Seminar in Biomechanics                   Department of Kinesiology              CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE

Spring 2011

KIN 645   18109  K Dino Vrongistinos

Tu,    19:00-21:45

Location: RE276

 

Instructor: Konstantinos “Dino” Vrongistinos, Ph.D.

e-mail: kv61497@csun.edu

Office: KN281                                                

Phone: (818)-677-7567

Office Hours:  M 2-4, T 5:00-6:00, W 2-4* (*4:30-5:30 on Feb 16, March 16,30, April 20, May 4 – No W Feb 23 &April 14)  & by appointment

http://www.csun.edu/~kv61497

 

Required Text:                      Articles, Directed Readings, Selected Topics. Student must have Moodle access available.

 

Course Prerequisites:          KIN 345

 

Course Description :            Analysis of current and classical research literature related to human biomechanics, with emphasis on sport and ergonomic applications.

                                               

Course Objectives:              To provide students with the knowledge and skills to be able to:

(1)      Understand and describe the current trends in Biomechanics

(2)      Understand and describe the current and historical paradigms in Biomechanics

(3)      Apply kinematic & kinetic descriptors and measures to human movements and injuries

(4)      Analyze different biomechanical correlates of specific skills and techniques

(5)      Apply biomechanical principles to the daily activities of normal and special populations, including individuals with disabilities, throughout the lifespan.

(6)      Write a paper reviewing current biomechanics literature on a selected topic.

(7)      Make a presentation to the class on a topic of current interest in biomechanics.

 

Evaluation:      Course grades will be based on the following point distribution    

Assignment

Points

Percent

Midterm Exam

300 pts

30%

Term Papers

200 pts

20%

Presentations

200 pts

20%

Final Exam

300 pts

30%

Total

1000 pts

100%

 

Assignment of grades will be based on the following ranges:

A = 900-1000 pts;

B = 800-899 pts;   

C = 700-799 pts;   

D = 600-699 pts;

F = less than 600 pts.

Assignment of plus/minus grade adjustments to the above scale will be determined by the final class point distribution.

 

Examination Policies & Miscellaneous Information

1.  Students will not be allowed to leave the room during exams. Please attend to any personal needs before the exam.

2.  Make-up exams will be considered only under exceptional circumstances.

(Note: "I overslept", "I'm tired", "I'm not prepared", etc. are not exceptional circumstances!)

                Any student who fails to contact the instructor prior to any missed exam may not be allowed to makeup the exam.

3.  Absence for medical reasons requires written verification by a physician.

4.  Exams will not be rescheduled based on a student's personal work/school schedule. Please plan ahead.

5.  Questions/concerns regarding grading for any exam must be resolved with the instructor within one week of the date graded exams are returned to the student.

6.  All exams are non-circulating.

 

Each student is expected to be familiar with, and abide by, the conditions of student conduct, as presented in the CSUN Catalog (Appendix C), with emphasis on sections: Student Conduct Code, Academic Dishonesty, Faculty Policy on Academic Dishonesty, and Penalties. Any student engaging in academic dishonesty (e.g., cheating, fabrication, facilitating academic dishonesty, plagiarism) is subject to discipline, which may include a failing grade in the course, and may also be subject to more severe discipline by the University.

 

A.            Time Elements     Class begins promptly on the hour

B.            Behavior              Treat other students and the instructor with respect and civility. Free discussion, inquiry, and expression is encouraged in this class. Classroom behavior that interferes with either (a) the instructor’s ability to conduct the class or (b) the ability of students to benefit from the instruction is not acceptable. Examples may include routinely entering class late or departing early; use of beepers, cellular phones, or other electronic devices; repeatedly talking in class without being recognized; talking while others are speaking; or arguing in a way that is perceived as “crossing the civility line.”  Eating food or chewing ice during lecture or discussion time is unacceptable.

C.            Cheating               will not be tolerated. Severe penalties will be imposed including an F on the exam, and potentially and F in the course, and may also be subject to more severe discipline by the University. Please review the Student Conduct on Academic Dishonesty in the current Schedule of Classes and in the University Catalog.

D.            Assignments          turned in one day late will receive 50% credit. After one day, no credit will be given.

 

Reading Assignments                                                                         Please Note:

The reading assignments listed below are intended to supplement the lecture materials. Some of the material in the text will not be covered in lecture but may be included on the exams. By the same token, all of the information given in lecture will not be found in the text, but may also be included on the exams. Students are expected to have read the assigned sections in the text before the scheduled lectures to which they apply. (Reading assignment schedule subject to change with appropriate notice).

 

T

Th

 

Reading Materials

 

Jan

25

 

Terminology

General Articles

Week 1

February

1

 

Voluntary Motor Control

General Articles

Week 2

 

8

 

Instrumentation
Motion Analysis

General Articles

Week 3

 

15

 

Instrumentation EMG

General Articles

Week 4

 

22

 

EMG in Biomechanics

Student Presentations Start

Week 5

March

1

 

Historical Trends

Articles, Student Presentations

Week 6

 

8

 

Review

Articles, Student Presentations

Week 7

 

15

 

Midterm

Midterm Test(Articles, Student Presentations)

Week 8

Midterm

 

22

 

Occupational Biomechanics

Articles, Student Presentations

Week 9

 

29

31

Sport Biomechanics

Articles, Student Presentations

Week 10

April

5

7

Spring Recess

Spring Recess

No class

 

12

 

Paradigms

Articles, Student Presentations

Week 11

 

19

 

Selected Student Topics I

Articles, Student Presentations

Week 12

 

26

 

Selected Student Topics II

Articles, Student Presentations

Week 13

May

3

 

Selected Student Topics III

Articles, Student Presentations

Week 14

 

10

 

Selected Student Topics IV

Student Presentations End – Papers Due

Week 15

MAY 14-20

Finals

17

 

Final MAY 17, 2011   08:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Final Exam Tuesday
MAY 17, 2011   08:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Finals

Week 16

 

 

 

 

 

 
Schedule is tentative and subject to changes

Note:      Students with exceptional needs: This instructor, in conjunction with California State University Northridge, is committed to upholding and maintaining all aspects of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. If you are a student with a disability and wish to request accommodations, please contact the Disability Resources and Educational Services located in Student Services Building BH 110, or call (818) 677-2684 for an appointment.
http://www.csun.edu/dres/index.php, dres@csun.edu, Phone: (818) 677-2684, Fax: (818) 677-4932

                Any information regarding your disability will remain confidential. Because many accommodations require early planning, requests for accommodation should be made as early as possible. Any requests for accommodations will be reviewed in a timely manner to determine their appropriateness for this class.

 

Links     www.csun.edu/~kv61497  moodle.csun.edu   
                www.csun.edu/hhd   www.csun.edu/hhd/kin  www.csun.edu/webmail    www.csun.edu/account

 

Attention:              Last day to drop is Friday of the 3rd week of classes