This module will ensure that you become knowledgeable in a focussed aspect of ergonomics, investigated using human factors-based design. You will utilise this systematic design process to create a new intervention, aimed at improving ergonomics. Importantly, you will become knowledgeable of the clinical principles and measuring techniques relevant to a specific field of ergonomics. The effectiveness of the design will be evaluated via a scientific study, meaning that it is important to plan and deliver a robust testing methodology that will quantify the difference between the original solution and the new intervention. Outcomes will be communicated via a technical report, analysing biomechanical data and drawing evidence-based, ergonomic conclusions. 

LO1. Systematically understand how human-factors engineering can be leveraged to create new ergonomic solutions. 

LO2. Apply design-for-manufacture strategies. 

LO3. Plan and deliver a robust ergonomic assessment. 

LO4. Critically analyse literature and own data to draw appropriate conclusions. 

The module will be delivered through a blend of face-to-face teaching, online learning material and group work sessions. 

Weekly seminars serve to guide and direct group learning, with teams generally formed of 4-6 students. From this base, you will learn new skills in conducting targeted and meaningful literature analyses, to underpin the project aim. You will then be led to computational (design, FEA) expertise, to enable creation of new ergonomic solutions, focussed on employing human factors-based engineering techniques. In parallel, you will also gain access to relevant laboratories, to learn and then plan a suitable ergonomic-based assessment. You will then deliver a manufactured solution and an ethically-approved protocol, such that you can then test the new intervention on some recruited participants. Data analysis will then be important as you strive to determine whether the new ergonomic solution has solved the original problem, before presenting the study in the format of a journal article. 

Throughout the module, you will develop your academic skills in a number of ways: 

Subject-specific skills: 

• Critique the relevant literature to provide a clear understanding of the project aim, deriving a series of criteria that will guide the design and testing phases. 

• Employ systematic, human factors-based engineering approaches to convert the criteria into concepts, before selecting the final design.  

• Understand the capabilities and opportunities afforded by the relevant experimental facilities, converting these into a robust assessment of the ergonomic considerations that underpin the aim of the study. 

Commercial skills: 

• Adopting design-for-manufacture strategies, to trade-off the commercial realities with idealisation. 

• Present and communicate the above achievements in the format of a technical report, developing a style of writing and analysis that is consistent with commercial expectations. 

• Appreciate the importance of management in achieving successful project delivery. 

• Team-working and communication skills.  

Ethical and security skills: 

• Capture ergonomic data of participants using the control and student-designed intervention and exercise the relevant data protection security protocols. 

• Operate within security protocols relating to the use and management of personal (participant) data. 

Clinical skills:  

• Assess and evaluate participant data, to determine the influence of the intervention on the cohort’s ergonomics

Coursework (100%) (LO 1-4):The coursework is a group-based summative assessment to reflect the relatively complex nature of a typical project, as it typically requires an effective team-based approach, while also being aligned with Engineering Council accreditation requirements. All marks are subject to peer review. The peer review outcomes are scrutinised by the module leader to ensure they are reflective of the team dynamics observed throughout the academic year.  

Opportunity for reassessment 

The opportunity for reassessment in this module will be based on a coursework resubmission in the summer. This can include an individual resit submission, the remit of which will be set by the module leader while also mapped against the module learning outcomes.  

Opportunities for re-assessment is only permitted provided you have not failed more credit than in the resit rule adopted by your programme. If the amount of credit you have failed is more than permitted by the relevant resit rule, you may be permitted to repeat study if you are within the threshold set for the Repeat rule adopted by your programme. You will be notified of your eligibility to resit/repeat any modules after the Examining Board in the Summer period. 

All resit assessments will be held in the Resit Examination period, prior to the start of the following academic session. 

• Understand biomechanics of a specific aspect of the human body. 

• Become knowledgeable on the process and implementation of human-centred design. 

• Perform a critique of potential design interventions and how these can achieve a biomechanical advantage. 

• Evaluate relevant manufacturing techniques and employ design-for-manufacture strategies. 

• Secure ethical approval and understand the need for data security when acquiring participant data. 

• Design and deliver a scientifically-robust study that enables direct evaluation of the intervention.  

• Communicate the process and findings of the study via a written, technical report.