In addition to these pre-requisites, sound knowledge of algebra,
geometry and trigonometry will help students to successfully pass this course.
The basics of the trigonometry and vector algebra will be introduced in
this course. Students are expected to utilize these math concepts in solving various
biomechanical problems. It is very important for the students to master these concepts
since they are very useful in understanding different biomechanical quantities and
concepts. Enough time and working examples will be given to the students during the
lectures and the labs. A series of special help sessions will be also provided as the
schedule allows.
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Tests
The tests are comprehensive. This course consists of
three segments: (1) introduction & biomechanics of human body, (2) biomechanics of
human motion - kinematics, and (3) biomechanics of human motion - kinetics & fluid
biomechanics. Three tests will be given. Test #1 covers segment 1 while Test #2 will cover
both segments 1 (30 %) and 2 (70 %). Test #3 will cover both segments 2 (30 %) and 3 (70
%).
Since the biomechanical concepts and principles to be introduced at
different stages of the course are all inter-related, it is essential to keep in memory
the concepts and principles introduced earlier to learn new concepts. Students are
encouraged to review and fully understand the class materials each day and keep them in
memory throughout the course. The tests and pop-quizzes are designed to maximize this
effort.
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Formulas
The formulas directly related to the definitions of the biomechanical
quantities won't be provided in the tests and quizzes. You will have to
memorize them in conjunction with the definitions & concepts. For example, velocity is
the rate of change in position which is displacement divided by elapsed time:
v = d/Dt
This is directly related to the definition of velocity, and it won't
be provided in the tests because it is very important for the students to understand the
definitions and how to implement it in reality altogether. It has no meaning to simply
learn how to plug numbers into the formulas.
Only the secondary formulas, such as those for the projectile motion,
will be given. You will be informed in the lectures which ones will be provided. Pay
attention to the lectures.
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Grading
There will be a battery of tests (3), quizzes (3), pop-quizzes (10+),
and lab reports (6+) in this course. Conceptual questions and problems are separated into
tests and quizzes, respectively. The tests will only deal with the concepts and principles
in the form of multiple choices and short-answer questions. They will also involve minor
calculations directly related to the concepts and principles.
On the other hand, the quizzes will deal with story problems. Major
computation will be performed in the quizzes. Students need to bring the calculators to
both tests and quizzes. Each test is equivalent to 100 pts with bonus up to 5 pts while a
quiz is equivalent to 40-60 pts with bonus.
Pop-quizzes will be given quite often during the class without any prior
notice. This is to encourage students to review the class materials each day before the
next class. Each pop-quiz is worth 5-10 pts depending on the number of questions. Some
pop-quizzes will be given on the web.
There will be 6+ labs throughout the course ranging from hand-on
experiences to web-based analysis of human movement. Students will be introduced to
Internet browsing, computations using spreadsheet, e-mailing, etc, at the earlier stage of
the course. Students will be encouraged to use computers in the lab activities. In each
lab, students will have to write a lab report. A lab report is equivalent to 20-30 pts.
Although the total pts depends on the exact number of the pop-quizzes to
be given, it is approximately 800 pts. Your overall score will be divided by the full
score for percentage. Percentage will be computed to one decimal place. See the syllabus
for the grading scheme.
The gradebook will be updated as soon as a test, quiz or lab report is
graded. Make sure you visit the gradebook page regularly for the estimated grade.
Their will be absolutely no curving after tests & quizzes nor
round-off for the final grade. Rather several bonus questions will be included in the
tests and quizzes as a mean of reward. Bonus points will be awarded for extraordinary
performances in some special cases as well.
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DOs and DON'Ts
DOs
 | Do not put aside the class materials. Once you get lost in the beginning,
it will be difficult to get back to the track since all the concepts are inter-related to
each other. |
| Do not copy someone else's lab reports or take-home quizzes. No point
will be granted for the entirely or partially identical (with minor editing) reports or
quizzes. You may work together with other students, but try to put in the reports your own
ideas in your own language. |
| Do not pass the deadlines. Late submissions will not be accepted in any
circumstances unless pre-approved. Even in the pre-approved cases, penalties may be
imposed. Once the answers are already posted on the web, points will be partially deducted
for all the pre-approved submissions as a penalty. |
| Don't attempt anything that distracts the instructor and the whole class.
It won't be tolerated. |
| No food or drink is allowed in the classroom! |
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