Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

The graduate should be able to start a PhD in Sport Biomechanics with a very sound base and understanding of the research procedure. 

The graduate should be familiar with the type of support that biomechanists provide for sport and be suitable for employment in the field of biomechanics support. 

The graduate should have the ability to teach Sport Biomechanics at the undergraduate level.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

Although subject benchmarks (in Sport, Leisure and Tourism) are only available for undergraduate degrees, this programme can demonstrate progression from those benchmarks in all areas. Three examples are provided:

Benchmark: their understanding of the subject through both academic and professional reflective practice.

Not only will the student have to demonstrate their understanding within a framework of critical evaluation and synthesis they will need to be able to integrate relevant ideas from other fields and at times implement totally novel ideas.

Benchmark: critically interpret data.

Students will be capable of appraising the strengths and weaknesses of differnt analysis techniques. Consequently, they will be in the position to establish whether their analyses give valid results and posit further novel means of analysis if necessary.

Benchmark: communication and presentation skills.

The student should be able to produce a presentation that would be acceptable at a national conference.  They will need to be able to answer skewed and ambiguous questions sensibly with no preparation.

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and understanding of: the relationship between forces and the human musculo-skeletal system during dynamic activities in sport; the theoretical basis of sport biomechanics analysis and also use this to interpret experimental results; and the range of traditional areas from which methods and data are recruited for an integrated solution to analysing human motion.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: formulate well-posed research questions and develop methods and procedures for answering such questions; and apply critical numerical analyses to problems.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: perform recordings and analyses of sporting movements using synchronised automatic motion capture, video, force and EMG equipment; apply dynamometer techniques and use goniometers; examine and model human movement using mechanical and biological principles; discuss the techniques used in three-dimensional image analysis, segmental inertia determination, and computer simulation models; and use this information to provide constructive feedback to coaches, athletes and other researchers for technique improvement and injury prevention.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: apply critical numerical analyses to problems; use a range of computer software and devices; use computer programming language and be familiar with modern electronic recording devices and systems; and effectively communicate orally, electronically, and in writing.

Specific Key skill areas are: 

1)   Managing self-learning

2)   Communication

3)   Information technology

4)   Numeracy

5)   Teamwork

4. Programme structure

In the following table, ‘C’ indicates a compulsory module and ‘O’ indicates an optional module:

* Candidates undertaking a Project need formal approval of a research proposal by the Programme Director and an agreed Supervisor.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification