Biomechanics and Neuromechanics

Degree Options

Master of Science (MSc)

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

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Career Opportunities

  • Ergonomic Furniture Design Engineer
  • Ergonomic Project Assessment Leader
  • Ergonomic Industry Consultant
  • Academia
  • Biomedical Equipment Technical Support
  • Government/Academic Liaison for Academic Partnerships

Program Highlights

Mission

Biomechanics is the integration of anatomical and mechanical aspects of human motion and in-depth study in functional anatomy and the mechanics of human movement. Students receive in-depth study in functional anatomy and the mechanics of human movement.

A person connected to a health device

Neuromechanics looks at the fundamental principles that shape how and why we move the way we do, as well as the application of these principles to the improvement of mobility and overall health.

Research Focus

The current faculty research in the program focuses on trying to understand the differences in movement between healthy, athletic and clinical populations and developing objective tasks to track and manage those differences.  The field work (in the clinic or sports arena) is accomplished using body worn sensors or simple measures that relate to more complex laboratory-based measures.  Other work examines the interaction between movement choice and both mechanical and metabolic energy consumption with the goal of understanding our movement choices.  This understanding will improve rehabilitation interventions, prosthetics, and movement aids.  These research areas integrate typical biomechanical measurement with perception, fatigue, disease progression, rehabilitation recovery and movement adaptions.

Funding

Eligible students are required to apply to the Ontario Graduate Scholarships (OGS) program; the CGSM Master’s Tri-Council Funding (CIHR/NSERC) or Tri-Council Doctoral Funding;  and other external agencies that fund graduate students.

Thesis Topics

Thesis topics have involved the biomechanics of sport skills, the use of electromyography and cinematography to study athletes with various levels of mobility, gait, programs of posture, the biomechanics of lifting, and forces and torques at the knee. Opportunity is provided for students to select a topic of study for approval from a variety of areas in biomechanics.

Thesis Topics – Where Are They Now