Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

Generic aims of the programmes: 

• to enhance students' prospects of entering the ergonomics profession;
• to provide a stimulating, fair, friendly and supportive environment to enhance learning;
• to provide a high quality teaching and learning programmes in the above-mentioned areas of Human Factors/Ergonomics at the postgraduate level, approved by the University, moderated under external examination;
• to develop ergonomics competencies in critical and practical skills and scientific methods necessary for professional practice and for entry to further research training through teaching by research active staff;
• to involve, where appropriate, industry, the public sector and the professions in teaching and to encourage students to engage in the opportunities offered by the wider ergonomics and other relevant professions;
• to enable students to develop key transferable skills such as in the use of information technology, project planning and implementation, interpersonal skills for team work, communication skills and self-directed study appropriate for life-long learning and continuing professional development.

1.1       Specific aims of the programmes:

The five streams share common core Ergonomics content as required for accreditation. 

1.1.1    Ergonomics (Human Factors)

The programme is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors and, when combined with 2 further years of relevant professional experience, enables membership of the Society as a Registered Member.  The programme is designed to provide a broad ergonomics education including an optional module and specialist project for in-depth study.

1.1.2    Human Factors in Transport

The programme is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors and, when combined with 2 further years of relevant professional experience, enables membership of the Society as a Registered Member.  The programme is designed to provide a human factors education focusing on design and use of vehicles within a systems context. 

1.1.3    Human Factors for Inclusive Design

The programme is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors and, when combined with 2 further years of relevant professional experience, enables membership of the Society as a Registered Member.  The programme is designed to provide a human factors education focusing on human needs in design applications, including systems, workplaces and artefacts, including information and communications devices.  User-centred methods will be included.  The programme will incorporate specific study of human requirements, including not only the able bodied adult but also the young, the aged and those who are disabled and consider cultural implications.

1.1.4    Ergonomics for Health and Community Care

The programme is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors and, when combined with 2 further years of relevant professional experience, enables membership of the Society as a Registered Member.   The programme is designed to provide a broad ergonomics education to suit the requirements of Health Professionals (including physiotherapists, patient handling advisors and occupational therapists), focusing on those aspects concerned with promoting healthy and safe working, and in public and domestic environments.  It will also focus on investigations relevant to understanding and intervening in these situations with the goal of improving conditions for those exposed.

1.1.5    Human Factors & Ergonomics for Patient Safety

The programme is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors and, when combined with 2 further years of relevant professional experience, enables membership of the Society as a Registered Member.   The programme is designed to provide a broad ergonomics education to focus on those aspects concerned with promoting patient safety in all healthcare sectors and domains.  It will also focus on investigations relevant to understanding and intervening in these situations with the goal of improving conditions for those exposed.

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

• requirements of the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors which undertakes monitoring, and performs a full review periodically for the relevant programme titles;
• for Ergonomics for Health and Community Care, the requirements of the professional body ‘National Back Exchange’;
• requirements of the International Ergonomics Association;
• University Learning and Teaching Strategy;
• School teaching and learning policies;
• the research interests and specialisms of the teaching staff and their professional involvement in the discipline;
• the provision of equal opportunities.

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:

MSc / PGDip

K1  Psychological ergonomics: cognitive psychology, occupational psychology, behaviour including organisational behaviour, perception, task analysis;

K2  Physical ergonomics: including anthropometry, physical work place assessment and related methods and biomechanics, anatomy and physiology;

K3  Design ergonomics:  theoretical and practical aspects of design for human use, including equipment and products, the work place and systems;

K4  Experimental design and data interpretation: experimental design and analysis, qualitative methods, quantitative methods, methods and issues concerned with understanding the needs of users;

K5  Systems ergonomics.

