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ISE 544 Occupational Biomechanics

3 Credit Hours

Anatomical, physiological, and biomechanical bases of physical ergonomics. Strength of biomaterials, human motor capabilities, body mechanics, kinematics and anthropometry. Use of bioinstrumentation, active and passive industrial surveillance techniques and the NIOSH lifting guide. Acute injury and cumulative trauma disorders. Static and dynamic biomechanical modeling. Emphasis on low back, shoulder and hand/wrist biomechanics.

Prerequisite

Graduate Standing AND course in basic statistics

Course Objectives

(1)         Develop familiarity with terminology used in the field of occupational biomechanics;
(2)         Develop knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, and anthropometry;
(3)         Learn bioinstrumentation used in biomechanics studies, including signal processing and electromyography analysis;
(4)         Learn passive and active surveillance techniques for identifying ergonomic risk factors;
(5)         Develop knowledge of the origins of, and solutions to, cumulative trauma disorders;
(6)         Learn workstation and hand-tool design guidelines;
(7)         Develop an understanding of physical work capacity evaluation;
(8)         Learn work physiology methods for ensuring worker safety;
(9)         Develop knowledge of static and dynamic biomechanical models; and
(10)     Develop a working knowledge of manual material handling task analysis and control methods.

Course Requirements

In-class readings:
From the second week, if time permits, you will be given ~5 min in each lecture to read a certain section of a scientific paper that has a similar topic to the lecture.

Problem Sets:
There will be three problem sets through this semester. You will be required to work individually on problem sets. Each problem set will be graded on a 100-point scale.

Exams:
There will be three term exams as part of the course. Each exam will be graded on a 100-point scale.

Textbook

Chaffin, D. B., Andersson, G. B. J. & Martin, B. J. (2006). Occupational Biomechanics (4th edn.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Created 03/02/2021