Masters Degrees in Ergonomics

The field of ergonomics and human factors is about ensuring a good fit between people, the things they do, the objects they use, and the environments they work, travel and play in. We offer five postgraduate taught programmes in the field of ergonomics and human factors which take a scientific look at these interactions and apply theoretical principles, data and methods to ensure that design is optimised for human wellbeing and overall system performance.

Our programmes are awarded separate qualifications but share many core modules. This interdisciplinary approach to teaching and learning means that you benefit from teaching provided by our specialist experts in each area, ensuring that you are trained to the highest professional standard. Joining us on one of these well-respected programmes will provide you primarily with a broad ergonomics education, with further opportunity to focus on a particular area of interest to you.

The programmes are professionally recognised by the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (CIEHF) and the Centre for Registration of European Ergonomists (CREE). The CIEHF is affiliated with the International Ergonomics Association, opening up employment opportunities worldwide. Our Ergonomics in Health and Community Care programme meets the requirements for you to become a Registered Member of National Back Exchange.

How this programme is taught

A key feature of our Ergonomics postgraduate programmes is the way in which we deliver them. Each module is taught over a one week intensive period in Loughborough, these are also known as block taught modules. Outside of this time, you will be expected to complete prepared programme materials and assignments using email and the internet. We will provide you with access to an interactive online system to provide you with additional materials and information. This system also enables you to participate in tutorial type discussion remotely.

As well as a full-time MSc qualification, this programme is also offered as a Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate. These different levels of education provide a flexible approach that enable many of our students to come from a diverse range of backgrounds – including completing study whilst in full-time employment. We also have a number of students who choose to study part-time.

Please see our ‘Programme modules’ (http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/programmes/taught/ergonomics-human-factors/modules/) page for more information about what modules are studied for each qualification and the dates for the coming year.

Who is this programme for?

The course is aimed at students who want to cover ergonomics for health and community care.

Current and past students have come from a large range of backgrounds, both in the UK and internationally. Degrees and experience held by our past students include the fields of: health sciences, human physiology, kinesiology, nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychology and branches of engineering/design.

Industry connections

The programme has strong links with industry. As part of the programme you will also be encouraged to undertake your main project in industry, providing realistic experiences and learning. The programme content has a strong practitioner bias where what you are learning provides vocational training towards a career as an ergonomist or human factors expert.

Outside speakers include industry (Humanscale, EDF Energy, Rolls Royce, AMEC); health and safety (e.g. aviation safety, environmental); health practitioners; and lecturers from other Universities.

Read less

The course is specially designed to be undertaken by employees who need to apply ergonomics principles to their work. It will provide an understanding of the key issues related to workplace ergonomics and work design and will also direct students towards additional resources to facilitate the learning process.

Students will be required to use this understanding of the importance of the workplace, a basic knowledge of ergonomics theory and the ability to use a number of valuable ergonomics assessment techniques.

The course is flexible and enables you to study at a time and pace that suits you. You will be provided with support over the telephone, emails and online tutorials. You will be taught by a team who actively work as researchers and consultants and can share their experience of applying ergonomics in the real world.

This course will develop:

Graduates who understand and can apply theory,method and practice of human factors/ergonomics for analysing and evaluating products and work situation
knowledge and understanding of human factors relevant to the workplace
knowledge and understanding of how human factors principles and methods can be used in the design and management of organisational systems to improve performance, productivity and quality while ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the workforce
critical and analytical skills relevant to practice of human factors/ergonomics
the ability to work independently and to design and conduct independent research within organisational contexts

The course has been recognised by The Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors as a Level 1 course. This means that after successfully completing the course you will gain full credit for the relevant secondary knowledge area to when applying for Registered Membership of the society.

Read less

The field of ergonomics and human factors is about ensuring a good fit between people, the things they do, the objects they use, and the environments they work, travel and play in. We offer five postgraduate taught programmes in the field of ergonomics and human factors which take a scientific look at these interactions and apply theoretical principles, data and methods to ensure that design is optimised for human wellbeing and overall system performance.

