BIOL 5380 Vertebrate Biomechanics
Satisfies the advanced experience requirement for the Biology major. This course will explore the physical principles underlying biological processes and mechanisms including movement, feeding, architecture, and transport. Drawing on physics and mechanical engineering, the course will explore how organisms swim, fly, walk, and consume resources, how they respond to moving fluids, and the relationship between their size and design of mechanical systems. Underlying all these topics will be investigations of how biological materials (e.g., wood, muscle, bone, skin, etc.) influence the mechanical behavior of complex life forms. The course will prepare students for more in-depth explorations of other related disciplines including ergonomics, orthopedics, kinesiology, and sports medicine. Familiarity with basic Newtonian physics and mechanics is recommended.
Course overview
- Department
- Biology
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Both
- Offered
- Periodically
Catalog details
- Prerequisites
- BIOL3030
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.38 / 5 · Very Good
- Instructor rating
- 4.55 / 5 · Excellent
- Terms evaluated
- 4
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2025 | Christopher Kenaley | 4.1 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4–6 hrs/week | 12 of 14 |
| Spring 2024 | Christopher Kenaley | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.3 | 4–6 hrs/week | 16 of 20 |
| Spring 2023 | Christopher Kenaley | 4.4 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.2 | 4–6 hrs/week | 23 of 29 |
| Spring 2022 | Christopher Kenaley | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 3.8 | 1–3 hrs/week | 14 of 23 |