This degree is designed to help you develop ergonomics competencies in critical and practical skills and the scientific methods necessary for professional practice. The modules you will study will depend on the pathway you specialise in – please see the programme specifications for the modules relevant to each pathway. For more information about part-time study patterns, please contact the School/Department.
Compulsory modules - All Pathways
Cognitive Ergonomics (15 credits)
The field of Cognitive Ergonomics involves the competencies and limitations of users during their interaction with a system in general (e.g., attention, memory, perception, schemas and strategies, mental models and cognitive workload).
The main aim of this module is to provide an introductory overview of Cognitive Ergonomics, to describe specific cognitive functions and to describe everyday situations where they may be applied including the workplace, the home, in transportation, education, healthcare and in other environments.
An additional aim of the module is to introduce the basic concept of ergonomics as a scientific discipline that is involved in the evaluation of tasks, jobs, products, environments and systems and how these interact with humans.
Physical Ergonomics (15 credits)
The aim of this module is for students to gain a foundation in topics relevant to physical ergonomics: anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and anthropometry. This will include aspects of physical performance in work and leisure activities. The purpose is to provide a basis for understanding applications in other modules on the Ergonomics and Human Factors programmes.
Pathway 1 - Ergonomics & Human Factors
Pathway 2 - Human Factors for Inclusive Design
Pathway 3 - Human Factors in Transport
Pathway 4 - Human Factors & Ergonomics for Patient Safety
Pathway 5 - Ergonomics in Health & Community Care
Pathway 7 - Ergonomics & Human Factors - PG Cert
Pathway 9 - Human Factors for Inclusive Design - PG Dip
Pathway 11 - Human Factors in Transport - PG Dip
Pathway 12 - Human Factors & Ergonomics for Patient Safety - PG Dip
Pathway 14 - Ergonomics in Health & Community Care - PG Dip
Human Factors and Systems (15 credits)
The aim of this module is to enable students to understand systems ideas as they apply to human factors and to organizations, the causation of systems accidents, the consequences of these for the design of systems, and to have a framework of knowledge for further use in professional and social life.
Data Collection and Analysis (15 credits)
The aim of this module is for students to develop their understanding of and skills in collecting and analysing data relevant to humans and human activities.
Interaction and Experience Design (15 credits)
The aim of this module is for students to gain a working knowledge of the process and methods of user experience design and the development of effective user interfaces.
Pathway 1 - Ergonomics & Human Factors
Compulsory modules
Project (60 credits)
The aims of this module are:
- to give the student the experience of tackling ergonomic problems vigorously and fully in the area of their chosen specialisation;
- to integrate with the taught parts of the programme in a practical context;
- to provide the students with training and experience in problem positioning, methods of investigation, data interpretation and report preparation.
Human Factors and Systems (15 credits)
The aim of this module is to enable students to understand systems ideas as they apply to human factors and to organizations, the causation of systems accidents, the consequences of these for the design of systems, and to have a framework of knowledge for further use in professional and social life.
Environmental Ergonomics (15 credits)
The aim of the module is to enable students to understand the relation between physical factors of the environment (climate, sound, and lighting) and worker performance..
Occupational Ergonomics (15 credits)
The aim of the module is to enable students to understand the physical effects of the workplace on human health.
Interaction and Experience Design (15 credits)
The aim of this module is for students to gain a working knowledge of the process and methods of user experience design and the development of effective user interfaces.
Optional modules
Inclusive Design for Products and Services (15 credits)
The aim of this module is to:
- improve students' understanding of ageing and disability, and the needs of other vulnerable users, and how these relate to design
- underpin this understanding with reference to models and legislation
- explore the concepts of 'universal' and 'inclusive' design, as applied to particular applications
- explore how ergonomists can play a part in the inclusive design of products, technologies, services, and the built environment.
