ERG140 | 03/24 - 05/18/2025 | Human-Centered Design

This 8-week, asynchronous online course will focus on the role of Human Factors & Ergonomics (HF/Ergo) in the design of occupational tasks and consumer products. The course starts with an introduction to human-centered design concepts and the design process, followed by an overview of human capacity including a detailed examination of anthropometry, as this is essential for human-centered design. Next, we cover the use of engineering design optimization methods such as motion capture, force measurement and digital human modeling and simulation software, and the use of validated ergonomic risk assessment tools used for design of physical tasks and tools. Examples of applying these methods in practice will be presented for different industries. In the second half of the course, we cover design evaluation methods and usability testing, including case study examples of the design process for different consumer products. We will discuss methods to prevent human error through design and wrap up the course with a week dedicated to UX, UI and product design. Learners will gain practical experience by working through a design project over the eight weeks to apply the methods covered in the course.

NOTE: Leaners are expected to have background knowledge in the following topics, which will be applied in this course: cognitive and sensory considerations, human: computer interface, human error, Revised NIOSH Lift Equation (RNLE) and Revised Strain Index (RSI). Some optional resources for these topics will be provided, but these topics will not be covered in depth as they were presented in detail in previous courses.

Instructor: Carisa Harris, PhD, CPE

Carisa Harris, PhD, CPE is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of California at San Francisco, and in the School of Public Health at the University of California at Berkeley. She is also the Director of the UCSF/UCB Ergonomics Research & Graduate Training Program and the Director of the Northern California Center of Occupational & Environmental Health (COEH). She received her PhD in Environmental Health Sciences at the University of California, Berkeley and teaches a variety of classes including Occupational Biomechanics and Industrial Engineering Human Factors Design. Dr. Harris and her team perform research in a variety of areas focused on understanding and preventing work related injuries and improving human performance, productivity and health.

Instructor: Melissa Afterman, MS-HFE, CPE

Melissa Afterman, MS-HFE, CPE, is a Board Certified Professional Ergonomist with over 20 years of consulting experience. She is a consultant and researcher with the UC Ergonomics Research and Graduate Training Program (UCB/UCSF). She works with organizations on ergonomics program development, risk assessment and mitigation, and tool evaluation and design for industrial and knowledge workers. Melissa earned her Bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly SLO in BioResource/Agricultural Engineering and her Master’s degree in Human Factors/Ergonomics Engineering from San Jose State University.

Learning Objectives

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

Explain the iterative design process and cycle and apply it to optimal product and work design.
Describe purpose driven design and how purpose influences the design process.
Apply known physical and cognitive capacities of people to design.
Apply anthropometry data to design.
Recommend optimal designs for occupational tasks involving manual materials & patient handling, manual upper extremity demand, manual & power tools.
Explain the application of motion capture and simulation tools in design.
Describe methods of measuring attention, memory and human errors associated with design.
Summarize approaches to product usability evaluation.
Describe the principles of effective design for user experience (UX) and human computer interaction (HCI).
Demonstrate knowledge of physical and cognitive capacity and limitations to design by applying one or both in final design projects.

Course Format

The course will be taught via narrated PowerPoint lectures, guided readings, problem sets, two assignments and facilitated discussions. Additionally, an ergonomics project will provide each student with an opportunity to apply their skills in analyzing a real occupational task. The first three weeks of the course will focus on an introduction to physical ergonomics and the risks and assessment of manual materials handling tasks (ie. lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling and carrying). Weeks four and five will focus on the injury risks and assessment of tasks placing demands on the upper extremities. The last two weeks will introduce students to the use of biomechanics software in ergonomics, the assessment of demands on the neck and the evaluation of occupational vibration.

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.

Accreditation

Learners may be eligible to earn up to 45 Contact Hours (4.5 CEUs). 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 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.