Human Factors and Ergonomics

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Courses - May 2023

Level 1

Course details

Technical Communication for Human Factors and Ergonomics
COMM8480

Description:

This course focuses on improving the communication (verbal, non-verbal and written) skills of students. Students will learn how to communicate scientific and technical information concisely and accurately using appropriate formats and graphical support. Students will learn how to leverage the economics of human factors and ergonomics to gain buy-in from different stakeholders in the implementation of Human Factors and Ergonomics.

Hours: 28
Credits: 2
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Conestoga 101
CON0101

Description: This self-directed course focuses on introducing new students to the supports, services, and opportunities available at Conestoga College. By the end of this course, students will understand the academic expectations of the Conestoga learning environment, as well as the supports available to ensure their academic success. Students will also be able to identify on-campus services that support their health and wellness, and explore ways to get actively involved in the Conestoga community through co-curricular learning opportunities.

Hours: 1
Credits: 0
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Introduction to Occupational Health and Safety Legislation
OHS8195

Description: This course introduces students to occupational health and safety legislated requirements for the workplace. Students will learn the main components of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the rights and responsibilities of workplace parties. Students will explore issues associated with workplace violence, harassment, accident response, and the legal requirements for WHMIS. Students will apply their knowledge of health and safety legislation to a workplace to assess compliance.

Hours: 28
Credits: 2
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Foundations of Ergonomics
OHS8270

Description:

This course introduces students to the core concepts of anatomy, anthropometry, physiology, kinesiology, biomechanics, and their implications to human abilities. The course then discusses in detail the ergonomic principles and the application of those principles in the design of work systems including the assessment of workplaces and injuries through use of ergonomic tools and implementation of solutions. This course covers the foundations of cognitive, macro, physical and psychosocial human factors and ergonomics.

Hours: 70
Credits: 5
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Managing Projects in Ergonomics
OHS8280

Description:

This course provides students with the tools and techniques to manage ergonomics projects. Students will utilize the learn principles of the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK). This will help students establish priorities and effectively manage projects. Students will also gain a working knowledge of Microsoft Project.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Human Factors in Product Design
OHS8290

Description:

Students will learn about the product design process and how to design more accessible products for users. This course explores human information processing to better design controls and displays, sensory and cognitive contributions to systems, and implications for the design of systems in the workplace. Students will engage in a semester long project and develop the conceptual design of a new product.

Hours: 56
Credits: 4
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Industrial Applications for Human Factors
OHS8300

Description:

In this course, students will explore the applications of Human Factors and Ergonomics in different industries. Case studies from Aerospace, Manufacturing, Healthcare and Innovation will be discussed.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Statistics and Software Applications
STAT8070

Description:

This course introduces students to different statistical concepts and techniques, such as descriptive statistics, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), regression, correlation, and different graphical methods for data presentation. Microsoft Excel and a statistical software will be applied to manipulate data.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Level 2

Course details

Ergonomics Instrumentation and Assessments
OHS8310

Description:

This course exposes students to some of the most common tools in ergonomic assessments. Focus will be given to physical and environmental exposures in a workplace. Students will analyze simulated workplace scenarios and quantify dynamic work environment artifacts such as noise, vibrations, force and sound.

Hours: 70
Credits: 5
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Digital Human Modeling
OHS8330

Description:

In this course, students will explore different techniques of simulating human interaction with products or workplaces in a virtual environment. Detailed training on a digital human modeling (DHM) software will be provided.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Human-Computer Interaction and User Experience
OHS8340

Description:

The course provides students the fundamental guidelines and heuristics of user interface design. The application of Universal Design and modern development frameworks will be discussed, as a means to promote equity and accessibility in computational interfaces.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Workplace Safety and Return to Work
OHS8350

Description:

This course introduces students to different workplace standards, provincial and federal legislations. The course focuses on Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) and return to work practices.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Capstone (Human Factors and Ergonomics)
OHS8360

Description:

This capstone project course, a culmination of the program, will require students to combine the practical and theoretical knowledge gained within this program to successfully solve a Human Factors and Ergonomics problem. Small groups of students working in teams will propose, design and evaluate solutions applied to industrial projects. Through meetings with student groups, faculty will support the development of the project plan, design, implementation and solution.

Hours: 84
Credits: 6
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Humans and Quality Improvement
QUAL8410

Description:

This course will enable students to analyze and solve quality problems by focusing on humans in the system. Contemporary approaches of Lean and Six Sigma will used to improve system performance with a focus on employee wellbeing.

Hours: 42
Credits: 3
Pre-Requisites:
CoRequisites:

Program outcomes

Assess worker-workplace interactions and ergonomics concerns using current technologies and appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques.
Identify the mechanisms and causes of injury in a variety of workplace settings and recommend appropriate assistive tools and workstation modifications to reduce the potential for workplace injury.
Synthesize information about the elements of an ergonomically sound workplace and proper work break patterns and exercises to guide their study design, evaluation, and/or proposed intervention.
Analyze the cost effectiveness of ergonomic methods and their value in mitigating the financial impacts of injuries in the workplace.
Prepare succinct technical reports and design specifications that include conclusions and recommendations that are supported by the analysis of data and the relevant scientific literature.
Collaborate and communicate effectively across functional teams and levels of management including with those involved in the process of having an individual safely return to work following an injury.
Recommend workstation, equipment, and tool design changes based on the application of anthropometrical tables and calculations to support ergonic environments.
Examine the impact of human factors, including human perception and information processing on an individual’s performance in the workplace, to support recommendations for ergonomic improvements.