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Introduction to Biomechanics (BMEN30005)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
AIMS
The main aim of this course is to introduce students to the basic concepts of the kinematics and dynamics of human motion and the architectural features and mechanical properties of musculoskeletal tissue. Tissue function is then illustrated in the context of normal and pathological movement.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
Specific topics covered include: Motion of a Rigid Body (reference frames, angular velocity, two points fixed on a rigid body); Measurement and Processing of Kinematic Data; Body Anthropometry (calculation of centre of mass and mass moment of inertia); Forces and Moments (moments of force, muscle moment arm, inverse dynamics analysis); Work, Energy, Power (kinetic energy, potential energy, elastic strain energy); Tissue Biomechanics (muscle, tendon, ligament, cartilage and bone); Orthopaedic Biomechanics: biomechanics of gait across the lifespan, biomechanical adaptations to training, knee osteoarthritis).
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject the student is expected to:
- Understand the basic concepts of mechanics and appreciate the ways in which they can be applied to the study of human movement
- Learn about some of the common experimental methods used in biomechanics, with particular emphasis on movement
- Understand about some of the basic principles of tissue biomechanics, especially bone, cartilage, ligament and muscle.
Generic skills
On completing this subject, students should have developed -
- The ability to apply knowledge of science and engineering fundamentals.
- The ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution.
- The ability to utilise a systems approach to complex problems and to design and operational performance.
- Proficiency in engineering design.
- The ability to communicate effectively, with the engineering team and with the community at large.
- A capacity for creativity and innovation.
- The ability to function effectively as an individual and in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, as a team leader or manager as well as an effective team member.
- A capacity for lifelong learning and professional development.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Either
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
BMEN20001 | Biomechanical Physics & Computation | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
OR both of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
COMP20005 | Engineering Computation |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
ENGR20004 | Engineering Mechanics |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
PLUS
Either
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MAST20029 | Engineering Mathematics |
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
OR both of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MAST20009 | Vector Calculus |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
MAST20030 | Differential Equations | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
For students enrolled in MC-ENG Master of Engineering (Biomedical) or (Biomedical with Business), BMEN20001 Biomechanical Physics and Computation and MAST20029 may be taken concurrently with BMEN30005.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Basic knowledge of engineering mechanics, including the position, velocity and acceleration of particles and rigid bodies moving in a plane; angular velocity of a rigid body moving in a plane; free-body analysis of forces acting on a rigid body; and mechanical energy, including kinetic energy and potential energy.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Written test mid semester
| Mid semester | 10% |
Three assignments throughout the semester (10% each) requiring approximately 15 hours of work each
| Throughout the teaching period | 30% |
One written examination.
| End of semester | 60% |
Additional details
ILOs 1 to 3 are assessed in the final written examination, the mid-semester test, and submitted assignments.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator David Ackland Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 36 hours of lectures; 12 hours of tutorials; 12 hours of workshops Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 2 March 2020 to 7 June 2020 Last self-enrol date 13 March 2020 Census date 30 April 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 June 2020 Assessment period ends 3 July 2020 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Abernethy B et al. Biophysical Foundations of Human Movement. Human Kinetics.
Recommended texts and other resources
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI Major Bioengineering Systems Informal specialisation Selective subjects for B-BMED Major Bioengineering Systems Specialisation (formal) Biomedical with Business Specialisation (formal) Biomedical - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 11 April 2024