| Course title | Engineering Psychology |
| Course code | Psih3006 |
| Credit points (ECTS) | 3 |
| Total Hours in Course | 81 |
| Number of hours for lectures | 16 |
| Number of hours for seminars and practical classes | 16 |
| Independent study hours | 49 |
| Date of course confirmation | 25/09/2019 |
| Responsible Unit | Institute of Mechanics and Design |
| Course developers | |
| Mg. ed., pasn. Anna Bičkovska |
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| There is no prerequisite knowledge required for this course | |
| Course abstract | |
| The aim of the course is to provide knowledge about main topics of engineering psychology, work psychology and basics of ergonomics. During the course students are introduced to psychological aspects of work; individual professional and personal self-determination is described. Characteristics of the work in a continuous technological development environment are described and discussed. | |
| Learning outcomes and their assessment | |
| 1. Knowledge – to understand the terminology related to the engineering psychology, main problems and specifics of the field. Ability to describe the basic principles of creating and developing professional identity. Evaluation after submission of individual professional identity development plan.
2. Skills - to analyse the work process and content, using theoretical knowledge to reflect on the chosen profession; ability to distinguish between the first signs of problems ability to create and develop a professional identity and respond appropriately to it. It is assessed by presenting an individual development plan and submitting an essay. 3. Competence - ability to evaluate themselves and their professional identity with the aim of ensuring proper professional development; ability to take preventive action to reduce the negative impact of the profession on the individual's psyche with the aim of promoting the process of harmonious personality development. Assessed by presenting an individual development plan and submitting an essay. |
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| Course Content(Calendar) | |
| 1. Historical insight into engineering psychology - review of the basic terms and key research questions. 4h
2. Development of the individual as a subject of work - the concept of the subject of work, development of professional cognition and individuality and preconditions for development. 4h 3. Professional Psychology - Development and Evaluations. Concepts - competence, qualification, career, activity. Professional experience in psychosemantics. 4h 4. Individual style of work and compatibility with anticipated employment - career counseling means choosing a career and finding employment according to individual characteristics within their field. 4h 5. Individual professional development plan - what to include, how to implement, how to set achievable goals. 4h 6. Professional Development Crises - How to Overcome. Preventive measures for professional development crises. 4h 7. Emotions and motivation in employment - concepts, incentive, motivation, needs, professional interests. How to reach the highest possible level of satisfaction at work? 4h 8. Engineering psychology and occupational safety - accidents, technical disasters, leaks of information. Role of the individual in these processes - how to protect yourself and how to go on. 4h Practical lessons at LBTU SIA Educational research farm "Vecauce" (16 hours). Part-time extramural studies: All the topics intended for full-time studies are covered, yet the number of contact hours is ½ of the specified number of hours. |
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| Requirements for awarding credit points | |
| Accumulative assessment consisting of participation of the student in at least 75% of lectures and practical classes (30%), timely completion and submission of independent practical work (60%) and presentation (10%). If the student has visited less than 75% of the lectures and practical classes, successful examination of the study course during the session means taking an examination. | |
| Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work | |
| 1. Development of individual Professional growth plan. Written work and oral presentation in the class. Discussion.
2. Presentation – my ergonomical work place. Written description with drawing (or scheme). 3. Essay – “Work motivation”. Written assessment. |
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| Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes | |
| An accumulation of all submitted work in the 10-point system:
- Development of individual Professional growth plan. Written work and oral presentation in the class. Evaluation in the 10-point system. - Presentation in class– my ergonomical work place. Written description with drawing (or scheme). Evaluation in the 10-point system. - Written assessment - “Work motivation”. Evaluation in the 10-point system. - Participation of the student in at least 75% of lectures . In case, student participated in less that 75% of lectures it is obligatory to take written examination about course theoretical part. |
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| Compulsory reading | |
| 1. Garleja R. Darbs, organizācija, psiholoģija. Rīga: RaKa, 2010. 205 lpp.
2. Inovatīva domāšana. Rīga: SIA “Lietišķās informācijas dienests”, 2007. 203 lpp. “Harvard Business Review on” grāmatu sērija. 3. Kroemer K., Kroemer H., Kroemer-Elbert K. Engineering Physiology: Bases of Human Factors Engineering/Ergonomics. Berlin: Springer, 2010. 350 p. 4. Roja Ž. Ergonomikas pamati. Rīgā, 2008. 190 lpp. |
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| Further reading | |
| 1. Wickens C.D., Lee J.D., Liu Y., Gorden Becker S.E. An Introduction to Human Factors Engineering, 2nd Edition. Prentice Hall, 2003. 2. Shorrock S., Williams C. Human Factors and Ergonomics in Practice: Improving System Performance and Human Well-Being in the Real World. 1st Edition. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 2015. |
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| Periodicals and other sources | |
| 1. Stanton N. Engineering Psychology: Another Science of Common Sense?. The Psychologist, Vol. 9 (7), 1996, p.300–303. [online] [02.07.2019.]. Available at: https://www.katiandgraham.com/eng_psy.htm
2. Licht D, Polzella D., Boff K.. Human factors, ergonomics, and human factors engineering: An analysis of deinitions. [online] [02.07.2019.]. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267719453 3. Journal of Engineering Psychology. [online] [02.07.2019.]. Available at: https://www.worldcat.org/title/journal-of-engineering-psychology/oclc/1607948/editions?referer=di&editionsView=true |
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| Notes | |
| The study course is included in the Restricted Elective part of the bachelor’s study programme Biosystems Machinery and Technologies. 1st year 1st semester. | |