Using Modeling Software to Visualize Biomechanics in an Introductory Undergraduate Bioengineering Course Available to Purchase

The modeling software MADYMO was used as a visual teaching tool for teaching human body modeling during an introductory undergraduate bioengineering course. The human body modeling lecture was covered during the six-week biomechanics section of a 15-week course. The students in this introductory bioengineering course were primarily second year, second semester students, from a wide range of engineering disciplines. Biomechanics is a challenging topic to teach to undergraduate students because of the students’ limited understanding of general mechanics and physiology. Education research has shown the effectiveness of using visual teaching tools (Felder, 1988). MADYMO is an industry-standard modeling tool for human crash response. Considering the challenges of introducing human body modeling in a single lecture to undergraduate students, we believe using MADYMO as a visual tool helps the students realize a basic understanding and appreciation for human body modeling.