Location:

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Program Type:

Study Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Term:

Summer

Program Overview

Program Description:

Following a brief general introduction to Human Movement Sciences and a number of two and three-dimensional motion-capture techniques, students move into our extensive laboratory. Fitted with force plates, treadmills, and even a climbing wall, here students collect their own data by performing biomechanical experiments. Students analyse that material using MATLAB, a world-renowned numerical computing environment.

This course is a practical exploration of human movement analysis. Featured highlights include visits to the Adidas MiCoach Performance Centre, where Amsterdam's Ajax football club uses movement analysis equipment to enhance both its youth and its professional players’ capabilities, and to the Amsterdam Rehabilitation Research Centre at Reade, where state-of-the-art movement analysis is used to support the rehabilitation of patients following strokes, spinal-cord injuries, amputations, etc.

This course acquaints you with various movement registration techniques and their use in sports and rehabilitation settings. By the end of it you will be able to use the MATLAB programming environment to perform basic digital signal analyses on movement data you have collected yourself. Students are advised to have a good working knowledge of mathematics, in particular differential and integral calculus, and an interest in working with technical software tools.

Setting Description:

With over 180 unique nationalities, Amsterdam is a melting pot of cultures and embraces different cultures, religions, and lifestyles. 165 canals criss-cross the entire city, giving it its nickname ‘Venice of the North.’ The city also features more bikes than inhabitants! With a bustling creative industry, Amsterdam offers plenty of cultural activities and events throughout the year. In Amsterdam you can benefit from the advantages of a big city with enough quiet spots to kick back and relax.

Cost:

1000 EUR. The tuition fee includes: • Airport pick-up service • Welcome goodie bag • Orientation programme • Course excursions • On-site support • Emergency assistance • Transcript of records after completion of the course

Additional Program Information

Scholarships:

Yes

Scholarships Description:

The VU Amsterdam Summer School offers ten scholarships that cover the full tuition and housing fees of one course. Information about how to apply for the scholarship will be posted on the VU Amsterdam Summer School website.