Awarded by Vel’s University, Chennai (Deemed University)
Course Conducted by RECOUP Neuromusculoskeletal Rehabilitation Centre, Bangalore (Knowledge Partner)

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1. To provide a formal programme of study, training and experience in ergonomics to those students and professionals who wish to specialise in the area of Ergonomics. The principles learned here will be applicable to a wide range of workplace settings, including: industry, hospitals, nursing homes, office work, government, and academia.
2. The programme emphasises theoretical principles and job analysis methods, and demonstrates various techniques and case studies for implementing ergonomic concepts in practical settings. Lectures are supplemented with laboratory experience and projects as applicable.

COURSE DESCRIPTION :

Students will study methods and techniques for job and workstation evaluation to identify potential ergonomic hazards that contribute to work-related musculoskeletal disorders. At the conclusion of the course students will be able to select and apply appropriate ergonomics methods and techniques to industry-specific problems.

COURSE DURATION:

12 month (minimum) to 36 months (maximum) for PG Diploma; 24 months (minimum) to 48 months (maximum) for

M Sc  Minimum Time Permitted to Complete a Module is 2 months

BACKGROUND OF CANDIDATES:

A Bachelor’s Degree in any of the following disciplines
• Psychology
• Anthropology
• Engineering
• Industrial Hygiene
• Safety
• Medical
• Nursing, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy
• Or a Similar Background

WHY GET QUALIFIED?

• Recognition of professional competence
• Authority
• Personal satisfaction
• Better job prospects
• Professional network

THEORETICAL MODULES

1. Introduction to Ergonomics (100 Learning+ 25 Course work)
2. WRMSD (100 Learning+ 25 Course work)
3. Ergonomics Methods (100 Learning+ 25 Course work)
4. Ergonomic Applications At Home And In Special Populations (100 Learning+ 25 Course work)
5. Cognitive Ergonomics (100 Learning+ 25 Course work)
6. System Ergonomics (100 Learning+ 25 Course work)

PRACTICALS:

1. Practical training in WRMSD Assessment (1 day)
2. Practical training in Ergonomic Workplace Analysis (2 days)
3. Industry Visit (1 day)
4. Applications of sEMG in Ergonomics (1/2 day)
5. Anthropometric Measurements, Grip/pinch strength, Range of motion (1/2 day)
6. Lab Session on Human Physiology (1 day)

RESEARCH (12 months): Only for the M Sc Course

1. Research Methodology in Ergonomics
2. Biostatistics in Ergonomics
3. Research Project

EXAMINATION:

Will be held every 6 months
Required to pass both theory and practical examination
The students are allowed 4 attempts within the 3 year duration.
Each sub-module will have an examination comprising of 20 small questions
Each module will have a project or 3000 word essay

EVALUATION (course requirements):

1. Module Assignments (Homework) 20%
2. Module Project Work (Homework) 20%
3. Final Examination (Theory) 40%
4. Final Examination (Practical) 20%

COURSE FEES

Postgraduate Diploma Rs. 50,000
M Sc Rs. 1,00,000

The fee for the M Sc Course can be paid in two installments (I & II year). The initial payment will be the course fee Rs. 50,000/-, Registration fees Rs. 3500/- and application fees of Rs. 500. 

The University will charge an additional examination fees, according to prevailing regulations.

COURSE REGISTRATION

The start date of Course Registration is expected soon from the University. Download the application form from Vel University’s website (www.velsuniv.org) once uploaded and send it to the University with the xerox copies of documents mentioned in the application. 

MODULE – 1:

INTRODUCTION TO ERGONOMICS
Course hours: 125 Hours

Description: This module forms an introduction to the principles of ergonomics and the approach of designing for human use. It provides a framework of knowledge about human characteristics and human response to the environment that allows issues in task design to be understood from an ergonomics perspective.

Sub modules:

1. Definition, history and applications of ergonomics
2. Anatomy and Demographics
3. Musculoskeletal Stress and Work Physiology: Physiological responses, Energy and energy sources of the body, Categories of work, Respiration, The circulatory system, Metabolism, Physical work capacities, Fatigue, Classification of work load, Endurance in physical work, Work-rest scheduling,
4. Biomechanics: Biomechanics of Physical Work, Posture, Static muscle loading
5. Anthropometry: Principles of Applied Anthropometry, Application of Anthropometry in Design, Design for standing and seated workers
6. Professional Issues: Ethics, Practice Standards, Legal Issues & Regulatory Agencies in Ergonomics

MODULE - 2:

WORK RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDER
Course Hours: 125 Hours

Description: This module aims to develop an understanding of risk factors in work environment, early detection of the signs and symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders, primary diagnosis and an overview of the recent advances in the management.

