ERG130 | 01/20 - 03/16/2025 | Cognitive Human Factors and Ergonomics

This course explores the essential topics of human information processing, controls and displays, sensory and cognitive contributions to systems, and implications for the design of systems in the workplace. The field of human factors and ergonomics is interdisciplinary, with applications wherever humans interact with equipment in a system's context. Examples will be drawn from a wide range of work contexts, including medicine, transportation, and computer tasks. Learners will differentiate cognitive ergonomics, and how it fits into design and analysis. Typical design problems will be highlighted, and learners will have the opportunity to apply them to their own workplace and experiences.

Learning Objectives

At the completion of this activity, the learner will be able to:

Demonstrate an understanding of the role and scope of cognitive ergonomics in the planning, evaluation, and effectiveness of systems
Articulate the implications and consequences of human factors applications in a systems context
Apply cognitive ergonomics theory, concepts and strategies to improve systems in relevant work contexts
Use current cognitive ergonomics research to make evidence-based decisions in assessing and improving systems
Measure and describe cognitive human performance in a systems context
Articulate how cognitive ergonomics fits into the larger ergonomics field
Appraise the potential ethical and global impacts of the use of cognitive ergonomics

Course Format

This asynchronous online course engages students with weekly activities posted on the course site. Each week students will read and/or watch resource materials, participate in online discussion forums and complete individual and paired assignments. There are no required textbooks, but some reference books are recommended, and sections of texts are provided and assigned for reading. The information needed to complete the assignments and prepare for the online midterm and final exams will be included in the resource material on the course site. Grades are determined by participation in assignments and discussions and performance on midterm and final exams.

This is an 8-week accelerated course, with a workload roughly equivalent to a full semester of 3 credit hour graduate coursework. We anticipate the weekly content and assignments to require anywhere between 10-20 hours of student involvement, depending on the individual student's strength and familiarity with HF/E.

Photo of Elizabeth Sanli, PhD, BKin, M.Sc.

Instructor: Elizabeth Sanli, PhD

Dr. Sanli received her BKin. (2007) and M.Sc. Applied Health Sciences, Kinesiology (2009) from Brock University, her Ph.D. in Kinesiology (2013) from McMaster University, and her B.Ed. from Memorial University (2022). She is currently an Instructor (Research) at the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland. Her research focuses on skills learning and cognitive ergonomics, particularly within vocational training contexts. Dr. Sanli has published 25+ scientific articles.

Accessibility

If you require an accommodation for effective communication (ASL interpreting/CART captioning, alternative media formats, etc.) to fully participate in this course, please contact Will Bellamy at (510) 642-8365 or wbellamy@berkeley.edu.

Accreditation

This course is offered on a pass / fail basis for continuing education credit. Learners must obtain a final grade of 70% or higher, and a final exam grade of 60% or higher, to pass the course and to obtain a Certificate of Completion.

Certified Professional Ergonomists

Certified Professional Ergonomists may be eligible to earn up to 45 contact hours for this course.

Visit Visit https://bcpe.org/continuance-of-certification/ for more information.

Certified Athletic Trainers

COEH (BOC AP#: P10242) is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Certified Athletic Trainers. This program is eligible for a maximum of 45 Category A hours. ATs should claim only those hours actually spent in the educational program.

Board for Global EHS Credentialing

Certified Industrial Hygienists (CIH) may be eligible to earn up to 45 contact hours for this course.

Visit https://gobgc.org/applicants_CIH/ for more information.

Certified Safety Professionals

Certified Safety Professionals may be eligible to earn up to 45 contact hours for this course.

Visit https://online.fliphtml5.com/pbcyp/eprz/#p=19 for more information.

Registered Nurses

Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number 12983, for 45 contact hours.

Registered Environmental Health Specialists

This course has been approved for 45 contact hours, REHS. The Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (COEH) UC Berkeley is a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) Program Continuing Education Accreditation Agency approved by the California Department of Public Health.

Occupational Therapists

Occupational Therapists may be eligible to earn up to 45 contact hours for this course.

Visit https://www.bot.ca.gov/board_activity/laws_regs/cc_regulations.shtml for more information.

Cancellation, Transfer, and Withdrawal Policies

Registration Cancellation Policy

Written cancellation notification must be received no later than one week before the start date of an Online Ergonomics Program class in which you are registered in order to qualify for a refund, less a $65.00 administrative fee per registration. Substitute attendees are welcome.

Transfer Policy

You can transfer your registration and payment to a later Online Ergonomics Program class one (1) time with no penalty within ten days of the start date of a class. Subsequent transfers will incur a $65.00 administrative fee per registration. Course Credits must be used within 12 months and are not transferable.

Course Withdrawal Policy

Within the first ten days of an Online Ergonomics Program class, you may withdrawal from the class and receive a refund, less 10% of your course payment. There is no tuition refund following the tenth day of the start date of a class.

Class Cancellation Policy

In the unlikely event that an Online Ergonomics Program class must be cancelled, the entire submitted registration fee will be refunded without further liability on the part of COEH. COEH is not responsible for travel or other costs incurred by students for canceled classes.