ISE 3624: Industrial Ergonomics

Fall 2017 Virginia Tech

TR 8:00-9:15 NCB 250, TR 9:30-10:45 NCB 250

Instructor:

Carolyn Duncan, PhD, Visiting Assistant Professor in ISE

Academic Background: Mechanical Engineering, Human Factors Engineering, Neuromechanics,

Biomechanics and Kinesiology

Research Interests: Occupational ergonomics and human performance, balance and postural
control, Occupational slip trip and fall prevention, Work-related musculoskeletal disorders,
adapted ergonomics for special populations, evidence-based practice for prosthetics and
orthotics design.

Office: 545 Whittemore Hall

Office Phone: 540-231-9993
Office Hours: By appointment
E-mail Address: carodunc@vt.edu
Web site: http://www.ise.vt.edu/People/Faculty/Bios/duncan.html

Unannounced drop-ins cannot generally be accommodated. If you wish to meet me at other

times, please send me an email in advance to schedule a discussion.

Text Book and Supplementary Materials: The course will rely primarily on selected readings
and course notes; however, the following course pack will be used frequently and therefore,
may also be beneficial in assisting in the understanding of the course materials. The course pack
is available for purchase at the university bookstore.

Potvin, J (2016). Physical Ergonomics, Potvin Biomechanics Inc. Print Factory Ink.

Course Notes: Classroom lectures, assignments, and additional resources will be provided for the
entire course, and be made available on the class canvas site.

NOTE: You will benefit from reviewing the course material (course notes and textbook) prior to
class. You will have trouble keeping up if the class period is the first time you are seeing the
material. In class, we will interpret, integrate, question, and apply the material. The course topics
are ones that I believe are most relevant for a career in HF/E. Since it is somewhat difficult to
anticipate how much material can, and will be covered in each session, please also bring course
notes from subsequent sections.
Course Description: Introduction to ergonomics and work measurement with an emphasis on people at
work. Discussion of methods for ergonomic assessment, and evaluation, and work measurement, with
major topics including productivity and performance, manual materials handling, work related
musculoskeletal disorders, safety, training, legal issues, also standard data and predetermined time
systems.

Learning Objectives:
Having successfully completed this course, the student will be able to:
Having successfully completed this course, the student will be able to:

Recognize and describe ergonomics problems; Select and apply the most appropriate tools and
methods required to address human factors and ergonomics problems; and

Design workplaces with emphasis on the physical demands and capabilities of people at work; and
Communicate human factors and ergonomic issues and technical analyses/results effectively to different
audiences.

Describe the role of work measurement and ergonomics in industry including work performance, safety,
ethical, and legal issues

; Conduct a methods engineering study, utilizing methods analysis, time study, and work sampling.

Prerequisites: ISE 3614 (MIN grade of C-) and ESM 2104 (MIN grade of P). Students should have at least
an introductory understanding of the terminology and methods used in Human Factors Engineering. It is
the students responsibility to fill in any background materials.

Course Outline:

1) Introduction
2) Musculoskeletal System
3) Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders
4) Anthropometry/Range of Motion
5) Biomechanics and Biomechanical Models
6) Physical Work Capacity
7) Fatigue
8) Worker Selection and Training
9) Task Evaluation and Risk Assessment Methods

Assignments:

Two homework assignments will be assigned during the semester that will involve working
through and applying the material covered in class, some qualitative and some quantitative.
Homework assignments will be due at the beginning of class on the due date. The assignments
will be posted on the Canvas page at least a week before they are due. Marking rubrics will be
provided at least two days before the assignment is due.

Final Examination:
The class will be given a choice of an in class final exam or a final project. Students will be required
to make their choice by the week after the first midterm. Both project and exam will cover all
material taught in the course.

Grading:

Grades will be based on a weighted mean of the following activities:

Midterm (Tuesday September 26th) 20%

Homework (2 @ 20% each, Dates TBD 40%

Final Project/Exam 40%

Grading Scale:

PLEASE NOTE:

1) Attendance: Attendance of this class is required and will be kept track of throughout the term.
At the beginning of each class all students will be asked to sign an attendance form. If you
must miss class for any reason please contact me directly to arrange a time to get the missed
work.

2) Homework Assignments: All homework is to be turned into the instructor at the start of the
class period indicated on the homework assignment sheet. A 10% deduction will be applied
for each business day the assignment is late, beginning at 9:06 am of the due date. No HW
will be accepted more than two business days late.

If you are unable to complete work on time or attend an examination, due to illness, family
emergency or any religious holiday etc., you must notify the instructor well before (>24 hrs)
the critical period, and be prepared to: 1) provide verification of situation if asked; and 2)
make up work promptly.

