Department of Maritime Studies
CODE
FE-HES3500
Academic Year
2014 - 2015
Subject name
Human Element in Shipping and Logistics
Subject plan
Page 1/2
15 ECTS Credits
English
Spring 2015
INTRODUCTION
The specialisation in human element in shipping and logistics introduces the idea that the human
element needs to be considered in all aspects of work life. The course is an advanced
introduction to how the human element affects the safety and efficiency of maritime
organisations. Elements of human well-being and the implications for safety and efficiency will
also be elaborated upon.
Because of the current complexity of modern work life a systems perspective will be used
throughout the course as it is necessary to understand how humans, technical systems and
organisations interact and cooperate to achieve safe, efficient and healthy production. The
course will integrate knowledge, theory and empirical results from the fields of Human factors,
Cognitive System Engineering, Logistics and Systems Analysis. The course will allow students
to gain insights into how complex socio-technical systems work and fail.
PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE
The course does not require any specific previous knowledge apart from the general
requirements of the bachelor program.
However, previous experience with university courses or practical experience with The Human
Element, Work psychology, human resource management or organisational HSE would be an
advantage to the student.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
The subject will enable the students to achieve the following learning outcome:
KNOWLEDGE
The student shall have knowledge of following subjects:
•
the major overarching challenges that maritime organisations and operational personnel
are faced during ordinary and critical work situations.
SKILLS
The student should be able to:
•
•
•
•
•
•
explain key concepts such as mental workload, human error, accident analysis, and
efficiency-thoroughness tradeoff.
explain the key theories of Human-Technology-Organization Systems (HTO-Systems).
apply key theories and methods on real-life examples involving the human element.
compare different perspectives on modern work life.
describe, analyse and conceptualize how humans, technologies and organizations
cooperate in order to maintain safe, efficient and healthy production.
understand and intervene in the complexity of modern work life in order to improve the
work situations to a more safe, efficient, and healthy production.
Author: Kjell Ivar Øvergård
Approved by: Lars Chr. Iversen
Date: 05.11.2013
Sign:
Department of Maritime Studies
Academic Year
2014 - 2015
Subject plan
Page 2/2
GENERAL COMPETENCE
The student shall have competence to:
•
understand and evaluate the influence of the human element on the safety and efficiency
of maritime transport systems using scientific methods and theories.
CONTENT
Topics which will be comprehensively addressed in this course include, but are not limited to, the
following:
• Systems analysis (e.g. systems theory, system engineering and the modelling of sociotechnical systems)
• Introduction to task analysis
• Safety (e.g. accident analysis, accident prevention, resilience engineering)
• Efficiency (Work analysis, constraints based theory, way-finding)
• Work-related health and safety issues (e.g. fatigue, shift-work and workload)
• Teamwork and Crew Resource Management
• Decision making (operational and managerial decision-making, models of decisionmaking under risk)
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
The course will consist of a total of hours of work, divided into:
- Lectures (12 lecture days - in total 36 hours)
- Self-study
- Reading Curriculum (about. 800 pages)
- Preparation of group presentations (10 presentations)
- Presentation of group work (10 presentations)
- Exam
ASSESSMENT
During the course
The students have to complete (approved/not-approved) a certain number of group
presentations in order to sit for the exam. The number of mandatory presentations will
be specified at the start-up of the course.
Final assessment
The final assessment will be an 8-hour school exam without any aids.
Grading
Scale: A-F; A (highest) to F (lowest), with E as the minimum pass grade.
Examination support materials
None.
READING LIST
Mandatory literature
Will be informed separately.
Elective literature (books)
Will be informed separately.
Author: Kjell Ivar Øvergård
Approved by: Lars Chr. Iversen
Date: 05.11.2013
Sign: