Ergonomics MSc
This popular and well-established programme was the first online ergonomics masters course to be launched in Europe. As a current or aspiring ergonomist, or a human factors professional, it would give you a significant advantage in your field. Accredited by your professional body, the Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (IEHF), it meets their high standards and gives you Graduate Membership of their association.
It’s your choice what you focus on
There are 3 pathways to choose from to enable you to focus on the areas most relevant and of interest to your career:
- Health Ergonomics
- Ergonomics (Human Factors)
- Ergonomics and Organisational Behaviour.
The name of your final qualification will match the pathway eg MSc Health Ergonomics. Take a look at the modules (link to modules) to see what’s covered in each pathway.
Watch our short introductory video below to find out more.
Flexible enough to fit around you
Depending on whether you’re currently employed and on how much time you have, you can choose to complete this masters in 1 year full time, or 3-6 years part time. It’s really down to you to set the pace and because it’s online, you have complete control over when and where you study. Studying online gives you the flexibility to study at the most convenient time and place for you. Course modules still operate within a fixed semester or term time, but you can choose to study during the day, in the evenings or at the weekend rather than having to attend fixed lectures.
We would encourage you to complete the full MSc, but if you aren’t able to, you can still gain awards along the way: a PG Cert or a PG Dip.
Course Length:
3-6 years of part time study
Start Dates:
September
Entry Requirements:
You'll need an undergraduate degree or equivalent professional qualification in a relevant discipline. If you have key practical experience and work based training, you may also apply.
Fees:
| Per Module | Modules | Total | Start | |
| UK | £380 | 12 | £4,560* | Sept |
| Non UK | £560 | 12 | £6,720* | Sept |
*Prices correct for 2011/2012. Subject to annual increase.
Fees Description:
* NB: Prices correct for 2011/2012. Subject to annual increase.
Career Information:
During this course you will develop excellent additional skills to help you evaluate and design tasks, jobs, products, environments and systems that are compatible with the needs and limitations of people.
If you are already working in this area, those skills will enhance your performance and prospects in your current organisation and boost your confidence. If you're a health professional, it can also form part of your continuing professional development.
If you are not yet working in this area, the MSc will enable you to work as an ergonomist or in an associated field.
The fact that it’s accredited by the IEHF as a qualifying course for Graduate Membership, is great news for your career.
Graduate Membership brings you a whole range of benefits including:
- discounts on books, journals and insurance
- events and talks that keep you updated about changes in your field
- regular news and jobs alerts.
After 3 years of Graduate Membership you can become a Registered Member, enabling you to use MIEHF after your name. This gives you added credibility, demonstrating to clients and colleagues that you’re a professionally recognised ergonomics and human factors professional
Testimonials:
Alison Harper graduated with an MSc Health Ergonomics and is now working for herself doing occupational health/ergonomic assessments for private organisations.
“I would definitely recommend online learning, and can't recommend this course more highly.
It is flexible, with excellent written resources and additional reading – the availability of journals and texts was very good – and it was very helpful to have the online forum to bounce around ideas, suggestions and queries, or just to release stress! On top of that the tutors were fantastic.”
Course Leader:
Modules Summary:
For a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) you need to complete 4 modules and for a Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) you need to complete 8 modules. To gain the full MSc you then need to complete all 8 modules an an Independent Study.
If you take the Ergonomics (Human Factors) pathway you will develop the knowledge and skills you need to take a holistic, human-centred approach to practical problems. We will consider the physical, psychological, organisational and environmental factors in a variety of situations to ensure good design, comfort, safety, health and wellbeing.
If you opt for the Health Ergonomics pathway, you'll combine core ergonomics topics with an understanding of health psychology - the study of how beliefs, behaviours and social context influence health and wellbeing.
And finally, if you choose the Ergonomics and Organisational Behaviour pathway, you'll develop an understanding of the psychology of work.
Modules Summary Stage 1:
Whatever your pathway, you must take all of the CORE modules listed below.
Depending on which pathway you choose, you will then need to select the appropriate OPTIONAL module from the choice below.
Modules Summary Stage 2:
If you choose the Health Ergonomics Pathway, you will also need to choose ONE of the following modules.
Modules Summary Stage 3:
In order to gain the full MSc, you must complete an Independent Study.
Student Profile:
Alison Harper graduated with an MSc Health Ergonomics and is now working for herself doing occupational health/ergonomic assessments for private organisations.
“I would definitely recommend online learning, and can't recommend this course more highly.
It is flexible, with excellent written resources and additional reading – the availability of journals and texts was very good – and it was very helpful to have the online forum to bounce around ideas, suggestions and queries, or just to release stress! On top of that the tutors were fantastic.”
