645.650.81 - Foundations of Human Systems Engineering

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into modules which can be accessed by clicking Course Modules on the left menu. A module will have several sections including the overview, content, readings, discussions, and assignments. You are encouraged to preview all sections of the module before starting. Most modules run for a period of seven (7) days, exceptions are noted in the Course Outline. You should regularly check the Calendar and Announcements for assignment due dates. 

Course Topics

• Overview of HSE
• Research Methods
  
• Human Reliability
• Human Information Processing
• Visual Perception
• Auditory & Chemical Sensory Systems
• Attention
• Retention
• Decision-Making
• Motor Skills
• Anthropometrics
• Environmental Human Factors
  
• Experts/Expert Systems
• Making the Case for Human Factors

Course Goals

To understand the foundations of human systems engineering and integration, beginning with human capabilities and limitations; and to develop and demonstrate critical thinking about human performance considerations in system design and integration during an analysis project. 

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• Define the differences between human system engineering, human factors engineering, and human system integration.
• Explain human capabilities and limitations of visual, auditory, vestibular, proprioception and touch senses, gross and fine motor movement, cognitive processing, and decision making in general terms.
• Apply basic human systems engineering techniques and tools, including task analysis, risk analysis, Hick’s Law, and Fitts’ Law in the evaluation and redesign of a simple human interface.
• Apply the scientific method to design and document studies of human performance (with specific emphasis on reaction time and fatigue).
• Describe human systems integration domains: human factors engineering; training; maintenance; environmental, safety, and occupational health; survivability; habitability; manpower; and personnel and how these domains are integrated in systems engineering for total systems performance.
• Present case studies of designs and design failures, with specific emphasis on identifying and describing human factors issues and writing human systems engineering requirements.

Textbooks

ISBN-10: 1482229560

ISBN-13: 978-1482229561

In addition to the text, required and supplemental readings will be posted on Canvas throughout the course. 

Textbook information for this course is available online through the appropriate bookstore website: For online courses, search the MBS website. 

Student Coursework Requirements

Grading Policy

Assignments are due according to the dates posted in your Canvas course site. You may check these due dates in the Course Calendar or the Assignments in the corresponding modules. I/We will post grades one week after assignment due dates. 

We generally do not directly grade spelling and grammar. However, egregious violations of the rules of the English language will be noted without comment. Consistently poor performance in either spelling or grammar is taken as an indication of poor written communication ability that may detract from your grade. 

A grade of A indicates achievement of consistent excellence and distinction throughout the course—that is, conspicuous excellence in all aspects of assignments and discussion in every week. 

A grade of B indicates work that meets all course requirements on a level appropriate for graduate academic work. These criteria apply to both undergraduates and graduate students taking the course. 

EP uses a +/- grading system (see “Grading System”, Graduate Programs catalog, p. 10). 

100-98 = A+ 97-94 = A 93-90 = A− 89-87 = B+ 86-83 = B 82-80 = B− 79-77 = C+ 76-73 = C 72-70 = C− 69-67 = D+ 66-63 = D <63 = F 

Final grades will be determined by the following weighting: 

Course Policies

You are encouraged to communicate with the instructor. 

You are expected to notify the instructor of any circumstances that delay completion of any single module (e.g., travel or illness).  

You are expected to contribute to discussions and threads from your experiences and to answer questions provided by the instructor.  

Office hours are provided so that you can ask questions about the lectures or assignments to gain clarification.  Even if you do not have questions, I encourage you to either attend these weekly sessions or review the recordings. Listening to other’s questions and answers serves to deepen understanding.   If you have questions or concerns and cannot attend office hours, you may provide a written request for an alternate time or method, to be arranged by and at the convenience of the instructor. 

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.