Course Catalogue

The programme aims to prepare students for employment in the field of Sport and Clinical Biomechanics and for more general employment through the development of transferable skills.   They will receive the scientific training that will allow them to undertake post graduate research in the field of Sport and Clinical Biomechanics.   Furthermore, they will be provided with the means to enhance their own experience of Sport and Clinical Biomechanics.    The guidance received will permit the students to demonstrate an integrated and critical appreciation of conceptual and methodological issues and enable them to demonstrate mastery of appropriate conceptual material.   They will also be able to demonstrate expertise in appropriate research methods for use in a wide variety of research areas beyond biomechanics.

All staff who teach on the programme have a wealth of experience working with industry and clinical applied practice. In addition, the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences reputation as a world-leading research centre, and the large number of students who have completed this MSc programme and gone on to work in academia and industry, ensures we attract high-level professionals to come and talk to our students about the reality of working in the field (for example speakers are often ex-students working with sports equipment manufacturers or the English Institute for Sport or in clinical environments). These links also help us to ensure that the programme is as current and relevant as possible, because we work closely with key industry partners and identify the skills and knowledge that they look for in graduates. We are also committed to providing an inspirational and intellectually stimulating experience that creates high level independent critical thinkers prepared for employment and/or further study. Teaching is via a combination of lectures, interactive seminars, one-to-one tutorials, laboratory-based practical work, online workshops and independent laboratory work. Guided independent study using our Libraries and the web accounts for 60% of each module. Web-based content is also available through our virtual learning environment Canvas (including wikis for software training). We use a combination of assessment methods. These include: written assignments (essays),exams (unseen),reports of practical work, and oral presentations. Tutors will provide feedback on assessments within three weeks, allowing students to quickly identify their successes and the areas where they may need to put in more work moving forward or for future assessments. This is provided via Canvas, face-to-face and/or as written comments for coursework and one-to-one for exams. Students are also welcome to arrange further meetings with staff to discuss their feedback. Tutorial experiences encourage the development of interpersonal communication skills. The learning experience culminates in a research project proposal followed by the submission of a written research product and associated oral viva defence of the work.

There are also internship opportunities at local hospitals and commercially funded projects in the laboratories for students to enhance their applied work experience. Staff also have strong links with industry for work experience opportunities after graduation.