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PHTY20020

Academic Year 2025/2026

Applied Physics and Biomechanics (PHTY20020)

Subject:
Physiotherapy
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Public Hlth, Phys & Sports Sci
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Hamish Fleming
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module builds on the measurement and analytical concepts introduced in PHTY10330 Introduction to Applied Biophysics Principles and expanded in PHTY10040 Functional Anatomy & Kinesiology.
It applies the principles of physics, in particular mechanics and properties of materials, to understand the main musculoskeletal elements of the human body, its motion, and to biomechanical analysis of the musculoskeletal system and its movement, at an intermediate level.
Further examples of static analysis of postures of the human body are studied. Examples of common car accidents and their physical consequences are studied. Specialist equipment and techniques used in human motion analysis are studied, as are the kinematics and kinetics of human gait.

Mapped to CORU SoP: 2.6, 2.7, 3.2-3.4, 3.8, 5.1, 5.3-5.5, 5.7, 5.9, 5.13, 5.17

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Apply the principles of mechanics to a number of situations specialised to the human body;
2. Discuss, at an intermediate level, knowledge of both solid and fluid viscoelasticity and the physical properties of bone, cartilage and muscle;
3. Discuss, at an intermediate level lumbar and cervical spinal mechanics and mechanisms of injury;
4. Discuss, at an intermediate level hip joint mechanics, and premature cartilage degeneration including FAIS;
5. Discuss, at an intermediate level the flexor-pulley system of the hand ;
6. Discuss, at an intermediate level, common car accidents, their physical consequences, and injury prevention;
7. Discuss, at an intermediate level, a knowledge of human motion analysis equipment, and
8. Discuss, at an intermediate level, normal human gait development and the kinematic and kinetic characteristics of gait.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

30

Specified Learning Activities

6

Autonomous Student Learning

90

Total

126


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures with supplementary information online in the VLE.

Required Text:
"Staff may utilise Artificial Intelligence (AI) during the programme to support teaching and learning and it will be clearly indicated if and when AI is used.

Students are prohibited from representing work as their own that they did not write, code or create. Submission of AI-generated content to this module by a student without explicit permission and attribution is not allowed and it may reflect unacceptable professional behaviour.

This may result in the initiation of a student disciplinary procedure in accordance with the “University Student Code of Conduct and Academic Integrity Policy"

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Students must have one of the prerequisite modules indicated


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Pre-requisite:
PHTY10080 - Applied Physics Principles, PHTY10330 - IntroAppliedBiophysics Princip, PHYC10120 - Physics in Medicine, PHYC10150 - Physics for Engineers I

Incompatibles:
LAW37770 - Introduction to Medical Law

Additional Information:
Students must have any one or other of the above listed prerequisites.


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (Open Book): End of trimester written exam. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
80
No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: In class assessment MCQ via Brightspace Quiz. Students are required to attend class with a fully charged laptop or other device to complete the assessment. Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
20
Yes

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

The provisional (indicative) grade of the Brightspace ICA MCQ quiz will be automatically indicated by Brightspace on submission of the quiz by the student. The anonymous grade profile histogram of the provisional quiz results for all students will be posted in Brightspace as soon as possible thereafter, in order that students may see their standing relative to other students in the class. If possible, the histogram is intended to be posted in Brightspace prior to the end of trimester written exam.

Essential
Low J, and Reed A. (1996) Basic biomechanics explained. Butterworth Heinemann, Oxford. ISBN 978-0750621038

Nordin M, and Frankel VH (2012) Basic biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system. 4th Ed. / [edited by] Margareta Nordin, Victor H. Frankel. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, London. ISBN 978-1451117097

Whittle’s Gait analysis, 5 th Ed. (2012) Churchill Livingstone, ISBN-13: 9780702042652

Norkin C, and White J (2016) Measurement of joint motion : a guide to goniometry. 5th Ed. Davis. Philadelphia ISBN-0803658478


Suggested
Mow VC, & Huiskes R (2005) Basic Orthopaedic Biomechanics and Mechano-Biology, Wolters Kluwer http://library.ucd.ie/iii/encore/record/C__Rb2301328?lang=eng

Hamill J, Knutzen K, & Derrick TR (2014) Biomechanical Basis of Human Movement 4 th Ed. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins ISBN-13: 9781451194043

Winter, DA (2009) Biomechanics and Motor Control of Human Movement, 4 th Ed., John Wiley & Sons ISBN-13: 978- 0470398180

Low J, Reed A (1996) Basic biomechanics explained. Butterworth Heinemann, Oxford. ISBN 978-0750621038

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 14:00 - 15:50