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 first two weeks will introduce you to the design cycle and the concepts of User Experience and Human-Computer Interaction. We will then define human characteristics and variability through a detailed examination of anthropometry, as this is essential for human-centered design. We will follow this with two weeks on the relevant factors to consider when designing manual materials handling tasks, patient lifting in healthcare, manual upper extremity tasks, power tools and hand-held products. Next, you will learn to perform a cost-benefit analysis of ergonomic design changes (or various proactive design options) and the factors to consider when designing an office environment & computer workstation. The last week will introduce the various engineering methods used to optimize workplace design and show how ergonomics compliments that process using work simulation, digital human modelling software and virtual/augmented reality technology. Learners will gain practical experience evaluating product design and performing anthropometric measurements and calculations.

Learning Objectives

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

Explain the design process and cycle and how it can be applied to optimal product and work design
Describe the principles of effective design for user experience (UX) and human computer interaction (HC)
Discuss human variability and understand the use of standard anthropometric data to design for a predetermined population range
Recommend optimal designs for occupational tasks involving manual materials & patient handling, manual upper extremity demand, manual & power tools, and office environments
Identify the most current options available for occupational task design, including collaborative robots and exoskeletons
Perform calculations to establish the return on investment of both proactive and reactive designs
Recognize the methods used for engineering design optimization, including scientific management, failure modes & effects analysis, constant improvement, six sigma, lean manufacturing, and just-in-time delivery
Review the most current technology being used in HF/E to proactively design occupational tasks and evaluate new products including work simulation, digital human modelling software and virtual/augmented reality technology

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.