Biomechanics is the analysis of human movement to enhance performance, improve training, rehabilitate injuries, and reduce injury risk. The Biomechanics degree provides students an educational foundation in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and physics that provides a holistic understanding of how the body produces motion, and how to identify healthy movement. Then, the program teaches students to use specialized research equipment to measure human movement in real time and evaluate that movement to detect problems and inefficiencies.

This deep understanding of movement is valuable in a wide variety of career settings. For example, Biomechanics graduates can work for athletic teams, research labs, sports performance centers, sports medicine clinics, and other environments to help athletes improve their performance. Additionally, Biomechanics students are highly successful in medical school, physical therapy, occupational therapy, prosthetics, orthotics, and private practice.

Students choosing an Area of Emphasis will need to take additional hours beyond 15 each semester or take summer school to finish in 4 years. 

Admission Requirements

• Admission to Marshall University
• An overall cumulative minimum GPA of 2.75 to matriculate in the degree program beyond the Sophomore year.
• “C” or better in all required coursework
• Declared Biomechanics as a major

Graduation Requirements

• A minimum overall GPA of 2.5. 
• A minimum grade of C in Major coursework. 

Course Requirements 

  - General Education Course

  - Milestone course: a key success marker for your major. See your advisor to discuss the importance of this course in your plan of study.

The Core Curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking skills and introduce students to basic domains of thinking that transcend disciplines. The Core applies to all majors. Information on specific classes in the Core can be found at https://www.marshall.edu/gened/.

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Core Curriculum
Core 1: Critical Thinking
FYS 100	First Yr Sem Critical Thinking	3
Critical Thinking		6
Core 2
ENG 101	Beginning Composition	3
ENG 201	Advanced Composition	3
CMM 103	Fund Speech-Communication	3
Core II Math Requirement
Core II Phys./Natural Science		4
Core II Humanities		3
Core II Social Science		3
Core II Fine Arts		3
Additional University Requirements
Writing Intensive		3
Writing Intensive		3
Multicultural/International		3
Capstone		3

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Major Requirement Courses
BSC 227	Human Anatomy	3
BSC 227L	Human Anatomy Lab	1
BSC 228	Human Physiology	3
BSC 228L	Human Physiology Lab	1
DTS 210	Nutrition	3
ESS 220	Fitness and Wellness	3
ESS 345	Exercise Physiology	3
ESS 442	Princ of Strength & Cond	3
ESS 443	Prin of Strength Cond Lab	1
HS 200	Comp Medical Terminology (CT)	3
HS 215	Intro to Athletic Training	3
HS 222	Hlth Prov First Aid/CPR/AED	3
HS 265	Fund Video Analysis Mvmt (CT)	3
HS 365	Functional Kinesiology	3
HS 365L	Functional Kinesiology Lab	1
HS 369	Motor Learning	3
HS 375	Biomech Testing & Interpret	3
HS 405	Sport Psychology	3
or PSY 405	Sport Psychology
HS 410	Organ Admin in Kines	3
HS 435	Biomech Instrument Mat Lab	3
HS 464	Pathomechanics	3
HS 465	Biomechanical Analy of Mvmt	3
HS 475	Trends in Biomechanics	3
HS 478	Research Practicum Biomechanic	3-6
HS 495	Trends in Biomechanics II	3
Math Requirement 1		5-8
MTH 127  & MTH 122	College Algebra-Expanded and Plane Trigonometry
MTH 130  & MTH 122	College Algebra and Plane Trigonometry
MTH 132	Precalculus with Sci Applica
PHY 201	College Physics I	3
PHY 202	General Physics I Laboratory	1
PHY 203	College Physics II	3
PHY 204	General Physics 2 Laboratory	1
PSY 201	Introductory Psychology (CT)	3
PSY 223	Elem Behavioral Stat	3
PSY 311 Child Development or PSY 312 Adult Development		3

¹

Course selection based on pre-requisites or placement exam.

Semester Plan

  - General Education Course

  - Milestone course: a key success marker for your major. See your advisor to discuss the importance of this course in your plan of study.

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
First Semester		Credit Hours
HS 200	Comp Medical Terminology (CT)	3
FYS 100	First Yr Sem Critical Thinking	3
ENG 101	Beginning Composition	3
MTH 127  or MTH 130	College Algebra-Expanded or College Algebra	3-5
UNI 100	Freshman First Class	1
	Credit Hours	13-15
Second Semester
BSC 227	Human Anatomy	3
BSC 227L	Human Anatomy Lab	1
HS 265	Fund Video Analysis Mvmt (CT)	3
ENG 201	Advanced Composition	3
PSY 201	Introductory Psychology (CT)	3
MTH 122	Plane Trigonometry	3
	Credit Hours	16
Second Year
First Semester
BSC 228	Human Physiology	3
BSC 228L	Human Physiology Lab	1
HS 365	Functional Kinesiology	3
HS 365L	Functional Kinesiology Lab	1
PSY 311	Child Development	3
PHY 201	College Physics I	3
PHY 202	General Physics I Laboratory	1
	Credit Hours	15
Second Semester
HS 215	Intro to Athletic Training	3
HS 222	Hlth Prov First Aid/CPR/AED	3
ESS 345	Exercise Physiology	3
PHY 203	College Physics II	3
PHY 204	General Physics 2 Laboratory	1
CMM Elective		3
	Credit Hours	16
Third Year
First Semester
HS 465	Biomechanical Analy of Mvmt	3
HS 369	Motor Learning	3
ESS 442	Princ of Strength & Cond	3
ESS 443	Prin of Strength Cond Lab	1
Humanities Elective		3
Restricted Elective		3
	Credit Hours	16
Second Semester
HS 435	Biomech Instrument Mat Lab	3
HS 464	Pathomechanics	3
HS 478	Research Practicum Biomechanic	3
Social Science Elective		3
Fine Arts Elective		3
	Credit Hours	15
Fourth Year
First Semester
HS 375	Biomech Testing & Interpret	3
HS 475	Trends in Biomechanics	3
HS 410	Organ Admin in Kines	3
HS 405	Sport Psychology	3
DTS 210	Nutrition	3
	Credit Hours	15
Second Semester
HS 495	Trends in Biomechanics II	3
ESS 220	Fitness and Wellness	3
PSY 223	Elem Behavioral Stat	3
PSY 312	Adult Development	3
Restricted Elective		2
	Credit Hours	14
	Total Credit Hours	120-122

Areas of Emphasis