BME-441-davidlin-2026-09-17-08-44-29
Title of Course: Biomechanics
Prefix and Number: BME 441
Semester and Year: tbd
Number of Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: CE 211 with C or better; MATH 315 with C or better
Course Details
Day and Time: tbd
Meeting Location: tbd
Instructor Contact Information
Instructor Name: tbd
Instructor Contact Information: tbd
Instructor Office Hours: tbd
TA Name: tbd
TA Contact Information: tbd
TA Office Hours: tbd
Course Description
Mechanical behavior of biological and engineering materials; relationships between external loads and internal stresses and strains within a structure. Methods for the analysis of both rigid body and deformational mechanics applied to skeletal joints, limbs, and whole body movements. Applications in the fields of orthopedics, tissue engineering, prosthetics, ergonomics and exercise science.
Course Materials
Books: Biomechanics of Movement, Uchida and Delp. MIT Press, 2021. ISBN: 9780262044202; cost for e-book $46.99.
Other Materials: none
Fees: none
|
Course Learning Outcomes (students will be able to:) |
Activities Supporting the Learning Outcomes | Assessment of the Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
|
Describe and evaluate material and structural properties of both engineering and biological materials; explain how the unique mechanical properties of biological materials arise from the anatomical structure. |
Lectures, homeworks, exams | Homeworks, exams |
|
Calculate internal stresses and strains due to externally applied loads. |
Lectures, homeworks, exams | Homeworks, exams |
| Calculate the deformation of structures under applied loads. | Lectures, homeworks, exams | Homeworks, exams |
| Apply the principles and methods of mechanics to analyze biomechanical problems and design interfaces related to the musculoskeletal system | Lectures, homeworks, exams, project | Homeworks, exams, project |
| Dates | Lesson Topic | Assignment | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Week 1 |
Course introduction and overview Equilibrium, internal loading Normal stress |
Lecture |
|
|
Week 2 |
Normal strain Stress-strain relationships; material properties Elastic and plastic behavior Failure, safety factor |
Lecture, homework |
Homework |
|
Week 3 |
Poisson ratio Strain energy Shear strain and stress Biological material properties Parallel and series arrangements of elements |
Lecture, homework |
Homework |
|
Week 4 |
Biological material properties Bone, ligament, tendon |
Lecture, exam |
Exam |
|
Week 5 |
Introduction to materials testing |
Lecture, homework |
Homework |
|
Week 6 |
Bending |
Lecture, homework |
Homework |
|
Week 7 |
Torsion |
Lecture, homework |
Homework |
|
Week 8 |
Joints, muscle moment arms, statics |
Lecture, exam |
Exam |
|
Week 9 |
Joints, muscle moment arms, statics |
Lecture, homework |
Homework |
|
Week 10 |
Movement Kinematics and Dynamics (multi-joint) |
Lecture, homework |
Homework |
|
Week 11 |
Movement Kinematics and Dynamics (multi-joint) |
Lecture, homework |
Homework |
|
Week 12 |
Movement Dynamics; Integrative musculoskeletal function |
Lecture, exam |
Exam |
|
Week 13 |
Integrative musculoskeletal function and gait |
Lecture, homework |
Homework |
|
Week 14 |
Gait; Gait Project |
Lecture, project |
|
|
Week 15 |
Gait Project |
Project |
Project, exam |
Expectations for Student Effort
For each hour of lecture equivalent, students should expect to have a minimum of two hours of work outside of class.
Grading
| Type of Assignment (tests, papers, etc) | Points | Percent of Overall Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Homework | 20% | |
| Exams | 65% | |
| Project | 15% |
| Grade | Percent | Grade | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| A |
>92 |
C | 73-76 |
| A- | 90-91 | C- | 70-72 |
| B+ | 87-89 | D+ | 67-69 |
| B | 83-86 | D | 60-66 |
| B- | 80-82 | F | <60 |
| C+ | 77-79 |
Numerical grades will be rounded to the nearest tenth of a percentage point.
Attendance and Make-Up Policy
Students should make all reasonable efforts to attend all class meetings. However, in the event a student is unable to attend a class, it is the responsibility of the student to inform the instructor as soon as possible, explain the reason for the absence (and provide documentation, if appropriate), and make up class work missed within a reasonable amount of time, if allowed. Missing class meetings may result in reducing the overall grade in the class.
Academic Integrity Statement
You are responsible for reading WSU's Academic Integrity Policy, which is based on Washington State law. If you cheat in your work in this class you will:
-Receive an "F" as the course grade
-Be reported to the Center for Community Standards
-Have the right to appeal my decision
-Not be able to drop the course of withdraw from the course until the appeals process is finished
If you have any questions about what you can and cannot do in this course, ask me.
If you want to ask for a change in my decision about academic integrity, use the form at the Center for Community Standards website. You must submit this request within 21 calendar days of the decision.