Course Description:
Basic Biomechanics is a foundational course designed for students in biomedical engineering, pre-med, kinesiology, and related fields. This course introduces students to the mechanical principles applied in analyzing the human musculoskeletal system and in designing bioengineered systems and medical devices. Students will learn to apply core concepts of mechanics, including stress, strain, tensor analysis, and the behavior of elastic solids to biological tissues such as skin, tendon, ligament, bone, and cartilage. In addition to theoretical lectures, students will participate in hands-on laboratory sessions to perform mechanical measurements and analyze biomechanical data. This 4-credit hour course integrates real-world problem-solving with biological insights to prepare students for careers in health technology and biomedical innovation.
Course Playlist on YouTube:
Course Purpose:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
Topics Covered:
Chapter 1: What is Biomechanics?
Students are introduced to the interdisciplinary field of biomechanics. The chapter explores how principles from physics and engineering are used to study biological systems, emphasizing real-world applications in medicine and sports science.
Chapter 2: Kinematic Concepts for Analyzing Human Motion
This chapter introduces the key kinematic variables used to describe motion, including position, displacement, velocity, and acceleration. Emphasis is placed on understanding movement without considering the forces that cause it.
Chapter 3: Kinetic Concepts for Analyzing Human Motion
Students delve into kinetics, the study of forces causing motion. Topics include Newton’s laws, force analysis, and free body diagrams. Applications include joint loading, ground reaction forces, and internal force assessments.
Chapter 4: The Biomechanics of Human Bone Growth & Development
This chapter covers the structural and mechanical properties of bone, bone remodeling, and how mechanical loading affects bone density and architecture. Topics include Wolff’s Law and the impact of aging and physical activity on bone health.
Chapter 5: The Biomechanics of Human Skeletal Articulations
Students explore joints and articulations in the human body. The chapter covers joint types, degrees of freedom, stability, and injury mechanics. Real-life case studies include ACL injuries and degenerative joint diseases.
Chapter 6: The Biomechanics of Human Skeletal Muscle
A comprehensive study of how muscles generate force and movement. Topics include muscle structure, the force-length and force-velocity relationships, muscle fatigue, and electromyography (EMG).
Chapter 10: Linear Kinematics of Human Movement
A deeper look into translational motion in one or more dimensions. Students learn to graph and interpret kinematic data and understand implications for gait analysis, rehabilitation, and athletic performance.
Chapter 11: Angular Kinematics of Human Movement
Focuses on the measurement and analysis of rotational motion in the body. This chapter examines angular displacement, angular velocity, and angular acceleration, particularly in joints like the shoulder and knee.
Chapter 12: Linear Kinetics of Human Movement
Students explore the causes of translational motion, with focus on impulse, momentum, and friction. Applications include force plate analysis and biomechanics of falls.
Chapter 13: Equilibrium & Human Motion
The focus is on static and dynamic equilibrium conditions in the body. Students learn how to calculate center of gravity and balance, essential for ergonomic design and stability training.
Chapter 14: Angular Kinetics of Human Movement
This chapter explores the causes of angular motion, including torque, moment of inertia, and angular momentum. Students apply these concepts to real-world scenarios such as prosthetic joint development and sports mechanics.
Chapter 15: Human Movement in a Fluid Medium
The final chapter examines the biomechanics of motion in air and water. Students learn about drag, lift, and buoyancy, and how they affect swimming, cycling, and rehabilitative therapies in aquatic environments.
Laboratory Component:
Hands-on lab sessions are a critical part of this course. Students will:
Who Should Take This Course?
This course is ideal for students pursuing careers in:
Whether your goal is to engineer the next generation of prosthetics or understand how movement affects human health, Basic Biomechanics offers the essential tools to get started.
Email Us: For any inquiries, feedback, or general conversations, feel free to drop us a line at alzube@gmail.com. We’ll do our best to get back to you promptly.
Visit Our YouTube Channel: Dive deeper into BME topics and explore our video content by visiting our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@alzube.
Connect with Dr. Loay Al-Zube on LinkedIn: Dr. Loay Al-Zube, the proud owner of biomedicalengineering.info, is always open to connecting with fellow enthusiasts and professionals. Find him and reach out on LinkedIn to discuss ideas, collaborations, or career insights.
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