Human-Centered Design (ERG140)

Now Registering for March 24 - May 18, 2025 (Online).

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 work and product 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

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 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.

Industrial Hygienists
ABIH® Diplomates 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 http://www.bot.ca.gov/board_activity/laws_regs/cc_regulations.shtml for more information.​

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.