3) Midterms: A midterm examination will be given on (Tuesday, September 26th). This

examination will cover all material covered in class and all readings that the instructor
explicitly states are required.
 Make-up midterms/exams and homework will not be allowed without explicit prior approval
of the instructor. Unexcused work will be counted as a zero towards the final grade. No
opportunities for extra-credit work will be provided.

4) Respect the Honor Code requirements at all times (see also statement below).

5) If your final score is on the threshold of a higher or lower grade, demonstrated interest (or
lack of) in the course will be considered when assigning the final grade. Attendance and
asking/responding to questions is a large part of demonstrating such interest.

6) Grade Disputes: All grade disputes must be returned to the instructor with a written
explanation of the dispute (where you disagree with the evaluation), along with the disputed
assignment, by the next class period following return of the corrected
exam/homework/project. The instructor reserves the right to re-examine and re-grade the
entire work when reviewing the dispute. Grades may be higher, the same, or lower following
the instructors review.

7) Accommodations: If you need adaptations or accommodations because of a disability

(learning disability, attention deficit disorder, psychological, physical, sensory, etc.), or
religious or cultural beliefs, if you have emergency medical information to share with me, or
if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an
appointment with me as soon as possible. My office location and email is given above.

Students are encouraged to address any special needs or special accommodations with me
during the first two weeks of the semester, or as soon as you become aware of your needs.
Those seeking accommodations based on disabilities should obtain a Faculty Letter from the
Services for Students with Disabilities office (540-231-0858) or http://www.ssd.vt.edu
located at 250 S. Main Street Suite 300 (Kent Square).

8) Principles of Community: Adherence to VTs principles of the community with respect to

diversity and respect of all individuals is mandatory for all students, and deviation from
these principles will not be tolerated. Please see
http://www.science.vt.edu/diversity/diversity-princples-of-community.html for more
information.

9) Emergency Preparedness: The instructor of this course is trained to lead the students in case
of an emergency. Details of an evacuation plan will be discussed on the first day. Students
are encouraged to be Hokie Ready by reading the guide at
https://emergency.vt.edu/ready.html/

Honor Code:

The Honor Code will be strictly enforced, and adherence is expected in all phases of this course.
All violations will be prosecuted.
The Undergraduate Honor Code pledge that each member of the university community agrees
to abide by states:

As a Hokie, I will conduct myself with honor and integrity at all times. I will not lie, cheat, or
steal, nor will I accept the actions of those who do.

Students enrolled in this course are responsible for abiding by the Honor Code. A student who
has doubts about how the Honor Code applies to any assignment is responsible for obtaining
specific guidance from the course instructor before submitting the assignment for evaluation.
Ignorance of the rules does not exclude any member of the University community from the
requirements and expectations of the Honor Code.

For additional information about the Honor Code, please

visit: https://www.honorsystem.vt.edu/

All assignments submitted shall be considered "graded work and all aspects of your
coursework are covered by the Honor Code. All projects and homework assignments are to be
completed individually unless otherwise specified.

Commission of any of the following acts shall constitute academic misconduct: CHEATING,
PLAGIARISM, FALSIFICATION, FABRICATION, MULTIPLE SUBMISSION, COMPLICITY, and
VIOLATION OF UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE, DEPARTMENTAL, PROGRAM, COURSE, OR FACULTY
RULES. This listing is not, however, exclusive of other acts that may reasonably be said to
constitute academic misconduct. Each of these terms is defined, and examples of prohibited
behaviors provided, in the Undergraduate Honor Code Manual located
at https://www.honorsystem.vt.edu/)

If you have questions or are unclear about what constitutes academic misconduct on an
assignment, please speak with me. I take the Honor Code very seriously in this course. The
normal sanction I will recommend for a violation of the Honor Code is an F* sanction as your
final course grade. The F represents failure in the course. The * is intended to identify a
student who has failed to uphold the values of academic integrity at Virginia Tech. A student
who receives a sanction of F* as their final course grade shall have it documented on their
transcript with the notation FAILURE DUE TO ACADEMIC HONOR CODE VIOLATION.
You would be required to complete an education program administered by the Honor System in
order to have the * and notation FAILURE DUE TO ACADEMIC HONOR CODE VIOLATION
removed from your transcript. The F however would be permanently on your transcript.

The Virginia Tech honor code pledge for assignments is "I have neither given nor received
unauthorized assistance on this assignment." This pledge must be written on all graded
assignments, then signed by the student, prior to item submission. In the absence of a written
honor code pledge, the Honor Code still applies.