FRS 002W — Sec. 001 — (2 unit) — CRN 55923 — T 1:10 – 3:00pm — 280 Hickey Gym
Insights Into Sport and Exercise Through Science

Instructor: Keith Williams, Exercise Biology Program, Division of Biological Sciences

Description: Science lurks in the background of many popular issues involving sport and exercise - from recent publicity over performance-enhancing drugs to the concern over increasingly obese Americans to the hawkers of fitness equipment in late-night infomercials. This course will explore, in a user-friendly way, some of the biomechanical and physiological principles that can help us better understand issues related to sport and fitness and make our own judgments regarding when something is fact and when it’s a fallacy.

Format: The seminar will meet for two hours each week, with a different topic covered each week. The time will be divided between informal lecture presentations, discussion, and student presentations. The text for the course will be “The Sweet Spot in Time” by John Jerome, with additional readings provided. Students will write a short paper on a topic relevant to the course content, to be chosen in consultation with the instructor. Grading: The course grade will be based on the quality of the written paper -- 4 to 6 pages (40%), on an oral presentation related to one of the topics (20%), on several brief one page written assignments (15%), and on the frequency and quality of their participation in class discussion (25%).

About the Instructor: Professor Keith Williams is a member of the faculty of the Exercise Biology program. His research and teaching focus in the area of the biomechanics of human movement and how mechanical and biological concepts can further our understanding of why we move the way we do. He also has an interest in the practical side of sport science, having consulted in the athletic footwear industry for many years and participated in a program analyzing the biomechanics of elite distance runners.