Course Outline
SPX202 Biomechanics I
Course Coordinator:Max Stuelcken (mstuelck@usc.edu.au) School:School of Health - Sport and Exercise Science
2024Semester 2
UniSC Sunshine CoastUniSC Moreton Bay |
Blended learning | Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online. |
Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.
What is this course about?
Description
Biomechanics 1 is designed to introduce you to the field of biomechanics. In this course you will explore, describe, analyse and predict the characteristics of movement for the human body. Biomechanics 1 is divided into two sections. In the first section, the laws of physics are addressed and then applied to human motion, while the second section is based on the application of these principles to gait analysis and specific sport and exercise activities.
How will this course be delivered?
| Activity | Hours | Beginning Week | Frequency |
| Blended learning | |||
| Learning materials – Pre-prepared learning materials across a range of formats | 1hr | Week 1 | 13 times |
| Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Discussion of learning materials | 2hrs | Week 1 | 13 times |
| Laboratory 1 – Application of learning materials through practical tasks and activities | 2hrs | Week 1 | 13 times |
Course Topics
Linear and angular kinematics principles
Projectile motion
Laws of motion – linear and angular kinetics, rotation and leverage
Equilibrium, centre of mass and stability
Mechanics of human locomotion – walking and running
Mechanics of dynamic sporting movements – jumping, throwing, hitting, and kicking
Movement within a fluid medium
What level is this course?
200 Level (Developing)
What is the unit value of this course?
12 units
How does this course contribute to my learning?
| Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... | Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... | |
| 1 | Describe human movement using appropriate terms and concepts | Knowledgeable |
| 2 | Use the laws of motion to explain the cause of human movement | Knowledgeable |
| 3 | Identify inter-relationships between biomechanical variables |
Knowledgeable Empowered |
| 4 | Perform calculations based on biomechanical data | Empowered |
| 5 | Apply biomechanical principles to human locomotion, activities of daily living, and dynamic sporting skills | Empowered |
| 6 | Disseminate the findings of biomechanical experiments ethically, clearly and succinctly |
Empowered Ethical |
Am I eligible to enrol in this course?
Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.
Pre-requisites
LFS122
Co-requisites
Not applicable
Anti-requisites
Not applicable
Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)
Not applicable
How am I going to be assessed?
Grading Scale
Standard Grading (GRD)
| High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL). |
Details of early feedback on progress
In weeks 2 and 3 you will have a submission for your Applied Biomechanics Workbook. In week 3 you will receive formative feedback on your progress in completing the calculations section of your Applied Biomechanics Workbook. This will help you to prepare for the type of questions that you are likely to receive in the mid semester exam in week 6.
Assessment tasks
| Delivery mode | Task No. | Assessment Product | Individual or Group | Weighting % | What is the duration / length? | When should I submit? | Where should I submit it? |
| All | 1 | Examination - not Centrally Scheduled | Individual | 30% | 105 minutes |
Week 6 | Online Submission |
| All | 2 | Practical / Laboratory Skills | Individual | 30% | Completed over the course of the semester |
Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) | Online Test (Quiz) |
| All | 3 | Examination - Centrally Scheduled | Individual | 40% | 120 minutes |
Exam Period | Online Submission |
| All - Assessment Task 1:Mid semester exam | |
| Goal: | To provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge, understanding, and ability to apply basic biomechanical concepts and principles covered during the theoretical component of the course. |
| Product: | Examination - not Centrally Scheduled |
| Format: | The examination will include all material covered within the theory and practical components of the course during the first 5 weeks. The structure will consist of a range of question types requiring you to apply theoretical concepts, perform calculations, and read and interpret graphs. In preparation for the type of questions that you will receive in this examination you will have an extensive range of practice questions to work through. As you work through these questions you will have the opportunity to check your answers and receive feedback. |
| Criteria: |
|
| All - Assessment Task 2:Applied Biomechanics Workbook | |
| Goal: | This workbook has been designed to develop your biomechanical communication skills through the application of biomechanical knowledge to different scenarios. This workbook contains laboratory activities that will require you to demonstrate practical skills in biomechanical data collection, perform calculations, analyse and interpret data, and answer discussion questions using an understanding of the concepts and principles presented in the course. The completion of the workbook will enable you to demonstrate your competency of key professional skills and practices in the field of Sports and Exercise Science. |
| Product: | Practical / Laboratory Skills |
| Format: | The workbook will be able to be purchased from Mail and Print Services (USC MAPS). The workbook will be completed individually, however, certain tasks will require you to work collaboratively with your peers. There should be time to complete most of the tasks, activities and discussion questions within the two-hour laboratory classes. However, some tasks will require more time consuming processes or in depth consideration and need to be completed online outside of the scheduled class times. Most weeks will require some type of workbook submission. It is likely that the submissions will be completed online in weeks 2,3,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12 & 13. Throughout the semester you will receive feedback on the quality, comprehensiveness, and accuracy of your work. It is very important that you make sure that you are keeping up with the material and ask questions when you are having difficulties. |
| Criteria: |
|
| All - Assessment Task 3:Final exam | |
| Goal: | To provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge, understanding, and ability to apply basic biomechanical concepts and principles covered during the theory and practical components of the course – with particular emphasis on human locomotion, activities of daily living, and dynamic sporting skills. |
| Product: | Examination - Centrally Scheduled |
| Format: | The examination will include all material covered within the theory and practical components of the course. The structure will consist of a range of question types requiring you to apply theoretical concepts to, and analyse and interpret data for, different skills and movement patterns. The duration of the examination is 2 hours. |
| Criteria: |
|
Directed study hours
A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.
What resources do I need to undertake this course?
Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.
Prescribed text(s) or course reader
Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below. Resources may be required or recommended.
| Required? | Author | Year | Title | Edition | Publisher |
| Recommended | Susan J. Hall | 2021 | ISE Basic Biomechanics | 9th | n/a |
| Recommended | Paul Grimshaw,Michael Cole,Adrian Burden,Neil Fowler | 2018 | Instant Notes in Sport and Exercise Biomechanics | n/a | Garland Science |
Specific requirements
You must have access to a scientific calculator and bring it to all teaching sessions. While calculators can be shared in teaching sessions this practice will not be allowed during exams. It will be beneficial to have a USB memory stick / flash drive (at least 4GB) for this and future courses so you can compile the relevant learning materials. These can be purchased relatively cheaply (less than $15) from most major outlets.
How are risks managed in this course?
What administrative information is relevant to this course?
Assessment: Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.
Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.
In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.
Assessment: Additional Requirements
Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct
Assessment: Submission penalties
Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: - 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.
SafeUniSC
UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.
The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.
Study help
For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.
If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.
Wellbeing Services
Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.
To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.
AccessAbility Services
Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.
To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.
Links to relevant University policy and procedures
For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:
- Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
- Review of Assessment and Final Grades
- Supplementary Assessment
- Central Examinations
- Deferred Examinations
- Student Conduct
- Students with a Disability
For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching
Student Charter
UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.
General Enquiries
-
In person:
- UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
- UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
- UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
- UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
- UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
- UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
- Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
- Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au