BSc Human Factors in Safety

Recognised by the Singapore Ministry of Manpower for WSH Officer registration and accredited by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), UK.

Human Factors (also known as ergonomics) is concerned with how people interact with technology, and how their physical and operational environments affect them. It is the study of the capabilities and limitations of people applied to the design of systems, products and work environments to ensure that people are safe and healthy at work and are also able to perform effectively and efficiently.

The BSc Human Factors in Safety (BHFSY) programme covers key knowledge and skills in both the Human Factors discipline and Workplace Safety and Health (WSH).

You will be equipped with knowledge on the variability of human characteristics (age, size, strength, sensory and cognitive ability, prior experience, expectations and goals, etc.) and the complexities of technologies and work processes, and organisational contexts.

You will learn how to analyse and control Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) hazards, understand various safety and risk management systems, perform and report on WSH audit and investigate workplace accidents.

You will also be armed with knowledge on how to evaluate and design or redesign equipment, workplaces, environments and systems to improve safety, health, performance and satisfaction using human factors principles and methodology.

SAF students may pursue Human Factors in Safety in combination with the Minor in Military Studies.
 

Unique Features of the Programme:

• Distinctive Workplace Safety and Health programme with strong focus on Human Factors.

• Unique programme that combines both Human Factors and Safety courses.

• Rigorous curriculum governed by strong internal and external quality assurance.

• Earn SDU points for WSH Officers and CPD points for FSMs.

• Prepares you for an exciting and rewarding career in Human Factors and WSH.

• Flexible curriculum designed for working adults.

Accreditation & Recognition:

• Recognised by the Singapore Ministry of Manpower for WSH Officer registration.

• Accredited by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), UK.

Admission Requirements:

In addition to the standard admission criteria for all Singapore University of Social Sciences undergraduate programmes, applicants need to meet ONE of the following specific qualifications:

• Diploma in cognate areas of technology, science or engineering from a local polytechnic; OR

• Diploma from a local polytechnic with at least a Grade C6 in CGE ‘O’ Level Physics and Mathematics; OR

• Specialist Diploma in Workplace Safety and Health; OR

• GCE 'A' level with at least a Grade C6 in GCE 'O' Level Physics and Mathematics

Financial Assistance:

There are also various types of financial aid available to students who need financial assistance. 

Programme Structure:

To graduate with a basic degree, students are required to complete 130 credit units (cu), which include:
 

• 20 cu of SUSS Core courses

• 60 cu of Major Compulsory courses

• 20 cu of Major Elective courses

• 30 cu of Free Electives (or 30 cu of Minor in Military Studies for SAF students)

The curriculum is structured such that:

• Level 1 courses consist of foundational courses such as Human Factors & Systems Design, and Cognition and Information Processing.

• Level 2 courses train students to apply what is learnt at level 1 to the design and evaluation of tools, workplaces, environment and system. Some safety courses such as Behavioural Based Safety and Emergency & Response Planning are also introduced at this level. Human Factors specialists must also be equipped with knowledge on how to collect and analyse data, and these are covered in the courses such as Human Factors Methods.

• Level 3 courses cover advanced topics such as Cognitive Systems Engineering and Safety, Risk & Resilience Engineering. Students are also trained, not just in the how but also the whys of safety and risk management as well as accident and incident investigations.