Course Description:

Human factors aspects of ambient conditions in indoor environments are addressed. Emphasis is placed on understanding both key concepts and measurement techniques. Coverage includes thermal conditions, ventilation and air quality issues, lighting, and acoustics as these affect the quality of the indoor spaces in which we live and work.

Course Objectives:

This course aims to familiarize students with the human factors information necessary for creating good indoor ambient environmental conditions. Upon completion of this course the student should understand:

1. key concepts in each of the major topic areas covered i.e. indoor climate (thermal conditions, ventilation and air quality), indoor lighting, and indoor acoustics.
2. measurement techniques and be familiar with methods.
3. how to conduct a human factors analysis of an indoor environment.

Course Format:

The course meets twice each week for a total of three hours. This time will be used for a combination of lecture, discussion, and class work. Where appropriate, guest speakers may contribute to the course. Class readings will be assigned. Course performance will be assessed using two homeworks, and two exams - a prelim.  before spring break and a noncumulative final exam during finals week.

Grading Scheme:

The following grading scheme will be used:

• 70% Exams (Exam 1 - 35%, Final Exam 2 - 35%) - non-cumulative
•  Final Exam - 5/13   9am VR 280
• 30% Homework (2 assignments worth 15% each)

All assignments and exams are required.

Assignment Dates:

• Homework 1: assigned date - January 29th, Due date - February 28th,
• Download Homework 1
• Homework 2: assigned date - March 27th Due date - April 24th
• Download Homework 2

DEA 3500: HUMAN FACTORS - THE AMBIENT ENVIRONMENT

Spring 2008

Date CONTENT

1/22 Course overview: Human Factors and the Ambient Environment

THERMAL CONDITIONS - Readings: Chapter 17 Climate, Sanders & McCormick

1/24 Measuring Thermal Conditions

1/29 Human Thermoregulatory Processes - Thermal Sensations, Thermal Stress - HW1 assigned on line

1/31 Thermal Comfort and Thermal Discomfort

2/5 Thermal conditions in buildings - Effects on Performance and Health

AIR QUALITY AND VENTILATION - Readings: Indoor Air Quality

2/7  Factors affecting Indoor Air Quality

2/12 Ventilation: Human Requirements, Standards

2/14 Building Ventilation Systems: Types, Performance, Problems

2/19 Indoor Air Pollutants: Inorganic gases

2/21 Indoor Air Pollutants: Volatile organics

2/26  Indoor Carcinogens: Mineral fibers and Particulates

2/28  Indoor Air Pollutants: Radon, Asbestos, Tobacco smoke - Due Date for HW 1

3/4   Indoor Air Pollutants: Biological contaminants - bacteria, fungi and mites

3/6  Indoor Air Pollutants: Biological contaminants - bacteria, fungi and mites

3/11 Sick Building Syndrome, Managing and Preventing IAQ problems - HW2 assigned online

3/13 EXAM 1 (8:40-9:55 am in class) - Download Practice Exam 1

SPRING BREAK (3/15-24)

LUMINOUS CONDITIONS - Readings: Chapter 16 Illumination, Sanders & McCormick

3/25 Functional Characteristics of Seeing, Measuring Indoor Lighting: concepts and techniques

3/27 Types of Lighting systems - HW2 assigned on line

4/1 Principles of Color: Effects on People

4/3 Techniques of Interior Lighting Design

4/8 Effects of Lighting on Performance and Health

ACOUSTIC CONDITIONS - Readings: Chapter 18 Noise, Sanders & McCormick

4/10 Sound, Audition, Sones, Phons

4/15 Hearing Impairment, Occupational Hearing Loss

4/17 Sound Measurement, Speech, Noise, Performance and Health

4/22 Architectural sound control; absorption, reflection, noise reduction, reverberation

4/24 Speech privacy, articulation index, sound conditioning - Due Date for HW2

4/29 Whole body Vibration and Health (Chapter 19)

5/1 Designing Healthful Indoor Environments

FINAL EXAM  - 5/13   9am VR 280

 Download Practice Exam 2

• View the DEA 3500 slideshows notes
• View the DEA350000 supplementary course notes

Consult CUErgo periodically for additional course information

Academic Integrity
View the Cornell Code of Academic Integrity