Working Environment and Human Factors
Arbetsmiljöteknik och ergonomi

MAM020F, 15 credits

Valid from: Autumn 2017
Decided by: Head of department Mats Ohlin
Date of establishment: 2018-03-02

General Information

Division: Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology
Course type: Third-cycle course
Teaching languages: English, Swedish

Aim

The aim of the course is for doctoral students to develop basic knowledge of the ways humans interact with the environment – physically, socially and organisationally.

Goals

Knowledge and Understanding

For a passing grade the doctoral student must

• be able to account for the basic concepts in work environment technology;
• demonstrate an understanding of the crucial physical and physiological factors that affect human health, their work ability, comfort and living conditions;
• demonstrate knowledge of the methods used for risk assessment and risk management in working life;
• demonstrate an understanding of how ergonomics is to be involved in design processes for products, processes and organisations;
• demonstrate familiarity with the regulations and standards that apply in ergonomics.

Competences and Skills

For a passing grade the doctoral student must

• demonstrate the ability to make holistic assessments of work environments on a scientific basis;
• be able to suggest measuring methods and evaluate measurement data in the field of ergonomics;
• demonstrate experience in and familiarity with the tools used to actively participate in the interdisciplinary dialogue needed to solve societal problems related to work environment and health;
• be able to describe, orally and in writing, a societal problem related to the work environment and health;
• be able to assess the impact of the environment, organisation and technology on human physical well-being, health and performance;
• be able to choose and justify the use of an assessment technique suitable for the research area;
• be able to assess and manage work environment risks;
• be able to explain phenomena and express themselves in the field of work environment and ergonomics;
• be able to teach basic courses in the field, on study programmes in engineering.

Judgement and Approach

For a passing grade the doctoral student must

• be able to independently and critically interpret scientific texts and their relevance in the field of work environment;
• be able to reflect on his or her own development and need for further research in the field;
• be able to judge and interpret risk assessments for problems in working life and propose appropriate management methods.

Course Contents

The course provides students with knowledge and understanding of selected areas of physiology and the environmental impact on human physical well-being, health and performance. The areas covered include: psychosocial environment; production and work organisation; physical load; thermal environment; noise and vibrations; light and vision ergonomics; radiation; chemical hazards; human-machine interaction; safety and risk; methods and development processes for work design; work-related injuries and occupational health and safety legislation.

Course Literature

Scientific articles and reading from the respective subject areas following the structure of Bohgard, M., Karlsson, S., Lovén, E., Mikaelsson, L., Mårtensson, L., Osvalder, A., Rose, L. & Ulfvengren, P. (2015) Arbete och teknik på människans villkor. Prevent, Stockholm. ISBN 978 91 7365 195 0 or its English version Bohgard, M., Karlsson, S., Lovén, E., Mikaelsson, L., Mårtensson, L., Osvalder, A., Rose, L. & Ulfvengren, P. (2017) Work and technology on human terms. Prevent, Stockholm. The online version is freely available upon registration at the MOOC "Work and technology on human terms" at http://www.prevent.se/onhumanterms/

Instruction Details

Types of instruction: Seminars, self-study literature review. The course consists of a number of modules (see Course content). The doctoral student, together with the lecturer/supervisor will choose modules from 12 different areas (see Course content). Other relevant areas may also be chosen if these serve better as a complement to the PhD programme as a whole. Each module is addressed during two meetings with the lecturer/supervisor. At the first meeting, the student’s current understanding of what the module entails is explored, and learning targets are defined. The second meeting involves an in-depth discussion based on independent text study which is to be presented in writing.

Examination Details

Examination formats: Oral exam, written assignments, seminars given by participants. Each module involves an oral and written assessment in the form of a two-part assignment. Part 1 consists of a presentation prepared by the doctoral student, which is to provide an overview of the subject area. Part 2 consists of a specialisation, based on one or more research publications in the field which are to be included in the presentation and discussed during the meeting. Each module is estimated to amount to one week of full-time studies (40 hours), and is recommended to result in 1.5 credits within the PhD programme at the Division of Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology. A course worth 15 credits consists of 10 modules selected from different areas. Credits for individual modules may also be awarded. Examiner: Kalev Kuklane
Grading scale: Failed, pass
Examiner:

Admission Details

Admission requirements: Registered as PhD student
Assumed prior knowledge: Experience within the work environment field from ongoing PhD studies within the research education subejcts Work Environment or Aerosol Technology; or corresponding knowledge from a master level or from other research education subjects.
Selection criteria: The course is available to doctoral students associated with the research education subjects Work Environment and Aerosol Technology. The admission of other doctoral students is subject to availability of places.

Further Information

Continuously ongoing: the students consult the course leader and select meeting dates and which modules will be covered under the coming meeting. New students can join the course any time.

Course Occasion Information

Contact and Other Information

Course coordinators: