Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive UX for Critical Environments
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive UX for Critical Environments. 8 modules covering ISO 9241-210 (human-centred design), ISO 9241-110 (interaction principles) and Figma. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Explain the cognitive limits of attention, memory and situation awareness in critical environments.
Apply user research methods such as cognitive task analysis.
Design the hierarchy and presentation of information to reduce mental workload.
Design alarms, controls and interaction modes that are resistant to error.
Apply usability standards and human factors to interface specification.
Evaluate usability through formative and summative testing.
Develop the cognitive design of an interface for a critical environment.
Who it's for
- UX designer for critical systems who wants to specialise in Cognitive UX for Critical Environments.
- Human factors engineer who wants to specialise in Cognitive UX for Critical Environments.
- User researcher who wants to specialise in Cognitive UX for Critical Environments.
- HMI interface designer who wants to specialise in Cognitive UX for Critical Environments.
- Usability specialist for medical devices who wants to specialise in Cognitive UX for Critical Environments.
- Person-automation interaction consultant who wants to specialise in Cognitive UX for Critical Environments.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the energy sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO 9241-210 (human-centred design)
- ISO 9241-110 (interaction principles)
- ISO 11064 (control room design)
- IEC 62366-1 (usability engineering)
- ANSI/ISA-101.01 (HMI interfaces)
- NUREG-0700 (human factors engineering)
- EN 301 549 (ICT accessibility)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Characteristics of critical environments1.2Perception, memory and attention1.3Cognitive load and its limits1.4Levels of situation awareness1.5Operator mental models1.6Fundamentals of cognitive ergonomics1.7Examples: air traffic control, operating theatre and energy1.8Consequences of poor design1.9User-centred design principles1.10Case study: analysis of a control room interface
2.1Cognitive task analysis2.2Contextual interviews2.3Field observation2.4Critical decision method2.5Personas and scenarios2.6Work analysis2.7Flow maps2.8Information needs2.9Access restrictions to environments2.10Workshop: cognitive analysis of a dispatch task
3.1Visual hierarchy of information3.2Colour and shape coding3.3Information density3.4Ecological displays and work domain3.5Trend visualisation3.6Alarm design according to ISA-18.23.7High-performance HMI ISA-1013.8Consistency and standards3.9Designing for stress3.10Practice: redesign of a process screen
4.1Interaction models4.2Error prevention and recovery4.3Confirmations and critical actions4.4Data entry under pressure4.5Touchscreens in demanding environments4.6Physical versus digital controls4.7Voice and gestures4.8Automation and modes4.9Mode confusion4.10Laboratory: interaction prototype in Figma
5.1IEC 62366-1 in medical devices5.2ISO 9241-210 and human-centred design5.3ISO 11064 for control rooms5.4NUREG-0700 in nuclear power plants5.5EASA CS-25.1302 in cockpits5.6Human factors engineering across the lifecycle5.7Use risk analysis5.8Usability file5.9Regulatory validation requirements5.10Case study: usability file for an infusion pump
6.1Expert heuristic evaluation6.2Cognitive walkthrough of critical tasks6.3Formative usability testing6.4Summative validation with representative users6.5High-fidelity simulation6.6Workload and situation awareness metrics6.7SAGAT and SART6.8Eye-tracking in evaluation6.9Analysis of use errors6.10Practice: formative test with users
7.1Interfaces for AI systems7.2Explainability for operators7.3Trust and complacency7.4Meaningful human oversight7.5Conversational agents in operations7.6Design of predictive alerts7.7Coordination in human-AI teams7.8Automation risks7.9Design of control transfer7.10Workshop: recommendation interface of a predictive system
8.1Context and users8.2Task analysis8.3Information requirements8.4Design concepts8.5High-fidelity interactive prototype8.6User evaluation8.7Use risk analysis8.8Final design recommendations8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Figma, Axure RP, Tobii Pro Lab, Maze, Optimal Workshop, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Trials are studied through real usability testing procedures with expert users, cognitive task analysis in control rooms, and evaluation of interface prototypes in a simulator. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Explain the cognitive limits of attention, memory and situation awareness in critical environments.
Apply user research methods such as cognitive task analysis.
Design the hierarchy and presentation of information to reduce mental workload.
Design alarms, controls and interaction modes that are resistant to error.
Apply usability standards and human factors to interface specification.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical standards documentation.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme comprises 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
You will work with Figma, Axure RP, Tobii Pro Lab, Maze, Optimal Workshop. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
SEIUM's own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area can be credited towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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