ERGONOMICS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INEG 4723 - ERGONOMICS
Catalog Description: The capabilities and limitations of humans are addressed in the context of the person's interaction with machines and the environment. Topics of discussion include anthropometric considerations in equipment design, human sensory and physiological capabilities in the work environment selection and training of workers, and the design of controls and displays.
 
Coordinator: S.L. Johnson, Professor of Industrial Engineering

Prerequisites: INEG 3713, INEG 3313 or consent. Work measurement, methods engineering, and statistics (discrete and continuous distributions, hypothesis testing, curve fitting).
 
Corequisites: INEG 4333
 
Text Book:
Human Factors in Engineering and Design by Mark Sanders and Earnest McCormick (7th Edition), McGraw-Hill, 1993
 
Goals: To provide the student with an understanding of the physical, physiological, and psychological capabilities of humans in operational systems. Combined with the ability to measure and understand the physical, physiological, and psychological requirements of the job, the students will be able to design systems that are efficient and safe. The students will also learn how to
search for and access technical material during an individual project.
 
 
Topics:
1.     Course Introduction and Project Description (1 class) *
2.     Conducting a Review of the Technical and Research Literature (2 classes)
3.     Applications of Human Factors Engineering (2 classes)
4.     Anthropometry and Workplace Design (2 classes)
5.     Work Physiology (2 Classes)
6.     Thermal Regulation and Heat Stress (2 classes)
7.     Design and Use of Hand Tools (1 class)
8.     Manual Material Handling (3 classes)
9.     Human Information Processing and Motor Skills (2 classes)
10.     Vision and Lighting (2 classes)
11.     Design of Signs and Legends (1 class)
12.     Visual Displays (1 class)
13.     Audition, Auditory Displays and Tactile Displays (2 classes)
14.     Noise and Hearing Loss (1 class)
15.     Determining and Applying Learning Curves (1 class)
16.     Design of Controls (2 classes)

* 1 hour, 20 minute periods
 
Computer Usage:
1.     Word processing - Preparation of (a) literature bibliographies and (b) final project reports.
2.     Using the computer literature search facilities in the Library and on the network (Engineering Index, Medline, etc.).
3.     Using biomechanical modeling software to analyze manaul material handling tasks.
 
Class Projects:
The project has three primary objectives.
1.     The project provides an opportunity for the student to obtain information from sources other than texts (e.g., technical journals and reports).
2.     Provide an opportunity to analyze the information and report findings and conclusions verbally and in written form.
 
 
Design Credit:
The design credit is justified based on the open-ended class project involving a literature search and review on an assigned ergonomic application area.
 
 
Estimated Content: Engineering Science: 2 credits (67%) Engineering Design: 1 credit (33%)