The best biomechanics program will feature courses that will lead you to a future career in the field. Your current level of education will be a factor in the type of program that you choose, as well as admissions requirements and cost. If you have a special interest in a certain area of biomechanics, you will want to choose a program that has a specialty or does research in that area. Additionally, the amount of hands-on experience you will receive in a program is important to eventually getting hired for a biomechanics position. Other factors include the format of the courses, the overall climate of the institution, and whether the program is accredited.
If you are interested in a career in biomechanics and have not yet attended college, you need to pursue a four-year undergraduate degree in kinesiology. Courses in the undergraduate program should include anatomy and physiology, mathematics, and basic sciences. Once you are close to finishing, you can begin to apply to graduate programs in biomechanics, where you will work towards a master's degree in the subject. A master's degree from a biomechanics program is necessary to work in the field, although doctoral degrees are often preferred.
Biomechanics programs are located in different departments of colleges and universities including kinesiology, engineering, and biology. You should choose a biomechanics program that is located in a department where your research interests lie, because this will provide you with greater specialization and experience in the field. Check with the department to find out the admissions requirements and the application process for attending the school, as this will factor into your decision. Your budget is also an important consideration, as some programs are more expensive than others. Certain programs will offer financial benefits for attending, such as graduate teaching or research opportunities, so make sure that you ask about those types of opportunities.
Gaining experience in research is necessary to work in the field after attending a biomechanics program. You can get a lot of research experience during school at many institutions, so it is important to find out about the research opportunities offered in a biomechanics program before entering into it. Some schools offer online courses in addition to in-class courses, so find a program that has the format that you like best. Student happiness, as well as professor involvement, is important to the climate of an institution, and you can find this out by speaking with students. Choose a program that is accredited in order to ensure that your degree holds merit in the scientific community.
