Biomechanics and NeuroRehabilitation
Department of Kinesiology and Health Education
Designed For
Ideal for students with a master’s in kinesiology or a related field who want a flexible, research‑focused program grounded in biomechanics, neuromuscular control, motor learning and cognitive‑motor rehabilitation. Designed for motivated learners seeking individualized study plans and hands-on research experiences in advanced movement science.
Career Objective
Prepares graduates for careers in academic research, clinical and applied rehabilitation, human performance science and interdisciplinary work across neuroscience, engineering and health fields—translating movement and cognitive research into meaningful real‑world impact.
At a Glance
Program Starts: Fall, Spring
Deadline to Apply:
Priority: December 1
Fall Final: May 1
Spring Final: October 1
Length of Program: 60 months
Program Location: On campus
GRE Required? No
Shaping Leaders in BNR
Biomechanics and NeuroRehabilitation (BNR), formerly known as Movement and Cognitive Rehabilitation Science (MCRS), is a scientifically rigorous program that offers advanced multidisciplinary coursework and extensive opportunities for students to pursue innovative practical experiences and research. BNR faculty members work closely with students to tailor an academic program with a heavy emphasis on research that is focused on the students’ interests. This targeted approach allows students to prepare for the professional, technical and practical aspects of their future careers.
Program Director
Hao-Yuan Hsiao
Graduate Program Administrator
Phillip Salazar
Program Overview
Application Requirements
In addition to holding a master’s degree in kinesiology or a related field, students applying to the Ph.D. degree program are expected to demonstrate competency in each of the following four areas:
- Human Anatomy (e.g., KIN 424K)
- Vertebrate or Human Physiology (e.g., INB 365S)
- Biomechanics (e.g., KIN 326K)
- Motor Learning (e.g., KIN 335C) or Neuromuscular Control (e.g., KIN 336)
Applicants need to show that they are capable of conducting independent research. Examples include completing a thesis or presenting a poster at a scientific conference or publishing a research article.
All applicants must identify a faculty advisor willing to supervise the student’s doctoral program. Students should contact the professor that they are interested in working with to discuss the possibility of being supervised and the nature of the research to be conducted before applying. Applicants without a faculty member willing to supervise will not be admitted into the program.
Program Requirements
Faculty members work closely with students to tailor a practical academic program with a strong foundation in research that is based on student interest. This targeted approach allows each student to lay a foundation for their future career’s professional, technical and practical aspects.
All organized graduate courses (i.e., not including Directed Research or Internship) must be taken for a letter grade. Courses taken outside of BNR may be taken on a credit/no credit basis (with the adviser’s approval) as allowed by the Graduate School (i.e., no more than 6 credit hours, or 20% of the hours on the Program of Work).
Biomechanics and NeuroRehabilitation courses (15 credit hours)
Students can choose three classes from the following:
- KIN 382 Biomechanics Laboratory
- KIN 386 Applied Research Techniques
- KIN 395 Biomechanics in Clinical Settings
- KIN 395 Biomechanics of Sport
- KIN 395 Central Questions in Biomechanics and Motor Control
- KIN 395 Motor Control: Performance and Learning
- KIN 395 Motor Control: Neuromuscular Bases
- KIN 395 Neurological Rehabilitation
- KIN 395 Neuromuscular Aspects of Fatigue and Training
- KIN 395 Motor Control: Human Neuroplasticity
Directed/Independent Study and/or doctoral seminar (6 credit hours)
KIN 397RMS Doctoral Seminar should be taken every semester except for students who are in candidacy every fall and spring semester.