Our programmes are awarded separate qualifications but share many core modules. This interdisciplinary approach to teaching and learning means that you benefit from teaching provided by our specialist experts in each area, ensuring that you are trained to the highest professional standard. Joining us on one of these well-respected programmes will provide you primarily with a broad ergonomics education, with further opportunity to focus on a particular area of interest to you.

The programmes are professionally recognised by the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (CIEHF) and the Centre for Registration of European Ergonomists (CREE). The CIEHF is affiliated with the International Ergonomics Association, opening up employment opportunities worldwide. Our Ergonomics in Health and Community Care programme meets the requirements for you to become a Registered Member of National Back Exchange.

How this programme is taught

A key feature of our Ergonomics postgraduate programmes is the way in which we deliver them. Each module is taught over a one week intensive period in Loughborough, these are also known as block taught modules. Outside of this time, you will be expected to complete prepared programme materials and assignments using email and the internet. We will provide you with access to an interactive online system to provide you with additional materials and information. This system also enables you to participate in tutorial type discussion remotely.

As well as a full-time MSc qualification, this programme is also offered as a Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate. These different levels of education provide a flexible approach that enable many of our students to come from a diverse range of backgrounds – including completing study whilst in full-time employment. We also have a number of students who choose to study part-time.

Please see our ‘Programme modules’ (http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/programmes/taught/ergonomics-human-factors/modules/) page for more information about what modules are studied for each qualification and the dates for the coming year.

Who is this programme for?

The course is aimed at students who want a broad human factors education with a focus on aspects concerned with promoting patient safety in all healthcare sectors. Current and past students have come from a large range of backgrounds, both in the UK and internationally. Degrees and experience held by our past students include the fields of: health sciences, human physiology, kinesiology, nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychology and branches of engineering/design.

Industry connections

The programme has strong links with industry. As part of the programme you will also be encouraged to undertake your main project in industry, providing realistic experiences and learning. The programme content has a strong practitioner bias where what you are learning provides vocational training towards a career as an ergonomist or human factors expert.

Outside speakers include industry (Humanscale, EDF Energy, Rolls Royce, AMEC); health and safety (e.g. aviation safety, environmental); health practitioners; and lecturers from other Universities.

Read less

The field of ergonomics and human factors is about ensuring a good fit between people, the things they do, the objects they use, and the environments they work, travel and play in. We offer five postgraduate taught programmes in the field of ergonomics and human factors which take a scientific look at these interactions and apply theoretical principles, data and methods to ensure that design is optimised for human wellbeing and overall system performance.

Our programmes are awarded separate qualifications but share many core modules. This interdisciplinary approach to teaching and learning means that you benefit from teaching provided by our specialist experts in each area, ensuring that you are trained to the highest professional standard. Joining us on one of these well-respected programmes will provide you primarily with a broad ergonomics education, with further opportunity to focus on a particular area of interest to you.

The programmes are professionally recognised by the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (CIEHF) and the Centre for Registration of European Ergonomists (CREE). The CIEHF is affiliated with the International Ergonomics Association, opening up employment opportunities worldwide. Our Ergonomics in Health and Community Care programme meets the requirements for you to become a Registered Member of National Back Exchange.

How the programme is taught

A key feature of our Ergonomics postgraduate programmes is the way in which we deliver them. Each module is taught over a one week intensive period in Loughborough, these are also known as block taught modules. Outside of this time, you will be expected to complete prepared programme materials and assignments using email and the internet. We will provide you with access to an interactive online system to provide you with additional materials and information. This system also enables you to participate in tutorial type discussion remotely.

As well as a full-time MSc qualification, this programme is also offered as a Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate. These different levels of education provide a flexible approach that enable many of our students to come from a diverse range of backgrounds – including completing study whilst in full-time employment. We also have a number of students who choose to study part-time.

Please see our ‘Programme modules’ page for more information about what modules are studied for each qualification and the dates for the coming year.

Who is this programme for?

