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- Catalog Description
- 565 Ergonomics in Service. I; 3 cr. Analysis, evaluation and design of office systems. Sociotechnical, ergonomic and job design issues. Performance of ergonomic evaluations in offices. Design project required. P: Ind Engr 349 or cons inst.
- Course Prerequisite(s)
- See catalog description above.
- Prerequisite knowledge and/or skills
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basic human factors and ergonomics knowledge
- Textbook(s) and/or other required material
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Textbook - "Ergonomics in Computerized Offices" by Etienne Grandjean, Taylor & Francis, 1987
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Package of readings
- Course objectives
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Students will learn about office systems and their impact on people, in particular with regard to quality of working life and health. Ergonomic issues related to office systems will be presented. Students will also learn tools and methods for analyzing, evaluating and redesigning office systems.
- Topics covered
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design characteristics: computer workstation, physical environment, interface design
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quality of working life and health of computer users: vision, musculoskeletal problems, job stress
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ergonomic models of office systems: postures, balanced work systems
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analysis, evaluation and redesign of office systems: measurement techniques, analysis methods, project management
- Contribution of course to meeting the professional component
- This course contributes primarily to the students' knowledge of engineering topics, and does provide design experience.
The following statement indicates which of the following considerations are included in this course: economic, environmental, ethical, political, societal, health and safety, manufacturability, sustainability.
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Emphasis is put on the health and safety aspects of the usage of computer and information technology in offices and service jobs. Ergonomic concepts and tools are presented that can be used to improve the health and safety of office workers and computer users.
- Relationship of course to undergraduate degree program objectives and outcomes
- This course primarily serves students in the department. The information below describes how the course contributes to the undergraduate program objectives.
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design of a work system
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team project
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use of skills, and tools to analyze, and solve problems in office systems
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understand the impact of work on health and safety
- Assessment of student progress toward course objectives
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mid-term exam
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one team project with final report and presentation. The entire class participates in a project in collaboration with a local company or organization. The class is divided into 2-student teams who perform the ergonomic evaluations and analyze the computer workstations. The final report is due at the end of the semester. At the end of the semester, students present the results of their project to the company.
- Person(s) who prepared this description
