• Description of Program
• Degree Requirements
• Special Opportunities
• Careers

Description of Program

Founded in the disciplines of biomechanics, physiology, and motor control, the graduate program in ergonomics is one of the few offered through a department of kinesiology. The program admits students from diverse academic and professional backgrounds, and provides individualized tracks for students seeking professional positions in industry or admission to doctoral programs in kinesiology.

Degree Requirements

A minimum of 36 credit hours is required for the ergonomics program.  The Master of Science in Kinesiology degree must include a minimum of 20 credits from the Department of Kinesiology.  A minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) is required for graduation. A minimum grade of C– is required in each course. All electives for completing the degree must be approved by the advisor.

Ergonomics Core (15 cr.)
Complete each of the following courses:

• SPH-E 651 Epidemiology (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 578 Cognitive Ergonomics (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 588 Ergonomics (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 694 Seminar in Human Performance: Ergonomics (3 cr.)
• SPH-X 505 Principles and Foundations of Public Health (3 cr.)

Capstone Project (3 cr.)
Complete one of the following:

• SPH-K 599 Masters Thesis (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 607 Internship in Ergonomics (3 cr.)

Cognate Area (18 credits)
Complete courses from the recommended sub disciplines listed below, or other graduate courses to create an individualized cognate area of concentration. Course work in this area must be selected in consultation with the student's major advisor.

Applied Ergonomics

• SPH-K 550 Special Topics in Kinesiology: Interventions, Controls, and Applications in Ergonomics (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 582 Macro-Ergonomics: Socio-Technical Systems Design (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 583 Physical Ergonomics (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 584 Human Error (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 585 Work Design (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 586 Industrial Design and Ergonomics (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 587 Assessment in Ergonomics (3 cr.)
• SPH-Q 501 Introduction to Statistics in Public Health (3 cr.)

Biomechanics

• SPH-K 530 Mechanical Analysis of Human Performance (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 630 Biomechanics of Human Performance (3 cr.)

Exercise and Work Physiology/Wellness

• SPH-K 535 Physiological Basis of Human Performance (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 560 Corporate Fitness and Wellness (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 562 Exercise Prescription in Health and Disease I (3 cr.)

Neuroscience and Human Movement

• MSCI-M 555 Medical Neuroscience (4 cr.)
• NEUS-N 500 Neuroscience I (4 cr.)
• NEUS-N 501 Neuroscience II (4 cr.)
• SPH-K 541 Nature and Basis of Motor Skill (3 cr.)
• SPH-K 542 Neuromuscular Control and Human Movement (3 cr.)

Safety Management

• SPH-S 513 Safety Management in Business and Industry (3 cr.)
• SPH-S 552 Principles of Workplace Safety Behavior (3 cr.)
• SPH-S 610 Occupational Risk Assessment (3 cr.)
• SPH-S 632 Managing Occupational Health Programs (3 cr.)

Special Opportunities

The graduate program in ergonomics provides students unique learning experiences in both theoretical and applied ergonomics. Students have the opportunity to work in state-of-the-art laboratories and challenging field environments. Course offerings and distinguished faculty reflect the discipline's expansive interdisciplinary nature.

Careers

Graduates entering professional positions will be prepared for a wide range of career opportunities. Our graduates pursuing careers in industry are currently employed in aerospace, automotive manufacturing, medical device manufacturing, petroleum production, transportation, insurance, ergonomic and safety consulting, and military service. Graduates pursuing academic careers have joined university faculties and currently published in such journals as Experimental Brain Research, Motor Control, Brain and Cognition, and Journal of Motor Control.