PGCert

K1  Psychological ergonomics: introduction to cognitive psychology

K2  Physical ergonomics: including anthropometry, physical work place assessment and related methods and biomechanics, anatomy and physiology;

K3  Design ergonomics:  introduction to practical aspects of design for human use, including equipment and products, the work place and systems;

K4  Experimental design and data interpretation: introduction to methods and issues concerned with understanding the needs of users;

K5  Systems ergonomics.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

• On successful completion of the programmes, students should, in the context of each programme, be able to:

MSc / PGDip

C1   demonstrate evidence-based reasoning and make critical judgements about ergonomic issues;

C2   find, assess, abstract and synthesise ergonomics evidence from a variety of sources, including detection of patterns and evaluation of significance in ergonomics data;

C3   analyse and present with confidence, quantitative and qualitative evidence;

C4   demonstrate competence in ergonomic skills through practical activities; for MSc only- demonstrate integration of ergonomics evidence in Project module

C5   understand the ethical context

PGCert

C1   demonstrate evidence-based reasoning and make critical judgements about ergonomic issues;

C2   find, assess, abstract and synthesise ergonomics evidence from a variety of sources, including detection of patterns and evaluation of significance in ergonomics data;

C3   analyse and present with confidence, quantitative and qualitative evidence;

C4   demonstrate competence in ergonomic skills through practical activities;

C5   understand the ethical context of ergonomics as a discipline and demonstrate this in relation to their own work

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

• On successful completion of their programmes, students should, in the context of the programme, be able to:

MSc / PGDip

P1   observe, record accurately and give an objective account of human action in both laboratory and real-world settings;

P2   design and execute an experiment which compares behaviour or experience under at least two conditions of at least one experimental variable;

P3   collect and organise quantitative and qualitative data, undertake appropriate analyses, and abstract and interpret relevant information; for MSc only- demonstrate integration of ergonomics evidence in Project module

P4   communicate ergonomics concepts, information and requirements and project proposals and outcomes in a variety of forms including through writing and orally and for different audiences;

P5   act professionally and in accordance with ethical propriety.

PGCert

P1   observe, record accurately and give an objective account of human action in both laboratory and real-world settings;

P2   design and execute an experiment which compares behaviour or experience under at least two conditions of at least one experimental variable;

P3   collect and organise quantitative and qualitative data, undertake appropriate analyses, and abstract and interpret relevant information;

P4   communicate ergonomics concepts, information and requirements and project proposals and outcomes in a variety of forms including through writing and orally and for different audiences;

P5   act professionally and in accordance with ethical propriety.

c. Key transferable skills:

• On successful completion of the programmes, students should be able to achieve the following:

MSc / PGDip

T1   Information Technology:  use instructional material (eg, experimental demonstrations) and research tools (eg,. Statistical packages) on computers, and search for relevant material on the internet;

T2   Numeracy:  collect data in numerical form, present it in tables and graphs, and analyse it with a range of statistical tools;

T3   Problem Solving:  clarify questions, consider alternative solutions and evaluate outcomes;

T4   Teamwork:  share responsibility for a task with others; agree common goals and methods to achieve them; co-ordinate the use of common resources;

T5   Management Skills:  manage a project, including its interfaces with its context; control meetings, write reports, demonstrate key skills, understand training and skills issues;

PGCert

T1   Information Technology:  use instructional material (eg, experimental demonstrations) and research tools (eg,. Statistical packages) on computers, and search for relevant material on the internet;

T2   Numeracy:  collect data in numerical form, present it in tables and graphs, and analyse it with a range of statistical tools;

T3   Problem Solving:  clarify questions, consider alternative solutions and evaluate outcomes;

T4   Teamwork:  share responsibility for a task with others; agree common goals and methods to achieve them; co-ordinate the use of common resources;

T5   Management Skills:  manage a project, including its interfaces with its context; control meetings, write reports, demonstrate key skills, understand training and skills issues;

4. Programme structure

The following award titles are available and include components from the table below:

Ergonomics (Human Factors):  MSc, PGDip, PGCert

Human Factors in Transport:  MSc, PGDip, PGCert

Human Factors for Inclusive Design:  MSc, PGDip, PGCert

Ergonomics for Health and Community Care:  MSc, PGDip, PGCert

Human Factor & Ergonomics for Patient Safety MSc, PGDip, PGCert

4.1       Taught modules

 (C = compulsory, X = not available, op = optional)

(PGC) Modules for Postgraduate Certificate are indicated for each programme

 4.2       Project*

 * Compulsory for the award of MSc.  Not undertaken for the award of a postgraduate diploma or certificate.

5.2.1    Compulsory modules may be replaced with alternate options at the discretion of the Programme Director where evidence is available of successful prior study as necessary to meet the requirements of the Ergonomics profession.

