Human Factors (HF)

HF 299  Special Topics in Human Factors  1-6 Credit

Individual independent or directed studies of selected topics.

HF 300  Human Factors I: Principles and Fundamentals  3 Credits (3,0)

This course is intended to provide the student with an understanding of the basic principles of Human Factors Psychology. We will study the research, principles, and methods that are beneficial (and essential) in optimizing the interaction between people and machine elements of a system, while taking the environment into account.
Prerequisites: PSY 101 or PSY 222

HF 302  Human Factors II: Analytic Methods and Techniques  4 Credits (4,0)

Engineering and behavioral analytic methods and techniques; theoretical concepts and required tools needed within the Human Factors discipline; process and system design or redesign of an existing system and process.
Prerequisites: HF 300

HF 306  Human Factors III: Performance Processes  4 Credits (4,0)

******OFFERED ON PRESCOTT CAMPUS ONLY******Intermediate and advanced processes and knowledge within the domain of human factors. Human and system performance measurement; design evaluation practices. Contributes to core course series providing a set of knowledge, skills, and abilities endemic to a human factors practitioner.

HF 307  Human Factors III: Performance Processes  3 Credits (3,0)

Intermediate and advanced processes and knowledge within the domain of human factors. Human and system performance measurement; design evaluation practices. Contributes to core course series providing a set of knowledge, skills, and abilities endemic to a human factors practitioner.
Prerequisites: HF 300 Corequisites: HF 307L

HF 307L  Human Factors III: Performance Processes Lab  1 Credit (0,1)

Interaction with a broad array of concrete examples of core human factors concepts. Measurement of human performance and interpretation of collected data. Interpretation of collected data for design considerations and practical applications.
Corequisites: HF 307

HF 310  Human-Computer Interaction  3 Credits (3,0)

Basic principles and practices involved in the design and evaluation of human-computer interfaces.
Prerequisites: HF 300

HF 312  Ergonomics and Bioengineering  3 Credits (3,0)

Advanced applications from a variety of bioengineering subfields are identified and defined with respect to their importance in the practice of human factors. Quantitative methods for the analysis of human movement. Topics include anthropometry, kinematics, kinetics, work and power, muscle mechanics, and electromyography. Introduces students to the application of ergonomic principles to the industrial environment. Includes subject matter on ergonomic planning and implementation, the work environment, NIOSHA work factors, and workstation equipment and design.
Prerequisites: HF 201 or HF 210 or HF 300

HF 315  Automation and Systems Issues in Aviation  3 Credits (3,0)

This course will involve analyzing and discussing the most current issues relevant to the new generation of aviation systems. Assumptions on which current systems are based will be identified and alternatives examined.
Prerequisites: HF 300

HF 321  Psychopharmacology  3 Credits (3,0)

This course is meant to be an introductory class in pharmacology, particularly drugs that affect brain function and drugs that are relevant to aerospace environments. The history of drug use and abuse is discussed as well as the underlying politics that have guided FDA drug policy in the U.S. Current FAA and NASA drug considerations are described. The mechanisms and sites of action for medically relevant drugs and drugs of abuse will be described to explain the causes of their effects.
Prerequisites: PSY 101

HF 323  Aging: Behavioral and Biological Foundations  3 Credits (3,0)

Theories of aging. Evidence of psychological, perceptual, motor, and physical changes associated with aging. How aging affects psychological, perceptual, motor, and physical capabilities of individuals. Design of tools or environments that older adults use or may encounter. Investigating the effects of aging on complex behaviors like driving and flying.
Prerequisites: HF 300

HF 325  Human Factors and System Safety  3 Credits (3,0)

This course emphasizes the integration of human factors in all phases of a system's life-cycle. Accident prevention, beginning with systems engineering together with sound management, are combined in this course to enable the student to fully comprehend the human's vital role in preventing accidents. The total program, from basic design concepts through testing, maintenance/systems management, and operational employment, is fully examined and evaluated.
Prerequisites: HF 300

HF 326  Human Performance in Extreme Environments  3 Credits (3,0)

This course will focus on the physiological, behavioral, and human factors issues of performance in extreme environments, particularly the human-technology-environment relationship common to many of these settings. With this focus, students will survey different occupations and environments and learn how research findings from one setting, such as submarines, have relevance to similar settings like long-duration spaceflight. Students will also learn how to apply human factors principles to enhance performance, safety, and health in extreme environments.
Prerequisites: HF 300

HF 330  Human Factors in Space  3 Credits (3,0)

