Cornell University Ergonomics Web

Instructor: Alan Hedge, 3M14 Martha Van Rensselaer Hall,
Phone: 255-1957; Email: ah29@cornell.edu;
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 12:00-2:00 pm or by appointment
T.A.: Kim Rollings, 4110 Martha Van Rensselaer Hall,
Phone:  255-9501; Email: kar243@cornell.edu;
Office Hours: By appointment in DEA  grad office 4110 MVR
Credit: 3 units
Class Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:40- 9:55 am: Room: Warren 260

Course Description
This course provides an intermediate level review of the principles of human factors/ergonomics. The course covers human information processing; man-machine systems; information design; display and control design; static and dynamic anthropometrics; fundamentals of biomechanics; musculoskeletal injuries, including cumulative trauma disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome; hand tool design; back injuries; vibration; shift work, biological rhythms; and workload assessment. Emphasis is placed on ergonomic methods and techniques to assess the design of modern work environments.

Course Objectives
This course aims to familiarize students with the basic ergonomics 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.
3. Understand the fundamental requirements to conduct an ergonomic analysis of a work environment.

Course Format
The course meets twice each week for a total of three hours. This time is used for a combination of lecture, practical exercise, software, video, and discussion. Course performance is assessed using project homeworks, a midterm and a final examination.
Class Format: Combination of lecture, practical exercises, software, video, and discussion
Grading Scheme: 50% Examinations (2 non-cumulative exams: Prelim.1 -25%, Final exam - 25%):
50% Homework (three assignments - HW1 - 10%, HW2 - 20%, HW3 - 20% - see table at page bottom)

Required Course Text:
Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed., McGraw-Hill, NY.

(Note: This is an ancient book but still gives the best foundation to the discipline and is used for the professional certifying examination. Buying a second-hand copy or one from a bookstore such as from Amazon may be the least expensive way to obtain this book).

Date COURSE CONTENT

1,2. 8/27 & 9/1 Course overview: Ergonomics, Anthropometrics, Biomechanics and Design

3,4. 9/3 & 9/8  Human Factors & Ergonomics - Systems Thinking
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 1, pp. 3-21, Chapter 2, pp. 23-42.

5. 9/10 & 9/15 Human Beings as Information Processors 1 - Sensory systems
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 3, 47-65.

6. 9/17 Human Beings as Information Processors 2 - Perceptual systems
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 3, 47-65.

7. 9/22 Human Beings as Information Processors 3 - Memory systems
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 3, 65-85.

8. 9/24 Human Beings as Information Processors 4 - Attention, decision making systems
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 3, 65-85.

9. 9/29 Ergonomic Display Design 1 - Visual Display design - Static information, warnings
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 4, pp.91-117.

10. 10/1 Ergonomic Display Design 2 - Visual Displays - Visual codes, symbols & graphics
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 4, pp.117-128.

11. 10/6 Ergonomic Display Design 3 - Display design - Dynamic information
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 5, pp.132-158.

12. 10/8 Preliminary I - view the Practice Exam

13. 10/15 Ergonomic Display Design 4 - Display design - Auditory, olfactory, tactual
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 6, pp.160-192.

14. 10/20 Ergonomic Control Design  - Control design, keyboard design
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 11, pp.334-379.

15. 10/22 Ergonomic Design 7 - Display/Control relationships; practical exercise
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 10, pp.301-331.

16. 10/27 Anthropometrics 1 - statistical principles, basic dimensions, practical data collection, Human diversity; Using and Combining anthropometric data
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 13, pp.415-420 and Chapter 13, pp. 421-423.

17. 10/29 Anthropometrics 2 - Dynamic (Functional) Anthropometry - reach, clearance, posture, workspaces, workstation design
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 13, pp. 424-437, 447-452 & Chapter 14, pp. 456-482.

18. 11/3 Biomechanics 1 - Structure and function of musculoskeletal systems - tendons, ligaments, fascia, bone
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 8, pp. 225-229.

19. 11/5 Biomechanics 2 - Structure and function of musculoskeletal systems - muscles, joints, basic biomechanics
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 8, pp. 225-229.

20. 11/10 Biomechanics 3 - Mechanical work-capacity evaluation, joint motion, muscle activity, strength
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 9, pp. 273-276.

20A.  Biomechanics 4 - Biomechanical analysis methods - download course notes - read independently

21. 11/12 Biomechanics 5 - Lifting and back stress
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 8, pp. 225-231.

22. 11/17 Biomechanics 6 - Ergonomic guidelines for sitting
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 13, pp. 437 - 447.

23. 11/19 Biomechanics 7 - Manual materials handling limits  - grasping, pushing, pulling, carrying
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 8, pp. 254-269.

24. 11/24 Biomechanics 8 - Manual materials handling limits  - Musculoskeletal Disorders, motor skills
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 12, pp. 383-395, 399-402.

25. 12/1 Ergonomic Tool Design  - Hand held products
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 9, pp. 276-298.

26. 12/3 Work design - Work physiology - biological rhythms.
Reading: Sanders, M.M. & McCormick, E.J. (1993) Human Factors in Engineering & Design 7th ed. McGraw-Hill, NY. Chapter 8, pp. 245-247.

12/15  9:00 AM   M Van Rensselaer Hall G73    FINAL EXAM  - view the Practice Exam (note, the actual exam may be different in form and content)

HOMEWORK SCHEDULE
The due dates for homework will be strictly adhered to unless individual circumstances are truly exceptional. Details of each homework will be provided in class.

Number	Topic	Date set	Date due	%
1	Information display	9/8	9/29	10%
2	Display-control Mapping (stove layout)	10/6	10/29	20%
3	Ergonomic design of products	11/3	12/1	20%

Course notes
Basic course slideshow notes, supplemental notes and other ergonomics information can be browsed on CUErgo.

Course Questions
Contact Alan Hedge if you have any questions or comments on the course notes or any other aspect of the course.

Academic Integrity
View the Cornell Code of Academic Integrity