Introduction to Engineering Psychology and Human Factors

How do we design technology, control rooms, and software interfaces that humans can use safely and efficiently without mental overload? Engineering psychology bridges the gap between human behavior and system design, ensuring that modern technology adapts to human capabilities rather than forcing humans to adapt to technology. By studying these cognitive and physical principles, you will gain the skills to analyze, evaluate, and design user-centered systems that minimize errors and maximize productivity. What you'll learn: - Understand the fundamental principles of human factors, ergonomics, and engineering psychology. - Analyze human information processing, sensory capabilities, and memory limits during system interaction. - Evaluate mental workload, situational awareness, and the psychological causes of human error. - Design intuitive human-machine interfaces and control systems that reduce cognitive fatigue. - Apply modern principles of trust in automation and human-AI collaboration. - Assess workplace environments for optimal physical ergonomics and safety standards. This text-focused course begins with core terminology and foundational psychological concepts before moving into practical design applications. You will progress through structured readings, real-world case studies, and written analysis exercises designed to build your system-evaluation skills. This course is designed for beginners, including aspiring engineers, product designers, UX researchers, and safety professionals, with no prior psychology or engineering background required. Start learning today to build a solid foundation in human-centered system design.