Skip to main content
Unit outline_

EXSS1038: Principles of Biomechanics

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit aims to develop an appreciation of how mechanical principles can be applied to understand the underlying causes of human movement. Topics include: kinematics, vectors, Newton's laws of motion, work, energy, power, and momentum; for both translational and rotational motion; and the influence of fluids on motion. Emphasis is placed on developing mathematical skills and analytical problem- solving techniques. The laboratory classes complement the lectures; providing opportunities to validate mechanical principles in a quantitative manner.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Movement Sciences
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Alycia Fong Yan, alycia.fongyan@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Rene Ferdinands, edouard.ferdinands@sydney.edu.au
Alycia Fong Yan, alycia.fongyan@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Record+) Type B final exam Final Exam
End of semester exam: all topics and material assessed
55% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Tutorial quiz QUIZ 1
Quiz: Weeks 1-7
2.5% Week 07 20 mins
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
In-semester test (Record+) Type B in-semester exam Mid-Semester Exam
Mid-semester exam: Week 1 - 7 topics assessed
40% Week 08
Due date: 06 Oct 2021 at 08:00
1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Tutorial quiz QUIZ 2
Quiz: Weeks 1-12
2.5% Week 12 20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Type B final exam = Type B final exam ?
Type B in-semester exam = Type B in-semester exam ?

Assessment summary

Two small in-class quizzes, mid-semester exam and end of semester exam will be run online.

 

Assessment criteria

Result Name Mark Range Description
High Distinction 85-100  
Distinction 75-84  
Credit 65-74  
Pass 50-64  
Fail 0-49 Unsatisfactory level of performance


 

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Failure to sit an exam by the due date will require an application for Special Consideration, or zero marks will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 LECTURE: 1. Introduction to Biomechanics 2. Principles of Linear Kinematics 1 Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 02 LECTURE: Principles of Linear Kinematics 2 Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
TUTORIAL 1: Linear Kinematics Solving kinematics problems for common activities Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 03 LECTURE: Applications of Linear Kinematics: a. Apply Equations of constant acceleration to analyse Projectile Motion b. Kinematics of walking, running and jumping Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
TUTORIAL 2: Gait Analysis and Projectile Motion: Perform gait trials to learn the relationships between fundamental gait variables, and their application to real-life cases. Identify basic gait asymmetries. Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 04 LECTURE: Angular Kinematics: a. Types of motion (translation, rotation and general motion) b. Angular displacement, velocity and acceleration and relationship between angular and linear motion Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
TUTORIAL 3: Angular Kinematics Solving problems on rotation, from conceptual problems to basic applications in sports. Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 05 LECTURE: 1. Momentum & Impulse: a. Apply the principle of Conservation of momentum in predicting collision kinematics b. Understand how force and time interact to change the velocity of movement. 2. Linear Kinetics 1: a. Understand forces and how they cause motion b. Apply Newton’s Laws, Equilibrium to basic musculoskeletal systems Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 LECTURE: Linear Kinetics 2: a. Conceptualise loads on musculoskeletal systems as Free Body Diagrams b. Analysis of force at a single instant in time using Newton’s Laws and Free Body Diagrams Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
TUTORIAL 4: Linear Kinetics: Solve dynamic problems on moving bodies and musculoskeletal systems, using free body diagrams to conceptualise the loads on the system. A key application is to study the lower limb during gait. Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 07 LECTURE: 1. Energy, Work and Power : a. Understand the meaning of energy, work, and power b. Apply these concepts to analyse and predict motion in various human activities c. Identify powerful types of human motion, and types of muscle contraction 2. Conservation of Energy: a. Define one of the universal principles of physics b. Apply the conservation of energy to understand human movement efficiency c. Understand the energy exchanges in various human activities Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
TUTORIAL 5: Practice problems - problems to assist with exam preparation 2. QUIZ 1: Online quiz for assessment Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 MID-SEMESTER EXAM Individual study (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 LECTURE: Centre of Mass & Balance: a. Quantify the concept of balance and apply it in various human movement situations b. Analyse human motion is activities involve rotation Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
TUTORIAL 6: Long Jump 1. Basic understanding of propulsive and braking ground reaction forces. 2. Free body diagrams and Newton's 2nd Law. Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 10 LECTURE: Mid-semester Exam Review Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 LECTURE: 1. Moment of Inertia & Angular momentum: Explain how changes in body posture may alter the body’s moment of inertia. 2. Torque and Leverage: a. Demonstrate that torque is rotationally analogous to force b. Leverage, momenta arms, and mechanical advantage Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
TUTORIAL 7: Torque/Leverage: Learn how torque, moment arm, and moment of inertia apply in almost every movement task. Students also learn to measure the moment arms of muscles, to understand the concept of mechanical advantage. Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 12 LECTURE: 1. Static equilibrium (angular): Understand the concept of equilibrium and how it relates to the human body 2. Rotational Energy, work and power: Apply the concepts of energy, work, and power to human activities that involve rotation Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
TUTORIAL 8: Angular Kinetics: Solve problems using torque and moment of inertia on everyday tasks that involve the lifting of lifting of loads through actions such as knee extension, bicep curls. More complex motions such as initiating somersaults are also studied. QUIZ 2: Online quiz for assessment Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 13 Review of unit of study content for final exam preparation. Open for Q&A Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

Students are strongly recommended to attend all lectures and practicals. Attendance at >50% of tutorials and practical classes is an expectation of this unit of study. 

 

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Students are required to refer to the relevant sections in the following text books:

  • Hall SJ (2015) Basic Biomechanics 7th Ed, New York: McGraw-Hill. prescribed text.
  • Hamill J and Knutzen KM (2014) Biomechanical Basis of Human Movement 4th. Ed., Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of the theories, laws, concepts and terms governing the kinematics and kinetics of human movement
  • LO2. Solve conceptual and mathematical problems related to the kinematics and kinetics of human movement
  • LO3. Apply the principles of the biomechanical analysis of human movement in the context of health, exercise, sport and activities of daily living in a variety of populations.
  • LO4. Explain the nature of biomechanical problems and how qualitative and/or quantitative analysis can be interpreted to develop and implement intervention strategies relevant to the movement context.
  • LO5. Demonstrate basic skill in conducting and interpreting basic biomechanical measurements relevant to clients’ needs.
  • LO6. Communicate scientific data and movement techniques to clients, colleagues and other professionals with appropriate use of illustrations and user-friendly terms.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.