Unit Outline

Biomechanics is the study of internal and external forces acting on the human body and the movements produced by these forces. This unit examines basic principles of mechanics applicable to the study of human movement and selected biomechanical techniques available for quantifying human performance. This unit assumes an understanding of the information presented in CXA232 Kinesiology and builds an understanding of biomechanical principles and research techniques.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Describe the principles of biomechanics and use them to explain a range of human movements and conditions.
2.	Apply qualitative and quantitative biomechanical principles to explain human movement in health, exercise, sport performance, and disease.
3.	Identify movement patterns and use the biomechanical to explain them.
4.	Demonstrate skills in collecting, interpreting, and communicating biomechanical measures of human movement.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	CXA232

Alterations as a result of student feedback

Student feedback is continuously used to improve the learning outcomes in this unit. Recent updates include: the addition of the mid-semester test to reduce the weighting of the final exam and to consolidate the learnings in the first half of the semester before they are applied in the second half; the order and the content of the practical sessions have been adjusted to improve learning and to develop the needed skills for the final report; and learning content is updated as I learn better methods to make the material more understandable and accessible. All of this is possible because of the feedback from students! All feedback is appreciated both informally (email, chats, etc) or formally (eValuates).

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Mid-Semester Test	Refer to Assessment Description	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Laboratory workbook	Refer to Assessment Description	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Human Movement Analysis Report	Refer to Assessment Description	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	Final Exam	Exam Period	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Mid-Semester Test

Task Description:

The Mid-Semester test will consist of a combination of short essay question, diagrams, calculations, interpretation of data/graphs, and limited MCQs. These require both factual knowledge, the application of this knowledge, the ability to calculate biomechanics quantities and the interpretation of biomechanical data.

Task Length:

2 hours

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Describe principles of biomechanics and their application.	LO1
2	Apply quantitative and qualitative principles of biomechanics to explain examples of human movement and movement patterns.	LO2, LO3
3	Interpret graphs of biomechanic data and use them to explain aspects of human movement.	LO4

Assessment Task 2: Laboratory workbook

Task Description:

The laboratory workbook will provide a guide for each practical session and highlight important points. Student submissions will require the analysis, graphing, summarizing and interpreting collected data and answering questions or calculations.

Task Length:

2000 words in total

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Use biomechanic principles to qualitatively and quantitatively explain examples of human movement and movement patterns.	LO1, LO2, LO3
2	Collect, analyse and interpret biomechanic data of human movement.	LO4

Assessment Task 3: Human Movement Analysis Report

Task Description:

Students will work in pairs to select a human movement of interest with a balance component and collect data on that movement using biomechanic equipment. A research report which will include the analysis, presentation and interpretation of the data will be developed independently by each student.

Task Length:

2000 words

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Collect, analyse and interpret biomechanic data of a human movement using correct techniques and present your findings in a report.	LO4
2	Demonstrate the use of both quantitative and qualitative biomechanic principles to explain a human movement.	LO1, LO2
3	Explain how the observed movement patterns relate to performance and how they are reflected in the quantitative data.	LO2, LO4

Assessment Task 4: Final Exam

Task Description:

The final exam is a two hour in-person invigilated exam and will consist of short essay questions, diagrams, calculations, interpretation of data/graphs, and multiple-choice questions (MCQs). These questions require factual knowledge, the application of this knowledge, the ability to calculate biomechanics quantities, and the interpretation of biomechanical data.

Task Length:

2 hours

Due Date:

Exam Period

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Describe principles of biomechanics and their application.	LO1
2	Apply quantitative and qualitative priniciples of biomechanics to explain examples of human movement and movement patterns.	LO2, LO3
3	Interpret graphs of biomechanic data and use them to explain aspects of human movement.	LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes and, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.