Transport Safety (15 credits)
The aim of this module is to give students a broad-based understanding of how human factors and ergonomics principles are implemented within different transport domains and how these impact on transport user safety. The Module will address different modalities and different transport users. The module will examine the safe systems approach to transport safety using the University campus as a Case Study. Special consideration will also be given to developments in autonomous vehicles.
Pathway 2 - Human Factors for Inclusive Design
Compulsory modules
Project (60 credits)
The aims of this module are:
- to give the student the experience of tackling ergonomic problems vigorously and fully in the area of their chosen specialisation;
- to integrate with the taught parts of the programme in a practical context;
- to provide the students with training and experience in problem positioning, methods of investigation, data interpretation and report preparation.
Environmental Ergonomics (15 credits)
The aim of the module is to enable students to understand the relation between physical factors of the environment (climate, sound, and lighting) and worker performance..
Occupational Ergonomics (15 credits)
The aim of the module is to enable students to understand the physical effects of the workplace on human health.
Inclusive Design for Products and Services (15 credits)
The aim of this module is to:
- improve students' understanding of ageing and disability, and the needs of other vulnerable users, and how these relate to design
- underpin this understanding with reference to models and legislation
- explore the concepts of 'universal' and 'inclusive' design, as applied to particular applications
- explore how ergonomists can play a part in the inclusive design of products, technologies, services, and the built environment.
Human Factors and Systems (15 credits)
The aim of this module is to enable students to understand systems ideas as they apply to human factors and to organizations, the causation of systems accidents, the consequences of these for the design of systems, and to have a framework of knowledge for further use in professional and social life.
Interaction and Experience Design (15 credits)
The aim of this module is for students to gain a working knowledge of the process and methods of user experience design and the development of effective user interfaces.
Pathway 3 - Human Factors in Transport
Compulsory modules
Project (60 credits)
The aims of this module are:
- to give the student the experience of tackling ergonomic problems vigorously and fully in the area of their chosen specialisation;
- to integrate with the taught parts of the programme in a practical context;
- to provide the students with training and experience in problem positioning, methods of investigation, data interpretation and report preparation.
Environmental Ergonomics (15 credits)
The aim of the module is to enable students to understand the relation between physical factors of the environment (climate, sound, and lighting) and worker performance..
Occupational Ergonomics (15 credits)
The aim of the module is to enable students to understand the physical effects of the workplace on human health.
Human Factors and Systems (15 credits)
The aim of this module is to enable students to understand systems ideas as they apply to human factors and to organizations, the causation of systems accidents, the consequences of these for the design of systems, and to have a framework of knowledge for further use in professional and social life.
Interaction and Experience Design (15 credits)
The aim of this module is for students to gain a working knowledge of the process and methods of user experience design and the development of effective user interfaces.
Transport Safety (15 credits)
The aim of this module is to give students a broad-based understanding of how human factors and ergonomics principles are implemented within different transport domains and how these impact on transport user safety. The Module will address different modalities and different transport users. The module will examine the safe systems approach to transport safety using the University campus as a Case Study. Special consideration will also be given to developments in autonomous vehicles.
Pathway 4 - Human Factors & Ergonomics for Patient Safety
Compulsory modules
Project (60 credits)
The aims of this module are:
- to give the student the experience of tackling ergonomic problems vigorously and fully in the area of their chosen specialisation;
- to integrate with the taught parts of the programme in a practical context;
- to provide the students with training and experience in problem positioning, methods of investigation, data interpretation and report preparation.
Occupational Ergonomics (15 credits)
The aim of the module is to enable students to understand the physical effects of the workplace on human health.
Inclusive Design for Products and Services (15 credits)
The aim of this module is to:
- improve students' understanding of ageing and disability, and the needs of other vulnerable users, and how these relate to design
- underpin this understanding with reference to models and legislation
- explore the concepts of 'universal' and 'inclusive' design, as applied to particular applications
- explore how ergonomists can play a part in the inclusive design of products, technologies, services, and the built environment.
