS IN IT INNOVATION
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
INTRODUCTION TO PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
ORDINARY DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF ALGORITHMS
DETERMINISTIC OPERATIONS RESEARCH MODELS
PROBABILISTIC OPERATIONS RESEARCH MODELS
DYNAMICAL SYSTEMS AND CHAOS
TOPICS IN APPLIED MATHEMATICS
ADVANCED TOPICS IN APPLIED MATHEMATICS
SYSTEMS NEUROSCIENCE
CLINICAL EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE PREVENTION AND REHABILITATION
ELEMENTS OF ELECTRONICS
PROSEMINAR: STATISTICAL METHODS I
PROSEMINAR: STATISTICAL METHODS II
PROSEMINAR: COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY
Total Credits24

Motor Development and Control Concentration

Required Courses15
MOTOR DEVELOPMENT
ADVANCED BIOMECHANICS II
MOTOR LEARNING II
MOTOR CONTROL II
NONLINEAR ANALYSIS FOR MOVEMENT STUDIES
Electives
Select 9 hours from the following:9
METHODS IN BIOMECHANICS I
METHODS IN BIOMECHANICS II
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ASSESSMENT AND HEALTH RELATED RESEARCH
MATLAB FOR MOVEMENT SCIENCES
METHODS IN CARDIOVASCULAR BIOMATERIALS RESEARCH
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS
MOTOR LEARNING I
MOTOR CONTROL I
MOTOR DEVELOPMENT II
ADVANCED BIOMECHANICS
HIGHER EDUCATION TEACHING SEMINAR
SERVICE EXPERIENCE IN HIGHER EDUCATION
EXERCISE FOR SPECIAL POPULATIONS
MUSCULOSKELETAL SIMULATION
INDEPENDENT STUDY IN BIOMECHANICS
ADVANCED EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY
ADVANCED EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY II
COMPUTER GRAPHICS
HUMAN COMPUTER INTERACTION
ELEC 8606
Labview Programming
ELEC 8636
Digital Signal Processing
ELEC 9150
Adaptive Signal Processing
PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL WRITING
HEALTH ASPECTS OF AGING
SEMINAR IN AGING AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR
SYSTEMS NEUROSCIENCE
CLINICAL EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY
IMPLEMENTING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN DIVERSE POPULATIONS
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE PREVENTION AND REHABILITATION
PSYCHOLOGY OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH AND LITERATURE IN HUMAN MOVEMENT
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS
DYNAMICAL SYSTEMS AND CHAOS
ADVANCED TOPICS IN APPLIED MATHEMATICS
PROSEMINAR: COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY
PROSEMINAR: BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE
PROSEMINAR: DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
UNMC: GCBA 812, PEDS 913, PHYT 942
Total Credits24

Physical Activity Concentration

Required Courses15
IMPLEMENTING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN DIVERSE POPULATIONS
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ASSESSMENT AND HEALTH RELATED RESEARCH
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS
PSYCHOLOGY OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY EPIDEMIOLOGY
Electives
Select 9 hours from the following:9
CURRENT TOPICS IN WEIGHT MANAGEMENT
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE PREVENTION AND REHABILITATION
ADVANCED EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY
HIGHER EDUCATION TEACHING SEMINAR
SERVICE EXPERIENCE IN HIGHER EDUCATION
MOTOR LEARNING I
MOTOR CONTROL I
MOTOR DEVELOPMENT
ADVANCED BIOMECHANICS
ADVANCED BIOMECHANICS II
MOTOR LEARNING II
MOTOR CONTROL II
MOTOR DEVELOPMENT II
PLANNING WORKSITE WELLNESS PROGRAMS
RISK MANAGEMENT FOR HEALTH FITNESS PROFESSIONALS
INTERNSHIP IN EXERCISE SCIENCE
TOPICS IN SPORTS MEDICINE
SPECIAL STUDIES
RESEARCH PROJECT
PROBLEMS & ISSUES IN HPER
ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH AND LITERATURE IN HUMAN MOVEMENT
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS
EPIDEMIOLOGY & PREVENTION OF DISEASE
WOMEN'S HEALTH AND ISSUES OF DIVERSITY
PROGRAM EVALUATION AND INSTRUMENTATION
HEALTH ASPECTS OF STRESS MANAGEMENT
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS I
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS II
PROBABILISTIC OPERATIONS RESEARCH MODELS
TOPICS IN APPLIED MATHEMATICS
HEALTH CARE POLICY
PERSONNEL PSYCHOLOGY
PROSEMINAR: PERSONALITY
PROSEMINAR: SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
SOCIOEMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
HEALTH & SOCIETY
UNMC: BIOS 823, BIOS 825, BIOS 810, EPI 821, EPI 835, EPI 845, HPRO 902, HPRO 910, HPRO 998.
Total Credits24

