The Graduate Program in Ergonomics and Biomechanics at NYU, housed in NYU Langone Occupational and Industrial Orthopedic Center, offers a diverse array of courses that covers relevant topics in the field. Your core course requirements vary, depending on the program you are enrolled in.

Core Course Requirements

Ergonomics and Biomechanics Core Courses	Certificate Program	MS Program	PhD Program
EHSC-GA 1004 Environmental Health			X
EHSC-GA 2100 Independent Study: Ergonomics and Biomechanics		X	X
EHSC-GA 2101 Biomechanics		X	X
EHSC-GA 2111 Physical Biomechanics		X	X
EHSC-GA 2112 Applied Biomechanics in the Analysis of Human Performance		X	X
EHSC-GA 2121 Practicum in Ergonomics and Biomechanics		X	X
EHSC-GA 2131 Ergonomics Issues I: Physical Factors in the Workplace	X	X	X
EHSC-GA 2132 Ergonomics Issues II: Environmental Factors in the Workplace	X	X	X
EHSC-GA 2133 Applied Ergonomic Methods: Independent Study	X
EHSC-GA 2310 Principles of Toxicology			X
EHSC-GA 2323 Research Methods in Ergonomics and Biomechanics		X	X
EHSC-GA 3002 Doctorate Research			X
BMSC-GA 2000 Scientific Integrity and Responsible Conduct in Research			X

EHSC-GA 1004 Environmental Health

George D. Thurston, ScD. 4 points.

This course provides an introduction to the principles of environmental health, including pollutant sources, exposure routes, and health risks in environmental media (e.g., air, water, food, and soil) and occupational settings. We discuss the scientific basis of environmental hazards presented in terms of toxicology, epidemiology, exposure assessment, and risk assessment, including consideration of historical and ongoing environmental issues.

EHSC-GA 2100 Independent Study: Ergonomics and Biomechanics

Prerequisites: EHSC-GA 2101, EHSC-GA 2111, EHSC-GA 2121, and EHSC-GA 2131 or permission of the advisor. Various faculty. 1–12 points.

Independent study is intended to promote original research in the general fields of ergonomics and biomechanics. Students carry out a study under the supervision of one or more faculty members. You are encouraged to utilize all appropriate laboratory and computer equipment. At the end of each semester, you are expected to submit a written report.

EHSC-GA 2101 Biomechanics

Prerequisites: calculus and physics or permission of the instructor. Andrew Kraszewski, PhD. 4 points.

This course consists of two parts. In the first part, the basic concepts of mechanics, such as force and torque, are introduced. These concepts are first applied to analyze relatively simple mechanical systems. Analogies between basic mechanical elements and human body parts are formed, and the principles of mechanics are then applied to analyze muscle and joint reaction forces controlling and coordinating the movements of major joints of the human musculoskeletal system.

The second part is devoted to the analysis of “moving” systems with applications to human motion analyses and sports mechanics. The topics covered include descriptions and causes of linear and rotational motion and one- and two-dimensional linear and angular kinematics and kinetics motion analysis, as well as concepts of work, energy, power, impulse, and momentum and their application for the analysis of bodies in motion.

Course lectures are carried out by solving examples and problems on the covered topics.

EHSC-GA 2111 Physical Biomechanics

Prerequisites: calculus and basic anatomy of the musculoskeletal system or permission of the instructor. Shira Schecter-Weiner, PhD, PT. 4 points.

This course consists of two parts. In the first part, the laws of physics and basic concepts of biology, physiology, and mechanics are applied to explain the effect of applied forces and the biomechanical response of the tissues of the neuromusculoskeletal system.

In the second part, basic biomechanical concepts are used to describe motion undergone by various body/joint segments and the forces acting on these body parts during normal daily activities. We use selected case studies to facilitate the understanding of basic tissue/joint musculoskeletal biomechanics.

EHSC-GA 2112 Applied Biomechanics in the Analysis of Human Performance

Prerequisites: EHSC-GA 2101 and EHSC-GA 2111 or permission of the instructor. Marco Campello, PhD, PT. 4 points.

This course builds on the Physical Biomechanics and Biomechanics courses. Its primary purpose is to explore the major processes and mechanisms underlying human motor performance and the pathomechanics of the most relevant occupational-related musculoskeletal disorders. Biomechanical principles and their interaction with basic applied sciences are systemically introduced to produce a meaningful conceptual framework and facilitate hypothetical-deductive reasoning.

