Oregon State University School of Mechanical, Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering

IE 548

Cognitive Engineering

Spring Term 2009

Course Info | Outcomes | Coursework | Grading | Honesty | Schedule | Resources

Course Information

OSU Catalog Description

Theories and models of human sensory, cognitive, and motor performance pertaining to the operation of complex systems. Applications to human-machine systems engineering. Research topics and methods related to cognitive engineering.

Meeting Times and Location

MW 8:30 – 9:50 AM, COVL 221

Instructor

Dr. Ken Funk, Associate Professor of Mechanical, Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering

office: Rogers 212
phone: 1-541-737-2357
e-mail: funkk@engr.orst.edu
office hours: MW 10:00 – 11:30 AM

Text

Wickens, C.D. & J.G. Hollands (2000). Engineering Psychology and Human Performance, Third Edition, Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Learning Outcomes

All students completing IE 548 should be able to

  1. explain why human cognitive behavior is significant to the performance of complex human-machine systems, without references;

  2. describe human cognitive performance by reference to the stage model of human information processing, without references;

  3. describe how cognitive processes corresponding to the stages in the stage model enable and limit human cognitive function in human-machine systems, both with and without references.

  4. cite principles of human-machine interface design that enhance human cognitive performance, both with and without references;

  5. apply cognitive engineering principles and methods to predict or explain human cognitive performance problems in a given system, both with and without references.

Coursework

Readings

Reading assignments will be made from the text and other sources. Assigned readings should be completed before class.

Discussions

Most class meetings will consist of discussions. All students are expected to be well prepared for and to participate in these discussions.

Midterm Examination

The midterm examination will cover all discussions prior to and all readings assigned up to the time of the exam. It will be a closed book exam, but one sheet of notes (8.5" x 11", both sides) may be used for each reading covered in the exam.

Systemic Vulnerability Analysis Project

Student teams will use concepts learned in class and cognitive engineering methods to analyze selected systems to identify their vulnerabilities to human errors and recommend interventions to reduce those vulnerabilities. Each team will

  1. conduct a literature review, collecting and summarizing sources related to technical background information and human performance in that domain;

  2. identify subject matter experts (SMEs) to assist in the project;

  3. interview the SMEs to learn about system elements and processes;

  4. model system processes using IDEF0;

  5. apply the Human Fallibilities Identification and Remediation Database (HFIRDB) to identify human fallibilities likely to manifest themselves in system processes;

  6. work with the SMEs to perform a Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) to identify system vulnerabilities to human errors;

  7. suggest interventions to reduce the vulnerabilities; and

  8. prepare and submit a report that summarizes the background, objectives, methodology, and findings.

Each team will submit progress reports on the days shown in the schedule. A progress report will consist of a one-to-two-page (single-spaced) cover memo and one or more work products. The cover memo should contain the following:

  • Standard memo header (from, to, subject, date)

  • Purpose of the memo

  • Summary of work completed in the previous period

  • Description of the work product(s)

  • Description of difficulties encountered or expected

  • Plans for the next period (including how to deal with difficulties)

Lead authorship for cover memos should rotate among team members, so that each team member is lead author at least once during the term. More specific requirements for progress reports and requirements for the final report will be given later by the instructor.

Final Examination

The final examination will be comprehensive, covering all readings and lectures for the term. The exam will be closed book, closed notes, but one sheet of notes (8.5" x 11", both sides) may be used for each reading covered in the exam.

Grading

Grading Criteria

Work products and examination questions will be graded on appropriate technical criteria. Reports will be graded on completeness of content, appropriate technical criteria, and mechanics (including organization, clarity, style, sentence structure, wording, grammar, spelling, punctuation, formatting, and length).

Points

Grading will be based on points earned for course work as defined in the following table.

Midterm Exam

100

5 Systemic Vulnerability Analysis Project Progress Reports @ 20

100

Systemic Vulnerability Analysis Project Final Report

100

Final Exam

100

Total

400

Grading Scale

Points will be assigned to student work according to the above and each student's final course grade will be based on the percentage of maximum possible points earned, according to the following table.

93% - 100%

A

90% - 92%

A-

87% - 89%

B+

83% - 86%

B

80% - 82%

B-

77% - 79%

C+

73% - 76%

D

70% - 72%

C-

67% - 69%

D+

63% - 66%

D

60% - 62%

D-

0% - 59%

F

Questions About Grading

Any questions or concerns about the grading of specific work must be brought to the attention of the instructor within one week of when the graded work is returned.

Academic Honesty

As responsible adults, students are expected to uphold high standards of academic integrity. Academic dishonesty is prohibited, it is considered a violation of the OSU Student Conduct Regulations, and any instances of it will be dealt with accordingly. Academic dishonesty includes

  • cheating (the intentional use of unauthorized materials, information, or study aids),

  • fabrication (intentional falsification or invention of any information),

  • assisting in dishonesty (intentionally or knowingly helping or attempting to help another commit an act of dishonesty ),

  • tampering (altering or interfering with evaluation instruments or documents), and

  • plagiarism (intentionally or knowingly representing the words or ideas of another person's as ones' own).

Any questions regarding academic honesty should be referred to the instructor or to the OSU Student Conduct & Mediation website, from which the above definitions were derived.

Course Schedule

See schedule.

Resources


Course Info | Outcomes | Coursework | Grading | Honesty | Schedule | Resources

Updated 7 May 2009