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Human Factors: Technology in Context - COM00189M

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• Department: Computer Science
• Module co-ordinator: Dr. Katrina Attwood
• Credit value: 20 credits
• Credit level: M
• Academic year of delivery: 2024-25
  • See module specification for other years: 2023-24

Related modules

Additional information

Prerequisite knowledge in user-research methods. 

For MEng students this is covered in HCI1 (which is now HCIN) COM00018C. For MSc students this is covered through the module COM00179M IDEV.

 

Module will run

Occurrence	Teaching period
A	Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

This module will equip students with an understanding of how human characteristics and design influence interactions with technical systems in organisational and industry contexts. The module uses real-world case studies to introduce and critically evaluate the contribution of humans in developing and maintaining safe, ethical and secure systems. The module aims to develop students' skills in:

• Analysis techniques

• Proposing and applying appropriate criteria to assess the rigour and suitability of industrial and academic approaches to human reliability.

Module learning outcomes

1. Recognise the role of human characteristics/factors/mental models in relation to the safe, secure and effective operation and maintenance of interactive systems across applied/industry contexts

2. Critically evaluate the quality of designs and propose solutions to security and safety issues

3. Demonstrate the ability to locate and, where relevant, apply existing academic research to inform the consideration of issues arising within human-technology interactions

4. Identify, apply and critique appropriate techniques for human reliability and error analysis

5. Identify, apply and critique appropriate techniques for security analysis, including issues of authentication, privacy and foreseeable misuse

6. Use appropriate frameworks and design techniques to investigate ethical issues in relation to human-machine interaction

Assessment

Task	Length	% of module mark
Essay/coursework Case Study Portfolio	N/A	100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task	Length	% of module mark
Essay/coursework Case Study Portfolio	N/A	100

Module feedback

Feedback is provided throughout the sessions, and after the assessment as per normal University guidelines.

Indicative reading

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