Human Factors Engineering Short Course

Posted 07/07/2009
Michigan Human Factors Engineering Short Course

The Michigan Human Factors Engineering Short Course is scheduled July 27–August 1 at the University of Michigan. Now in its 50th year, the popular course attracts engineers, psychologists, medical professionals, managers, and others interested in human factors, ergonomics, and human-computer interaction, or usability.

This intensive two-week course is geared toward professionals who design systems, products and services to make them easier, safer and more effective for human use.

Paul Green, research professor in UMTRI’s Human Factors Division, serves as course program coleader. What makes the program noteworthy, explains Green, is the wide variety of application environments that people bring to the course—from aircraft cockpits, to nuclear power plants, medical environments, motor vehicles, and military settings, to name just a few.

“The hallmark of the class is that it represents the breadth of the human factors profession,” says Green. “There’s a tremendous cross-section of people who attend. That’s what makes it interesting.”

The unifying theme for all participants is the goal of designing systems and products to make them safe and easy to use.

This year’s course will feature 30 lectures, 16 seminars, six workshops, and numerous field trips and social activities, complemented by small group and hands-on design experience.

Week one will provide a broad survey of human factors topics important to designers and researchers. Some of the topics include cognitive task analysis, advanced displays, motor skills and manual controls, and perception, memory and cognition.

Week two will present an overview of major topics and trends in human-computer interaction, including automation, inclusive design, usability testing, and web interface evaluation methods, among others.

See: course information.