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 - TBA
• 30% Homework (2 assignments worth 15% each)

Assignment Dates:

• Homework 1: assigned date - February 3rd, Due date - March 1st,
• Download Homework 1
• Homework 2: assigned date - March 29th Due date - April 21st
• Download Homework 2

DEA 350: HUMAN FACTORS - THE AMBIENT ENVIRONMENT

Spring 2005

Date CONTENT

1/25 Course overview: Human Factors and the Ambient Environment

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

1/27 Measuring Thermal Conditions, Human Thermoregulatory Processes

2/1 Thermal Sensations, Thermal Stress

2/3 Thermal Comfort and Thermal Discomfort

2/8 Thermal conditions in buildings - Effects on Performance and Health

AIR QUALITY AND VENTILATION - Readings: Indoor Air Quality

2/10  Factors affecting Indoor Air Quality

2/15 Ventilation: Human Requirements, Standards, Sick Building Syndrome

2/17 Building Ventilation Systems: Types, Performance, Problems

2/22 Indoor Air Pollutants: Inorganic gases, Volatile organics

2/24 Indoor Air Pollutants: Biological contaminants - bacteria, fungi and mites

3/1   Indoor Air Pollutants: Mineral fibers and Particulates
      - Due Date for HW 1

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

3/8 Mitigating and Preventing IAQ problems

3/10 EXAM 1 (8:40-9:55 am) - Download Practice Exam 1

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

3/15 Functional Characteristics of Seeing

3/17 Measuring Indoor Lighting: concepts and techniques

SPRING BREAK (3/18-28)

3/29 Principles of Color: Effects on People

3/31 Types of Lighting systems

4/5 Techniques of Interior Lighting Design I

4/7 Techniques of Interior Lighting Design II

4/12 Effects of Lighting on Performance and Health

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

4/14 Sound, Audition, Sones, Phons

4/19 Hearing Impairment, Occupational Hearing Loss

4/21 Sound Measurement, Speech, Noise, Performance and Health
   - Due Date for HW2

4/26 Architectural sound control; absorption, reflection, noise reduction, reverberation

4/28 Speech privacy, articulation index, sound conditioning

5/3 Whole body Vibration and Health

5/5 Designing Healthful Indoor Environments

5/18 EXAM 2   12:00-2:30 pm Room VR280 (DEA 350/6520)

 Download Practice Exam 2

• View the DEA 350 slideshows notes
• View the DEA35000 supplementary course notes

Consult CUErgo periodically for additional course information

Academic Integrity
View the Cornell Code of Academic Integrity