5.2.2    Sufficient modules must be selected to bring the total credits to 120 in addition to the Project (DSP100) which is required for the award of MSc.

5.2.3    For students on the Human Factors for Inclusive Design, Ergonomics for Health and Community Care, Human Factors in Transport and Human Factors & Ergonomics for Patient Safety degree programmes, the project must be in a topic area appropriate to their degree title. 

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for an award, candidates must meet the requirements specified in Regulation XXI.

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

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

(a)  To enable technical or design graduates to advance their knowledge and skills to a higher level.

(b)  To enable technical or design graduates to develop their knowledge in a focussed way, through the choice of specialised routes through the course, to improve their effectiveness as designers.

(c)   To enable technical or design graduates to undertake a substantial design and evaluation project with a focus on a particular area of design.

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

Although subject benchmarks are only available for undergraduate degrees in Art and Design, and Engineering, this programme can demonstrate progression from those benchmarks in all areas. 

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 -     current problems and/or new insights of their academic discipline;

K2 -     techniques applicable to their own subject area;

K3 -     sustainable solutions to problems and have strategies for being

creative, innovative and overcoming difficulties by employing their knowledge in a flexible manner;

Programme Specific:

K4IndD - the major arguments and issues in Industrial Design practice;

K5DIS – the major arguments and issues in Sustainable Design practice; 

K6UXD - the major arguments and issues in User Experience Design practice;

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

C1 - continue to advance their knowledge in their area and understanding, and to develop new skills to a high level;

C2 – formulate decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations;

C3 -     identify with, respond to, and critically reflect upon the opportunities and dynamics for learning with their peers and other external contexts;

C4 - act autonomously in planning and in implementing tasks.

Programme Specific:

C5IndD - Interpret industrial design techniques and downstream manufacturing options;

C6DIS - Interpret Sustainable Design tools and policy documents;

C7UXD - Interpret User Experience and human behaviour data;

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

P1 -  the ability to use a range of techniques and research methods applicable to advanced scholarship in the subject relevant to the discipline;

P2 - be rational and pragmatic, and undertake the practical steps necessary for a

concept to become reality;

P3 - be numerate and highly computer literate, and capable of attention to detail when dealing with specific software tools;

Programme Specific:

P4IndD - the ability to use a range of different Industrial Design presentation techniques;

P5DIS - the ability to implement a range of sustainable design tools to evaluate the impact of products, services and systems;

P6UXD - the ability to create simple interactive screen based designs;

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able demonstrate transferable skills in:

T1 - professionalism – including acting professionally in accordance with ethical proprieties;

T2 - problem solving – including clarification of questions, consideration of alternative solutions and evaluation of outcomes;

T3 - communication – including visual, written and oral presentation and discussions;

T4 - management – including self learning, and project and time management;

T5 - methods and methodologies applicable to teamwork;

T6 - communicate ideas, concepts, theories, and arguments with different audiences through a range of practical methods and outcomes including visual, written and oral.

4. Programme structure

In the following table, ‘c’ indicates a compulsory module.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for an award, candidates must meet the requirements specified in Regulation XXI.

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

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

(a)  To enable technical or design graduates to advance their knowledge and skills to level 7.

(b)  To enable technical or design graduates to develop their knowledge in a focussed way, through the choice of specialised routes through the course, to improve their effectiveness as designers.

(c)   To enable technical or design graduates to undertake a substantial design and evaluation project with a focus on a particular area of design.

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

Subject benchmark statement (No PGT Design SBS)

Architecture shares many characteristics

The subject benchmark statement seeks to encapsulate the nature of a rich and diverse academic discipline.

“The creative activity of design that lies at the core of “Design” education is

characterised by diversity of method, theoretical underpinning and aesthetic expression.

The contested nature of design gives rise through debate to the advancement of the

subject. Design is a complex process that brings together creative conception and

highly pragmatic detailed development, and is closely related to other important aspects

of “Design” study: technology and environment; cultural context; management,

practice and law; and communication. It is, therefore, the interaction of ideas, intentions

and operations that gives “Design” its distinctive character and allows for the variety

of university programmes………………………………………” QAA

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 – current problems and/or new insights of their academic discipline;

K2 – techniques applicable to their own subject area;

K3 – sustainable solutions to problems and have strategies for being creative, innovative and overcoming difficulties by employing their knowledge in a flexible manner;

Programme Specific:

K4 – the major arguments and issues in (Integrated) Industrial/Product Design practice; appropriate research methods; relevant business and enterprise impactions of industrial design practice‎

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

C1 – advance their knowledge and critical understanding in the relevant area and to develop new skills appropriate to level 7 achievement;

C2 – develop and apply decision-making strategies in complex and unpredictable situations;

C3 – identify with, respond to and critically reflect upon the opportunities and dynamics for learning with their peers and other external contexts;

C4 – act autonomously in planning and in implementing tasks.

