Cornell University Ergonomics Web

DESIGN & ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS

DEA 3500: HUMAN FACTORS: Ambient Environment

Spring 2014

Instructor:  Alan Hedge, 2415 Martha Van Rensselaer Hall
Phone: 255-1957  Mobile: 607-227-1728
e-mail: ah29@cornell.edu
Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:30pm - 2:30pm or by appointment

T.A.: Han Zheng, 4110 Martha Van Rensselaer Hall,
Phone: 662-694-0196
Email: hz262@cornell.edu;
Office Hours: By appointment in DEA  grad office 4110 MVR

Credit: 3 units
Room:  MVR 280
Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:40am - 9:55am

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

(Note: This is an old 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. NOTE: You do need the 7th Edition and not an earlier edition. This book is also a required text for DEA3500).

2) Bridger, R. S. (2008). Introduction to Ergonomics, 3rd ed. CRC Press, New York and London.

(Note: This is more recent book that is less comprehensive on the foundations of the discipline but also more expansive. Buying a second-hand copy or one from a bookstore such as from Amazon may be the least expensive way to obtain this book. NOTE: The book is very 'English'. This book is also a required text for DEA3250 and a recommended text for DEA4700).

Indoor Air Quality readings:

Course notes:

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:

Assignment Dates:

DEA 3500: HUMAN FACTORS - THE AMBIENT ENVIRONMENT

Spring 2014

Date    CONTENT

1/23 Course overview: Human Factors and the Ambient Environment

THERMAL CONDITIONS - Readings: Chapter 17 Climate, Sanders & McCormick;
Chapter 9 Design & Assessment in Hot & Cold Workplaces, Bridger Bridger

1/28 Measuring Thermal Conditions  - Download Homework 1

1/30 Human Thermoregulatory Processes,Thermal Sensations, Thermal Stress

2/4 Thermal Comfort and Thermal Discomfort

2/6 Thermal conditions in buildings - Effects on Performance and Health

AIR QUALITY AND VENTILATION - Readings: Indoor Air Quality

2/11  Factors affecting Indoor Air Quality

- Due Date for HW 1

2/13 Ventilation: Human Requirements  - Download Homework 2

February break  (2/15-19)

2/20 Ventilation standards

2/25 Indoor Air Pollutants: Inorganic gases

2/27 Indoor Air Pollutants: Volatile organics

3/4  Indoor Carcinogens: Radon, Asbestos, Tobacco smoke, Pesticides

3/6 Indoor Air Pollutants: Mineral fibers and Particulates

3/11 Indoor Air Pollutants: Biological contaminants - bacteria, fungi and mites

3/13 Building Ventilation Systems: Types, Performance, Problems

3/18 Sick Building Syndrome, Mitigating and Preventing IAQ problems

- Due Date for HW 2

3/20 EXAM 1 (8:40-9:55 am in class) - Download Practice Exam 1

LUMINOUS CONDITIONS - Readings: Chapter 16 Illumination, Sanders & McCormick;
Chapter 10 Visual Environment, Bridger

3/25 Functional Characteristics of Seeing - Download Homework 3

3/27 Measuring Indoor Lighting: concepts and techniques, Principles of Color: Effects on People  

SPRING BREAK (3/29-4/7)

4/8 Types of Lighting systems,Techniques of Interior Lighting Design I

4/10 Techniques of Interior Lighting Design II

4/15 Effects of Lighting on Performance and Health

ACOUSTIC CONDITIONS - Readings: Chapter 18 Noise, Sanders & McCormick;
Chapter 11 Hearing, Sound, Noise & Vibration, Bridger

4/17 Sound, Audition, Sones, Phons

4/22 Hearing Impairment, Occupational Hearing Loss

4/24 Sound Measurement, Speech, Noise, Performance and Health

4/29 Architectural sound control; absorption, reflection, noise reduction, reverberation

5/1 Speech privacy, articulation index, sound conditioning

   - Due Date for HW3

5/6 Whole body Vibration and Health

FINAL EXAM - Monday May 12, 9:00 -11:30 am, MVR 280

 Download Practice Exam 2

Consult CUErgo periodically for additional course information

Academic Integrity
View the Cornell Code of Academic Integrity