Physiology of Exercise Concentration

Required Courses
BMKI 9951ADVANCED EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY3
BMKI 9960ADVANCED EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY II3
BMKI 9851EXERCISE FOR SPECIAL POPULATIONS3
KINS 8076OPTIMIZING SPORTS PERFORMANCE3
KINS 8086CLINICAL EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY3
Electives
Select 9 hours from the following:9
IMPLEMENTING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN DIVERSE POPULATIONS
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ASSESSMENT AND HEALTH RELATED RESEARCH
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS
MOTOR LEARNING I
MOTOR CONTROL I
MOTOR DEVELOPMENT
ADVANCED BIOMECHANICS
ADVANCED BIOMECHANICS II
MOTOR LEARNING II
MOTOR CONTROL II
HIGHER EDUCATION TEACHING SEMINAR
SERVICE EXPERIENCE IN HIGHER EDUCATION
CELLULAR BIOLOGY
BIOCHEMISTRY I LABORATORY
BIOCHEMISTRY II LABORATORY
CURRENT TOPICS IN WEIGHT MANAGEMENT
PLANNING WORKSITE WELLNESS PROGRAMS
SPORT IN AMERICAN CULTURE
CURRICULUM IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION
BEHAVIORAL ASPECTS OF COACHING
RISK MANAGEMENT FOR HEALTH FITNESS PROFESSIONALS
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE PREVENTION AND REHABILITATION
PSYCHOLOGY OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
INTERNSHIP IN EXERCISE SCIENCE
TOPICS IN SPORTS MEDICINE
SPECIAL STUDIES
PROBLEMS & ISSUES IN HPER
RESEARCH PROJECT
ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH AND LITERATURE IN HUMAN MOVEMENT
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS
BIOC 827
Metabolic Regulatory Mechanisms
Total Credits24

BMCH 8000  SEMINAR IN BIOMECHANICS (0 credits)

Required non-credit course for graduate students in biomechanics. Intended to familiarize the graduate student with current ongoing biomechanical research at UNO and other institutions. The seminar will additionally include topics focusing on professional development, job and educational opportunities, and biomechanical methodologies.

Prerequisite(s): Must be a student in BMCH graduate program. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

BMCH 8006  BIOMATERIALS (3 credits)

Students will learn the classification, properties, characterization methods, body interactions, applications, and design principles of biomaterials. (Cross-listed with BMCH 4000).

BMCH 8030  BIOSTATISTICS IN BIOMECHANICS I (3 credits)

The focus of the course is to prepare students to understand and apply research and biostatistical methods needed in the design and analysis of biomechanical investigations. The major topics to be covered include research design and multiple linear regression. (Cross-listed with BMKI 9031)

Prerequisite(s): Graduate Standing in Biomechanics program or Department Permission.

BMCH 8100  NONLINEAR ANALYSIS FOR MOVEMENT STUDIES (3 credits)

This course is to introduce different nonlinear methods for the analysis of biological and movement time series. Emphasis will be given on understanding the algorithms behind each nonlinear method. (Cross-listed with BMKI 9101).

Prerequisite(s): Instructor Permission.

BMCH 8106  BIOINSPIRED ROBOTICS (3 credits)

The goal of the course is to involve students in an interdisciplinary vision of biomechanics, biology, engineering and architecture by learning how humans and other animals function in their environment. These design principles from nature can be translated into novel devices, structures, and robots. (Cross-listed with BMCH 4100).

BMCH 8200  MATLAB FOR MOVEMENT SCIENCES (3 credits)

Introduction to Matlab software, plotting data, spectral analysis and the Fourier transform, data smoothing, and image analysis of movement related data. All topics will be implemented using Matlab. (Cross-listed with BMKI 9201).

Prerequisite(s): Instructor permission.

BMCH 8206  METHODS IN BIOMECHANICS I (3 credits)

In this course students learn about the methods and equipment used in biomechanics as well as the analysis of data collected from those methods. Course experiences include both lecture and lab based learning. (Cross-listed with BMCH 4200).

Prerequisite(s): Department Permission

BMCH 8216  METHODS IN BIOMECHANICS II (3 credits)

In this course students learn about advanced methods and equipment used in biomechanics, as well as the analysis of data collected from those methods. Course experiences include both lecture and lab based learning. This course builds on the experience gained in BMCH 4200/8206, Methods in Biomechanics I. (Cross-listed with BMCH 4210).

Prerequisite(s): BMCH 8206 or Department Permission

BMCH 8220  METHODS IN CARDIOVASCULAR BIOMATERIALS RESEARCH (3 credits)

This course contains lecture and lab components focused on cardiovascular biomaterial development and characterization methods used in academia and industry. The lecture component will provide the necessary clinical background of cardiovascular diseases and the theoretical background of cardiovascular biomaterials and state-of-the-art research methods. The lab component will provide practical experience focused on cardiovascular biomaterial design, manufacturing, and characterization methods. (Cross-listed with BMKI 9221).

BMCH 8300  STEM TEACHING METHODS FOR DEVICE DESIGN (3 credits)

STEM Teaching in Biomechanics focuses on principles in teaching including teaching models (Problem-Based, Team-Based, Inquiry-Based teaching), student assessment, classroom logistics/organization, and device design through a mentorship project. (Cross-listed with BMKI 9301, STEM 8300).

