College of Education and Human Development

School of Kinesiology

Emphasis: Biomechanics and neuromotor control

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.

About our students

Quote from Arash Mahnan, Kinesiology PhD

Because this disease is classified as a rare disease, most large medical companies don’t want to devote the time and money into the research required to develop a treatment. I am excited to move this technology forward. My goal is to make it real, to eventually bring the device to the market, and to help SD patients to get their voice back.

Arash Mahnan, Kinesiology PhD

Mahnan is a member of the Human Sensorimotor Control Laboratory, and received the 2019-2020 MnDRIVE Commercialization Fellowship in Neuromodulation – Discoveries through Industry Partnerships to further his medical device research.

How to apply

Before you apply

Before you apply review the MS/MA vs MEd information. All master's programs are designed to educate students in their chosen degree path and prepare them for professional or academic work. Read through the MS/MA versus MEd comparison page to decide which program is the best fit for you.

It is highly recommended that applicants contact the professor they are interested in working with before applying online. It helps facilitate the application process and familiarizes the professor with applicants and their interests.

Questions?

We’re here to help. Get in touch with our Graduate Studies Office through the request information form or contact one of our staff.

Juergen Konczak Juergen Konczak

  • Professor, Biomechanics and Neuromotor Control; Director of Graduate Studies (DGS)
  • 612-624-4370
  • jkonczak@umn.edu

Director, Human Sensorimotor Control Laboratory Director, Center for Clinical Movement Science Faculty, Center for Cognitive Sciences Faculty, Graduate Program in Neuroscience Adjunct Professor of Neurology Director, Human Sensorimotor Control…

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Juergen Konczak
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