Statistics and Grant Writing (minimum 9 credit hours, must include multivariate statistics)
- KIN 386 Research Methods: Grant Writing
- BME 380J.5 Biostatistics
- EDP 380E Fundamental Statistics
- EDP 380P Measurement and Evaluation
- EDP 482K Experimental Design and Statistical Inference
- EDP 382K Correlation and Regression
- EDP 382K Survey of Multivariate Methods
- KIN 395 Statistical Methods in Education and Health
- PSY 184R Data Analysis with R
- SDS 380C Statistical Methods I
- SDS 380D Statistical Methods II
- SSC 382 Introduction to Probability and Statistics
- SSC 385 Topics in Applied Statistics: Experimental Design
- SSC 385 Topics in Applied Statistics: Applied Regression
- SSC 385 Topics in Applied Statistics: Applied Multivariate Methods
- EDP Statistics Course Sequence
Supporting coursework outside the department (minimum 3 hours)
Our students may take a variety of non-departmental courses to complement their degree plans and programs of study. Options include:
- ANT 392L Physical Anthropology: Morphology/Evolution
- ANT 391L Analysis of Primate Anatomy
- ANT 392L Biol Anthro: Morph/Evolution
- ANT 391 Rsch & Grant Proposal Writing
- BIO 365S Human Systems Physiology
- BIO 382K Informatics/Data Analyses Life Science
- BME 384J Intro to Neural Engineering
- ESL 389S Advanced Oral Communication
- ESL 389W Advanced Academic Writing
- M E 385J Rehabilitation Engineering
- M E 385J Biosignal Analysis
- N 382 Sociocultural Influences on Health
- N 396C Advanced Pathophysiology
- NEU 185D Responsible Conduct of Science
- NEU 383C Functional Neuroanatomy
- NEU 385L Neurobiology of Disease
- NEU 482T Principles of Neuroscience I
- NEU 383T Principles of Neuroscience II
- NEU 394P Career Dev for Neuroscientists
- NTR 390 Principles of Epidemiology in Nutritional Science
- NEU 385P Pgm/Data Anlys Modern Neurosci
- NEU 385L Analytical Skepticism
- NEU 385L Fndmntls Instg Animal Behav
- NTR 390 Molecular Nutritional Science
- PGS 384T Advanced Epidemiology
- PGS 386C Cellular/Systems Physiology I
- PGS 384S Introduction to Epidemiology
- PGS 386D Cellular/System Physiology II
- PSY 394P Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience
- SOC 389K Human Mortality
- SOC 395L Race and the Body
- SOC 395J Gender, Health, and Society
Faculty
Studies how biomechanics affect human physiology and locomotion performance. Particularly interested in how body dimensions and muscle-tendon mechanics affect metabolism, fatigue and speed.
Investigates neuromuscular control mechanisms during fatigue, training, rehabilitation and aging with single-motor unit recording, and designs electrical stimulation protocols for individuals with paralysis.
Accepting new students
Studies the biomechanical and neuromuscular control mechanisms of human movement and translates this knowledge into practical solutions that reduce walking-related disability.
Studies the biomechanics of infants in commercial baby gear and orthopedic devices, and parents/caregivers carrying infants during activities of daily living.
Research Labs
The department’s research facilities are state of the art. Our two core biomechanics labs are equipped with 3-dimensional force and motion capture systems and multichannel surface EMG equipment. One of the biomechanics labs features instrumented treadmills, a virtual reality surround, a metabolic cart, B-mode ultrasound units; the other features multiple force plates for assessing overground locomotion.
By participating in cutting-edge research, students will be prepared for a variety of ways to be engaged in and guide these specializations.
Human Locomotion Lab
Studies how biomechanics affect physiology and performance.
Neuromuscular Physiology Research Laboratory
Conducts studies specializing in the investigation of neuromuscular control patterns in healthy, clinical and aging populations with the use of intramuscular fine-wire recording and electrical stimulation.
Clinical Biomechanics and Mobility Lab
Seeks to understand the mechanisms of biomechanical and neuromuscular control of normal and pathological movements and to apply this knowledge to design interventions that improve functional movements.
Additional Information
Related Professional Organizations
- Society for Neuroscience
- Society for the Neural Control of Movement
- American Society of Neurorehabilitation
- Organization for Human Brain Mapping
- American Society of Biomechanics
- American College of Sports Medicine
- International Society of Biomechanics
- International Society for Biomechanics of Sport
- American Physical Therapy Association
- National Strength and Conditioning Association
- Texas Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine
Let us know what your academic interests are within the College of Education and we’ll be in touch.
