Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2025 - BPK 201 D100

Biomechanics (3)

Class Number: 6628

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, Wed, Fri, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 25, 2025
    Fri, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    MATH 150, 151 or 154, MATH 152 or 155 (may be taken concurrently), PHYS 101 (or 120 or 125 or 140), BPK 142.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

This course will cover the application of basic mechanics to human movement. It will provide students with a basic understanding of how forces act on body segments and how movements are produced. The subject matter of this course is relevant to quantifying all forms of physical activity, from activities of daily living, physically challenged movement patterns, to elite athletic performance. It also has applications in medical settings, including rehabilitation and sports medicine. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

BPK 201 applies the principles of Newtonian mechanics to analyze human movement. The course examines the forces that are generated in muscles and joints to support external loads and produce movements. The subject matter of the course is relevant to quantifying all forms of physical activity, including activities of daily living, athletic performance, and physically challenged movement patterns. The course will draw on numerous examples relevant to rehabilitation, sports medicine and orthopaedics. This course is designated quantitative.

 

There are 13 weeks of lectures, 3 hours of lecture per week and one 50-minute tutorial per week.

 

The course consists of six main units:

Unit 1 Biomechanical Forces & Moments

Unit 2 Biomechanical Systems & their Inertial Properties

Unit 3 Forward Dynamics, Inverse Dynamics & System Identification

Unit 4 Motion

Unit 5 Balance & Stability

Unit 6 Energy, Work, Power & Efficiency

                            

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Student Learning Outcomes for BPK 201

(I) Introduces (E) Emphasizes (R) Reinforces (A) Applies

Learning outcomes: at the end of the course, students will be able to:

  1. Apply biomechanical principles to solve quantitative and qualitative problems. (I)(R) (TE) (IC) (A)
  2. Correctly apply free body diagrams to isolate mechanical systems and solve for joint torques and forces
  3. Understand the inertial properties of body segments for linear and angular movement these systems, and correctly draw free body diagrams. (I) (TE) (IC) (A)
  4. Apply biomechanical principles to the whole body and/or individual components to construct biomechanical models of human systems. (I) (TE) (IC) (A)
  5. Explain the function of biomechanical equipment and devices, including motion capture and force plates. (I) (TE) (IC) (A)
  6. Quantify human motion, including linear and angular kinematics. (I)(R) (TE) (IC) (A)
  7. Understand how muscle forces stabilize joints against external loads. (I)(R) (TE) (IC) (A)
  8. Describe the principle of balance and stability, particularly in human standing and walking. (I)(R) (TE) (IC) (A)
  9. Describe the concepts and equations of static and dynamic equilibrium, and the application of inverse and forward dynamics models for estimating joint loads and for system identification. (I)(R) (TE) (IC) (A)
  10. Explain how muscle, bone, cartilage and tendon are designed to meet the mechanical demands of daily activities and how they respond to trauma. (I) (TE) (IC) (A)
  11. Describe how muscle generate force and perform work. (I)(R) (TE) (IC) (A
  12. Explain applications of biomechanics in illness and mobility disorders, exercise and athletics, rehabilitation, injury prevention, sports medicine and orthopaedics. (I) (TE) (IC) (A)
  13. Describe basic signal processing, have a basic entry-level understanding of programming, and write a short program to process and analyze some data.(I) (TE) (IC) (A)

 

Assessment Method:

(TE) Theory exams are a mix of quantitative problem solving, short answer questions, multiple choice and fill in the blanks (one midterm and final)

(IC) Quizzes on lecture material are short answers, fill in the blanks, and multiple choice.

(A) Assignments are mostly formal problems requiring quantitative solutions, which are completed independently.

Grading

  • Quizzes 10%
  • Midterm Exam 30%
  • Assignments (3x5%) 15%
  • Final exam 45%

NOTES:

Quizzes (x9 - online Canvas) (10%)

• Weekly (posted on Canvas, Fridays, available 7am-11:59pm)

• Completed outside of class on-line

• Will include quantitative problem-solving questions as well as conceptual questions (multiple choice)

• 15-20min to complete

Assignments (x3 - given two weeks to complete, posted on Canvas) (15%)

• Individual assignments

• Completed outside of class

• Two assignments will include quantitative problem-solving questions as well as conceptual short-answer questions

• One assignment will include coding and a video presentation assignment

• A short MATLAB program will be written and presented in a short video

Midterm (30%)

• Written during class

• Closed book

• Non-programmable calculator only

• Same style questions as Assignments

Final exam (45%)

• Closed book

• Non-programmable calculator

• Same style questions as midterm

• 3 hours in duration

Grading Policy – please see course outline and BPK grading document

DEPARTMENT UNDERGRADUATE NOTES:
It is the responsibility of the student to keep their BPK course outlines if they plan on furthering their education. Missed Exams: Students who miss examinations due to exceptional circumstances (such as serious illness or compassionate reasons) are required to contact the instructor immediately, and then to obtain a physician's certificate, whereby the physician states that you were unable to write your midterm or final on the set date due to a medical condition beyond your control, or other supporting documents in order to obtain consideration in the course. Such documents must be filed with the Department Chair (via the Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology office) or Registrar within two calendar days of the date on which the examination was to have been written. Exceptional circumstances must be approved by the Undergraduate Program Committee in order for a student to receive consideration. Students must check the examination schedule when making course selections. Students are reminded that final examinations may be scheduled at any time during the examination period and that students should avoid making travel or employment arrangements for this period. In the event of a missed midterm or final examination the instructors reserve the right to give an oral examination of the material. Approximate midterm dates are provided, but may be subject to change. BPK Grading Policy:

For more information on the department's grading policy & guidelines go to: 
 http://www.sfu.ca/bpk/undergrad_program/faqs.html Penalties for Missed Deadlines There will be no extensions on deadlines for assignments, except for extenuating medical circumstances and/or family emergencies. Please plan in advance to ensure you meet the deadlines. A penalty of 10% per day will be deducted for each day an assignment is late. A missed exam can only be rewritten if the instructor is notified before the exam would be written and if medical evidence of inability to write is presented. Excused absence from the midterm may require a make-up exam at the discretion of the instructor. If you are unable to make a deadline or attend an exam, please complete the SFU Health Care Provider Statement. Due to COVID19, guidelines regarding late assignments and missed exams will be updated according to the Department guidelines. Currently, the SFU Academic Concession Self Declaration Form can the filled out

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

All materials will be provided on Canvas. There are no fees.

REQUIRED READING:

n/a

RECOMMENDED READING:

Özkaya N, Leger D, Goldsheyder D, Nordin M: Fundamentals of Biomechanics Equilibrium, Motion, and Deformation. 4th edition, 2017. ISBN: 3319447386. NOTE: This textbook is available online for SFU students at: https://link-springer-com.proxy.lib.sfu.ca/content/pdf/10.1007%2F978-3-319-44738-4.pdf

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

It is the responsibility of the student to keep their BPK course outlines if they plan on furthering their education.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.