The course is aimed at students who want a broad human factors education.

Current and past students have come from a large range of backgrounds, both in the UK and internationally. Degrees and experience held by our past students include the fields of: industrial design, health sciences, human physiology, kinesiology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychology and branches of engineering.

Industry connections

The programme has strong links with industry. As part of the programme you will also be encouraged to undertake your main project in industry, providing realistic experiences and learning. The programme content has a strong practitioner bias where what you are learning provides vocational training towards a career as an ergonomist or human factors expert.

Outside speakers include industry (Humanscale, EDF Energy, Rolls Royce, AMEC); health and safety (e.g. aviation safety, environmental); health practitioners; and lecturers from other Universities.

Read less

This course is designed to develop knowledge of the critical contribution that human factors/ergonomics plays in the design of products, jobs, workplaces and systems as well as in the wider context of organizations and society. It also emphasizes the importance of a user-centred focus in the design of human interaction with advanced technologies and sociotechnical systems to ensure effectiveness and reliability as well as comfort, health and safety and satisfaction for the user, consumer or employee.

The consequences of neglecting human factors/ergonomics have been amply demonstrated over the past few years in major
reliability failures and accidents, unsuccessful introduction of technology, and labour relations problems.

Students will develop:
their learning in a world leading active research and teaching
environment
the ability to exercise original thought
the ability to communicate ideas effectively in written
reports, verbally and by the means of presentations to groups
the ability to plan and undertake an individual project
interpersonal, communication and professional skills
their knowledge of fundamental human factors/ergonomics
principles
their ability to apply theory to world problems and issues
key skills that will prepare them for a career in human in
academia or industry

Previous projects have included:

Evaluation of a private eye display for maintenance tasks
Implementing ergonomics in engineering design
Sub-sea engineering supervision
Manual handling on construction sites
What makes a VE (Virtual Environment) usable?
Assembly ergonomics for automotive design engineers
Data visualisation and 3D displays
Situational awareness measurement in rail traffic control
Distance judgement in vehicle navigation systems
Importance of usability in product choice

This course is accredited as the educational qualification for Membership of The Institute for Ergonomics and Human Factors.

Read less

The programme consists of six modules which enables students to study for the MSc Applied Ergonomics by Distance Learning from the comfort of their own home at a time to suit you, without coming to the University if they do not wish to do so.

The emphasis of the Applied Ergonomics by Distance Learning Postgraduate degree programme is on improving awareness of the critical contribution ergonomics has in organisations and society and to provide the necessary skills to address these issues in the design of products, jobs, workplaces and systems. It also familiarises students with the need for end user focus in the design of computing and communication systems and information technology, including advanced virtual and other technologies of the future.

The programme is designed to give honours graduates the human factors/ergonomics expertise required in a wide range of manufacturing, service and process industries, enforcement agencies such as Local Authorities and the health service, as well as a grounding for a career in research. Students may already be working in the industry and want to enhance their knowledge or may be looking to gain skills that would enable them to join the industry.

On graduating with an MSc, which can be achieved in 2 to 4 years, students will have the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue a career in the field of ergonomics. They will also have gained the necessary research skills to undertake further study if they wish.

Read less

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 the opportunity of Graduate Membership which is your first step to registered status as an Ergonomist.

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 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 trimester but you can choose to study during the day, in the evenings or at the weekend rather than having to attend fixed lectures.

Try this course for free

Visit our website where you can try this course for free! Our course taster allows you to access a selection of content from a module within this course and experience online learning first hand.

Accrue qualifications along the way – not just at the end

The MSc Ergonomics comprises three progressive stages; Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and MSc:

•Postgraduate Certificate in Ergonomics you must complete 3 modules (60 credits)
•Postgraduate Diploma in Ergonomics you must complete a total of 6 modules (120 credits)
•MSc you must complete 6 modules and the Independent Study project (180 credits).

We would encourage you to complete the full MSc, but if you aren't able to, you can still gain an exit award at each stage: a PG Cert or a PG Dip.

