Courses in Approved Pathway - PGDip and Masters

Faculty of Employment, Business and Law, Business School

This course provides an understanding of the different perspectives, theories and practices of OHS that can be linked with other management competencies, such as business strategy, operations management, and human resource management. The course explores future risks essential for the next generation of OHS professionals. Content includes early beginnings of OHS, recent reforms and legislation, risk management and hazard identification, occupational accident investigation models, occupational diseases, stress & illness, H&S participation.

The 15-credit course is offered in Semester 1 with one in-person lecture per week and self-directed learning. Assessment includes an in-class test (approx. 1500 words), literature review (2000 – 2500 words) and research proposal (3000-3500 words).

Faculty of Employment, Business and Law, Business School

This course provides an opportunity to explore the nature of thought, emotion and behaviour in organisational settings. Students are encouraged to reflect on their own behaviour and that of others so they can make constructive contribution to organisations and their own careers. The content includes wellbeing – stress, job satisfaction; engagement, motivation and job performance; emotion, cognition and behaviour; individual differences (personality, intelligence and aptitude) and organisational relationships (interpersonal and group dynamics).

This 15-credit course runs in Semester One has one in-person lecture per week and self-directed learning. It is assessed by two written assignments and an in-class presentation.

Faculty of Design and Creative Technologies, School of Art and Design

This course critically examines some of the challenges and opportunities in relation to health and wellbeing in their broadest sense and explores how design might offer creative solutions to more complex problems such as those that are found in health. Students on completion of this course will be able to recognise and critically engage with discourses about health and well-being; understand how a design-led approach to problem solving might facilitate positive social change and envision possibilities related to designing for health and well-being.

This 15-point course is taught in-class with online learning tasks incorporated. It is assessed through a combination of written and creative work.

Faculty of Design and Creative Technologies

School of Future Environments -- Engineering & Construction Management

This course provides an overview of the construction industry, the economic, political and regulatory environment, the multi-disciplinary nature of construction management, key stakeholders and relationships, integrated management approaches and total quality management. On completion of this course students will be able to demonstrate evidence of advanced knowledge about the economic, political and regulatory environment the construction industry operates in; critically analyse and evaluate the multiple stakeholder environment; function in a multi-disciplinary environment; develop professional development planning protocols for subordinates/peers; apply strategic thinking and Act ethically in business.

This 15-credit course is delivered using a combination of in-person and online learning and includes guest speakers, tutorials, class and group discussion, readings, videos and case studies. It is assessed by a written assignment and test of key terms and concepts.

Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences

Occupational Ergonomics is a compulsory course that offers broad coverage of key topic areas in HFE, which include systems ergonomics; psychosocial, social and organisational aspects of work design; human characteristics and physical ergonomics; cognitive ergonomics; risk management; work environment; employment, training and education; participatory ergonomics; human centred design and safety thinking.

Occupational Ergonomics is 30 credits and runs in Semester One. It is delivered by a combination of in-person and online learning. There are two 3 day in-person teaching blocks which include taught lectures, practical workshops and presentations from external speakers. Assessments include a case study report (3000 words) and written assignment (5000 words)

Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences

Health Ergonomics is a compulsory course that covers key HFE principles, concepts and tools/methods that can be used to evaluate exposure to physical and psychosocial risk factors operating within the broader system whilst developing an appreciation of individual worker characteristics. Topics covered in this course include user-centred workspace, anthropometry, data collection methods and task analysis, work demands and fatigue, body mechanics and musculoskeletal assessment, working with computers and mobile work.

Health Ergonomics is 15 credits and runs in Semester Two and is delivered using a combination of in-person and online learning strategies. There is a four day in-person teaching block which includes taught lectures, practical workshops and external speakers. Assessment is by written assignment (5000 words).

Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences

The Special Topic course allows students to critically review an issue of significance in a defined area of contemporary professional practice; critique research and best practice in the defined area; synthesise findings into recommendations for practice and present work at the appropriate academic standard. The course content is negotiated by student and supervisor and relates to the student’s chosen special topic.

This 15-credit course which runs in Semester Two, emphasises the need for independent, self-study, which is supplemented with one-to-one supervisor meetings and online support. The student, with the support of a supervisor completes a learning contract agreement, identifying a project plan for approximately 150 hours of study.

