Health, Physical Education And Recreation | Biomechanics (3 cr.)
P391 | 2039 | Haven


Class meets for one 75 minute period, five times per week.

This course deals with biomechanics and the application of biomechanics to
the human body and the analysis of human movements.  Biomechanics involves
the use of the tools of mechanics, the branch of physics that analyzes the
actions of forces, in the study of the antomical and functional aspects of
human movement.  The study of human biomechanics may include questions such
as whether the amount of force the muscles are producing is optimal for the
intended purpose of the movement. Anthropometric factors, including the
size, shape and weight of the body segments, are other important
considerations in a biomechanical analysis.  A problem solving approach is
used to help the student understand both the qualitative and quantitative
aspects of biomechanical principles as applied to the human body.

Reading assignments will be from the Hall text, Basic Biomechanics, Third
Edition, Mosby-Year
Books, required for the class.  Additional readings are required from the
and Barthels book which is available on reserve in the HPER library.

Class attendance is not mandatory but you are strongly urged to come to
class or
you are sure to sun into trouble with the mechanics portion of the material.
attendance is not required, laboratory assignments must be turned in at the
beginning of class on the day the assignment is due.

Grades will be based on Laboratory Assignments (25%), two tests (25% each)
a comprehensive final (25%).  There will be a total of six laboratory
Laboratory assignments are considered homework and must be completed
individually.  Help is available.  In some cases, there will be a laboratory
during class in which data will be collected to be used in the assignment or
which some principle will be explained and/or demonstrated.  Each assignment
includes an explanation section with detailed instructions and often sample
problems.  To receive credit for an assignment, it must be turned in at the
start of
the class on the day it is due.  In addition, all calculations and work must
shown to get credit for an answer.  Other specific requirements may be made
individual lab assignments at the discretion of your Laboratory Instructor.
assignments will be graded by the Lab Instructor on a 100 point basis with
assigned point values shown on each assignment.  Assignments that are turned
late will not be accepted and the student will receive a grade of zero for
that lab
assignment.  If for some reason you will not be able to attend the class
when an
assignment is due, it is up to you to turn the assignment in at any time
before the
due date.  There is no way to "make up" for a poor grade in any lab
assignment or
test, so don't miss any.

The following scales will be used for tests and lab assignments:
% scores on labs              % scores on tests             Letter grade

95  -  100                         82  -  100                    	A
90  -    94                         71  -    81                          C
70  -    80                         56  -    63
0  -    69                           0  -    55                          F

Note that the scale for the lab assignments is higher (more difficult) than
the scale
for the test grades.  Students generally get much higher percent scores on
the lab
assignments than on the tests and the lower percent scale for the tests
their relative difficulty.  (NOTE:  The letter grades shown above include
pluses and

Grades for the course will be a composite of the various grades, where each
contribute in the following proportion:

Tests  (2)                         25% each
Comprehensive Final exam   25%
Average of all lab assignments          25%

The instructor reserves the right to change this course description slightly
semester to semester.