![[University of Waterloo]](/goldbar.gif)
| Friday |
Tuesday, August 5, 2003
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Editor: Chris Redmond credmond@uwaterloo.ca |
![[Medley and Brodland]](/images/2003/0805biomech.gif)
John Medley (mechanical engineering), left, and Wayne Brodland (civil engineering) are two faculty members who are conducting biomechanical research. Photo by Barbara Elve. |
While they may not be designing cyborgs like Seven of Nine -- USS Voyager's bodacious borg -- students studying biomechanics will be honing their skills for other hot applications. According to civil engineering professor Wayne Brodland, coordinator of the new option, "Students recognize that this is a developing area with a lot of opportunities. We're able to do things that were impossible a few years ago." As for such visions as Seven of Nine: "It helps stir people's imagination," he laughs.
Using the principles of mechanics to explore biological problems, biomechanics researchers are applying their engineering talents to everything from hip joint replacements to laparoscopic surgery, from heart valves to medical imaging equipment -- "areas that have major impact for people," says Brodland, "and areas of significant growth as the population ages."
While work in biomechanics has been going on at UW for at least a decade, and loose links have formed among researchers, explains Brodland, "the option is the first official link among biomechanics people at UW" -- a move that is sure to spur increasing collaboration.
Participating in the cross-disciplinary field have been researchers in civil, mechanical and systems design engineering, as well as those in kinesiology -- some of whom work on projects with medical doctors.
"Health research is important to the university," he adds. "Biomechanics is a discipline we already have strength in -- an area that is logical for us to continue developing. And we want students to have access to this exciting field."
Engineering students in the biomechanics option will be required to take eight courses, including Kinesiology 100, described as a study of "functionally-oriented regional anatomy of the limbs and trunk using predissected cadavers. A brief introduction to neuroanatomy is included." The other required course is CivE 460 (Orthopaedic Bioengineering). Students can then choose courses from specified lists in the areas of ergonomics, techniques of biomechanics and kinesiology. They will also be expected to complete a two-term project.
Offering an introduction to the field of biomechanics through an option, says Brodland, will ensure students still get a solid engineering degree. "Hard-core engineering can be used long into the future as fields like biomechanical engineering continue to evolve," he says, and a student's firm grounding in engineering and math "can be applied to biomechanics or anything else they end up doing."
Even before the option was introduced, graduate students at UW with an interest in biomechanics have worked in the design of heart valves and in the development of new equipment for testing and surgery, or have gone to medical school. While U.S. jobs have provided most of the opportunities in the field, "I don't think that's the way it will always be," says Brodland. "I see growth potential for Canadian industry."
![[Grieve in huddle with team]](/images/2003/0103volleyball.gif)
| Also this week, the Ron Eydt Village conference centre will be home to a "SuperCamp" sponsored by KidsLink, the child care organization based in St. Agatha, just west of Waterloo. It's a ten-day academic camp for teenagers (14-18) and promises "a taste of university life, including living in dorms, eating in a dining hall, and learning at a prestigious Canadian university -- an inspiring experience in itself". |
The camp's web page explains: "The Warrior Skills Camp is meant for participants seeking to reinforce their basic skills set and gain greater insight into team play. This 4-day camp will advance your level of play and prepare you for the upcoming season.
"Our coaches will instruct you in the most recent technical and tactical processes available. Passing and setting skills, individual defensive technique and attacking mechanics will only be a few of the lessons instructed. Sessions on nutrition, sports-psyche, flexibility and strength training will enhance your off-court training."
The evening (6 to 9 p.m.) camp "is designed to take skilled and motivated players to the next level. Our highly trained coaches will give you specialized instruction in developing the individual skills necessary for your position.
"Newly acquired skills will be combined with intense team competition to allow players to utilize their improved skills in actual game environments.
"Setters will learn effective ball release, efficient movement techniques and offensive communication. Outside hitters will learn how to maximize their power of attack, increase their efficiency versus blockers and fine-tune their passing ability. Middle blockers will learn to maximize their blocking ability, speed up transition movements and fine-tune their quick attack skills."
Participants are paying $135 for the four-day week of daytime sessions, or $75 for the evening sessions.
![[With balloons, on ES I steps]](/images/2003/0801surp.gif)
After 20 years,
the 1983 graduates of UW's school of urban and regional planning (now just
"school of planning") have changed a little and acquired some spouses, kids
and balloons. They came back for a reunion in mid-July. "That was back
when it was fun," says Mary Jane Bauer of the planning school, noting
that classes were smaller in the 1980s, "and we
got to know the students really well." As the good times rolled, the
reunion group took time to pose on the Environmental Studies building steps.
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Jacob Boven, who was a groundsperson in plant operations from 1982 to his retirement in 1991, died March 4.
Russell Grant, who was a coordinator in the co-op education and career services department from 1965 to his retirement in 1976, died March 30.
Aldege Grenier, who was a stationary engineer in plant operations from 1970 to his retirement in 1981, died January 28.
Theresa Lamoreux, who was a cashier in the gift shop from 1967 to her retirement in 1981, died December 21, 2002.
Ronald Norris, who was a storeskeeper and truck driver in central stores from 1971 to his retirement in 1986, died July 23.
Helen Stymiest, who was a clerical staff member in health services before retiring in 1984, died July 27.
Sadie Wood, who was a nurse in health services from 1965 to her retirement in 1973, died June 9.
Louie Zimmerhansl, who was the chef at Renison College for many years, died November 7, 2002.
CAR