You can start this course in September and May.

Read less

This MSc programme consists of four elements; lecture courses, continuous assessment, practical work, and a minor research thesis.

Programme description
The programme is divided into seven subject areas that include: occupational health, occupational hygiene, ergonomics, safety and risk management, research methods, legal studies, and management studies. Students will gain experience in the use of state-of-the-art equipment and software packages. They will also observe occupational health & safety in the workplace at first-hand through extensive site visits. Students will be exposed to relevant domain experts through seminars and team-based projects.

Programme aims and objectives
The programme will give participants formal instruction in the broad multidisciplinary areas of occupational health & safety and enable them to take on managerial responsibilities for these matters within an industry or to work with a regulatory agency or consultancy firm. It will also provide a foundation for further research in the areas of occupational health, ergonomics, occupational hygiene, and safety engineering. The programme has been recognised by the Irish Health and Safety Authority and satisfies the academic requirements for membership of the U.K. Institution of Occupational Safety and Health.

Read less

The field of ergonomics and human factors is about ensuring a good fit between people, the things they do, the objects they use, and the environments they work, travel and play in. We offer five postgraduate taught programmes in the field of ergonomics and human factors which take a scientific look at these interactions and apply theoretical principles, data and methods to ensure that design is optimised for human wellbeing and overall system performance.

Our programmes are awarded separate qualifications but share many core modules. This interdisciplinary approach to teaching and learning means that you benefit from teaching provided by our specialist experts in each area, ensuring that you are trained to the highest professional standard. Joining us on one of these well-respected programmes will provide you primarily with a broad ergonomics education, with further opportunity to focus on a particular area of interest to you.

The programmes are professionally recognised by the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (CIEHF) and the Centre for Registration of European Ergonomists (CREE). The CIEHF is affiliated with the International Ergonomics Association, opening up employment opportunities worldwide. Our Ergonomics in Health and Community Care programme meets the requirements for
you to become a Registered Member of National Back Exchange.

How the programme is taught

A key feature of our Ergonomics postgraduate programmes is the way in which we deliver them. Each module is taught over a one week intensive period in Loughborough, these are also known as block taught modules. Outside of this time, you will be expected to complete prepared programme materials and assignments using email and the internet. We will provide you with access to an interactive online system to provide you with additional materials and information. This system also enables you to participate in tutorial type discussion remotely.

As well as a full-time MSc qualification, this programme is also offered as a Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate. These different levels of education provide a flexible approach that enable many of our students to come from a diverse range of backgrounds – including completing study whilst in full-time employment. We also have a number of students who choose to study part-time.

Please see our ‘Programme modules’ (http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/programmes/taught/ergonomics-human-factors/modules/) page for more information about what modules are studied for each qualification and the dates for the coming year.

Who is this programme for?

The course is aimed at students who want a human factors education with a focus on vehicles and transport. Current and past students have come from a large range of backgrounds, both in the UK and internationally. Degrees and experience held by our past students include the fields of: industrial design, health sciences, human physiology, kinesiology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychology and branches of engineering.

Industry connections

The programme has strong links with industry. As part of the programme you will also be encouraged to undertake your main project in industry, providing realistic experiences and learning. The programme content has a strong practitioner bias where what you are learning provides vocational training towards a career as an ergonomist or human factors expert.

Outside speakers include industry (Humanscale, EDF Energy, Rolls Royce, AMEC); health and safety (e.g. aviation safety, environmental); health practitioners; and lecturers from other Universities.

Read less

The field of ergonomics and human factors is about ensuring a good fit between people, the things they do, the objects they use, and the environments they work, travel and play in. We offer five postgraduate taught programmes in the field of ergonomics and human factors which take a scientific look at these interactions and apply theoretical principles, data and methods to ensure that design is optimised for human wellbeing and overall system performance.

