| Effective Term: | 2025/05 |
| Institute / School : | Institute of Health and Wellbeing |
| Unit Title: | Introduction to Biomechanics |
| Unit ID: | EXSCI1701 |
| Credit Points: | 15.00 |
| Prerequisite(s): | Nil |
| Co-requisite(s): | Nil |
| Exclusion(s): | Nil |
| ASCED: | 069903 |
| Other Change: | |
| Brief description of the Unit |
This unit introduces students to key biomechanical concepts and terminology, with a focus on understanding the application of biomechanical principles to fundamental movements, sports techniques, recreational and exercise movement activities. This unit includes the examination of linear and angular kinematics and kinetics; fluid mechanics; and some biomechanical analysis techniques. |
| Grade Scheme: | Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF) |
| Work Experience Indicator: |
| No work experience |
| Placement Component: No |
| Supplementary Assessment:Yes |
| Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment |
| Course Level: |
| Level of Unit in Course | AQF Level(s) of Course | | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | | Introductory | | |  | | | | | Intermediate | | | | | | | | Advanced | | | | | | |
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| Learning Outcomes: |
| Knowledge: |
| K1. | Describe the scope of scientific inquiry addressed by biomechanics and discuss how the discipline has contributed to advances in technology and improvements in performance. |
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| K2. | Identify and describe the planes and axes of motion associated with the human body. |
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| K3. | Appraise the differences between linear and angular kinematics and kinetics, using examples from human movement. |
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| K4. | Explain and apply Newtons laws of linear and angular motion, and gravitation. |
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| K5. | Discuss the effects various forces have on an object and how these forces can be manipulated in specific sports and/or human movements. |
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| K6. | Explain the term centre of gravity and the relationship between factors including centre of gravity, base of support, balance and stability. |
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| K7. | Identify the mechanical advantages associated with different types of levers and explain the concept of leverage within the human body. |
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| Skills: |
| S1. | Represent external forces using free body diagrams. |
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| S2. | Solve quantitative and qualitative biomechanical problems. |
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| S3. | Examine and critically evaluate the key biomechanical principles associated with a variety of sports settings, and communicate this information to peers. |
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| Application of knowledge and skills: |
| A1. | Participate in problem solving of biomechanical scenarios within laboratories. |
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| A2. | Apply the principles of biomechanical analysis of human movement in the context of exercise and activities of daily living. |
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| A3. | Apply biomechanical principles when conducting a qualitative and/or quantitative analysis of human movement. |
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| Unit Content: |
The following topics will be covered as principles and applied to a variety of sports and human movement contexts:
Introduction to biomechanics and its applications;
Forces;
Linear and angular motion, including Newtons Laws;
Projectile motion;
Work, power & energy;
Coefficient of restitution;
Levers & torque;
Centre of gravity;
Fluid mechanics;
Qualitative biomechanical analysis of human movement;
Use and advancements in biomechanical technology. |
| Graduate Attributes: |
| | Learning Outcomes Assessed | Assessment Tasks | Assessment Type | Weighting | | 1. | K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, K6, K7, S1, S2, S3, A1, A2, A3 | Attendance and participation in laboratory sessions to complete formative assessments of practical skills. | 90% attendance required to satisfy ongoing formative assessments | Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory | | 2. | K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, S2, A2 | Completion of self-directed study of class content presented in the first half of the semester. | Mid-semester exam | 20-40% | | 3. | K1, K3, K4, K5, K6, K7, S3, A2, A3 | Describe key biomechanical principles making links to sport and human movements, and/or activities of daily living and communicate this information via a group poster and presentation. | Laboratory project | 20-40% | | 4. | K1, K3, K4, K5, K6, K7, S2, A2, A3 | Review of biomechanical principles presented in the entire unit to sports and human movement settings. | Final theory exam | 40-60% |
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