Quick Facts
- Credits: 33
- Delivery: On-Campus
With the world moving at an ever-faster pace, it’s more important than ever to understand the mechanics of how people move. That’s what biomechanics is all about.
Our master of science (MS) in exercise science with a concentration in biomechanics will prepare you for doctoral work or a career in clinical, industrial, or academic settings.
Our Biomechanics Lab’s ongoing research projects challenge
students to assess various aspects of human movement, including analyzing
sports performance and injury mechanics, as well as evaluating individuals with
movement disorders and disabilities. Engaging faculty work closely with
students as they investigate cutting-edge topics such as the development and
control of muscular strength, biomechanics of injury prevention, and
performance optimization across a wide range of ages, abilities, and athletic
disciplines.
No matter your future goals in the field of biomechanics, our master’s degree will help you accomplish them.
What You Will Learn
Ball State’s master’s program in biomechanics equips
you to thrive in diverse clinical, research, and educational settings by
combining dynamic coursework with hands-on experiential learning. Guided by
expert faculty, you’ll benefit from access to our state-of-the-art biomechanics
laboratory and a collaborative environment that fosters innovation and lifelong
professional connections, setting our graduates apart as leaders in the field.
- You will learn about:
- Human movement
analysis
- Foundational
mechanical principles for movement and biological tissue properties
- Biomechanical and
musculoskeletal modeling
- Instrumentation and
data analysis
- Application of
principles to health, sport, and performance
What It’s Like to Pursue a Master’s Degree in Biomechanics at Ball State
You’ll further your expertise through thesis research and advance your skills through collaborations in the biomechanics laboratory. The lab features advanced biomechanical tools, including:
- 28 high-speed cameras to conduct 3-D motion analysis
- hard-wired, telemetry, and indwelling electromyography
- a split-belt force instrumented treadmill to measure forces during locomotion
- computer simulation and modeling of movements
We engage in dynamic posture and balance assessments, walking and running analyses, whole body vibration and muscular reflex responsiveness.
Learn More
Put your education to practice through hands-on research in a variety of clinical rehabilitation and sport performance settings.
Our clinical-based biomechanics research focuses on gait and posture analysis in numerous populations, including neurotypical individuals as well as those with cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and impairments common to older adults.
Past projects have assessed bone and muscular changes in healthy young adults and the elderly, orthopedic knee replacements, and the muscular mechanics of injury.
Sports biomechanics research focuses on the effects of fatigue on performance across a wide number of movement skills.
In addition to neuromuscular research, our laboratory has also engaged in the development and validation of equipment and technologies for various companies.
Graduates in biomechanics are successful at being accepted into doctoral programs or finding careers in their area of study.
Our graduates have also been employed in premiere clinical facilities and with industry leading companies manufacturing biomechanical and fitness equipment.
- Have a broad understanding of the scope of biomechanics and its applications.
- Demonstrate proficiency in the use and application of biomechanical research tools and techniques.
- Have the ability to synthesize research findings in the field of biomechanics and apply the research process to effectively test hypotheses.
- Be able to clearly summarize and communicate findings from research literature in both an oral and written fashion.
A master’s degree in biomechanics will move you along the path toward doctoral study or a career in clinical, industrial, or academic settings.
Potential job titles also include:
- Gait Lab Manager
- Athletic Shoe Designer
- Motion Analysis Technician
- Ergonomist
- Orthotist/Prosthetist (may require additional education)
- Instructor of Biomechanics/Kinesiology, Postsecondary
Program Requirements
Our program offers both thesis and non-thesis master’s degree options, allowing you to tailor your studies to your career goals. Required courses provide a strong foundation for research and laboratory work in exercise science and biomechanics, covering essential lab techniques and statistical methods critical to the field.
You’ll further your education through courses in clinical and advanced biomechanics, exercise science and physiology, and resistance training. If you choose the thesis option, you’ll complete a six-credit research project under the guidance of your graduate advisor, gaining valuable experience in conducting and presenting original research and preparing yourself for additional graduate education programs.
Funding Your Graduate Studies
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Take the Next Step
If you’d like to learn more about our Master's in Biomechanics degree, complete our online form or contact us for more information. And if you’re ready to apply, review our admission requirements and complete our online application.