Human Factors and Advanced Technology
Overview
This unit examines Human Factors principles and their application to complex aviation systems. Students critically evaluate the discipline's foundations and its relationship to aviation psychology, together with Human Factors models, ergonomic design, and human information processing and decision-making. Unit content explores the physiological demands of flight and the influence of individual differences on performance. Students also learn to analyse Human Factors research and communicate evidence-based findings. On completion, students should be able to critically evaluate and apply the principles of Human Factors to situations in which the operator and the task are mismatched.
Requisites
30-May-2027
Unit learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Critically examine the principles and evolution of the Human Factors discipline and its relationship to aviation psychology
- Compare Human Factors models and design principles to evaluate their application
- Critically analyse and synthesise Human Factors research
- Analyse the principal physiological and psychophysiological issues associated with flight and evaluate their impact on pilot performance
- Evaluate human information processing and decision-making systems and their limitations with reference to key models
- Evaluate the influence of personality on performance in the aviation environment
- Produce evidence-based written communications that apply the principles of effective report writing to connect Human Factors theory with current practice
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning |
2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
| Live Online Class |
1.00 | 12 weeks | 12 |
| Unspecified Activities Independent Learning |
9.50 | 12 weeks | 114 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment 1 | Individual | 25% | 1,2,4,7 |
| Assignment 2 | Individual | 35% | 1,2,3,4,5,7 |
| Assignment 3 | Individual | 40% | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 |
Hurdle
To pass this unit and meet all Unit Learning Outcomes to a minimum standard, a student must:
(i) complete all assignments; and
(ii) achieve an aggregate mark of 50% or higher.
Students who do not meet hurdle requirements will receive a maximum of 45% for the unit.
Content
- Introduction to human factors
- Human factors in aircraft accident investigation
- Systems analysis
- Ergonomic principles in aviation
- Aviation displays
- Cockpit automation
- Software interfaces
- Cockpit crew-systems design integration
- Cabin safety
- Flight training and simulation
- Pilot attention and workload
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.