This course considers the application of improvement science and safety science methods to achieve better outcomes for patients by reducing harm, waste and variation in health care; includes a focus on measurement for improvement and the application of human factors theory and concepts to design a safer and more reliable health care system. On completion of this course students will be able to apply an understanding of human psychology to the analysis of error causation; assess the differential abilities of humans and machines to maintain the safe operation of complex systems; compare the contribution of human factors and system factors to failures in healthcare provision; apply safety science to identify and investigate causes of harm, waste and variation in healthcare; apply human factors approaches in the design and development of safer systems of care and develop appropriate measures to determine whether quality and safety have improved due to safety initiatives.

This 15-credit course is delivered using a combination of lectures/workshops and self-directed learning. Time commitment is estimated to be 28 hours of lectures/workshop teaching, approx. 60 hours of reading and thinking about the content and approx. 60 hours of work on assignments. It is assessed by individual coursework.

This course draws across domains of system science, safety science, complexity theory, and implementation science to help analyse how leaders understand and effect change in healthcare. A particular focus is on understanding how things go wrong and how organisational culture, power, and politics impact on models of effective leadership within clinical systems. The course covers disciplinary knowledge and practice; critical thinking; solution seeking; communication and engagement; independence and integrity and social and environmental responsibilities.

This 15-credit course combines online videos and readings to prepare you for 6 small-group videoconference discussions scheduled fortnightly throughout the semester. You can expect 12 hours of small-group discussions online, 54 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 54 hours of work on assignments. This course is assessed by three written assignments.

This course examines current issues in Occupational Safety and Health and other issues commonly found in the work environment. On completion of the course students will be able to critically assess current Occupational Safety and Health issues in an organisation, critically discuss hazard management strategies and apply them to an organisation and critically evaluate an organisation’s occupational safety and health management system in relation to legal requirements, the Healthy Workplace framework and stakeholders’ contributions.

This 30-credit course runs in Semester X and assessed by written assignments.

This is an advanced course studying the current issues in occupational safety and health, which involves the recognition, evaluation and control of health hazards in the work environment, including the study of noise, ventilation systems and air pollution. On completion of the course students will be able to critically review the key principles and basic concepts of occupational hygiene, measure and calculate dust, vapour and gas concentrations in air, critically examine stresses in the thermal environment, the measurement of the thermal environment, the effects of heat and cold on the body and the thermal indices used in the evaluation of thermal conditions, critically review the principles of ventilation and calculate adequate volume flow rates, critically review the principles of lighting and how adequate illumination levels are determined, critically review the principles of noise measurement and determine whether noise levels in a particular situation are excessive and conduct an environmental hygiene survey, utilising principles of occupational hygiene.

This 30-credit course is run in Semester X and is taught using XX. It is assessed by written assignments.

This course involves the application of sleep and circadian science in fatigue risk management, shift work, and occupational health and safety.  It provides an overview of the organisational processes required to implement a fatigue risk management system, as well as regulatory requirements for the management of fatigue and shift work.  On its completion, students will be able to critically discuss the causes of workplace fatigue, evaluate the health and safety risks associated with fatigue, and approaches designed to address those risks, examine the organisational processes and procedures required to implement a fatigue risk management system and assess the current state of fatigue risk management within an organisation and develop an implementation plan to improve fatigue risk management.

This 30-credit course is run in Semester 1 and taught using online learning.  It is assessed by written assignments and forum discussions

This course offers a comprehensive analysis of hazard management and the application of hazard management methodologies and legislation. On completion, students will be able to critically analyse hazard management legislation compliance, critically evaluate the application of hazard management principles and critically analyse the implication of hazard management systems.

This 30-credit course is run in Semester X and taught using distance and online learning. It is assessed by written assignments.

This course offers an introduction to occupational health with an emphasis on the prevention of ill health caused by workplace hazards. Strategic management of health and safety risks in the workplace requires the development of a systematic and analytical approach to assessment. In this course, students develop investigative skills in the detection of chemical, physical, biological, ergonomic and psychosocial hazards. Using the bio-psychosocial model, they develop evidence-based strategies to manage and control health and safety risks. The graduate will have developed 'hands-on' expertise in the systematic evaluation of occupational health hazards and will be able to formulate a workplace specific health and safety management plan. Students who successfully complete the paper will learn how to carry out a systematic investigation of the workplace in order to identify risks to health and safety in the workplace. Using a team-based collegial approach, the graduate will be able at to apply critical analysis skills and use 'best practice' in the development of a health and safety management plan.

This 30-credit course is run in Semester X and taught using online learning. It is assessed by XX assignments.

