Course syllabus for Ergonomics

The course syllabus contains changes
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Course syllabus adopted 2021-02-26 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameErgonomi
  • CodeIMS040
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerTIDSL
  • Education cycleFirst-cycle
  • Main field of studyIndustrial Design Engineering
  • DepartmentINDUSTRIAL AND MATERIALS SCIENCE
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language Swedish
  • Application code 66112
  • Maximum participants36
  • Open for exchange studentsNo
  • Only students with the course round in the programme overview.

Credit distribution

0119 Written and oral assignments 3 c
Grading: TH		 3 c
0219 Intermediate test 4.5 c
Grading: TH		 4.5 c
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Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for bachelor's level (first cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

The same as for the programme that owns the course.
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

-

Aim

The aim of the course is to enhance understanding of the role of the human user in the design process, where the design of workplaces and production systems is also addressed. Alongside introducing theoretically how human needs and limitations can be addressed in the product development process, the course introduces modern ergonomic assessment methods that are useful in work situations and product design, and lets the students practice skills in selecting and using those methods analytically. The concept "design for All" (Universal Design) and the emphasis on accessibility plays a central role in the course.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

After having completed the course the student should be able to apply ergonomics theory to selected industrial applications, choose and justify modern ergonomic analysis methods, and know their advantages and limitations. The student should:
  • be able to describe key ergonomic characteristics of the cognitive, physical, work-environmental and psycho-social perspectives.
  • be able to identify and evaluate ergonomic requirements, needs, risks and limitations in the product development process, with special regard to the end user(s); and propose improvements.
  • be able to present the main theories and practical guidelines for the design of digital and physical user interfaces, and to apply these.
  • be able to elaborate the concept of "Design for all", its ethical motivation (inclusion and non-discrimination), and how to manage and prioritize "critical users" specific requirements.
Generic skills to be practiced are the students' ability to work in projects, combined with oral, written and visual communication skills and performance.

Content

The course gives theoretical, ethical and practical perspectives on the area of ergonomics and human factors engineering in connection to the design situation. A basic understanding of the major perspectives of ergonomics is covered as well as some hands-on use of practical analysis tools. A project is carried out in groups.

Organisation

The course contains lectures, exercises, a study visit, a group project and continuous individual assignments. Any mandatory activities requiring attendance will be specified in the current course PM.

Literature

The main course literature is "Production Ergonomics: Designing Work Systems to Support Optimal Human Performance" by C. Berlin and C. Adams, 2017 (Ubiquity Press). Additional corresponding literature will be provided via the course homepage.

Examination including compulsory elements

To fulfill the course requirements, students are required to have passed all individual hand-ins as well as the group project, as well as to have registered attendance in mandatory course elements as indicated in the course PM. Grade scale: U (fail), 3, 4, 5.

 

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.

The course syllabus contains changes

  • Changes to course rounds:
    • 2022-05-13: Max number of participants Max number of participants 36 added by PA/UBS
      [Course round 1]