Healthcare Ergonomics and Patient Safety (15 credits)
The aim of this module is for students to gain an understanding of applying ergonomics methods and knowledge to the health and social care field.
This applied module will provide the student with tools and skills to evaluate the effects of care delivery from an organisational, worker and patient/service user perspective.
This will include aspects of patient safety, environmental design and safety behaviour in the care context.
Human Factors and Systems (15 credits)
The aim of this module is to enable students to understand systems ideas as they apply to human factors and to organizations, the causation of systems accidents, the consequences of these for the design of systems, and to have a framework of knowledge for further use in professional and social life.
Interaction and Experience Design (15 credits)
The aim of this module is for students to gain a working knowledge of the process and methods of user experience design and the development of effective user interfaces.
Pathway 5 - Ergonomics in Health & Community Care
Compulsory modules
Project (60 credits)
The aims of this module are:
- to give the student the experience of tackling ergonomic problems vigorously and fully in the area of their chosen specialisation;
- to integrate with the taught parts of the programme in a practical context;
- to provide the students with training and experience in problem positioning, methods of investigation, data interpretation and report preparation.
Inclusive Design for Products and Services (15 credits)
The aim of this module is to:
- improve students' understanding of ageing and disability, and the needs of other vulnerable users, and how these relate to design
- underpin this understanding with reference to models and legislation
- explore the concepts of 'universal' and 'inclusive' design, as applied to particular applications
- explore how ergonomists can play a part in the inclusive design of products, technologies, services, and the built environment.
Healthcare Ergonomics and Patient Safety (15 credits)
The aim of this module is for students to gain an understanding of applying ergonomics methods and knowledge to the health and social care field.
This applied module will provide the student with tools and skills to evaluate the effects of care delivery from an organisational, worker and patient/service user perspective.
This will include aspects of patient safety, environmental design and safety behaviour in the care context.
Patient Handling (15 credits)
The aim of this module is for students to gain a foundation in the academic and contextual setting of the role of the patient-handling advisor. This will include the legal aspects of working in health and social care, the role of health and safety, and organisational risk management. This module will apply basic ergonomics principles to the physical issues involved in the moving and handling of people in care environments.
Human Factors and Systems (15 credits)
The aim of this module is to enable students to understand systems ideas as they apply to human factors and to organizations, the causation of systems accidents, the consequences of these for the design of systems, and to have a framework of knowledge for further use in professional and social life.
Interaction and Experience Design (15 credits)
The aim of this module is for students to gain a working knowledge of the process and methods of user experience design and the development of effective user interfaces.
Pathway 6 - Ergonomics & Human Factors - PG Cert
Compulsory modules
Occupational Ergonomics (15 credits)
The aim of the module is to enable students to understand the physical effects of the workplace on human health.
Human Factors and Systems (15 credits)
The aim of this module is to enable students to understand systems ideas as they apply to human factors and to organizations, the causation of systems accidents, the consequences of these for the design of systems, and to have a framework of knowledge for further use in professional and social life.
Pathway 7 - Ergonomics & Human Factors - PG Dip
Compulsory modules
Environmental Ergonomics (15 credits)
The aim of the module is to enable students to understand the relation between physical factors of the environment (climate, sound, and lighting) and worker performance..
Occupational Ergonomics (15 credits)
The aim of the module is to enable students to understand the physical effects of the workplace on human health.
Human Factors and Systems (15 credits)
The aim of this module is to enable students to understand systems ideas as they apply to human factors and to organizations, the causation of systems accidents, the consequences of these for the design of systems, and to have a framework of knowledge for further use in professional and social life.
Interaction and Experience Design (15 credits)
The aim of this module is for students to gain a working knowledge of the process and methods of user experience design and the development of effective user interfaces.
