Human Factors in Engineering

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Design a Human Factors study.
• Apply anthropometric data in design.
• Make use of Human Factors methods for the processes of design and evaluation.

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Formulate (plan and describe) human factors experiments to evaluate various elements of human performance
• Critically appraise key Human Factors theories.
• Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of various Human Factors methods.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Learning, studying and researching independently.
• Reporting your work effectively.
• Collating, synthesising and prioritising information.
• The use of creativity and innovation in problem solving.
• Time management.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• The effect of environmental elements (e.g. visual, acoustic, thermal) on humans and implications for design.
• The role automation in modern sociotechnical systems.
• The experimental design process in the context of designing a Human Factors study.
• The cognitive capability of humans in terms of situation awareness, decision making, and communication.
• The selection and application of Human Factors methods for design, modelling and/or evaluation of socio-technical systems
• The importance of research ethics in the context of Human Factors studies.
• The system view of errors and accident analysis.
• The importance of physical considerations (e.g. anthropometrics, vibration, motion sickness) and their implications for design.

This module provides a detailed overview of Human Factors Engineering, to show how knowledge of the capability of humans can be used for the design of systems and machines and the optimisation of the working and living environment. Engineering students gain a competitive edge as they will be provided with a background knowledge of Human Factors, which is essential to all engineering disciplines, but is not often taught. Contact time in the module might include the following sessions (or similar), with each session including a mix of different delivery modes as decided by individual lecturers in consultation with the module lead:

1) Introduction to Human Factors

2) Human Factors Methods

3) Experimental design (and lab tours)

4) Decision Making and Error

5) Accident Analysis

6) Road Safety and Automation

7) Situation Awareness

8) Anthropometrics

9) Vibration and Motion Sickness

10) Visual environments

11) Thermal environments

12) Acoustic environments

Teaching and learning methods

A mixture of classroom-based teaching and learning methods will be used, including lectures, video case studies to facilitate group activities and class discussions. These will be supplemented by short recorded lectures available through Blackboard which will feed into the delivered sessions, self-study, and lab tours.

Resources & Reading list

General Resources

Reading list. Extensive reading lists will be provided at the end of each session

Assessment strategy

This module will be assessed via a single piece of coursework made up of a number of mini-assignments that relate to the course content delivered throughout the semester.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External