At the end of this course, students will have an increased understanding of (1) some basic mechanical principles and (2) the influence of these mechanical principles on human motion in everyday life. Topics that will be covered during this course include force, torque, linear and angular motion (kinematics), fluid mechanics, and some of the mechanical characteristics of some biological tissue.
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INSTRUCTOR:
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Matthew Seeley, PhD, ATC
120F Richards Building
email: matt_seeley@byu.edu
phone: 801.422.4970
skype ID: mseeley3
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OFFICE HOURS:
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Thursday: 1:00-2:00 pm
Friday: 1:00-5:00 pm
If you cannot see me at these times, you are welcome to call or email me to make an appointment for another time.
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| TEACHING ASSISTANTS: |
Tyler Standifird
276 Smith Fieldhouse
email: tstandifird@gmail.com
Jordan Salmon
276 Smith Fieldhouse
email: jordandsalmon@gmail.com
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OFFICE HOURS: |
Monday & Wednesday: 8:00-10:00 am
Monday: 1:00 to 3:00 pm
Tuesday: 10:00 am to noon
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CLASS TIME & PLACE:
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M/W/F: noon-12:50 @ 271 Richards Building
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TEXT:
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Biomechanics of Sport and Exercise
Peter M. McGinnis
Published by Human Kinetics in 2004
Several copies of the text are on reserve in the Learning Resource Center (194 Smith Fieldhouse). The text is not required; however, I recommend that have access to a textbook (your own or one that belongs to a classmate), so that you can obtain and complete more practice problems that are representative of the problems you will encounter on the exams. Additionally, some students have found that the textbook offers a different perspective that is helpful in explaining difficult classroom principles.
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CLASS WEBSITE & FACEBOOK PAGE: The class website can be accessed through our BYU biomechanics website: biomech.byu.edu. The class website provides the learning outcomes (listed as learning objectives) for all chapters and outlines for some chapters, as well as links to other relevant information including a tentative class calendar, sample problems, term project helps, and other items. There is also a class facebook group that students have joined to effectively communicate with each other regarding classroom information; email Jordan (TA) to join this group.
GENERAL LEARNING OUTCOMES: At the end of this class, students are expected to have developed (1) a better understanding of how mechanical principles influence human motion during everyday life, (2) an increased ability to read scientific literature, and (3) an increased desire for lifelong learning. Specific learning outcomes that are related to each course section are located at the top of each chapter website.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: During this course you will be required to complete 11 small assignments, one group project, two midterm exams, and one final exam. Related to your final grade, each of these requirements are weighted differently (see the Assessment Breakdown below). These requirements are described in more detail below. Except under extraordinary circumstances, I do not accept late work.
ASSIGNMENTS: Throughout the semester, you will be required to complete 11 small assignments. Each of these assignments will count for 1% of your final grade (they are evenly weighted). Except for the first and last assignment, these assignments will (1) evaluate your understanding of a specific reading assignment, (2) evaluate your understanding of related classroom material, and (3) be completed online, via BYU gradebook: gradebook.byu.edu. These assignments are described in more detail on the Assignments webpage, of the class website. The due date for each assignment is described on the class calendar that can also be found on this class website.
PROJECT: You will be required complete a group project. The details related to this project can be found on the Project webpage of this class website. The related due date can be found on the class calendar.
EXAMS: Two midterm exams and one final exam will be given. Each exam will consist of free response questions and will last approximately 2 hours (the final will be a bit longer in duration).Each exam will be administered outside of class in the Smith Fieldhouse Learning Resource Center (SFH 194). The final exam will be comprehensive.
| Assessment Breakdown |
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| Small Assignments |
11% |
| Group Project |
15% |
| Each Midterm Exam |
22% |
| Final Exam |
30% |
Grade Ranges
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| A |
93-100%
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A-
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90-93% |
| B+ |
87-90% |
| B |
83-87% |
| B- |
80-83% |
| C+ |
77-80% |
| C |
73-77% |
| C- |
70-73% |
| D+ |
67-70% |
| D |
60-67% |
| E |
<60% |
ATTENDANCE: I do not require or record attendance. I sincerely hope that you will attend class regularly and find that class time is worthwhile and interesting. Generally, students who attend class regularly understand the material better and more fully appreciate the significant role that the laws of mechanics play in our everyday lives. Not surprisingly, students who regularly attend class and participate in class usually earn better grades.
ACADEMIC HONESTY: The first injunction of the BYU Honor Code is the call to “be honest.” Students come to the university not only to improve their minds, gain knowledge, and develop skills that will assist them in their life’s work, but also to build character. President David O. McKay taught that “character is the highest aim of education” (The Aims of a BYU Education, p. 6). It is the purpose of the BYU Academic Honesty Policy to assist in fulfilling that aim. BYU students should seek to be totally honest in their dealings with others. They should complete their own work and be evaluated based upon that work. They should avoid academic dishonesty and misconduct in all its forms, including but not limited to plagiarism, fabrication or falsification, cheating, and other academic misconduct.
PREVENTING SEXUAL HARASSMENT: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination against any participant in an educational program or activity that receives federal funds. The act is intended to eliminate sex discrimination in education. Title IX covers discrimination in programs, admissions, activities, and student-to-student sexual harassment. BYU’s policy against sexual harassment extends not only to employees of the university, but to students as well. If you encounter unlawful sexual harassment or gender based discrimination, please talk to your professor; contact the Equal Employment Office at 422-5895 or 367-5689 (24-hours); or contact the Honor Code Office at 422-2847.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Brigham Young University is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere, which reasonably accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. If you have any disability which may impair your ability to complete this course successfully, please contact the University Accessibility Center (UAC) Office (422-2767). Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified, documented disabilities. Services are coordinated with the student and instructor by the UAC Office. If you need assistance or if you feel you have been unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of disability, you may seek resolution through established grievance policy and procedures. You should contact the Equal Employment Office at 422-5895, D-285 ASB.
DIVERSITY: A classroom is similar to the workplace. In the workplace, it is illegal to discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or age. Furthermore, we believe Christ would never belittle anyone based on their race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or age. Therefore, we feel strongly that no one in a classroom should be belittled for any reason. If you experience such an offense in any class in this Department (caused either by the instructor or a fellow student), we strongly encourage you to contact the Department Chair.
DRESS AND GROOMING: “The dress and grooming of both men and women should always be modest, neat, and clean consistent with the dignity adherent to representing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and any of its institutions of higher education.” Students understand and have committed to obey this policy, thus instructors or other students should never be placed in the uncomfortable situation of having to remind someone of adhering to the sacred honor they have pledged.
USE OF TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM: Technology is an essential part of today’s learning environment. However, technology, when used inappropriately, can also hinder learning. Most students have, at some point, sat next to students who use their laptops or PDAs in class to check e-mail, talk to friends, instant message, search the internet, or play on-line games. Unfortunately, other people who are sitting around such students are often distracted by this behavior and classroom learning decreases. Please respect your fellow students and professors and refrain from the aforementioned distractive behaviors. This would naturally include not reading newspapers, doing work for another class, or other potentially disruptive activities not associated with the class in session.
CELL PHONE POLICY: Students are not allowed to use cell phones in classes in the Department of Exercise Sciences. Please turn them off as you enter the classroom and keep them stored out of sight in your backpack, purse, or pocket.