Topic outline

  • General

    tesla

    The course introduces human factors engineering. It provides students in all areas of engineering and computing a solid understanding main approaches to the design and engineering of complex systems for human use. Students learn the principles of designing systems and technologies that increase productivity and that are safe to operate and robust to human error. They learn the basics of empirical research in human factors engineering, including theoretical models and methods for evaluation of systems and accident analysis. We discuss basics of human perception, motor control, and thinking. Application areas discussed in the course include computing, automation, transportation, energy, manufacturing, networks, electronics, and health technology.

    Teachers

    Prof. Antti Oulasvirta (user interfaces) / School of Electrical Engineering / Aalto University

    Teaching assistant: Carlo Zanotto

    Eligibility and Prerequisites

    Bachelor and Master’s level students in all engineering and computer science programs at Aalto University. Some familiarity with the Python language is preferable but not mandatory.

    Course book

    Kasper Hornbæk, Per-Ola Kristensson, and Antti Oulasvirta. (upcoming). Introduction to Human-computer Interaction. Oxford University Press. Shared as course readings.

    Format

    Lectures, assignments, readings (selected chapters from the book), written exam. Maximum 3 absences from lectures are allowed.

    Note that assignments are handled via MyCourses. Assignment meetings are not held this year.

    Assignments

    Each lecture will have at least one mandatory assignment, most often worth max 5 points. Some lecture will have additional optional assignments of varying points. Assignment sheets are released by the end of day on the day of the lecture. Submission deadline is set to 10.00 pm six days after the lecture. For example, if the lecture is on Tuesday, its associated assignment will be due by the following Monday at 10.00 pm. If you have 30 points or more, you do not need to submit assignments any longer -- unless you want a higher grade.

    Grading

    Scale 1-5. Grading is based on total points collected in assignments and the exam: 

    • Assignment points: min 30 for passing. Maximum 70 points. Points can be collected in both mandatory and optional assignments.
    • Exam points: min 30 for passing. Maximum 50 points. The exam consists of 10 tasks, each worth 5 points. 

    Here are illustrative cutoffs. Points are a sum of assignment and exam points: 

    • Grade 5: 100-120 points
    • Grade 4: 91-100 points
    • Grade 3: 81-90 points
    • Grade 2: 71-80 points
    • Grade 1: 60-70 points
    Note: These are non-committal cutoff estimates: Due to annual changes in course contents, we reserve the right to change the cutoffs.