Biomechanics

The Master of Science in Anatomy degree is intended to prepare students for doctoral programs and continuing their careers in higher education.  This unique program trains the next generation of anatomists with a research emphasis on biomechanics.

Length:

36 credit hours or two academic years

Curriculum:

• Balanced basic curriculum—strong preparation in anatomy sub-disciplines:
  • gross anatomy
  • neuroscience
  • microanatomy
  • development
  • biomechanics—unique!
• Practical experience teaching anatomy:
  • Assistantship—stipend/tuition waiver
  • One-year minimum
• Discussion of issues in college teaching

Our graduates are often sought for their knowledge of the human body and ability to teach.

• The thesis-based curriculum develops:
  • an attitude of research/scholarship
  • a habit of critical as well as scientific thinking

The strength of our program—a research curriculum—offering students a balance of classes and experiences that prepare them for a productive lifetime of scientific discovery. It provides:

• Fundamental anatomy research tools
• Practical experience with standard methods
• Instruction in theory—unique!

Graduate students learn to apply advanced research tools, solve problems encountered and modify or adapt methods to new applications.

In keeping with the mission of the Palmer Chiropractic University System, research in the M.S. in Anatomy emphasizes these disciplines:

• Anatomy—normal/abnormal
• Neuroscience—normal/abnormal nerve/brain structure and function
• Biomechanics—muscle-bone-joint function/interaction

Thesis research is conducted in one or a combination of these disciplines. Graduate faculty mentors establish what we call thesis modules, which are specifically designed to answer important research questions and provide a productive experience for a graduate student.

Biomechanics Curriculum:

• Basic curriculum—fundamental to all areas
• Advanced curriculum:
  • clinical biomechanics
  • ergonomics
  • electives—preparing for research
  • independent study
• Research curriculum:
  • seminars
  • recent literature—discussion/critic
  • research ethics
  • biostatistics
  • scientific presentations
  • methods:
• biomechanics
• independent study

Class size will always be small—fewer than 12 students—to assure interaction and mastery of the subject and facilitate instruction by discussion.

Financial Aid:

• Teaching assistantship—stipend and tuition waiver
• Independent study

Thesis Modules:

• Emphasis—interaction of muscle-bone-joint in work, athletics, and injury
• Interdisciplinary opportunities
• Impact—related to funded investigations
• Collaboration opportunities
• Example of thesis topic:
  • Correlation Pathologies to Spinal Biomechanics

Facilities:

Graduate research laboratories are located in the newly expanded and
renovated Harris Building, a four-story facility, dedicated to the Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research (PCCR), and renovated with funds from a National Center for Research Resources of National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant.

The Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research is one of only 13 NIH-funded Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) research centers in the nation.

• Shared research facilities:
  • computer lab
  • seminar and conference rooms
  • research library
  • graphic production lab
  • protected data storage
• Extensive research laboratories:
  • shared laboratories
• biomechanics (clinical, human/cadaver and experimental)
• animal care

The biomechanics laboratories support investigations that are both basic and clinical, based on humans (including cadavers) and animals. Not only do they contain the equipment to support biomechanics and interdisciplinary research, but the investigators in these laboratories also assist in developing equipment used in the neuroscience laboratories. Available research equipment in the central biomechanics laboratories include:

• Custom-designed equipment:
  • computer-controlled, low-velocity, variable-amplitude platform
  • high velocity, low-amplitude spinal manipulation apparatus
  • postero-anterior stiffness apparatus
• Biomechanics equipment:
  • high-speed computers
  • Faxitron X-ray cabinet
  • 3-D force plates
  • force transducers
  • electromyography equipment
  • motion-tracking electromagnetic sensor system
  • optical-tracking system: OPTOTRAK
  • feedback-controlled motors
  • optoelectronic-based motion analysis
  • programmable waveform generator

The animal care laboratories occupy more than 1,000-square feet of environmentally isolated space dedicated to mammalian research.

• Animal care facility and animal use complies with:
  • Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (NIH)
  • United States Department of Agriculture
  • Animal Welfare Act
• Animal care laboratories:
  • animal behavior laboratory
  • veterinary surgical suites

Investigator laboratories:

Individual laboratories support the research program of specific investigators and the graduate students working under their direction.

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