The Biomechanics and Neuromotor Control emphasis area provides advanced knowledge for understanding how the human nervous system controls movement and how the neurological disease affects motor function. Students will focus on the application of the laws of physics to the motion of biological systems.

In this emphasis area, the study of the mechanical and electromyographic analysis of human motion is combined with neurophysiological knowledge about the various neuronal subsystems that are active during movement planning and execution. This synthesis between biomechanics and neuroscience provides the basis for understanding how the brain controls bodily and limb motion.

Students will gain important knowledge for application in areas such as physical therapy, rehabilitation medicine, robotics, general psychology, or neuroscience.

The program has strong interdisciplinary connections to the University of Minnesota’s program in physical therapy and the graduate program in neuroscience.

Associated labs

• Human Sensorimotor Control Laboratory, directed by Jürgen Konczak, PhD

• NeuroRehabilitation Across the Lifespan (NeuRAL Lab), directed by Rachel Hawe, PhD

Associated faculty