Career Information
During this course you will develop excellent additional skills to help you evaluate and design tasks, jobs, products, environments and systems that are compatible with the needs and limitations of people.
If you are already working in this area, those skills will enhance your performance and prospects in your current organisation and boost your confidence. If you're a health professional, it can also form part of your continuing professional development.
If you are not yet working in this area, the MSc will enable you to work as an ergonomist or in an associated field.
The fact that it’s accredited by the IEHF as a qualifying course for Graduate Membership, is great news for your career.
Graduate Membership brings you a whole range of benefits including:
- discounts on books, journals and insurance
- events and talks that keep you updated about changes in your field
- regular news and jobs alerts.
After 3 years of Graduate Membership you can become a Registered Member, enabling you to use MIEHF after your name. This gives you added credibility, demonstrating to clients and colleagues that you’re a professionally recognised ergonomics and human factors professional
Modules
For a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) you need to complete 4 modules and for a Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) you need to complete 8 modules. To gain the full MSc you then need to complete all 8 modules an an Independent Study.
If you take the Ergonomics (Human Factors) pathway you will develop the knowledge and skills you need to take a holistic, human-centred approach to practical problems. We will consider the physical, psychological, organisational and environmental factors in a variety of situations to ensure good design, comfort, safety, health and wellbeing.
If you opt for the Health Ergonomics pathway, you'll combine core ergonomics topics with an understanding of health psychology - the study of how beliefs, behaviours and social context influence health and wellbeing.
And finally, if you choose the Ergonomics and Organisational Behaviour pathway, you'll develop an understanding of the psychology of work.
Stage 1
Whatever your pathway, you must take all of the CORE modules listed below.
Depending on which pathway you choose, you will then need to select the appropriate OPTIONAL module from the choice below.
Core Module
This module is an introduction to the principles of ergonomics and the approach of designing for human use. You will build a framework of knowledge about human characteristics and human response to the environment. This will allow you to understand issues in task design from an ergonomics perspective.
We will cover:
- The ergonomics approach.
- Physical work, work physiology and anthropometrics.
- Psychological work and behavioural characteristics.
- Human response to the environment.
- Design of the workplace to match physical and psychological dimensions.
- Design of displays, controls and information.
- Technology and ergonomics eg office work and health care.
- Equipment design and the design process.
How will I be assessed?
It’s 100% coursework.
Credits:
Core Module
During this module you'll develop an understanding of the psychological processes that allow people to perform tasks and understand how people behave in certain situations. We will present a framework of key cognitive and psychosocial factors and then consider how psychosocial constraints can affect human performance.
You will cover these topics:
- Key cognitive systems.
- Selective and divided attention.
- Perception.
- Skilled performance.
- Psychosocial factors of performance.
- Stress, arousal and performance.
- Human error in decision making.
- Individual differences, personality, mood.
How will I be assessed?
It’s 100% coursework.
Credits:
Core Module
You will learn about a range of methods that are used to gather data about people, their work and workplace.
This includes:
- Ergonomics methods and measurement techniques.
- Interviews and qualitative research.
- Questionnaires.
- General approaches and methods.
- Evaluation of mental workload.
- Evaluation of physical work activities.
- Assessment of physical workplace.
How will I be assessed?
It’s 100% coursework.
Credits:
Core Module
Here, you will develop an understanding of how work factors can cause or contribute to musculoskeletal symptoms, covering both specific conditions and the more frequent non-specific pain problems.
You'll learn how to identify problems, what work factors can increase the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders and how these can be controlled, particularly in the light of legislative requirements.
Topics we will cover:
- An overview of the scale of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and the nature of their presentation.
- Basic anatomy and physiology to help your understanding of injury.
- Introduction to the physiology and psychology of pain.
- An overview of the role of psychosocial factors in MSDs.
- Classification and definition of common disorders.
- Risk assessment and risk management.
- Legislation and litigation.
- Introduction to concepts of rehabilitation.
How will I be assessed?
It’s 100% coursework.
Credits:
Core Module
During this module you will consider the impact of ergonomics activities within the realities of organisational settings. You'll deal with the real-world application of ergonomics/occupational health methods to address user, task, environmental or cultural problems within the workplace. You'll also explore the roles and responsibilities of the various stakeholders involved in 'ergonomics problems'.
You will look at:
- Basic systems theory with particular emphasis on the role of the ergonomist.
- Ergonomics as 'systems thinking’.
- Real-world application of ergonomics methods with particular emphasis on the controlled. involvement of users and other stakeholders.
- Ergonomics with instruction, training and behavioural change.
- Ergonomics within career development, job enrichment and appraisal processes.
- Systems failures.