Programme Specific:

C5 – select and apply industrial design techniques and downstream manufacturing options;

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

P1 – the ability to use a range of techniques and research methods applicable to advanced scholarship in the subject relevant to the discipline;

P2 – develop and employ rational, pragmatic and practical steps necessary for a concept to become reality;

P3 – demonstrate numeracy, computer literacy and attention to detail when dealing with specific software tools;

Programme Specific:

P4 – the ability to implement a range ‎of computer-aided design tools ‎to evaluate the impact of ‎products, services and systems; ‎

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able demonstrate transferable skills in:

T1 – professionalism – including acting professionally in accordance with ethical proprieties;

T2 – problem solving – including clarification of questions, consideration of alternative solutions and evaluation of outcomes;

T3 – communication – including visual, written and oral presentation and discussions;

T4 – management – including self-learning, and project and time management;

T5 – methods and methodologies applicable to teamwork;

T6 – communicate ideas, concepts, theories and arguments with different audiences through a range of practical methods and outcomes including visual, written and oral.

4. Programme structure

In the following table, ‘c’ indicates a compulsory module.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for an award, candidates must meet the requirements specified in Regulation XXI.

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

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

(a)  To enable technical or design graduates to advance their knowledge and skills to level 7.

(b)  To enable technical or design graduates to develop their knowledge in a focussed way, through the choice of specialised routes through the course, to improve their effectiveness as designers.

(c)   To enable technical or design graduates to undertake a substantial design and evaluation project with a focus on a particular area of design.

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

Subject benchmark statement (No PGT Design SBS)

Architecture shares many characteristics

The subject benchmark statement seeks to encapsulate the nature of a rich and diverse academic discipline.

“The creative activity of design that lies at the core of “Design” education is

characterised by diversity of method, theoretical underpinning and aesthetic expression.

The contested nature of design gives rise through debate to the advancement of the

subject. Design is a complex process that brings together creative conception and

highly pragmatic detailed development, and is closely related to other important aspects

of “Design” study: technology and environment; cultural context; management,

practice and law; and communication. It is, therefore, the interaction of ideas, intentions

and operations that gives “Design” its distinctive character and allows for the variety

of university programmes………………………………………” QAA

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 – current problems and/or new insights of their academic discipline;

K2 – techniques applicable to their own subject area;

K3 – sustainable solutions to problems and have strategies for being creative, innovative and overcoming difficulties by employing their knowledge in a flexible manner;

Programme Specific:

K5 – the major arguments and issues in User Experience Design practice; appropriate research methods; relevant business and enterprise impactions of user experience design

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

C1 – advance their knowledge and critical understanding in the relevant area and to develop new skills appropriate to level 7 achievement;

C2 – develop and apply decision-making strategies in complex and unpredictable situations;

C3 – identify with, respond to and critically reflect upon the opportunities and dynamics for learning with their peers and other external contexts;

C4 – act autonomously in planning and in implementing tasks.

Programme Specific:

C6 – Interpret User Experience techniques and apply human behaviour data to resolving design problems;

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

P1 – the ability to use a range of techniques and research methods applicable to advanced scholarship in the subject relevant to the discipline;

P2 – develop and employ rational, pragmatic and practical steps necessary for a concept to become reality;

P3 – demonstrate numeracy, computer literacy and attention to detail when dealing with specific software tools;

Programme Specific:‎

P5 – the ability to create and iteratively evaluate interactive product and service concepts;

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able demonstrate transferable skills in:

T1 – professionalism – including acting professionally in accordance with ethical proprieties;

T2 – problem solving – including clarification of questions, consideration of alternative solutions and evaluation of outcomes;

T3 – communication – including visual, written and oral presentation and discussions;

T4 – management – including self-learning, and project and time management;

T5 – methods and methodologies applicable to teamwork;

T6 – communicate ideas, concepts, theories and arguments with different audiences through a range of practical methods and outcomes including visual, written and oral.