Sub modules:

1. Risk Factors: Personal, Physical, Environmental, Psychosocial
2. Assessment, Diagnosis and Overview of Common WRMSDs: Head, Neck and Upper Back, Upper Extremity, Mid and Lower Back, Lower Extremity.
3. Management: Outline of Medical Intervention, Psychosocial Intervention, Environmental Intervention, Health Maintenance.

MODULE - 3:

ERGONOMICS METHODS
Course Hours: 125 Hours

Description: This module aims to train the participants select and apply appropriate ergonomics methods and techniques to assess exposure to risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

Sub modules:

1. Work description and measurement: Flow process chart and diagram
2. Subjective Ergonomic Workplace Analysis: ergonomic assessment (Interview/questionnaires, Nordic, BodyMap, Rating scales, SWAT, Borg 10&20, NASA-TLX
3. Objective Ergonomic Workplace Analysis: (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), OWAS, Job Strain Index (JSI), Hand Activity Level (HAL), Moore/Garg Strain Index, OCRA, MAPO, PLIBEL, Quick Exposure Checklist (QEC)
4. Assessment of Low Back Pain Risk: NIOSH Lifting Equation, Snook Tables
5. Assessment of Mental Workload

MODULE - 4:

ERGONOMIC APPLICATIONS AT HOME AND IN SPECIAL POPULATIONS
Course Hours: 125 Hours

Description: This module covers the application of ergonomics for people of various ages and various capabilities to make their home, work and recreational environment healthy and risk free during their daily and routine activities.

Sub modules:

1. Ergonomics for Children & Adolescents: Backpacks, Gaming, Computers, Study Furniture Design
2. Ergonomics for Aging: Ageing Process, Adaptive Strategies, Ergonomics Issues
3. Ergonomics for Extra-ordinary Body Dimensions
4. Home Ergonomics: home maintenance activities, kitchen layout and storage, kitchen utensils, laundry, Mattresses and Pillows, Child Care
5. Travel Ergonomics: Car, Motorbike, Bicycle, Aeroplanes, Bus, Train
6. Ergonomics for Handheld Devices: mobile phones, gaming devices, portable media players, TV Remote Controls
7. Sports Ergonomics
8. Ergonomics for Performing Artists: musicians, singers, dancers, actors, mimes, acrobat
9. Ergonomics for Persons with Disability

MODULE - 5:

COGNITIVE ERGONOMICS
Course Hours: 125 Hours

Description: This module aims to explore the relation between the mind and body during work and to learn about the psychological factors that affects the working environment

Sub modules:

1. Psychology and Human Performance: Memory, Selective and divided attention, Perception, Skilled Performance, Psychosocial factors of performance
2. Shift Work
3. Individual Factors in Cognitive Ergonomics: Personality, Mood, Stress, Arousal
4. Human Error in decision making
5. Work redesign to manage cognitive workload and increase human reliability.

MODULE – 6:

SYSTEM ERGONOMICS
Course Hours: 125 Hours

Description: This module explains about application and advantages of ergonomics in a system or organisation as a whole.

Sub modules:

1. Ergonomics Processes, Quality and Cost-Benefit Issues
2. Work Organisation Design and Organisational Psychology
3. Environmental Issues in Ergonomics: Lighting, Noise, Vibration, Thermal Stress, Air Quality
4. Human factors and Design in Office Environment: Ergonomics of Seating and Chairs, VDT Workstations, Human–Computer Interface Requirements, User-Centered Software Development
5. Human factors and Design in Manufacturing Systems: Ergonomics in Agriculture, Manual Material Handling, Hand Held Tools, Automobile Industry, Construction Industry, Mining, Garment Industry, Aerospace Industry
6. Health Care Ergonomics: Nurses, Surgeons, Physiotherapists, Massage Therapists, Dentists, Caregivers, Laboratory Workers, Radiologist and Radiographers

Course Faculty:

1. Dr. Deepak Sharan, MS Ortho, DNB Ortho, Dip Ortho, M Sc Orthopaedic Engineering (UK), Dip Orthopaedic & Rehabilitation Technology (UK), Certificate in Ergonomics (Sweden) Consultant in Orthopaedics, Rehabilitation and Ergonomics, RECOUP, Bangalore (Course Director)

2. Dr. AK Ganguli, Ph.D, M Sc, DGM Occupational Health Service, BHEL, Trichy, Asst Secretary  Indian Society of Ergonomics

3. Dr. Era Poddar, Ph.D, M.Sc., Faculty, National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad

4. Dr. Debkumar Chakraborti, Ph.D, Professor (Ergonomics), Department of Design, IIT, Guwahati

5. Dr. Prakriti Parijat, Ph.D, Consultant Ergonomist and Human Factors Engineer, RECOUP, Bangalore

Other Eminent National Faculty and Ergonomists from RECOUP, Bangalore

Media coverage of the course