Biomechanics Course | IIT Madras | Prof. Varadhan SKM | Biomedical Engineering
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 494 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Core |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Biological Sciences & Bioengineering, Bioengineering |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 17 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Unlock the Science of Human Movement: A Deep Dive into Biomechanics
Have you ever wondered how your bones withstand immense pressure, how your muscles generate precise force, or what happens in your joints when you reach for a cup of coffee? Biomechanics is the fascinating field that answers these questions by applying the principles of mechanics to biological systems. It sits at the thrilling intersection of engineering, biology, and physics, explaining everything from athletic performance to rehabilitation protocols.
For students and professionals in biomedical engineering, a solid foundation in biomechanics is indispensable. Recognizing this need, the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) offers a meticulously designed 12-week course, led by an expert in the field. This course is more than just a class; it's a structured journey from fundamental principles to cutting-edge research applications.
Meet Your Instructor: Prof. Varadhan SKM
The course is guided by Prof. Varadhan SKM, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at IIT Madras. Prof. Varadhan brings a wealth of specialized knowledge to the table. His research is deeply focused on the neural control of movements, motor learning, and dexterous object manipulation, especially under challenging conditions involving perturbations. This research-backed expertise ensures that the course content is not only theoretically sound but also connected to real-world scientific inquiry. He is an experienced educator, teaching core subjects like Biomechanics, Neuromechanics, and Engineering Mechanics.
Course Overview: Who Is It For?
This course is expertly crafted to build a strong, accessible foundation.
ABOUT THE COURSE: This course introduces Biomechanics to students from diverse engineering backgrounds. It starts by building a foundation in core mechanics, introduces essential biological terminology, and then uses this base to explore static analysis, postural analysis, and gait analysis. The curriculum also delves into the mechanics of biomaterials, covering both hard tissues (like bone) and soft tissues (like tendons and ligaments). You'll even tackle advanced concepts such as the visco-elastic properties of soft tissues. A key highlight is the course's use of the innovative Learner-Centric MOOC (LCM) approach, designed to enhance engagement and understanding.
INTENDED AUDIENCE:
- B.E./B.Tech students in Biomedical Engineering
- M.E./M.Tech students in Biomedical Engineering
- MS/Ph.D. scholars in Biomedical Engineering and related fields
PREREQUISITES: The course is designed to be inclusive, requiring only a high school level understanding of Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, and Biology. Importantly, it does not assume prior knowledge of Engineering Mechanics or Strength of Materials, making it an ideal starting point.
Your 12-Week Learning Journey: Course Layout
Here is a detailed week-by-week breakdown of what you will learn:
| Week | Topic | Key Concepts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introductory Mechanics | Statics and Dynamics – Basic Principles |
| 2 | The Human Biomechanical System | Basic terminologies, Skeletal Muscles |
| 3 | Muscle Force Production | Sliding filament theory, Force-length relationship |
| 4 | Upper Limb Joint Analysis | Biomechanics of Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist, Hand |
| 5 | Lower Limb & Spine Analysis | Biomechanics of Spine, Hip, Knee, Ankle |
| 6 | Analysis of Reaching Movements | Forward/Inverse Kinematics, D-H parameters, Jacobians |
| 7 | Mechanics of Hard Tissues | Bone microstructure, Wolff’s law, Stress-strain, Bending |
| 8 | Visco-elasticity | Maxwell, Voight, Kelvin models, Viscoelasticity in bones |
| 9 | Mechanics of Soft Tissues | Cartilage, Ligaments, Tendons, Stress-strain, Friction forces |
| 10 | Enslavement in Movement | Finger force production, Wrist-posture interdependence (Research Papers) |
| 11 | 3D Orientation Measurement | Rotation matrices, Quaternions, Complex numbers |
| 12 | Applications & Gait Analysis | Singularity, Gimbal lock, IMU systems, Introduction to Gait analysis |
Essential Reading: Course Textbooks
To complement the video lectures and assignments, the course references several authoritative texts. Having these resources will greatly enrich your learning experience:
- Biomechanics and Motor Control of Human Movement by David A. Winter
- Basic Biomechanics of the Musculoskeletal System by Margareta Nordin and Victor H. Frankel
- Fundamentals of Neuromechanics by Francisco Valero-Cuevas
- Basic Biomechanics by Susan Hall
- Physics of the Human Body by Irving Hermann
Why Enroll in This Biomechanics Course?
This course offers a unique and comprehensive package:
- Structured Progression: Starts from first principles, ensuring no student is left behind, and progresses to advanced research topics.
- Expert Instruction: Learn from an IIT Madras professor actively contributing to research in neural control and motor learning.
- Wide-Ranging Coverage: From the cellular (sliding filament theory) to the whole-body (gait analysis), and from material science (viscoelasticity) to robotics (kinematics).
- Research Integration: Direct exposure to current research problems, such as finger enslaving, bridges the gap between textbook learning and laboratory work.
- Strong Foundation: Creates a robust platform for careers in biomedical research, medical device design, sports science, rehabilitation engineering, and academia.
Whether you aim to design better prosthetics, understand sports injuries, develop assistive technologies, or simply satisfy a deep curiosity about how the human body works as an engineering marvel, this Biomechanics course from IIT Madras is your definitive starting point. Embark on this 12-week journey to decode the mechanics of life.
Enroll Now →