Optional modules
Inclusive Design for Products and Services (15 credits)
The aim of this module is to:
- improve students' understanding of ageing and disability, and the needs of other vulnerable users, and how these relate to design
- underpin this understanding with reference to models and legislation
- explore the concepts of 'universal' and 'inclusive' design, as applied to particular applications
- explore how ergonomists can play a part in the inclusive design of products, technologies, services, and the built environment.
Transport Safety (15 credits)
The aim of this module is to give students a broad-based understanding of how human factors and ergonomics principles are implemented within different transport domains and how these impact on transport user safety. The Module will address different modalities and different transport users. The module will examine the safe systems approach to transport safety using the University campus as a Case Study. Special consideration will also be given to developments in autonomous vehicles.
Pathway 8 - Human Factors for Inclusive Design - PG Cert
Compulsory modules
Occupational Ergonomics (15 credits)
The aim of the module is to enable students to understand the physical effects of the workplace on human health.
Inclusive Design for Products and Services (15 credits)
The aim of this module is to:
- improve students' understanding of ageing and disability, and the needs of other vulnerable users, and how these relate to design
- underpin this understanding with reference to models and legislation
- explore the concepts of 'universal' and 'inclusive' design, as applied to particular applications
- explore how ergonomists can play a part in the inclusive design of products, technologies, services, and the built environment.
Pathway 9 - Human Factors for Inclusive Design - PG Dip
Compulsory modules
Environmental Ergonomics (15 credits)
The aim of the module is to enable students to understand the relation between physical factors of the environment (climate, sound, and lighting) and worker performance..
Occupational Ergonomics (15 credits)
The aim of the module is to enable students to understand the physical effects of the workplace on human health.
Inclusive Design for Products and Services (15 credits)
The aim of this module is to:
- improve students' understanding of ageing and disability, and the needs of other vulnerable users, and how these relate to design
- underpin this understanding with reference to models and legislation
- explore the concepts of 'universal' and 'inclusive' design, as applied to particular applications
- explore how ergonomists can play a part in the inclusive design of products, technologies, services, and the built environment.
Human Factors and Systems (15 credits)
The aim of this module is to enable students to understand systems ideas as they apply to human factors and to organizations, the causation of systems accidents, the consequences of these for the design of systems, and to have a framework of knowledge for further use in professional and social life.
Interaction and Experience Design (15 credits)
The aim of this module is for students to gain a working knowledge of the process and methods of user experience design and the development of effective user interfaces.
Pathway 10 - Human Factors in Transport - PG Cert
Compulsory modules
Occupational Ergonomics (15 credits)
The aim of the module is to enable students to understand the physical effects of the workplace on human health.
Transport Safety (15 credits)
The aim of this module is to give students a broad-based understanding of how human factors and ergonomics principles are implemented within different transport domains and how these impact on transport user safety. The Module will address different modalities and different transport users. The module will examine the safe systems approach to transport safety using the University campus as a Case Study. Special consideration will also be given to developments in autonomous vehicles.
Pathway 11 - Human Factors in Transport - PG Dip
Compulsory modules
Environmental Ergonomics (15 credits)
The aim of the module is to enable students to understand the relation between physical factors of the environment (climate, sound, and lighting) and worker performance..
Occupational Ergonomics (15 credits)
The aim of the module is to enable students to understand the physical effects of the workplace on human health.
Transport Safety (15 credits)
The aim of this module is to give students a broad-based understanding of how human factors and ergonomics principles are implemented within different transport domains and how these impact on transport user safety. The Module will address different modalities and different transport users. The module will examine the safe systems approach to transport safety using the University campus as a Case Study. Special consideration will also be given to developments in autonomous vehicles.
Human Factors and Systems (15 credits)
The aim of this module is to enable students to understand systems ideas as they apply to human factors and to organizations, the causation of systems accidents, the consequences of these for the design of systems, and to have a framework of knowledge for further use in professional and social life.
Interaction and Experience Design (15 credits)
The aim of this module is for students to gain a working knowledge of the process and methods of user experience design and the development of effective user interfaces.
