 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY ENGINEERING AND ERGONOMICS |
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| Persons seeking graduate training in ergonomics can pursue an M.S. degree through the Department of Industrial and Operations Engineering. The Occupational and Safety Engineering and Ergonomics track provides a strong background in basic quantitative skills along with in depth training in physical and cognitive ergonomics, safety and health. Ergonomics also can be arranged through graduate programs in Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Health Sciences. US citizens and permanent residents who complete specified program requirements may apply for financial assistance. | ||||
| A Little History | ||||
| In 1959, the Department of Industrial Engineering (IOE) initiated a graduate option in Human Performance. In 1972, this option was modified to provide M.S. and Ph.D. degrees specializing in Occupational Safety Engineering and Ergonomics. Since then, 211 M.S. and 61 Ph.D. degrees have been granted in this specialty. | ||||
| The M.S. Degree | ||||
| The M.S. degree is intended for students who hold a bachelor's degree in engineering or physical science. It can be completed in one year starting either in September or January. Those wishing to pursue graduate work beyond the Master's degree will find that the M.S. program offers them core preparation for the Ph.D. degree. The M.S. degree requires a minimum of 18 credit hours of courses in the IOE Department. Seven credit hours are also recommended from the School of Public Health. Students who do not enter the program with six semester hours of course work in engineering statistics and probability or who do not know a computer programming language will be required to take extra courses to eliminate deficiencies. A typical curriculum is shown below. |
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| Typical Course Sequence for M.S. Degree* | ||||
| FALL TERM | ||||
| • Industrial Hygiene • Experimental Design • Human Factors in Engineering Systems • Occupational Safety Engineering • Physical Agents in the Work Environment • Ergonomics Seminar |
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| WINTER TERM | ||||
| • Occupational Biomechanics • Biomechanics & Work Physiology Lab • Epidemiology • Safety Management • Advanced Topics in Safety Management • OHSE Seminar • Management Elective |
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| SPRING TERM | ||||
| • Instrumentation Methods • Individual Research Project |
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| Total Program: 34-37 credit hours | ||||
| The Ph.D. Degree | ||||
The Ph.D. degree is intended for students who excel academically and would like to pursue advanced studies in ergonomics. Students entering the Ph.D. program are expected to meet common academic standards, but the course work and areas of study are generally tailored to meet the interest of the student and available resources. During their first year in the Ph.D. program, students will focus primarily on course work that will introduce them to areas of possible research and prepare them for work in those areas. The first year culminates in a qualifying examination that evaluates their readiness for advancing in the program. During the second year, students will continue to take courses, but will also work with individual faculty to define their research topic. This second phase of the program culminates in the preliminary examination which evaluates the student's readiness to conduct a proposed research project. Students are then advanced to candidacy and select a faculty dissertation committee who will oversee their research. This last phase culminates in a public defense of the research disseration. |
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| Funding opportunities | ||||
| US citizens and permanent residents completing the M.S. curriculum may be eligable for financial aid. | ||||
Center for Ergonomics investigators are faculty members from several University of Michigan departments. These M.S. and Ph.D. degrees can also be pursued through the departments below. The Department of Industrial and Operations Engineering |
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| *NOTE: Students who accept a NIOSH Traineeship in Occupational Safety Engineering are required to follow this curriculum unless they can display comparable prior knowledge as a substitute for specific courses. | ||||