BMCH 8400  MOTOR LEARNING I (3 credits)

Discussion and analysis of scientific principles related to the learning of motor skills; review related literature and research in motor learning. The focus of the course is on recent theories of how movements are acquired and performed, and on factors that have implications for motor learning throughout the life span. (Cross-listed with BMKI 9401).

Prerequisite(s): Department Permission.

BMCH 8410  MOTOR CONTROL I (3 credits)

The focus of the course is to explore the study of the conditions and factors that influence the control and performance of motor skills from both neurophysiological and psychobiological perspectives. (Cross-listed with BMKI 9411).

Prerequisite(s): Department Permission. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

BMCH 8420  MOTOR DEVELOPMENT (3 credits)

This course focuses on the study of motor development, the processes that underlie this development and the factors that influence it. Students will gain an understanding of the major theoretical perspectives of motor development across the life span with special emphasis given in child development. (Cross-listed with BMKI 9421).

Prerequisite(s): Department Permission.

BMCH 8450  ADVANCED BIOMECHANICS (3 credits)

The course will address the biomechanical basis of human performance including mechanical analysis of human gait, fundamental movement patterns and techniques used for collecting biomechanical data. (Cross-listed with BMKI 9451).

Prerequisite(s): BMCH 4630 (Biomechanics) [previously PE 4630] or Instructor Permission.

BMCH 8646  ORTHOPEDIC BIOMECHANICS (3 credits)

Orthopedic Biomechanics focuses on the use of biomechanical principles and scientific methods to address clinical questions that are of particular interest to professionals such as orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, rehabilitation specialists, and others. (Cross-listed with BMCH 4640).

Prerequisite(s): Department Permission

BMCH 8666  CLINICAL IMMERSION FOR RESEARCH AND DESIGN (3 credits)

This course will involve exposure to current clinical practices, identification of unmet clinical needs, and information regarding future career options. In this course, students will be matched with local clinical sites to provide a unique opportunity for innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to problem solving subject to practical constraints. Concepts in clinical rehabilitation, integrated assessments, regulation of medical devices in health care will be covered. This course will review the latest research efforts for rehabilitation in the context of device design and implementation. (Cross-listed with BMCH 4660).

Prerequisite(s): Instructor Permission. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

BMCH 8676  INTRODUCTION TO MECHANICS OF BIOMATERIALS (3 credits)

In this course students will learn how to analyze the stresses and strains in different structures under complex loading conditions with extensive examples from biomaterials and materials generally used in the medical device field. (Cross-listed with BMCH 4670).

Prerequisite(s): BMCH 3000 or Department Permission

BMCH 8686  SPORTS BIOMECHANICS (3 credits)

This course is intended to provide students with a foundational knowledge on how to analyze sport movements through biomechanical analytical methods. Students will utilize foundational biomechanical principles and apply them to a variety of sports and associated movements. (Cross-listed with BMCH 4680).

Prerequisite(s): BMCH 4630

BMCH 8690  MATHEMATICS OF BIOMECHANICAL DATA PROCESSING (3 credits)

Biomechanics is a rapidly changing and technologically dependent field of study. A thorough understanding of the factors influencing outcome measures is critical to correctly interpreting results. Students will be exposed to various data acquisition systems, approaches, and choices required to assess the computational aspects of biomechanical data critically. This course will equip students to complete independent processing from raw data to 3D joint angles and forces. (Cross-listed with BMKI 9691).

Prerequisite(s): Departmental Permission

BMCH 8696  CARDIOVASCULAR BIOMECHANICS (3 credits)

This course will introduce students to cardiovascular biomechanics, emphasizing the integration of analytical and experimental methods to better understand the mechanobiology of tissues. (Cross-listed with BMCH 4690).

Prerequisite(s): BMCH 3000, BMCH 4670, or Department Permission

BMCH 8900  INDEPENDENT RESEARCH IN BIOMECHANICS (1-6 credits)

In this course individuals or groups will conduct research projects for the study and analysis of biomechanical topics.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of the Department and approval by Faculty Advisor. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

BMCH 8910  INDEPENDENT STUDY IN BIOMECHANICS (1-6 credits)

This is a variable credit course designed for graduate students in Biomechanics who would benefit from independent reading assignments and problems. Independent study enables individual students or a small group of students to focus on topics typically not explored in other offerings or to explore topics currently offered in further depth. (Cross-listed with BMKI 9911).

Prerequisite(s): Graduate student in BMCH and approval by Faculty Advisor. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

BMCH 8990  THESIS IN BIOMECHANICS (1-6 credits)

A research project, designed and executed under the supervision of the chair and approval by members of the graduate student's advisory committee. In this project the student will develop skills in research design, research conduct, data analysis, and reporting. The final product of this course will be an original thesis of independent scientific investigation.

Prerequisite(s): Department Permission. Not open to non-degree graduate students.