Appendix IB. Course Syllabi

IE 271 Applied Ergonomics and Work Design

Course Description:
(4 Credit Hours) Basic concepts of ergonomics and work design. Their impact on worker and work place productivity and cost. In-depth investigations of work physiology, biomechanics, anthropometry, work methods, and their measurement as they relate to person-machine systems.

Prerequisite: Physics 221

Text:
Konz and Johnson, Work Design: Industrial Ergonomics (5th ed.), Holcomb Hathaway: Scottsdale, AZ, 2000

Additional References/Materials: Lecture notes packet; NIOSH Guidelines Manual; MannequinPro, MTM, and MOST, NIOSH software packages; Cases and reference information from the WWW

Course Objectives and Outcomes:
In this course, students will:

Students completing this course should be able to

1. identify the ergonomic risk factors present in a task, job, or workspace
2. design/redesign appropriate worker systems that will improve both ergonomic characteristics and productivity
3. acquire and evaluate information related to ergonomic/productivity project issues
4. apply the engineering design process to identify, define, bound and resolve ergonomics related issues for projects that are open-ended and ambiguous (having multiple "right" solutions); including the addressing of regulatory standards regarding human work and the impact of incorporating ergonomics into the design solution on individual, and corporate, well-being and productivity
5. identify, formulate, and communicate project issues in both verbal and written formats
6. utilize computer programming, spreadsheets, word processing, e-mail, the internet, and unique engineering software to analyze project issues, to present information, and as an aid in implementing the accepted alternative solution.

Course Topics:
Ergonomics, Productivity, and Work Design; Overview of the Human System, Work Design Steps; Workplace Injuries, Product and Process Charting; Job Breakdown, Predetermined Time Systems: MTM and MOST, Anthropometry Concepts, Biomechanics Concepts, Work Physiology Concepts, Controls, Displays, and Warnings, Workstation Design, Environmental Effects on Work, Time Study, Work Sampling, Line Balancing, Worker-machine Interactions, Ergonomic Options and Productivity, Performing Work Design or Redesign

Class/laboratory Schedule:
Four class hours per week; used for laboratory time as needed

Teaching Approach:
Lecture format with in-class activities, including some active learning; Projects (Labs) are design activities based on case study analysis

Contribution of Course in Meeting the Professional Component:
This course provides an opportunity for students to work in a project-oriented environment, with opportunities to gather data, analyze that data, develop alternatives, present findings and recommendations in written and oral form, both individually and in teams.

Relationship of Course to IMSE Program Objectives:

How Assessed:
Students’ understanding of concepts, models and techniques used in work design or analyzing potential causes for ergonomic and productivity problems are assessed by exams, as well as team projects and progress reports. Ten projects are undertaken by the teams, gradually increasing in complexity. The final project is performed for a real world company, culminating in a formal written report and presentation. Assessment of the instructor and course is performed at midterm by Alpha Pi Mu and at the end of the semester by the department. This feedback is evaluated and incorporate into the course.

Actions Taken to Improve the Course: Course now includes multiple projects of varying complexity; more active learning modules; greater emphasis on communication and problem solving skill development

Prepared by: PE Patterson, February, 2000