2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

KNS 309 Basic Biomechanics

An introduction to the concepts of mechanics as they apply to human movement, particularly those pertaining to physical activity, sport and exercise. Students will gain a basic understanding of mechanical and anatomical principles that govern human motion and develop the ability to link anatomical structure of the human body with its function from a mechanical perspective.

Credits

3

Prerequisite

KNS 217 or BIOL 208

Offered

Spring

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Define the terms biomechanics, statics, dynamics, kinematics, and kinetics and explain the ways in which they are related.
  2. Distinguish between qualitative and quantitative approaches for analyzing human movement.
  3. Describe the scope of scientific inquiry addressed by biomechanists.
  4. Explain how to formulate questions for qualitative analysis of human movement.
  5. Provide examples of linear, angular, and general forms of motion.
  6. Identify and describe the reference positions, planes, and axes associated with the human body.
  7. Define and appropriately use directional terms and joint movement terminology.
  8. Explain how to plan and conduct an effective qualitative human movement analysis.