About the course
A continuation of Engineering Psychology I, this course shifts the focus from the cognitive side of human–automation interaction to human physical capabilities and limitations. Through anthropometry, biomechanics, and work physiology — anchored in real industrial operations — students learn to maximize human performance, minimize physical stress, and balance both cognitive and physical workload. Built for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in psychology, engineering, and design, it pairs Tuesday lectures with hands-on Thursday labs and a semester-long UAV design project.
Physical HF constructs
Anthropometry, biomechanics, and work physiology, developed through Tuesday lectures, readings, and weekly quizzes.
Hands-on lab
Thursday sessions combine reading discussion with guided, small-group design activities applied to a working system.
UAV design project
Teams of 3–4 develop a UAV workstation across the semester, ending in a final report and class presentation.
Learning objectives
- Understand the variability of human dimensions and anthropometry.
- Design and evaluate jobs, equipment, tools, products, and environments to identify and mitigate health and safety hazards.
- Develop strategies to reduce or eliminate physical stress and the risk of injuries and illnesses in the workplace.
- Create designs for jobs, workspaces, and products that accommodate a diverse workforce — accounting for variability in dimensions, strength, endurance, and physical capacity.
- Optimize designs to maximize human capability, minimize physical stress, and balance workload.
- Communicate and defend design considerations to professionals who may not be proficient in human factors.
Weekly schedule
Tuesdays are topical lectures; Thursdays are hands-on labs and reading discussions. Weekly quizzes & readings are due Wednesdays at 11:59 PM, starting Week 2.
| Week | Tuesday — Lecture | Thursday — Lab | Readings |
|---|
Grading
| Assessment | Points |
|---|---|
| Two take-home exams (20 each) | 40 |
| UAV design project | 20 |
| Weekly quizzes & reading | 20 |
| Lab participation & activities | 20 |
| Total | 100 |
| Letter | Range |
|---|---|
| A | 89.5 – 100 |
| B | 79.5 – 89.4 |
| C | 73.5 – 79.4 |
| D | 63.5 – 73.4 |
| F | below 63.5 |
Course policies
Attendance: Students are expected to attend, arrive on time, take part in hands-on activities, and contribute to reading discussions. Missing more than two classes for illness or emergencies is handled case-by-case.
Late work: Assignments and deliverables lose 20% of the total grade for each day they are late.
Accommodations: Follows Georgia Tech policy. Notify the instructor early — within the first two weeks, or at least two weeks before accommodations are needed.
Diversity & inclusion: Georgia Tech and the instructor are committed to full inclusion. Please let the instructor know of any circumstances affecting your ability to participate.
Use of AI / LLMs: Tools like ChatGPT may aid writing and analysis, but students must verify outputs for accuracy and bias, keep a record of their prompts and revisions, and uphold academic integrity. The instructor is the final judge of submitted work.