Studying MSc Sport and Clinical Biomechanics at LJMU

Hi, I’m Briony and I’m currently studying MSc Sport and Clinical Biomechanics at LJMU. If you’re considering this course, I thought I’d share what it’s been like so far – from how it’s taught and assessed to the brilliant facilities, hands-on learning, and the kind of opportunities you can get involved in as a student here. 

Teaching hours

This year, contact hours were on Mondays and Tuesdays (for full-time) in the City Campus. Teaching hours are when lectures and practicals ran by academic staff take place, but there may be extra sessions provided on different days throughout the year. The hours on the course are very manageable, giving time during the rest of the week for self-study, employment, and other commitments.

Teaching methods

We have had a range of lectures, practical sessions, workshops and seminars to allow for reflective learning and enhanced engagement. The lectures are typically followed by a practical to allow greater understanding and learning of the topic.

Assessment

This course has a great range of assessment types including:

• Written coursework
• Exams (one for Research Methods)
• Practical work reports
• Practical assessments
• Presentations

I must say the exposure to different assessment types is great on the course! Assessment details are available via Canvas (which is also where you will submit your work)

Modules

The course is made up of 180 credits, spread across three terms. Each term covers 60 credits.

Term 1

Measurement Techniques in Movement Analysis – provides hands-on technical training in the laboratory

Muscle Performance – provides opportunities for evaluating muscle performance, learning about biomechanical factors at the muscle-tendon-joint level

Research Methods – extends knowledge of experimental and research design process, and for understanding how to handle and analyse quantitative data with practical’s for using statistical analysis softwares

Term 2

Clinical Movement Analysis – exposure to understanding normal gait prior to understanding genuine biomechanical data gathered while testing individuals with movement problems. This module has a trip to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital!

Biomechanical Assessments in Sports – Practical experience with equipment and software used in sport settings to enhance development

Professional Practice in Sport and Clinical Biomechanics – preparation for employment in sports science roles, focusing on job applications, personal reflections and more. First half of this module is workshops with other MSc courses in the Sports Science department to allow for multidisciplinary team discussions, the following is course-specific.

Term 3

Research Project – this module is worth one third of the overall MSc and preparation starts for it in term 1. It provides the opportunity for students to produce independent research with the guidance of academic staff.

Please note:
Order of modules, assessments and content may change.

Opportunities

Throughout the year there will be a range of opportunities to get involved with. Academic staff will advertise any opportunities available but if there is a topic/element of the course you are particularly interested in, don’t be afraid to discuss this with staff as they can direct you on how you can progress.

"See My Tutor" hours

Each tutor (academic staff) will have set hours each week for you to book a meeting to discuss elements of the course you need support with or further discussion of a topic. These are typically 15 or 30 minutes in duration and can be either face-to-face or online (MS Teams). If you can’t make the hours provided you can always email them directly to book a meeting too. All members of staff on the MSc course are supportive and there to help you do your best throughout the course!

Women in Biomechanics

The department holds an event aimed to promote women in biomechanics which is externally funded by the National Biomechanics Day initiative and International Women in Biomechanics. Schoolgirls from a Liverpool primary school have the opportunity to come into the lab for you to run different practical sessions with them. This exposes them to different career paths they may not have known of otherwise! It’s great that the Biomechanics Research Group runs this event and hopefully it’ll be on for many more years to come!

Take a look at the Biomechanics Research Group to see what research goes on at LJMU!

Check out the full MSc Sport and Clinical Biomechanics course page.