Our programmes are awarded separate qualifications but share many core modules. This interdisciplinary approach to teaching and learning means that you benefit from teaching provided by our specialist experts in each area, ensuring that you are trained to the highest professional standard. Joining us on one of these well-respected programmes will provide you primarily with a broad ergonomics education, with further opportunity to focus on a particular area of interest to you.

The programmes are professionally recognised by the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (CIEHF) and the Centre for Registration of European Ergonomists (CREE). The CIEHF is affiliated with the International Ergonomics Association, opening up employment opportunities worldwide. Our Ergonomics in Health and Community Care programme meets the requirements for you to become a Registered Member of National Back Exchange.

How the programme is taught

A key feature of our Ergonomics postgraduate programmes is the way in which we deliver them. Each module is taught over a one week intensive period in Loughborough, these are also known as block taught modules. Outside of this time, you will be expected to complete prepared programme materials and assignments using email and the internet. We will provide you with access to an interactive online system to provide you with additional materials and information. This system also enables you to participate in tutorial type discussion remotely.

As well as a full-time MSc qualification, this programme is also offered as a Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate. These different levels of education provide a flexible approach that enable many of our students to come from a diverse range of backgrounds – including completing study whilst in full-time employment. We also have a number of students who choose to study part-time.

Please see our ‘Programme modules’ (http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/programmes/taught/ergonomics-human-factors/modules/) page for more information about what modules are studied for each qualification and the dates for the coming year.

Who is this programme for?

The course is aimed at students who want a broad human factors education with a focus on aspects concerned with inclusive design. Current and past students have come from a large range of backgrounds, both in the UK and internationally. Degrees and experience held by our past students include the fields of: industrial design, health sciences, human physiology, kinesiology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychology and branches of engineering.

Industry connections

The programme has strong links with industry. As part of the programme you will also be encouraged to undertake your main project in industry, providing realistic experiences and learning. The programme content has a strong practitioner bias where what you are learning provides vocational training towards a career as an ergonomist or human factors expert.

Outside speakers include industry (Humanscale, EDF Energy, Rolls Royce, AMEC); health and safety (e.g. aviation safety, environmental); health practitioners; and lecturers from other Universities.

Read less

A manufacturing engineer produces high quality goods using the most cost effective methods while being conscious of any environmental impacts. They need to be both analytical and creative, be able to work on their own intiative but also as part of a multi-displinary team. This course demonstrates how advanced manufacturing technology and operations management are integrated to improve productivity, reduce the costs of manufacture, and the delivery of products and services can be ensured.

The course covers many aspects of Industrial Engineering and Industrial Management. The wide range of optional modules will enable you to develop your interests in specific areas of technology including flexible manufacturing, rapid product development, and process capability, operations management including quality and supply chain management and also ergonomics and human factors.

Students will develop: the ability to communicate ideas effectively in written reports, verbally and by means of presentations to groups knowledge and understanding of industrial methods and the needs of manufacturing industries the ability to plan and undertake an individual project interpersonal, communication and professional skills.

Previous projects have included:
Evaluation of micromachining systems
Design for microassembly
Laser deposition in manufacturing
Lean applications in a local aeroengine manufacturer
Production of AI/TiC metal matrix composites
Electrical Discharge Machining Study of a machining allow for Aerospace Applications
Design of an innovative holding device for enabling the walking of a free-leg hexapod

Read less

The MSc Design for Medical Technologies is aimed at providing the key knowledge and experience to allow you to pursue a career in bioengineering, healthcare or biotechnology. The course will expose you to the leading edge of modern medical and surgical technologies, as well as exploring the role of entrepreneurship, business development and intellectual property exploitation.

Why study Design for Medical Technologies at Dundee?

The unique environments of medicine and biotechnology offer exacting challenges in the design of high technology products for use in these fields. Engineers and product designers involved in the development of new biomedical instrumentation, surgical tools or biotechnology products must understand the constrictions placed on them by this environment. As a result, bioengineering has been established as the fusion of engineering and ergonomics with a deep understanding of medical science.

