Ergonomists study and apply scientific principles that affect the use of human energy, with a goal of minimizing hazards and maximizing the efficiency of work systems. The field of ergonomics combines the perspectives of health science and engineering, providing students with interdisciplinary knowledge and practical skills.
Outstanding faculty from four departments of the University will contribute to your training and research in ergonomics:
- Occupational and Environmental Health
- Industrial Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Physical Therapy
Funding from the Heartland Center – we’ll help pay for your graduate degree.
All students admitted to a Heartland Center training program are automatically considered for funding.
Financial support typically consists of fully paid tuition and a monthly stipend.
Heartland Center funding is available for U.S. citizens and permanent residents only.
Training Program Requirements
Students interested in the Ergonomics training program and in receiving the funding offered by the Heartland Center must satisfy the following requirements:
- Enrollment in one of the approved degree programs (listed below)
- Approval of the director of the Ergonomics training program
- Enrollment in the Ergonomics Training Program required courses
Approved degree programs for the Ergonomics Training Program
Department of Occupational & Environmental Health:
Department of Engineering:
- MS and PhD in Industrial Engineering (with emphasis in ergonomics/human factors)
- MS and PhD in Biomedical Engineering (with emphasis in ergonomics/human factors)
Ergonomics Training Program required courses:
MS Required Courses
| OEH:4310 | Occupational Ergonomics: Principles | 3 s.h. |
| IE:3400 | Human Factors | 3 s.h. |
| OEH:5620 | Occupational Health | 3 s.h. |
| No Registration | Heartland Center Seminar* | |
| CPH:7270 | Principles of Scholarly Integrity: Public Health | 1 s.h. |
| or | ||
| ENGR:7270 | Engineering Ethics | 1 s.h. |
* Heartland Center trainees must attend 4-5 designated seminars each semester on occupational health topics to be held on Tuesdays, 4:00-5:00pm.
Additional Required Courses – OEH Trainees
| OEH:6420 | Methods in Exposure Science | 3 s.h. |
| OEH:6310 | Occupational Ergonomics: Applications | 3 s.h. |
| OEH:5410 | Occupational Safety | 3 s.h. |
Additional Required Courses – BME Trainees
| BME:5640 | Ergonomics of Occupational Injuries | 3 s.h. |
| BME:5610 | Musculoskeletal Biomechanics | 3 s.h. |
| BME:6630 | Human Response to Vibration | 3 s.h. |
Additional Required Courses – ISE Trainees
| IE:4175 | Safety Engineering | 3 s.h. |
| IE:6420 | Human/Computer Interaction | 3 s.h. |
| IE:6220 | Cognitive Engineering | 3 s.h. |
Required Courses – All PhD Trainees (in addition to the master’s required courses)
OEH:5530Interpreting OEH Research2 s.h.
| PTRS:7812 | Biomedical Instrumentation (or equivalent graduate-level instrumentation course) |
3 s.h. |
| PSQF:6246 | Design of Experiments | 3 s.h. |
| OEH:6460 | Quantitative Exposure Assessment | 3 s.h. |
Admissions Requirements
The first step is to be admitted to one of the following degree programs:
- MS/PhD in Occupational and Environmental Health – Admissions Requirements and How to Apply
- MS/PhD in Biomedical Engineering – Admissions Requirements and How to Apply
- MS/PhD in Industrial Engineering – Admissions Requirements and How to Apply
Additionally, you will need the consent of the Ergonomics Program Director to enroll in this Heartland Center program.
For more information contact:
David Asa, Graduate Program Coordinator
david-asa@uiowa.edu