Pathway 12 - Human Factors & Ergonomics for Patient Safety - PG Dip
Compulsory modules
Occupational Ergonomics (15 credits)
The aim of the module is to enable students to understand the physical effects of the workplace on human health.
Inclusive Design for Products and Services (15 credits)
The aim of this module is to:
- improve students' understanding of ageing and disability, and the needs of other vulnerable users, and how these relate to design
- underpin this understanding with reference to models and legislation
- explore the concepts of 'universal' and 'inclusive' design, as applied to particular applications
- explore how ergonomists can play a part in the inclusive design of products, technologies, services, and the built environment.
Healthcare Ergonomics and Patient Safety (15 credits)
The aim of this module is for students to gain an understanding of applying ergonomics methods and knowledge to the health and social care field.
This applied module will provide the student with tools and skills to evaluate the effects of care delivery from an organisational, worker and patient/service user perspective.
This will include aspects of patient safety, environmental design and safety behaviour in the care context.
Human Factors and Systems (15 credits)
The aim of this module is to enable students to understand systems ideas as they apply to human factors and to organizations, the causation of systems accidents, the consequences of these for the design of systems, and to have a framework of knowledge for further use in professional and social life.
Interaction and Experience Design (15 credits)
The aim of this module is for students to gain a working knowledge of the process and methods of user experience design and the development of effective user interfaces.
Pathway 13 - Ergonomics in Health & Community Care - PG Cert
Compulsory modules
Occupational Ergonomics (15 credits)
The aim of the module is to enable students to understand the physical effects of the workplace on human health.
Patient Handling (15 credits)
The aim of this module is for students to gain a foundation in the academic and contextual setting of the role of the patient-handling advisor. This will include the legal aspects of working in health and social care, the role of health and safety, and organisational risk management. This module will apply basic ergonomics principles to the physical issues involved in the moving and handling of people in care environments.
Pathway 14 - Ergonomics in Health & Community Care - PG Dip
Occupational Ergonomics (15 credits)
The aim of the module is to enable students to understand the physical effects of the workplace on human health.
Inclusive Design for Products and Services (15 credits)
The aim of this module is to:
- improve students' understanding of ageing and disability, and the needs of other vulnerable users, and how these relate to design
- underpin this understanding with reference to models and legislation
- explore the concepts of 'universal' and 'inclusive' design, as applied to particular applications
- explore how ergonomists can play a part in the inclusive design of products, technologies, services, and the built environment.
Healthcare Ergonomics and Patient Safety (15 credits)
The aim of this module is for students to gain an understanding of applying ergonomics methods and knowledge to the health and social care field.
This applied module will provide the student with tools and skills to evaluate the effects of care delivery from an organisational, worker and patient/service user perspective.
This will include aspects of patient safety, environmental design and safety behaviour in the care context.
Patient Handling (15 credits)
The aim of this module is for students to gain a foundation in the academic and contextual setting of the role of the patient-handling advisor. This will include the legal aspects of working in health and social care, the role of health and safety, and organisational risk management. This module will apply basic ergonomics principles to the physical issues involved in the moving and handling of people in care environments.
Human Factors and Systems (15 credits)
The aim of this module is to enable students to understand systems ideas as they apply to human factors and to organizations, the causation of systems accidents, the consequences of these for the design of systems, and to have a framework of knowledge for further use in professional and social life.
Pathway 1 - Ergonomics & Human Factors
Pathway 2 - Human Factors for Inclusive Design
Pathway 3 - Human Factors in Transport
Pathway 4 - Human Factors & Ergonomics for Patient Safety
Pathway 5 - Ergonomics in Health & Community Care
Compulsory modules
Project (60 credits)
The aims of this module are:
- to give the student the experience of tackling ergonomic problems vigorously and fully in the area of their chosen specialisation;
- to integrate with the taught parts of the programme in a practical context;
- to provide the students with training and experience in problem positioning, methods of investigation, data interpretation and report preparation.