Syllabus academic year 2011/2012
(Created 2011-09-01.)
ERGONOMICSMAM085
Credits: 7,5. Grading scale: TH. Cycle: G2 (First Cycle). Main field: Technology. Language of instruction: The course will be given in Swedish. Optional for: M4. Course coordinator: Senior lecturer Fredrik Rassner, Fredrik.Rassner@design.lth.se, Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology. The course might be cancelled if the number of applicants is less than 16. Assessment: A written report on a group project, a written report on an individual study, an assessment of another student’s individual report and Problem Based Learning (PBL) sessions. For a passing grade the student must pass all assessments and contribute actively to the PBL sessions. The final grade is based on the combined results of the group project (progress and report) and the individual assignment. Further information: The introductory lecture, the problem based learning sessions, the individual assignment and the assessment of another student’s individual assignment are mandatory. Home page: http://www.eat.lth.se.

Aim

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

1. Analyse sound/noise, vibrations, illumination, thermal climate, chemical hazards and physical ergonomics with respect to:

2. Analyse how psychological and social aspects affect the working environment.

3. Analyse how humans and work are affected by concurrent factors.

4. Analyse various models for work organisation and how they control and affect the working environment.

Skills and abilities
For a passing grade the student must

Be able to apply work science principles when constructing technical products/systems.

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

Be able to retrieve, assess and apply knowledge of working science discriminatingly.

Contents
The course deals with physical environmental factors (noise, vibrations, illumination, thermal climate, chemical health hazards), ergonomics relating to repetitive strain, risks of accidents, psychological and social aspects, work organisation, labour market laws and regulations and design of the working environment.

The course comprises a lecture series and a group project, which the students will work on over a number of sessions based on the Problem Based Learning methodology. The scheduled lectures present an overview and are intended to support the students’ individual studies. Students are encouraged to ask the lecturers questions via e-mail both before and after the lectures. Students are expected to actively contribute to both group sessions and lectures. The group session work will be documented in a written report as outlined by the course coordinator. At the end of the series of group sessions, students will complete a closed book, individual assignment. In the next session, another student in the same group will present a written evaluation of the completed assignment using the recommended reading for the course.

Literature
Bohgard M et al.: Arbete och teknik på människans villkor. Prevent, Stockholm, 2008. Course handouts.