182.621.41
Introduction to Ergonomics

Location
Internet
Term
2nd Term
Department
Environmental Health and Engineering
Credit(s)
4
Academic Year
2024 - 2025
Instruction Method
Synchronous Online
Class Time(s)
Friday, 8:30 - 11:50am
Auditors Allowed
Yes, with instructor consent
Available to Undergraduate
Yes
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
John Pentikis
Course Instructor(s)
Kelsey McCoskey
Contact Name
John Pentikis
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Prerequisite

No prerequisites are required.

Description
This course will provide students with an understanding of how poor work design can lead to musculoskeletal injuries. This course will provide you with the skills and abilities to identify tools, equipment and workstations that are designed with good ergonomic principles.
Introduces the fundamental principles of ergonomics, including terminology, concepts, and applications of physiology, anthropometry, biomechanics, psychology, and engineering to work place and work methods design. Emphasizes the complex relationships among workers, job demands, work place designs, and work methods. Prepares students for advanced study in safety science, industrial hygiene, injury prevention, industrial engineering, and safety and health management.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  1. Identify ergonomic risk factors, select the appropriate assessment tool, and conduct a detailed ergonomic risk assessment
  2. Identify and analyze the biomechanical aspects of a manual material handling task and develop design recommendations to reduce the risk of injury
  3. Evaluate an office work area for ergonomic concerns and provide design recommendations to improve performance and reduce injury risk
  4. Assess a work-rest schedule and develop recommendations based on the physical demands of the task, worker characteristics and environmental conditions
  5. Discuss the applicability of various standardized ergonomic assessment tools, including OWAS, RULA, REBA, and the Strain Index
  6. Discuss various program management issues and the value-added of an integrated ergonomics program
Methods of Assessment
This course is evaluated as follows:
  • 20% Journal Review 1
  • 20% Journal Review 2
  • 30% Midterm
  • 30% "Putting It All Together"
Instructor Consent
No consent required
Special Comments

This is the virtual/online section of a class also held onsite. You are responsible for the modality in which you register.