This course is intended to provide the student with an understanding of the basic principles and knowledge of aerospace human factors. Emphasis will be on the human factors issues with living and working in space. In this course the student will study the research, principles, and methods that are beneficial (and essential) in optimizing the interaction between people and machine elements of aerospace systems.
Prerequisites: HF 300

HF 335  Human Factors in Air Traffic Control  3 Credits (3,0)

A comprehensive examination of the application of human factors to air traffic control systems. The course covers the full range of applications of human factors.
Prerequisites: HF 300

HF 337  Driving Safety: Role of Driver Behavior, Design, and Policy  3 Credits (3,0)

Issues in road safety including driver behavior, the design of roadways and vehicles, and public policy. Driver distraction, crash severity, components of the driving task related to drivers' perceptual and cognitive abilities. Effectiveness of interventions such as minimum drinking age laws. Research investigating driving safety, driver behavior, and driving performance.
Prerequisites: HF 300

HF 352  Human Factors in Entertainment Systems  3 Credits (3,0)

This class will expose students to the psychological and human factors considerations in the design, creation, and analysis of entertainment systems. A wide variety of topic domains will be reviewed including electronic games, movies and television programs, comic books and sports. A focus on psychological issues in individual activity and social dynamics will be examined in entertainment use while design considerations are investigated through analysis of entertainment system development. A consideration of human-computer interaction principles, gaming theory, and flow as applied to entertainment systems are included as central concepts. The impact of entertainment system advances in other domains will also be explored.
Prerequisites: HF 300

HF 399  Special Topics in Human Factors  1-6 Credit

Individual independent or directed studies of selected topics.

HF 400  Human Factors IV: System Design  4 Credits (4,0)

Engineered systems, systems engineering, and the role of human factors in the life cycle of such systems. Human roles within and interacting with systems. Human factors methods, knowledge, tools, and techniques.
Prerequisites: HF 306 or HF 307

HF 410  Human Factors Engineering: Crew Station Design  3 Credits (3,0)

In-depth treatment of human factors principles applicable to the design of crew command centers for aerodynamic aviation/aerospace systems.
Prerequisites: HF 300

HF 412  Simulating Humans in Complex Systems  3 Credits (3,0)

This course involves understanding the theory and applications for modeling human behavior in the operation of complex systems. The student will learn to program basic problems such as a traffic flow problem, a hospital transportation problem, and a bank teller efficiency problem. Several software architectures will be presented and the student will gain a working knowledge of these. Examples may include Micro Saint Sharp, ACT-R, and MIDAS. The use of human performance modifiers to discrete event simulations such as fatigue and thermal shock will be discussed as they impact task management plans. The goals of the class are to acquaint the student with how human behavior in complex systems can be simulated, studied, and assessed with the goal of applying the results.
Prerequisites: HF 300

HF 415  Human Factors in Simulation Systems  3 Credits (3,0)

This course provides a comprehensive examination of the human factors aspects of simulation in modern aviation/aerospace. Topics will include history, state-of-the-art simulation systems, and current research and development. Discussion focuses on the extent and impact of human factors in simulator training. Topics from flight crew training, evaluation, effectiveness, and simulator sickness are examined in detail.
Prerequisites: HF 300

HF 422  Applied Ergonomic Design, Analysis, and Evaluation  3 Credits (3,0)

This course will provide students with comprehensive exposure to the application of ergonomics analysis in the design of human/machine systems and products. Students will examine, verify, and correct the design of differently configured systems with CATIAs human modeling and ergonomics workbench. Students will learn to verify how well an existing design accommodates a specified population. Core parameters to be examined are comfort, reach, clearance, core of vision, posture analysis, range of motion, lift/lower, and push/pull analysis. Students will learn how to create a mannequin with unique characteristics of a specified population. Additionally, students will be exposed to the relevant methods of statistical analysis required to verify the output of the computer modeling simulations. Finally, students are introduced to the statistical tools used in the corroboration of ergonomic design and verification.

HF 440  Aerospace Physiology  3 Credits (3,0)

This course is intended to convey the adaptability of human physiological systems to unique aerospace environments. The student will learn the structure and function of the major relevant systems such as the central and peripheral nervous systems; cardiac and pulmonary systems; muscular and sensory neuroscience; and the immune and endocrine systems.
Prerequisites: BIO 120

HF 490  Practicum in Human Factors Psychology  3 Credits (3,0)

Supervised applied practicum experience. This requirement may be fulfilled in several ways, including co-ops, internships, or working on an on-campus research team. Practica provide opportunities to gain practical experience in real-world settings. The student completes a specific project under the supervision of an organizational sponsor and/or a faculty member.

HF 499  Special Topics in Human Factors  1-6 Credit

Individual independent or directed studies of selected topics.