Bridge graduate certificate in injury biomechanics (traditional and online)

Injury biomechanics is a vital field in automotive safety—and it forms the scientific backbone of modern safety design. Nearly every major vehicle safety advancement over the past 50 years has been shaped by research in this area. At Wayne State University, you'll be part of a legacy spanning more than 80 years of groundbreaking contributions, including the development of the safety windshield, collapsible steering column, and restraint systems. Wayne State is internationally recognized for its leadership and innovation in injury biomechanics.

What you'll learn in the injury biomechanics bridge graduate certificate program

The bridge graduate certificate in injury biomechanics is designed to give you the specialized knowledge and skills needed to tackle real-world challenges in impact biomechanics and motor vehicle trauma. You’ll also explore blast-related injuries and protective strategies—preparing you for roles in both the automotive and defense industries.

Through this program, you will:

• Study human physiology and impact biomechanics to understand how injuries occur
• Learn to analyze motor vehicle trauma and blast-related injuries
• Explore countermeasures and safety system design for injury prevention

You'll be prepared to contribute to safer vehicle and equipment design through research, analysis, and innovation in injury prevention.

Curriculum

The bridge graduate certificate in injury biomechanics is a 16-credit hour program offered in both traditional (on-campus) and fully online formats. The curriculum includes:

• 2 required courses (8 credits)
• 2 elective courses (8 credits)

Required courses

All students take the following required course:

• Quantitative Physiology (4 credit)

Traditional (on-campus) students choose one of the following required courses:

• Impact Biomechanics (4 credit)
• Mathematical Modeling in Impact Biomechanics (4 credit)

Online students take required course:

• Impact Biomechanics (4 credit)

Learn more about the injury biomechanics bridge graduate program curriculum

Pathway to a master’s degree

This certificate also serves as a bridge to the M.S. in biomedical engineering at Wayne State University. All certificate credits earned with a grade of B (3.0 GPA) or higher, and completed within six years, may be applied toward the M.S. degree.

Learn more about the Master of Science in biomedical engineering

Career outlook

With a bridge graduate certificate in injury biomechanics, you’ll be prepared for roles in:

• Automotive safety – crash testing, restraint systems, occupant protection
• Defense – blast injury research and protective gear design
• Biomechanics research – injury analysis and modeling
• Product development – helmets, body armor, and safety equipment
• Graduate study – credits can apply toward a Master of Science in biomedical engineering

This certificate gives you a strong foundation for careers in injury prevention and human safety.

Admissions

Admission to the injury biomechanics bridge graduate certificate program is contingent upon admission to Wayne State University's Graduate School.

Admission requirements:

• Minimum GPA of 3.0 is required
• If your GPA is between 2.70–2.99, you may be admitted conditionally, with the requirement to maintain a 3.0 GPA for the first two consecutive semesters.
• Bachelor’s degree: you must hold a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in engineering or in a mathematics-based science program.
• For those with degrees in chemistry, physics, or life sciences, you must have completed:
  • The undergraduate engineering calculus sequence
  • The calculus-based undergraduate physics sequence

You may enroll either full-time or part-time, but all program requirements must be completed within three years of admission.

Why choose Wayne State University?

With a long-standing legacy in injury biomechanics and direct ties to the automotive and defense industries,Wayne State University offers unmatched expertise and real-world relevance. The bridge graduate certificate in injury biomechanics is your pathway to advanced study and meaningful careers in human safety and injury prevention.