Undergraduate Human Factors Curriculum and Introductory Human Factors Course Content

Abstract

This panel provided a discussion format for six academic institutions to share their Human Factors (HF) curriculum and more specifically, to educate others on how they teach their introductory HF course. Each panelist addressed the following topics regarding their HF curriculum: foundation courses of the department's degree and specific HF courses offered. Then the panelists focused their discussions to their specific introductory HF course: philosophy; text book(s) used; course objectives; course syllabus flow; grading practices; and specific lesson exercises/labs.

Undergraduate Human Factors Curriculum at the United States Air Force Academy

“…Although this did not quite align with the recommendations of the external review committee, it is acceptable based on the overall mission of the Air Force Academy ('develop leaders of character'). We know that among other universities, a variety of different departments house human factors programs (Gibb, 1998) which leads to significant variety in the courses required for an undergraduate HF major at each institution. Our institution is unique in that we know where our graduates will work and who their employer will be upon graduation.…”

“…In 1998, at the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) 42 nd Annual Meeting in Chicago, a panel was formed to discuss and share ideas on the topic of "Undergraduate Human Factors Curriculum and Introductory Human Factors Course Content" (Gibb, 1998). The panel consisted of six schools,…”

“…

This paper shares one organization's journey to assess its human factors curriculum, develop improved course content to address current topics and accommodate the growing number of systems engineers in the human factors classroom.

BACKGROUNDIn 1998, at the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) 42 nd Annual Meeting in Chicago, a panel was formed to discuss and share ideas on the topic of "Undergraduate Human Factors Curriculum and Introductory Human Factors Course Content" (Gibb, 1998). The panel consisted of six schools,

…”