Ergonomics - Human Factors Engineering M. Sc.
The master's degree program Ergonomics - Human Factors Engineering pursues the goal of training individuals with a bachelor's degree in an interdisciplinary manner to create, implement and evaluate future concepts for the interaction between humans and technology in various fields of application.
Graduates can find their professional perspective in a variety of technology-related occupational fields. These include activities in the development, design and evaluation of technical products, consumer goods, sports and leisure articles or software and websites. Other possible fields of activity include consulting functions in workplace design or in the development of complex human-machine systems such as control rooms, production machines or even aircraft and vehicle cockpits.
Your profile
The prerequisites for applying to the program are
- a qualified bachelor's degree of at least six semesters obtained at a domestic or foreign university or a degree of at least equal value in the fields of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, architecture, sports science, educational science, psychology or comparable courses of study, as well as by proof of the second section of the medical examination in the course of study medicine
- passed module examinations from at least three of the following six subject groups with at least 4 credits each: research methodology, mechanics, design, mathematical principles, fundamentals of programming, fundamentals of cognitive science. As part of the degree program, credit from a fourth of the above subject groups must be taken, if applicable.
If you do not meet the qualification requirements due to missing achievements in three of the mentioned subject groups, we recommend attending corresponding lectures already in the bachelor's program or as a module study.
What you'll learn
As a graduate of the program, you possess knowledge of the methodologies in several of the disciplines mentioned, and are highly interdisciplinary in your approach. You are trained to conduct integrated research, able to combine scientific and practical knowledge, and to reflect upon the interplay of technology and social systems. You have at your disposal an extensive specialist knowledge relating to the development, implementation, and evaluation of concepts for the interaction between humans and machines in automotive, aerospace, sports equipment, production, and software sectors. You are able to purposefully apply various interaction principles and interaction technologies, to incorporate levels of automation into designs in a targeted manner, and to plan, carry out, and evaluate associated safety experiments (usability, controllability) in a hypothesis-based manner.
You are able to assess and discuss the risks, possible side effects and, above all, the social effects of different interaction concepts and products, as well as to cooperate with other disciplines in the planning and carrying out of needs analyses, and in completing associated target processes. Further, you understand the significance of adaptive, cooperative, and automated concepts for mobility, production, work processes, and leisure activities. You possess a broad and detailed understanding of technology, methodologies, and social science. You are familiar with the latest technological developments on an international level, and are able to develop solutions in the international context.
At the end of the program, you are able to analytically describe human-machine systems, and to create solutions to existing usage problems or for innovative technologies, as well as to discuss their social consequences. You are able to take a constructive and interdisciplinary approach to the analysis of conflicting aims (costs vs. safety, efficiency vs. acceptance), and carry out associated assessments objectively, as well as to provide solutions that are justifiable from multiple perspectives (with regard to technology, sociology, aesthetics).
Modern technological products and processes distinguish themselves by supporting a person as efficiently as possible, being simple and convenient to apply, and having no deleterious effects on the user in the longer term.
Achieving this is complicated by the trend towards technological products and processes that are more and more powerful and involve an ever greater range of functions. In the process, society and the modern user place ever greater demands on technology where comfort, security, and health are concerned. Against this background, no single scientific discipline can still claim to be able to deal with the complex interplay of demands that, in some cases, compete with one another. It is necessary to bring together contributions from engineering, informatics, psychology, medicine, and mobility and health sciences – to mention only the most important disciplines.
The Ergonomics – Human Factors Engineering (HFE) program is intended to train experts who are able manage this collaborative process.
The first three semesters deal with fundamentals in the areas of workplace ergonomics, experiment design, and statistics, as well as product and production ergonomics. These are complemented by elective modules in which students can create an individual competency profile. Specialties on offer during the degree are:
- system ergonomics and interaction design
- anthropometry and biomechanics
- sports engineering
The program concludes with the master’s thesis in the forth semester.
The online application is done via the application portal TUMonline.
- Application for Admission (upload - signed)
- Degree Certificate and Diploma or Subject and Grade Transcript of Studies to Date
- Transcript of Records
- Letter of Motivation
- Complete and Current Résumé
- Abstract
- If applicable: Proof of Internships or Professional Experience (optional)
- Passport
- Proof of German Language Proficiency
- Preliminary Documentation (VPD) if the qualification for graduate studies (e.g. a bachelor's) is obtained outside the EU/EEA
We may require additional documents depending on your educational background and your country of origin. Complete the online application to receive a comprehensive list of the required documents.
Please note that you may enroll in this degree program, as long as you submit the required graduation documents (transcript & diploma) within one year.
The selection is made through an aptitude procedure. in a two-stage process, in which, after the official application, it is checked whether you meet the specific requirements for the master's program. In the first stage, the bachelor's degree grade and the submitted documents are evaluated by means of a point system. Depending on the score achieved, applicants are either admitted immediately, rejected, or invited to a selection interview.