FRS 004 — Sec. 005  — (2 unit) — CRN 73089 — T 4:10-6:00 PM — 111 Wellman
Science and Human Movement

Instructor: David Hawkins, Section of Neurobiology, Physiology & Behavior, College of Biological Sciences

Description: In this seminar the student will study and discuss selected papers which describe modern techniques and instrumentation that are used to evaluate and improve human performance. Specific topics to be covered include technological innovations related to athletic performance, injury rehabilitation, ergonomics, artificial implants and prosthetics. Each student will be expected to conduct a literature review of technological advances related to a specific aspect of human performance. The goals of the seminar are: 1) To introduce the student to modern techniques and devices used to study the human body and its physical capabilities and limitations. 2) To show the student how to conduct literature searches and 3) To teach the student how to develop ideas and how to express these ideas in a scientific format.

Format: The seminar will meet for 2 hours once a week for 10 weeks. Students will be expected to choose a specific topic (related to technology and a particular aspect of human performance) which they will present both in a written report to the instructor, and in an oral report to the rest of the class. The information for the presentations will come from group discussions and outside-of-class literature reviews. Grading: Students will be graded 50 % on class participation, 25 % on their presentation, and 25 % on their final paper.

About the Instructor: Professor David Hawkins is a member of the faculty in the Section of Neurobiology, Physiology & Behavior within the College of Biological Sciences. His research expertise is in the area of musculoskeletal biomechanics. Current projects include musculoskeletal modeling and movement simulation and non-invasive techniques to study muscle-tendon behavior in-vivo. He currently teaches courses on tissue mechanics and skeletal muscle mechanics.