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PSYC 317 Human Factors

Human factors psychology (ergonomics) is the study of human capacities and limitations affecting people's interaction with machines. Topics include perception, cognition, memory, psychomotor learning, display and control design, vehicular and roadway design, the human-computer interface, airplane crashes, and product liability. The course includes psychology laboratory experiments and research reports, exercises in human factors design, and a field trip in which students fly a flight simulator. Experimental methodology underlies the content of this course.

Prerequisites

4 Undergraduate credits

Effective August 24, 2002 to present

Meets graduation requirements for

Learning outcomes

General

  • To provide an understanding of how laboratory research is conducted in psychology as it relates to human and machine interactions.
  • To provide an understanding of principles of perceptual, psychomotor, learning, and cognitive psychology as they relate to human factors analyses.
  • To provide an understanding of the human factors implications of machine and system design.
  • To provide experience in applying human factors principles to design problems and to develop new approaches to solving human and machine interactions.

Minnesota Transfer Curriculum

Goal 5: History and the Social and Behavioral Sciences

  • Employ the methods and data that historians and social and behavioral scientists use to investigate the human condition.
  • Examine social institutions and processes across a range of historical periods and cultures.
  • Use and critique alternative explanatory systems or theories.
  • Develop and communicate alternative explanations or solutions for contemporary social issues.

Fall 2024

Section Title Instructor books eservices
50 Human Factors Lysen, Paul Books for PSYC-317-50 Fall 2024 Course details for PSYC-317-50 Fall 2024