INDH 5334/SENG 5334: Human Factors Engineering
Summer 2009
T/Th: 6-8:30, B-1135
Instructor:
Dr. Magdy Akladios, Assistant Professor.
3531-4 Bayou Building; Tel: (281) 283-3744; Fax: (281) 283-3709
E-mail: akladios@uhcl.edu, website: http://sce.uhcl.edu/Akladios/
http://sakai.uhcl.edu
Office hours: 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM Tuesday & Thursday (by appointment). Additional hours are
available by appointment.
Textbook:
Sanders, M.S.; and McCormick, E.J. (1993). Human Factors in Engineering & Design-7th
Edition. McGraw-Hill. New York, NY. ISBN: 0-07-054901-X
Prerequisites: None
Course description:
Humans have limited capabilities and the design process should take into
consideration these limitations. Human Factors Engineering is the process that
involves the design of environments to best fit human limitations. This course
provides the students with information that is needed when designing anything that is
to be used, read, or utilized by humans. The course covers human information
processing, memory, man-machine systems, human error theories, design of displays
(visual, auditory, tactual, olfactory, and gustatory), control considerations,
anthropometry, shift work, biological rhythms, and mental workload assessment,
Biomechanics and physiology. Emphasis is placed on the human as an integral part
of any environment.
Objectives:
This course aims to familiarize students with the basic human factors information
necessary for analyzing and redesigning modern work conditions. Upon completion of this
course the student should: 1) understand the relevance of human information processing
and man-machine models for ergonomic design; 2) acquire critical skills for ergonomic
assessment of products and systems; and 3) understand the fundamental requirements to
conduct a human factors analysis of a work environment.
Tests/Quizzes/Assignments:
In addition to two exams, and a Final, there will also be multiple quizzes. Students are
expected to turn in assignments and make their presentations on the scheduled dates.
Assignments turned in late will be assessed a 10% grade penalty per week, beginning the
day following the due date.
Grading:
Homework Assignments
Quizzes
Project/Presentation
Exam 1
Exam 2
Final
Total
10%
10%
20%
20%
20%
20%
100%
*Project/Presentation: The project is worth 20% of your entire grade. This is how it is broken
down:
 20% from your classmate evaluation of your presentation
 30% from my (or an average of other professors-should there be any in
attendance)
 50% your project report
Here is what I look for on your report:
 Cover page, TOC, Abstract, Intro, Body, Conclusion. Your Body may include
Methods, Analysis, Results, Discussions, or some combination of these.
 A good print quality, titles, good layout, readability, flow, a strong reference list to
indicate extent of research and effort, the type of sources (recent vs. old), etc.
 Relevance of the topic to the class
 Amount of your own scholarly thinking and intellect going into the project
Grading scale:
A
92-100%
B78-79%
D+
66-67%
AC+
D
88-92%
76-77%
60-65%
B+
C
D-
86-87%
70-75%
58-59%
B
CF
80-85%
68-69%
<58%
Academic Honesty:
All students at the University of Houston-Clear Lake are expected to maintain complete
honesty and integrity in all academic work attempted while enrolled at the University. This
standard of conduct includes reporting incidents of alleged violation of the honesty policy
to the instructor involved or, if necessary, to the appropriate academic dean. Each student
acknowledges, by the mere act of turning in work for a grade, that he or she has honored
the Academic Honesty Code, which states, “I will be honest in all my academic activities
and will not tolerate dishonesty.” Your participation in this class constitutes your
acceptance of the UHCL Academic Honesty Policy.
Students with Disabilities:
If you are certified as disabled and are entitled to accommodation under the Americans
with Disabilities Act, Section 503, please see the instructor as soon as possible so that
arrangements for accommodation can be made. If you are not currently certified and
believe you may qualify, please contact the UHCL Health and Disability Services Office at
281-283-2627.
Other Important Information:
UHCL Police: 281-283-2222
UHCL Weather Hotline for Building closings: 281-283-2221
Tentative Course schedule
#
Date
1
June 9
2
3
June 11
June 16
June 18
4
5
6
7
8
June 23
June 25
June 30
July 2
9 July 7
10 July 9
11 July 14
Topic
Course overview: History, Ergonomics, Anthropometrics, Biomechanics,
Design, and Systems (Ch 1, pp. 3-21).
Human Beings as Information Processors - sensory systems (Ch 3, 47-65)
Memory system, attention, decision making systems (Ch 3, 65-85)
Visual Display design - Static information (Ch 4, pp.91-117), Visual codes,
Ch 4: Symbols & graphics (Ch 4, pp.117-128)
Q1 + Visual Displays of Dynamic information (Ch 5, pp.132-158)
Exam 1
Guest Speaker: Dr. Chris Monteressi, Topic: ADA in the workplace
Non Visual Displays: Auditory, Olfactory, Tactual & Gustatory Displays (Ch
6, pp.160-192)
BioRhythms
Biomechanics, Muscles, work, typical Syndromes
Control design (Ch 11, pp.334-379)
12 July 16
July 21
13
14
15
16
17
July 23
July 28
July 30
August 4
Updated:
By:
Exam 2
Guest Speaker: Dr. Chris Monteressi: Cell Phone Usage While Driving
(Practical Examples of Vigilance and Attention)
Guest Speaker: Dr. Camille Peres (an Intro to Usability + HCI)
Project Presentations
Guest Speaker: Dr. Chris Monteressi: Cognitive Bypass
Final Exam
March 7, 2016
Dr. Magdy Akladios
May also possibly add:
 HF in System Design (Ch 22, pp. 726)
 Env. Controls (illumination, climate, noise, etc) Chs 16-19: pp. 511
 Guest Speaker: Mr. Steve Umbach (Industrial Design)
 Display/Control relationships (Ch 10, pp.301-331)