Loughborough University
Leicestershire, UK
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Loughborough University

Programme Specifications

Programme Specification

BSc (Hons) Design Ergonomics [2011 entry]

Academic Year: 2014/15

This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are provided.

This specification applies to delivery of the programme in the Academic Year indicated above. Prospective students reviewing this information for a later year of study should be aware that these details are subject to change as outlined in our Terms and Conditions of Study.

This specification should be read in conjunction with:

  • Summary
  • Aims
  • Learning outcomes
  • Structure
  • Progression & weighting

Programme summary

Awarding body/institution Loughborough University
Teaching institution (if different)
Owning school/department Loughborough Design School - pre 2019
Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body
Final award BSc (Hons)/ BSc (Hons) + DPS
Programme title Design Ergonomics
Programme code DSUB10
Length of programme The duration of the Programme is either six semesters, or eight semesters if students pursue a year’s placement in industry between Parts B and C with the objective of achieving a Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS).
UCAS code J923, J922
Admissions criteria

http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/departments/designschool/designergonomics/

Date at which the programme specification was published Tue, 10 Jun 2014 22:29:13 BST

1. Programme Aims

To advance the understanding of designing with particular attention to human factors

To provide opportunities for students to develop skills, values and attributes, and to acquire knowledge and understanding, relevant to user centred product development

To enable students to develop a range of conceptual, practical and professional skills that reflect a synthesis of product design and ergonomics

To develop and foster imaginative, creative and scientific abilities, both individually and in teams

To provide opportunities for students to develop and apply appropriate methods to identify user needs and abilities and critically evaluate products that require human interaction

To enable students to develop effective communication skills, including those required for verbal, visual and technical presentation

To promote an understanding of, and examine the opportunities for, professional practice

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

QAA Benchmark Statements for Art and Design

The Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors - Accreditation

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of …

K1 -   design methodology, the context of design activity, and the role of the designer within professional practice

K2 -   the role of ergonomics and human factors within design practice

K3 -   a user centred approach to design

K4 -   human needs, variability, capability and limitations

K5 -   the role of product form and the semantic impression generated

K6 -   the principles and practice of extended enquiries and user evaluations

K7 -   2d and 3d modelling in both analogue and digital media and their role within product development

K8 -   experimental design, data processing and presentation

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

C1 - analyse design contexts and develop a design strategy

C2 - demonstrate evidence based reasoning and make critical judgements about arguments in ergonomics and design

C3 - develop design ideas, as an individual and also as part of a group

C4 - identify suitable ergonomics techniques and the appropriate stages where they may be used to support the design process

C5 - demonstrate substantial competence in research skills through practical activities

C6 - analyse quantitative and qualitative data relating to the user and / or design

C7 - analyse human variability and capability in terms of cognition and physiology

C8 - understand the ethical context of psychology and ergonomics as a discipline and demonstrate this in relation to their own empirical work

C9 - identify appropriate 2d and 3d prototyping techniques to support design activity

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

P1 -   design appropriate evaluations, process quantitative and qualitative data and apply findings in an iterative design process

P2 -   present quantitative and qualitative data relating to the user and / or design

P3 -   measure human variability and capability in terms of cognition and physiology

P4 -   apply ergonomics to real world design situations

P5 -   apply a broad range of 2d and 3d modelling and presentation techniques in both analogue and digital forms to support design activity

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to …

G1 - use creativity and innovation in problem solving

G2 - work within contexts of ambiguity, uncertainty, and unfamiliarity

G3 - reflect upon and present ideas and information in visual, oral and written forms

G4 - interact effectively with others, working as a member of a small group or team

G5 - manage self learning including efficient time management and the ability to meet deadlines

G6 -  identify, retrieve and analyse information relevant to a proposition, discussion or issue

G7 -demonstrate competence with information technology, using a range of different software tools

4. Programme structure

4.1       Part A

4.1.1 Semester 1 and Semester 2

(i)    COMPULSORY MODULES (modular weight 50)

Code

Title

Modular Weight

DSA003

Design Contexts

10

DSA005

Computing for Designers 1

10

DSA006

Prototyping for Design

20

DSA101

Ergonomics and Design 1

10

 

4.1.2 Semester 1

(i)    COMPULSORY MODULES (modular weight 40)

Code

Title

Modular Weight

DSA105

Introduction to Ergonomics

10

DSA112

Anatomy

10

DSA001

Design Practice 1

20

 

 

4.1.3 Semester 2

(i)    COMPULSORY MODULES (modular weight 30)

 

Code

Title

Modular Weight

DSA002

Design Practice 2

20

DSA104

Introduction to Environmental Ergonomics

10

4.2       Part B

4.2.1 Semester 1 and Semester 2

(i)    COMPULSORY MODULES (modular weight 50)

Code

Title

Modular Weight

DSB018

Year 2 Design Ergonomics Practice

30

DSB010

Universal Design

20

 

(ii)   OPTIONAL MODULES (total modular weight 20**)

Code

Title

Modular Weight

DSB012

Teaching Design and Technology

20

DSB013

Sustainable Design

20

 

4.2.2 Semester 1

(i)    COMPULSORY MODULES (modular weight 20)

Code

Title

Modular Weight

DSB110

Ergonomics Research Data Analysis

10

DSB108

Cognitive Ergonomics

10

DSB118

Human-Computer Interaction

10

 

(ii)    OPTIONAL MODULES (modular weight 10** – not available if 20 weight module has been taken across semester 1 and 2 (see 2.2.1))

Code

Title

Modular Weight

DSB103

Vision

10

DSB105

Human Response to Noise and Vibration

10

 

4.2.3 Semester 2

(i)    COMPULSORY MODULES (modular weight 20)

Code

Title

Modular Weight

DSB102

Ergonomics in the Design of Multi-User Systems

10

DSB106

Qualitative Methods

10

(ii)   OPTIONAL MODULES (modular weight 10** – not available if 20 weight module has been taken across semester 1 and 2 (see 2.2.1))

Code

Title

Modular Weight

DSA103

The Body at Work

10

DSB104

Thermal Environment

10

 

**4.2.4 Permissible Option combinations            

Semester 1

Semester 2

20 Weight Module

OR

10 Weight Module

10 Weight module

OR 

                                                                 2x10  Weight modules in Sem 2

 

4.3       Part C

4.3.1 Semester 1 and Semester 2

(i)    OPTIONAL MODULES (modular weight of 20 (total weight for optional modules 40***)

 

Code

 

Title

 

Modular

Weight

 

DSC021

 

Dissertation

 

20

 

DSC005

 

Live Projects

 

10

 

4.3.2 Semester 1

(i)    COMPULSORY MODULES (modular weight 45)

Code

Title

Modular Weight

DSC022

User Experience Design

10

DSC017

Computer Aided Ergonomics

10

DSC028

Final Year Design Ergonomics Practice: Product Development

25

 

(ii)    OPTIONAL MODULES (modular weight of 10 or 20)

 

Code

 

Title

 

Modular

Weight

 DSC020

 Design Competition

 10

 DSC031

 The Global Studio

 10

 BSC522

 Entrepreneurship &   Innovation

10

 DSC117

 Driver and Vehicle Ergonomics

10

 DSC101

 Systems Ergonomics

20

 DSC114

 Disability, Ageing and Inclusive Design

 10

                                                 

 4.3.3 Semester 2

(i)    COMPULSORY MODULES (modular weight 35 – note students must select from either DSC029 or DSC030 Based upon the nature of their DSC028 Final Year Design Ergonomics Practice: Product Development module)

Code

Title

Modular Weight

DSC029

Final Year Design Ergonomics Practice: Prototyping and Evaluation

35

or

 

 

DSC030

Final Year Design Ergonomics Practice: Research and Evaluation

35

 

(ii)    OPTIONAL MODULES (modular weight of 10, 20 or 30*** to complete the total 40 credits across both semesters)

Code

Title

Modular Weight

DSC113

Applied Vision

10

DSC112

Designing Products for People

20

 

 ***4.3.4 Permissible Option combinations             

Any combination of modules to a total of 40 credits, with no more than 25 credits in Semester 1.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to C, and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

Candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C. The percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 40: Part C 60 to determine the final percentage mark.

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