Benefits of the programme include:
Knowledge and understanding of medical and surgical engineering and technology
Skills in research methods, communications, teamwork and management
Appreciation of entrepreneurship and the global 'Medtech' industry
Participation in research activities of world renowned research groups
Preparation for careers in industry, academia and commerce

What's great about Design for Medical Technologies at Dundee?

The University of Dundee is one of the top UK universities, with a powerful research reputation, particularly in the medical and biomedical sciences. It has previously been named Scottish University of the Year and short-listed for the Sunday Times UK University of the year.

The Mechanical Engineering group has a high international research standing with expertise in medical instrumentation, signal processing, biomaterials, tissue engineering, advanced design in minimally invasive surgery and rehabilitation engineering.

Links and research partnerships:

We have extensive links and research partnerships with clinicians at Ninewells Hospital (largest teaching hospital in Europe) and with world renowned scientists from the University's College of Life Sciences.

The new Institute of Medical Science and Technology (IMSaT) at the University has been established as a multidisciplinary research 'hothouse' which seeks to commercialise and exploit advanced medical technologies leading to business opportunities.

The start date is September each year, and lasts for 12 months.

How you will be taught

The structure of the MSc course is divided into two parts. The taught modules expose students to the leading edge of modern medical and surgical technologies. The course gives concepts and understanding of the role of entrepreneurship, business development and intellectual property exploitation in the biomedical industry, with case examples.

The research project allows students to work in a research area of their own particular interest, learning skills in presentation, critical thinking and problem-solving. Project topics are offered to students during the first semester of the course.

What you will study

The three taught modules are:
Imaging and Instrumentation for Medicine and Surgery (30 Credits)
Biomechanics and Biomedical (30 Credits)
Advanced Medical and Surgical Instrumentation (30 Credits)

These modules are followed by the biomedical research project (90 credits).

How you will be assessed

The course is assessed by coursework and examination, plus research project.

Careers

The MSc Design for Medical Technologies is aimed at providing the key knowledge and experience to allow you to pursue a career in bioengineering, healthcare or biotechnology. This opens up a vast range of opportunities for employment in these industries as a design, development or product engineer, research scientist, sales and marketing manager or Director of a start-up company. The programme also provides the ideal academic grounding to undertake a PhD degree leading to a career in academic research.

Read less

Programme Background

Public awareness of hazards and risks has enhanced the importance of safety assessment and management in today’s increasingly litigious society. Worldwide the burden of responsibility for health and safety is shifting towards those who own, manage and work in industrial and commercial organisations. Legal reform is tending to replace detailed industry specific legislation with a modern approach in which, where possible, goals and general principles are set and the onus is on organisations to show how they manage to achieve these goals.

The management of safety and risk needs to be integrated into the overall management of the organisation. It should be appropriate and cost-effective without dampening the innovative entrepreneurial spirit of employees with inflexible bureaucratic rules and procedures. An organisation’s exposure to potential hazards needs to be managed so as to reduce the chance of loss and mitigate any effects. Risk and safety issues need to be evaluated in a structured and calculated manner but in the light of an overall organisational strategy.

The MSc/PG Diploma programme in Safety and Risk Management aims to provide students with advanced knowledge of risk assessment techniques, the public and individual perception of risk, and how decisions are made in competitive business markets. The focus is on practical applications of safety methodologies, ergonomics and human factors, and safety and risk management techniques.

All of these skills will be drawn together to undertake complex qualitative and quantitative risk assessments. The core of the programme is the management of safety, but it is set within a broader remit where safety issues are part of a general risk management system with a balance of financial, quality and environmental concerns. The overall aim of the programme is to develop students’ skills and personal qualities to be able to undertake safety studies and manage safety and risk to the best national and international standards.

Professional Recognition

This MSc degree is accredited as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for candidates who have already acquired an Accredited CEng (Partial) BEng (Hons) undergraduate first degree. See http://www.jbm.org.ukfor further information.

The MSc and PgDip degrees have also been accredited by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH). Graduates are eligible to join IOSH as Graduate members and then undertake an initial professional development process that leads to Chartered membership. http://www.iosh.co.uk for further information.

