EXSC 365 Scientific Bases of Sport: Kinesiology
 

This course will help students increase their understanding of basic mechanical principles and the influence of the aforementioned mechanical principles on human motion. Topics that will be covered include force, torque, linear and angular motion, fluid mechanics, and specific mechanical characteristics of certain biological tissue.

CLASS WEBSITE: http://neon.byu.edu/~seeleym/exsc365(seeley)/index365.html. This site provides the learning outcomes (objectives) for all chapters and outlines for some chapters, as well as links to other relevant information including a tentative class calendar, sample problems, term project helps, and other items.

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES: At the end of this class, students are expected to have developed: 1) a greater appreciation for and better understanding of how mechanical principles influence human motion during everyday life, 2) an increased ability to critically read current scientific literature, and 3) an increased desire for lifelong learning. Learning outcomes that are related to each course section are located at the top of each chapter website.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS: In order to earn an A in this course, you must do well on the exams and complete the reading and in-class assignments. Other than the exams, and the reading and in-class assignments, there will be no additional points given within this class. I do not accept late work or give extra credit. If you miss class for a school-excused absence, work must be completed before the missed class period. Considering the elevated risk related to the H1N1 flu, students who have influenza-like illness should stay away from others for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone except to get medical care.  Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine such as Tylenol.  If you miss class or an assignment due to the flu, please communicate with me regarding your attendance.

ASSIGNMENTS: You will receive credit for completing 12 assignments during this course. Most of these assignments will be reading assignments that you can access on this class website. You should complete the reading assignment and then take the corresponding quiz on blackboard before the due date listed on the class calendar. You will be given 3% of your final grade for each assignment that is completed on time.

EXAMS: Two midterm exams and one final exam will be given. All of these exams will be administered in the testing center. The final exam will be comprehensive. Each midterm exam will be worth 20% of your final grade, and the final exam will be worth 24% of your final grade. The purpose of the exams are to evaluate your knowledge of the course material.

ATTENDANCE:  I do not record attendance, however, I hope that you will attend class regularly and find that class time is worthwhile and interesting. Generally, students who attend class regularly understand the material better and more fully appreciate the significant role that the laws of mechanics play in our everyday lives.

ACADEMIC HONESTY: The first injunction of the BYU Honor Code is the call to “be honest.” Students come to the university not only to improve their minds, gain knowledge, and develop skills that will assist them in their life’s work, but also to build character.  President David O. McKay taught that “character is the highest aim of education” (The Aims of a BYU Education, p. 6).  It is the purpose of the BYU Academic Honesty Policy to assist in fulfilling that aim.  BYU students should seek to be totally honest in their dealings with others.  They should complete their own work and be evaluated based upon that work.  They should avoid academic dishonesty and misconduct in all its forms, including but not limited to plagiarism, fabrication or falsification, cheating, and other academic misconduct.

PREVENTING SEXUAL HARASSMENT: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination against any participant in an educational program or activity that receives federal funds.  The act is intended to eliminate sex discrimination in education.  Title IX covers discrimination in programs, admissions, activities, and student-to-student sexual harassment. BYU’s policy against sexual harassment extends not only to employees of the university, but to students as well.  If you encounter unlawful sexual harassment or gender based discrimination, please talk to your professor; contact the Equal Employment Office at 422-5895 or 367-5689 (24-hours); or contact the Honor Code Office at 422-2847.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Brigham Young University is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere, which reasonably accommodates qualified persons with disabilities.  If you have any disability which may impair your ability to complete this course successfully, please contact the University Accessibility Center (UAC) Office (422-2767). Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified, documented disabilities.  Services are coordinated with the student and instructor by the UAC Office. If you need assistance or if you feel you have been unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of disability, you may seek resolution through established grievance policy and procedures. You should contact the Equal Employment Office at 422-5895, D-285 ASB.

DIVERSITY: A classroom is similar to the workplace.  In the workplace, it is illegal to discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or age.  Furthermore, we believe Christ would never belittle anyone based on their race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or age.  Therefore, we feel strongly that no one in a classroom should be belittled for any reason.  If you experience such an offense in any class in this Department (caused either by the instructor or a fellow student), we strongly encourage you to contact the Department Chair.

DRESS AND GROOMING: “The dress and grooming of both men and women should always be modest, neat, and clean consistent with the dignity adherent to representing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and any of its institutions of higher education.”  Students understand and have committed to obey this policy, thus instructors or other students should never be placed in the uncomfortable situation of having to remind someone of adhering to the sacred honor they have pledged.

USE OF TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM: Technology is an essential part of today’s learning environment.  However, technology, when used inappropriately, can also hinder learning.  Most students have, at some point, sat next to students who use their laptops or PDAs in class to check e-mail, talk to friends, instant message, search the internet, or play on-line games. Unfortunately, every person sitting around such students is distracted by this behavior and classroom learning decreases.  As a result of these distractions, the Department of Exercise Sciences has implemented the following policy effective Fall semester 2008: “Using laptops or PDAs in class to legitimately take notes or work on class projects is allowed, but all other use of laptops, PDAs, or other electronic devices  in class is prohibited.”  Please respect your fellow students and professors and abide by this department policy (and courtesy). This would naturally include not reading newspapers, doing work for another class, or other potentially disruptive activities not associated with the class in session.

CELL PHONE POLICY: Students are not allowed to use cell phones in classes in the Department of Exercise Sciences.  Please turn them off as you enter the classroom and keep them stored out of sight in your backpack, purse, or pocket.