Biomechanics and NeuroRehabilitation

Department of Kinesiology and Health Education

Best Suited To

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

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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

Program Requirements

Faculty

Research Labs

Additional Information

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).

Movement and Cognitive Rehabilitation Science 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

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