Programme Content

The MSc/Postgraduate Diploma in Safety, Risk and Management is only available by attendance-free distance learning. The programme comprises eight courses. All courses have written examinations and some have compulsory coursework elements. MSc students are also required to complete an individual project (dissertation).

For the project component of the programme distance learners are likely to develop something based in their country of residence with advice and supervision from staff in the School. This may well include work with a local company or may involve independent study. Individual arrangements will be set up with each student.

For more detailed information on this programme please contact the Programme Leader before applying (see above).

Courses

• Risk Assessment and Safety Management
This courses aims to give students an appreciation of risk from individual and societal perspectives as well as understanding the basic principles of risk assessment and modelling and how safety management works in practice.

• Human Factors Methods
This course will equip students from academic and/or industrial backgrounds with knowledge on, and the means to deploy, a wide range of specialist human factors techniques. The emphasis is on method selection, application, combination and integration within existing business practices. Students will develop a critical awareness of what methods exist, how to apply them in practice and their principle benefits and limitations.

• Human Factors in the Design and Evaluation of Control Rooms
The course will equip students from academic and/or industrial backgrounds with in-depth knowledge on, insights into, and the means to deploy a wide range of specialist techniques relevant to the ergonomic design and evaluation of control rooms. The emphasis is on key areas of control room operations and on actionable ways to deploy theory on human capabilities and limitations in order to improve performance, safety, efficiency and overall operator well being.

• Fire Safety, Explosions and Process Safety
Introduces students to the basic principles of fire safety science and engineering, and develops skills in associated modelling leading to an understanding of principal fire/explosion related issues in process safety.

• Environmental Impact Assessment
Provides the candidate with the knowledge and understanding of the principles and processes of the Environmental Impact Assessment. By the end of the course, the student should be familiar with the European EIA legislation and its translation into the Scottish planning system, and be able to demonstrate an understanding of the EIA process, the tools and the agents involved in an EIA and the possible problems with using EIA as a decision making tool. . It is also intended that the student will be able to appreciate the purpose of the EIA process from a number of perspectives; that of a developer, an EIA practitioner and a policy maker.

• Project Management Theory and Practice
Provides students with an understanding of the concepts and practices of construction project management used to provide value added services to clients within the constraints of time, cost, quality sustainability and health and safety management.

• Learning from Disasters
Gives students an in depth understanding of some of the classic disasters and their consequences by using a range of practical accident investigation techniques. Students will learn to analyse complex histories in order to find the underlying root cause.

• Value and Risk Management.
Aims to introduce the concepts of value and risk management, apply them to strategic and tactical problems and illustrate their tools and techniques through case study.

Read less

Medical Robotics and Image-Guided Intervention are two technology driven areas of medicine that have experienced tremendous growth and improvement over the last twenty years, partly driven by the surgical aim of progressively less invasive and harmful treatments.

This course will provide the research experience required to work within the highly innovative field of medical robotics and surgical technology.

This is a multidisciplinary field and is led by three internationally known departments:

The Hamlyn Centre for Medical Robotics (part of the Institute of Global Health Innovation)
The Department of Surgery and Cancer
The Department of Computing

All teaching and research will take place in the brand new facilities of the Hamlyn Centre.

Taught modules include a mixture of engineering and medical topics such as medical robotics and instrumentation, minimally invasive surgery, surgical imaging and optics, image guided intervention, perception and ergonomics.

You will spend nine months working on a cutting edge research project.

Read less

This course is designed to be undertaken by those who need to apply the knowledge of the role of human factors/ergonomics in the design, evaluation and use of interactive systems.

It will provide an understanding of the key issues related to the design, evaluation and use of user centered technologies and provide you with additional resources to facilitate the learning process.

The distance learning format means tht most of the material and background reading can be undertaken in your own time but with access to and support from University staff.

The course consists of two 30 credit modules, each studied over 6 months.

Information on distance learning can be found on the University's distance learning pages.

Read less