An introduction to workplace safety with an emphasis on managing health and safety systems and resources. This course has a focus on the analysis and risk management of environmental and psychosocial conditions that contribute to workplace injury and disease. Students will be taught best practice in health and safety management through developing hands-on skills in hazard recognition, control and surveillance. Team based learning is emphasised. Graduates will be able to develop and operationalise a strategy to manage health and safety in the workplace so as to meet, and exceed, the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act.

This 30-credit course is run in Semester X and taught using a combination of an in-person teaching block and online learning. It is assessed by XX assignments.

This course applies principles of human function and considers the application of cognitive and behavioural psychology to workplace health and safety practice. On completion, students will be able to apply psychological theory, to the context of work-related health and safety (individual, social, behavioural, cognitive), demonstrate knowledge of the human as a biological system (includes anatomy, physiology, anthropometry and biomechanics) and apply knowledge of epidemiology and toxicology in the context of health and safety.

This 15-credit course is run in Semester X and taught using a combination of an in-person teaching block and online learning. It is assessed by a written assignment and online test.

This module will begin with a holistic view of ergonomics/human factors, to show how the module fits with the course, and subject as a whole. The module will cover what is sometimes referred to as ‘Cognitive Ergonomics’ but goes beyond this to consider how an understanding of psychology impacts upon ergonomics/human factors in its broadest sense. Human performance is informed by psychology, as it is necessary to understand the psychological processes that allow people to perform tasks and understand how people behave in certain situations. This module presents a framework of key cognitive factors, psychosocial factors, and individual differences, and goes on to consider how psychological influences can affect human performance, health and wellbeing.

This module is designed to ensure that students are able to take a ‘bigger picture’ view of ergonomics/human factors issues, building upon the foundations of previous modules. It covers the fundamentals of systems thinking in terms of ergonomics/human factors and highlights the potential for knock-on effects (side-effects) in response to any system change. The module considers macro-ergonomics and the organisational context of any situation whilst also considering how individual performance and competence can be assured with appropriate selection and development of staff. ‘Multi-user’ situations are considered with a particular emphasis on understanding crowd behaviour. Systems impacts upon performance, health and wellbeing are also considered. Topics covered include a holistic view of HFE, systems in HFE, systems theory, macroergonomics, ‘system failures’ in contrast with ’heroic recovery’, hedonomics in design, competency, training and coaching, staff development and appraisals, selection, ergonomics policy, guidance and legal requirements, disasters as examples of systems failures, crowd behaviour and ‘multi-user’ situations and systems, health and wellbeing.

This 20-credit course is offered in the UK Spring using a combination of online scheduled learning and guided independent study. It is assessed by two written reports, the first (1500 words) and the second (2500 words).

This module critically examines the major models, theories and approaches to behaviour and behaviour change pertinent to ergonomics, safety in the workplace; and health and wellbeing. The module will consider how factors such as intentions, attitudes, values and norms shape behaviour and behaviour change. The distinction between models of behaviour and theories of change will be highlighted, as well as the different uses and limitations of such models and theories to understand behaviour. Factors influencing behaviour at a range of levels will be considered including aspects of the individual and the related social and physical environments in which key behaviours occur. The module will ensure that you can define a ‘problem’ in behavioural terms and take a theory driven approach to behaviour change incorporating defined intervention functions and appropriate behaviour change techniques.

This 20-credit course is offered in the UK Summer via a combination of online scheduled learning and guided independent study. It is assessed by XX.

This module aims to provide you with an overview of a broad range of issues in which ergonomics/human factors perspectives can have an impact upon healthcare. The module will consider medical device usability, medical errors, and the communication of information within healthcare. You will consider the potential impact of ‘the internet of medical things’ on changes to the way we monitor individuals and provide appropriate care. It will also cover the issue of adherence to clinical regimes and the importance of patient-professional communication in developing effective partnerships. Overarching the module will be a recognition of the need to move away from biomedical approaches and adopt biopsychosocial views on health and well-being. On successful completion of the module, students will be able to critically evaluate the extent to which psychological theory aids our understanding of the relationship between human behaviour and health; have a deep understanding of how ergonomics/human factors can contribute towards patient safety; critically evaluate how the importance of ergonomics/human factors issues can be communicated and disseminated to various stakeholders.

This 20-credit course is offered in the UK Summer via a combination of online scheduled learning and guided independent study. It is assessed by a written report (2500 words) and 10minute oral presentation.