- The 'environment' within organisations, including issues of culture, organisational theory and environmental psychology.
- Organisational change.
- Professional issues and the realities of being a competent ergonomist working either in-house or as an external consultant.
How will I be assessed?
It’s 100% coursework
Credits:
Optional Module
If you are taking the Health Ergonomics pathway you must also take this module.
We will provide an overview of the relationship between human behaviour and patterns of health, morbidity and morality. In particular you'll examine a range of behavioural factors which influence health-related outcomes. You will also explore and critically evaluate the role of health promotion in maintaining health and preventing disease.
Topics you will cover:
How will I be assessed?
It’s 100% coursework.
Credits: 15
Optional Module
If you are taking the Ergonomics Human Factors pathway, you must also take this module.
This module will enable you to apply ergonomics principles, and your understanding of human characteristics and behaviours, to design issues.
We will cover:
- Concepts of user-centred design.
- Defining users and their needs.
- Overview of design areas.
- Review of tools and techniques.
- Usability and its evaluation.
- Case studies.
How will I be assessed?
It’s 100% coursework.
Credits: 15
Optional Module
If you are taking the Ergonomics & Organisational Behaviour pathway, you must also take this module.
You will learn about the importance of psychological theory in understanding organisations and how organisational behaviour, structure and systems can influence the individuals working within them. This will ensure that your future practices within organisations can be informed by relevant psychological knowledge.
These are the areas you’ll cover:
- The history, development and practice of psychology with an organisational setting.
- Motivation at work and the concept of job satisfaction.
- Leadership and 'management style'.
- Organisational structure and working groups.
- Group processes.
- Group decision making.
- The assessment of work performance.
- Staff recruitment/selection and the design of jobs.
- Attitudes and commitment to work.
- Individualism in organisational psychology.
- Social identity and work.
- Socialisation and the meaning of work.
- Occupational stress.
- Health and wellbeing.
- Organisational change.
How will I be assessed?
It’s 100% coursework.
Credits: 15
Stage 2
If you choose the Health Ergonomics Pathway, you will also need to choose ONE of the following modules.
Core Module
In this module you will cover experimental design and research methods used in ergonomics research. You'll also learn about the analysis of data required to come to conclusions about people, their work and workplace.
We will cover:
- The design of ergonomics investigations.
- Project proposals.
- Methods for ergonomics investigations.
- Conducting research and reporting research.
- Exploring data and descriptive statistics.
- Inferential statistics.
- Statistical analysis of data including: comparing groups, regression, correlation, analysing experiments, analysing field studies.
How will I be assessed?
It’s 100% coursework.
Credits: 15
Core Module
This is all about occupational and organisational stress. You'll be provided with background information about the key areas of occupational psychology, and then be expected to consider and discuss the development of the 'stress construct'.
We will look at the latest research into the factors that influence stress in the workplace, such as level of job demands, gender differences and socio-cultural factors. We’ll discuss the consequences of stress for the organisation and for the individual.
The occupations covered will be varied, such as managerial positions, factory workers and police officers. We will explore organisational structure and its role in stress as well as ways in which occupational stress can be assessed and managed.
This module includes:
- The background of occupational psychology.
- Organisational health.
- Job demand characteristics and their impact on stress.
- Gender and socio-cultural aspects of work stress.
- Psychosocial hazards of work.
- Impact of occupational stress for long-term health.
- Assessment of stress at work.
- Management of occupational stress.
How will I be assessed?
It’s 100% coursework.
Credits: 15
Stage 3
In order to gain the full MSc, you must complete an Independent Study.
Core Module
This is equivalent to 4 modules. The Independent Study will give you the opportunity to investigate in detail, an ergonomics issue relevant to your employment or interests. You are required to submit a substantial research proposal for approval that includes ethical issues, aims and projected outcomes, resources, a risk assessment and a project plan.
You will decide upon the subject of your research in consultation with your ‘supervisor’ for this study.
How will I be assessed?
It’s 100% coursework: a portfolio containing a project proposal (approximately 1,500 words) and a project report normally 8,000–12,000 words in length.
Credits: 60
You'll need an undergraduate degree or equivalent professional qualification in a relevant discipline. If you have key practical experience and work based training, you may also apply.
Apply Now
Applications for Online courses are made through the main University of Derby website.
By clicking on "Apply now" below you will be redirected to the University of Derby website to continue your application process.
Fees
| Per Module | Modules | Total | Start | |
| UK | £380 | 12 | £4,560* | Sept |
| Non UK | £560 | 12 | £6,720* | Sept |
*Prices correct for 2011/2012. Subject to annual increase.
Fees description:
* NB: Prices correct for 2011/2012. Subject to annual increase.
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