Safety Science

About the Program

Safety Science/Human Factors at CQUni is an applied science based in psychology with cross-disciplinary influences from engineering, ergonomics, management and industrial design.

The Postgraduate Safety Science program is designed to:

• Create leaders in Safety
• Upgrade safety professionals' qualifications
• Develop professional safety networks
• Meet the needs of people working full time

We offer three options for postgraduate study

• Graduate Certificate (Graduate Certificate in Safety Science)
  
• Graduate Diploma (Graduate Diploma of Safety Science)
  
• Masters (Master of Safety Science)
  

The Safety Science program is designed to be:

• Flexible
  
• Part-time distance based
• Taught in engaged small groups by internationally recognised experts in safety science and human factors

Entry to the Safety Science program is either by relevant industry experience or undergraduate degree. You can count up to 66% of prior study in safety towards your program, depending on your previous courses. - If you are unsure whether you meet the entry criteria, or want to discuss credit, please contact us.

For more information about the program, please contact Dr Chris Bearman (C.Bearman@cqu.edu.au or 08 8378 4514). Online applications can be made at: https://applyonline.cqu.edu.au

The Safety Science Team

The Safety Science courses are taught by a group of researchers and academics with extensive experience in areas such as Occupational Health and Safety, Human Factors and Safety Management Systems, Applied Psychology, and Industrial Fatigue Risk Management. The Safety Science Team includes:

	Professor Drew Dawson Drew established the sleep research group at the University of Adelaide in 1992, which since then has grown to become the largest behavioural sleep research group in Australia. In recent years Drew has broadened his research interests, and built a broad multidisciplinary team, forming the Appleton Institute in January 2012.
	Associate Professor Sally Ferguson Sally has also conducted a number of government and industry-driven research and consultancy projects. The majority of these have investigated the effects of hours of work (specifically shiftwork patterns) on sleep and performance, and methods for reducing the fatigue-related risk associated with shiftwork.
	Associate Professor Matthew Thomas Matthew has a background in Human Factors, and his research interests focus on human error, non-technical skills, and the design of error tolerant systems. He has an established consultancy and publication record in these areas and is currently involved in a range of projects with industry partners in aviation, healthcare, and rail. He has taught in the area of Human Factors in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.
	Associate Professor Verna Blewett Verna is an ergonomist specialising in organisational design and management. She researches: the management of occupational health and safety; participative processes at work; organisational culture; organisational change; and power relationships at work.
	Dr Kirrilly Thompson Kirrilly is a cultural anthropologist with varied research experience and interests. As well as working in ethnography and applied psychology she has experience in human-animal interaction and human factors.
	Dr Jessica Paterson Jessica has conducted multiple research and consulting projects with the health care, transport and manufacturing industries. Jessica is interested in the experience of fatigue, workplace culture and psychosocial wellbeing for health care workers and in the relationship between sleep and mental illness.
	Dr Anjum Naweed Anjum leads four research projects with the CRC for Rail innovation and managing a high fidelity train simulator. His main research activities are in cognitive performance, simulation, and collision avoidance based human factors, particularly in the area of rail operations.
	Dr Christopher Bearman 08 8378 4514 C.Bearman@cqu.edu.au Chris Bearman's research involves conducting industry-focused studies in laboratory and field settings with the aim of creating results that have both a strong theoretical underpinning and a robust application to industry. This involves working closely with industry partners and government organizations around the world. Chris also supervises a number of PhD, Masters & Honours students in the human factors area.
	Dr. Marcus Cattani Marcus has worked in the Occupational Health and Safety, and Environmental profession for over 20 years. His PhD research assessed occupational exposure levels to a hazardous chemical, and the behaviour of the workers which influenced their exposure. Marcus has an ongoing interest in the behavioural aspects of worker exposure to safety and health hazards, leadership influence on workers and how organisations can prevent harm to their workers. He has worked in the mining, chemical and engineering industries as well as an academic and consultant.

Individual Courses

• SAFE20001 Organisational Safety
• SAFE20002 Human Factors Integration and Change Management
• SAFE20003 Humans and Complex Safety Systems
• SAFE20004 Risk Assessment and Management
• SAFE20005 Understanding Safety Research
• SAFE20006 Simulators: Principles and Application
• SAFE20007 Research Project in Safety Science
• SAFE20008 Safety Science Thesis 1
• SAFE20009 Safety Science Thesis 2
  
• SAFE20010 Safety Science Thesis 3
  

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Safety Science program require me to study on campus?

There is no residential school for the Safety Science course, although we often hold events at conferences which students are encouraged to attend.

I have already studied similar courses in the past. Can I get credit for these?

You can get credits for up to 66% of the Safety Science program if you have done equivalent courses at other universities (for example - Human Factors and Safety Management Systems). Credit for prior learning is assessed by the Safety Science Program Director following application to the program.

When is this program available?

The Safety Science program commences in term 2. The next deadline for entry is 23rd June.

Who do I contact for more information?

Please contact the Safety Science Program Directorm Dr Chris Bearman for more information (email C.Bearman@cqu.edu.au or phone: 08 8378 4514). Online applications can be made at: https://applyonline.cqu.edu.au