Specific topics to be covered include the review of physical biomechanics with increased emphasis on its interaction with other applied sciences such as neuroscience and energetics physiology. The course also focuses on multisegmental motion analysis and clinical biomechanics of selected case studies on occupational-related musculoskeletal disorders.

EHSC-GA 2121 Practicum in Ergonomics and Biomechanics

Prerequisites: EHSC-GA 2111, EHSC-GA 2112, and EHSC-GA 2131 or permission of the instructor. Ali Sheikhzadeh, PhD. 4 points.

This course focuses on methods and instruments for data collection and analysis of musculoskeletal disorders. Lectures and hands-on projects are designed to illustrate theoretical and practical issues with the use of various instruments. Emphasis is placed on appropriate methods of data collection and analysis of risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders—posture, force, and motion—using electromyography signals. This course introduces students to the basic principles underlying the acquisition of a physiological signal via computer, as well as statistical methods for analysis and interpretation.

EHSC-GA 2131 Ergonomics Issues I: Physical Factors in the Workplace

Prerequisites: EHSC-GA 2101 and EHSC-GA 2111 or permission of the instructor. Kátia M. Costa-Black, PhD, PT. 4 points.

Ergonomics is the study of fitting the workplace to the capabilities of the human worker. Ergonomists apply knowledge from biomechanics, physiology, psychology, and engineering to the design of tasks, work organization, work environment, workstations, and tools.

Taking a systems approach to the design of work, this course examines the interactions between the human worker and the equipment used at work. The course focuses on the design of the manufacturing process in the context of implementing an ergonomics program for injury prevention. The first section focuses on physical issues directly related to controlling musculoskeletal disorders. The second section enhances the background in industrial ergonomics by addressing the physical and organizational environment relevant to workplace design. The scope of the topics in both sections is specifically selected to focus on prevention of musculoskeletal problems.

EHSC-GA 2132 Ergonomics Issues II: Environmental Factors in the Workplace

Prerequisites: EHSC-GA 2101, EHSC-GA 2111, and EHSC-GA 2131 or permission of the instructor. Kátia M. Costa-Black, PhD, PT. 4 points.

This course covers environmental influences in the workplace that are relevant to the development of musculoskeletal problems. The emphasis is on recognizing and designing safe and productive work environments. Topics covered include sensory–motor processes, temperature, whole-body and segmental vibration, noise, lighting, indoor air quality, and organizational factors. This course enables students to appreciate environmental issues that affect ergonomic interventions in the workplace.

EHSC-GA 2133 Applied Ergonomic Methods: Independent Study

Prerequisite: EHSC-GA 2131. TBA. 1–4 points.

This course is designed to allow for an independent study project and is intended to guide students in the application of ergonomic methods. The project is carried out under the supervision of one or more faculty members. Students may conduct their study in the field or at their workplace, based on available resources. You are required to submit a written report for grading. The work may encompass up to two semesters. The topic and scope of the work is discussed in advance with the program coordinator and approved by the faculty. The project offers students an opportunity to practice as ergonomists, identifying and solving ergonomic problems, under supervision.

EHSC-GA 2310 Principles of Toxicology

Prerequisites: biochemistry and cell biology or permission of the instructor. Lung-Chi Chen, PhD. 4 points.

This course provides a broad introduction to toxicology, stressing basic concepts essential to the understanding of the action of exogenous chemical agents on biological systems. Principles underlying the absorption, metabolism, and elimination of chemicals are discussed. Toxicokinetics, specific classes of toxic responses, and experimental methods used to assess toxicity and risk are reviewed.

EHSC-GA 2323 Research Methods in Ergonomics and Biomechanics

Sherri Weiser-Horwitz, PhD. 4 points.

This course is designed to give graduate-level students an overview of common study designs in scientific and medical research and specific knowledge in the application of these research methods in the field of ergonomics and biomechanics. You also learn how to critically evaluate scientific papers and draw valid conclusions.

The first part of the course provides an overview of the scientific method and various study designs that can be used to investigate musculoskeletal disorders. The second half focuses on specific topics relevant to research practice, such as issues in measurement, measurement instrument validation, statistical analysis, and ethical conduct of research. Illustrations of the applications of these methods are presented in the context of ergonomic and biomechanical approaches to the evaluation and control of musculoskeletal disorders.

EHSC-GA 3002 Doctorate Research

Supervised by a faculty member. 1–12 points.

In addition to courses offered at NYU, full-time doctoral students who have completed one year of study can take courses at distinguished universities throughout the New York area as part of the Inter-University Doctoral Consortium.