San José State University

Department of Psychology
Psyc 273, Seminar in Human Factors, Section 01, Fall, 2022

Course and Contact Information

Instructor(s): Anthony D. Andre
Office Location: Virtual, via Zoom
Telephone: (408) 966-9355)
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours: By Appointment
Class Days/Time: (Days and time)
Classroom: 353 DMH

Course Description
Data and theory of sensory and cognitive psychology and their application to the design of systems used by
humans. This course is designed to provide you with a survey of theory, research, and application in human
factors, as applied to the design of consumer products, software applications and complex systems. A major
focus of this course is on ways to design new technology that is easy to learn and use by incorporation of
usability principles and guidelines. The textbook and lectures will be the primary sources of information in the
course, but a good deal of understanding must also come from each student's thoughts and insights on the
everyday systems and products with which they interact. The course primarily reviews the “information
processing” approach to Human Factors—referred to in the textbook as Engineering Psychology. We cover the
human information processing system and how to apply our understanding of this system to the presentation
of information and overall user experience design of various product and systems. In addition, we will discuss
contemporary huma factors issues such as automation, IoT, virtual reality and more. Throughout the course
students will be exposed to real-world examples of universal usability principles across a variety of products
and domains.

Course Format
In Person. Students must also have access to Canvas.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLO)

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
• Apply an understanding of the capabilities and limitations of human information processing to user
interface and user experience design.
• Students will learn several universal usability principles and be able to apply these principles toward
evaluating and designing products and systems for ease of use.

Psyc 273, Human Factors, Fall, 2022 Page 1 of 4

 • Students will learn how to analyze the usability of a product and how to write up this analysis as a
usability heuristic evaluation report.

Required Texts/Readings

Textbook
Engineering Psychology & Human Performance, 4th Edition. [Christopher D. Wickens, Justin G. Hollands, Raja
Parasuraman, Simon Banbury].

Course Requirements and Assignments

Students will conduct one large-scale usability evaluation project, complete several small assignments, and
take a final exam. The project requires students to conduct a human factors/engineering psychology
evaluation (or audit) of an assigned product and to produce a written report.

“Success in this course is based on the expectation that students will spend, for each unit of credit, a minimum
of 45 hours over the length of the course (normally three hours per unit per week) for instruction,
preparation/studying, or course related activities, including but not limited to internships, labs, and clinical
practica. Other course structures will have equivalent workload expectations as described in the syllabus.”

Final Examination or Evaluation

A final exam will be administered during final weeks. The exam will be given through Canvas, open notes.

Assignment Grading Breakdown

Assignment Percentage of Final Grade

Assignments 10%

Usability evaluation project 45%

Mid-Term exam 20%

Final exam 20%

Class participation and contributions 5%

University Policies
Per University Policy S16-9 ,relevant university policy concerning all courses, such as student responsibilities,
academic integrity, accommodations, dropping and adding, consent for recording of class, etc. and available
student services (e.g. learning assistance, counseling, and other resources) are listed on Syllabus Information

Psyc 273, Human Factors, Fall, 2022 Page 2 of 4

web page (https://www.sjsu.edu/curriculum/courses/syllabus-info.php). Make sure to visit this page to review
and be aware of these university policies and resources.

Participation
Participation in class discussions, breakout rooms and exercises is very important. If you are not participating
enough in the class discussions, or asking questions, I will let you know.

Late work
• All work must be turned in on time. All assignments will be penalized 20% for every day they are late.
• There are no makeup exams, except for unplanned emergencies.

Disabilities
• Please inform me of any known disabilities or special needs/considerations at the start of the semester
and prior to September 1, 2021. Please don’t hesitate to discuss any form of need or accommodation
with me.
• If a special need or accommodation emerges during the semester, please inform me immediately.

Psyc 273, Human Factors, Fall, 2022 Page 3 of 4

 Psyc 273, Seminar in Human Factors, Section 01, Fall, 2022

COURSE SCHEDULE
(subject to modification)

DATE TOPIC READINGS/MATERIAL DUE

8/23 Intro to Engineering Psychology Chapters 1-2
-Take Home Assignment #1
8/30 Hand in Assignment #1 Chapter 3
Attention in Perception
-Assign Major Evaluation Project Topic
9/6 Spatial Displays / Spatial Cognition Chapter 4-5
9/13 Navigation Chapter 5
Usability Evaluation: Process and Techniques
9/20 Software and Web Usability Principles
9/27 Language and Communications Chapter 6
10/4 Memory and Training Chapter 7
10/11 NO CLASS: Midterm – Online via Canvas Midterm Exam
10/18 Attention Chapter 8
10/25 Usability Evaluation Reporting
Business Rules/Constraints Analyses
-Take Home Assignment #2
11/1 Human Behavior/Habits/Fallibility Chapter 8
Decision Making
11/8 Hand in Assignment #2 Chapter 9
Human Error/Selection of Action
11/15 Multitasking/Divided Attention Chapter 10
11/22 Mental Workload Chapter 11
11/29 Automation and Smart Interfaces Chapter 12

Final Exam Review

Final Report Q&A
12/5 Final Report Due Final Report Due by Noon
PST
TBD Final Exam

Psyc 273, Human Factors, Fall, 2022 Page 4 of 4