4. Programme structure

In the following table, ‘c’ indicates a compulsory module.

 *Students must select from either DSP811 or DSP812 dependent upon the nature of the method they will undertake the brief.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for an award, candidates must meet the requirements specified in Regulation XXI.

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

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

(a)  To enable technical or design graduates to advance their knowledge and skills to level 7.

(b)  To enable technical or design graduates to develop their knowledge in a focussed way, through the choice of specialised routes through the course, to improve their effectiveness as designers.

(c)   To enable technical or design graduates to undertake a substantial design and evaluation project with a focus on a particular area of design.

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

Subject benchmark statement (No PGT Design SBS)

Architecture shares many characteristics

The subject benchmark statement seeks to encapsulate the nature of a rich and diverse academic discipline.

“The creative activity of design that lies at the core of “Design” education is

characterised by diversity of method, theoretical underpinning and aesthetic expression.

The contested nature of design gives rise through debate to the advancement of the

subject. Design is a complex process that brings together creative conception and

highly pragmatic detailed development, and is closely related to other important aspects

of “Design” study: technology and environment; cultural context; management,

practice and law; and communication. It is, therefore, the interaction of ideas, intentions

and operations that gives “Design” its distinctive character and allows for the variety

of university programmes………………………………………” QAA

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 – current problems and/or new insights of their academic discipline;

K2 – techniques applicable to their own subject area;

K3 – sustainable solutions to problems and have strategies for being creative, innovative and overcoming difficulties by employing their knowledge in a flexible manner;

Programme Specific:

K4IIDD – the major arguments and issues in (Integrated) Industrial/Product Design practice; appropriate research methods; relevant business and enterprise impactions of industrial design practice‎

K5UXD – the major arguments and issues in User Experience Design practice; appropriate research methods; relevant business and enterprise impactions of user experience design

K6DfAM – the major arguments and issues in design for additive manufacturing (also known as 3D Printing); advanced CAD techniques used in additive manufacturing; additive manufacturing technologies and their limitations; appropriate research methods; relevant business and enterprise impactions of additive manufacturing

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

C1 – advance their knowledge and critical understanding in the relevant area and to develop new skills appropriate to level 7 achievement;

C2 – develop and apply decision-making strategies in complex and unpredictable situations;

C3 – identify with, respond to and critically reflect upon the opportunities and dynamics for learning with their peers and other external contexts;

C4 – act autonomously in planning and in implementing tasks.

Programme Specific:

C5IID – select and apply industrial design techniques and downstream manufacturing options;

C6UXD – Interpret User Experience techniques and apply human behaviour data to resolving design problems;

C7DfAM – Interpret user needs, engineering requirements and appropriate manufacturing constraints; develop design approaches and propose creative solutions that exploit Additive Manufacturing / 3D Printing; 

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

P1 – the ability to use a range of techniques and research methods applicable to advanced scholarship in the subject relevant to the discipline;

P2 – develop and employ rational, pragmatic and practical steps necessary for a concept to become reality;

P3 – demonstrate numeracy, computer literacy and attention to detail when dealing with specific software tools;

Programme Specific:

P4IID – the ability to implement a range ‎of computer-aided design tools ‎to evaluate the impact of ‎products, services and systems; ‎

P5UXD – the ability to create and iteratively evaluate interactive product and service concepts;

P6DfAM – the ability to select and apply a range of different computer-aided design techniques and tools; the ability to operate low-cost 3D Printers; the ability to select and apply post-process finishing techniques

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able demonstrate transferable skills in:

T1 – professionalism – including acting professionally in accordance with ethical proprieties;

T2 – problem solving – including clarification of questions, consideration of alternative solutions and evaluation of outcomes;

T3 – communication – including visual, written and oral presentation and discussions;

T4 – management – including self-learning, and project and time management;

T5 – methods and methodologies applicable to teamwork;

T6 – communicate ideas, concepts, theories and arguments with different audiences through a range of practical methods and outcomes including visual, written and oral.

4. Programme structure

In the following table, ‘c’ indicates a compulsory module.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for an award, candidates must meet the requirements specified in Regulation XXI.

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