KIN 420Occupational Biomechanics
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Health
- Subject
- Kinesiology
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 3 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
A course designed to provide the student with knowledge to reduce the risk of injury and increase worker productivity. Issues include identification of injury risk factors, understanding injury mechanism, quantitative assessment of injury risk and intervention strategies to reduce the risk of injury. Specific examples include the use of computerized models and EMG methods to analyze low back loading, optimizing tool design and workspace layout and the examination of related issues such as office seating and vibration.
Prerequisites
- Must have completed the following:
- KIN320 - Task Analysis (0.50)
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 2969 | 14 / 20 | TTh 10:00–11:20 |
Reviewed on UW Flow
83% liked it63% easy100% useful
From 6 ratings and 2 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Very good Ergonomics Course. For the beginning quarter of the course its classroom learning, and almost all reviews from KIN 320. The later part of the course is all in-class reports done in groups. There is a pre-class reading and video watching that you need to do. Dr. Fischer goes over the task analysis you would need to do in class. This allows you to create spreadsheets to automate some of your task analysis. There are 2 tests and a report. The report involves getting into a group and finding an industry partner to do an ergonomic assessment with. You get tons of applicable experience in the course and Dr. Fischer is a good resource. Tests are super easy if you have your spreadsheets…
Dec 2024 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Very valuable course if you want to do anything regarding Ergonomics or injury prevention. Weekly in class assignments were challenging, and had to be submitted by the end of class, but your lowest 5 were dropped. Two midterms worth roughly 50% of your grade total. Not too challenging if you pay attention and know how to solve the problems. You are allowed to use an excel spreadsheet for your midterms and I highly recommend establishing that as it made the midterms so easy to complete. Final group assignment you go and assess a job task and determine injury risk.
Apr 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
2 posts and comments in 1 thread mention KIN 420, October 2012 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Fall 2012
Has anyone here taken SYDE 543 and/or KIN 420? 2 points, 7 comments
u/StrongRage: “Basically, I have to take one of these courses, but both of them partially conflict with another course that I have to take. So, I'll have to miss lecture once in a while and arrange for notes or lecture recordings or something, but I'm wondering if it's do-able with either of …”
u/Griefer_Sutherland: “… You cannot miss KIN 420 lectures, not even a minute of them. Take 543, it's much more forgiving. Also, Histon is a good guy albeit a boring lecturer. He'll help accommodate you. I presume Histon is teaching 543 and Laing is teaching 420? …”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
- WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them