Biomechanics 1 (6834.4)

Please note these are the 2026 details for this unit
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Biomechanics 1
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods On-campus
Intensive
 Bruce, Canberra
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Health
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
Discipline Of Sport And Exercise Science Level 2 - Undergraduate Intermediate Unit Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
This unit is designed to introduce students to the field of Biomechanics. Content will be centred upon fundamental biomechanical principles and mechanical theory to provide a basis for understanding the causes and effects of human motion.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Evaluate the mechanical factors that influence human movement;
2. Appraise the biomechanics of the human musculoskeletal system with particular emphasis on joint function; and
3. Conduct a qualitative biomechanical analysis and formulate meaningful feedback concerning technique modification.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - evaluate and adopt new technology
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict


Prerequisites

9808 Regional Anatomy and Physiology

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2026 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 03 February 2025 On-campus Miss Brooke Hoolihan
2025 Bruce, Canberra Winter Term 26 May 2025 Intensive Dr Crystal Kean
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 16 February 2026 On-campus Miss Brooke Hoolihan
2026 Bruce, Canberra Winter Term 08 June 2026 Intensive Dr Crystal Kean
The information provided should be used as a guide only. Timetables may not be finalised until week 2 of the teaching period and are subject to change. Search for the unit timetable.

Required texts

There are many biomechanics textbooks available that will contain chapters similar to the topics that are covered over the course of the semester. Such texts are likely to supplement and support your learning. As such, although not a requirement of the unit, students are encouraged to engage with any additional readings or texts that assist understanding of the subject matter. The below two texts are recommended for students of 6834 as they are clear and provide easy to understand examples: 

  • McGuinness, P.M. Biomechanics of Sport and Exercise (3rd Edition) Human Kinetics. 
  • Hall, S.J. Basic Biomechanics (2006). Boston: McGraw-Hill. 

Both texts are available for purchase on the School Locker website and available for short loan at the Library.

Submission of assessment items

Special assessment requirements

Students are required to achieve an overall unit grade of 50% to pass the unit.

Moderation

All grades for each assessment item will be moderated in accordance with the Faculty of Health moderation policy.

 

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Participation requirements

All lectures are pre-recorded and available to students on Canvas. Students should review weekly lectures prior to attending the tutorial class (scheduled for the same week) and practical class (scheduled for the following week). On-campus attendance is expected for practical and tutorial classes. 

Required IT skills

Competency using word processing, spreadsheet based software (i.e. Excel) and presentation software (e.g. PowerPoint) is required. In addition, students will be required to search relevant databases for research articles.

Students will also be required to use a video analysis software package. There are freeware options for PCs and software available on University Computers. Please note if you use a Mac you will need to have access to a Windows computer to be able to download the required motion analysis software. More details will be placed on Canvas. 

In-unit costs

Students will be required to purchase a Prac Manual which contains all of the practical content for this unit. This prac manual is available for purchase with details provided on Canvas, please ensure you have this prior to attending the first practical class in Week 1.

Work placement, internships or practicums

None

Additional information

CONTACTING THE UNIT CONVENOR
Students with general questions about the unit content and assessment should attend the drop in sessions with the unit convener in the scheduled consultation time (advertised on Canvas) and/or use the discussion forums on the unit Canvas site. Students that post to the discussion forum should expect a reply or confirmation from the unit convenor within 1-2 business days.

Please do not ask unit content or assessment item questions via email. If students do need to send an email:

  • The email must be sent from the student's UC email account. Correspondence from personal email addresses cannot be responded to.
  • The subject line must include the unit code and context of the message (e.g. 6834 Assessment 1)
  • The student must address the unit convenor appropriately by name
  • The question or request should be stated clearly and concisely
  • The student should sign off with their full name and student ID number.

Emails that don't comply with these conventions will not receive a reply. Students can expect a response via email within 5 business days.

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