📖Program Curriculum
Course modules
Compulsory modules
All the modules in the following list need to be taken as part of this course.
Cognitive Ergonomics
Aim
This module aims to provide an introduction to key areas of human psychology that underpin principles, theories and models applied in aviation human factors. Topics in cognitive psychology are introduced and related to key concepts in aviation human factors such as mental workload and situation awareness. The challenges in measuring human cognitive work and performance are introduced together with a range of assessment methods. The module assumes no previous academic background in psychology or human factors.
Syllabus
• The role of cognition in work.
• Situation Awareness.
• Mental Workload.
• Teamwork and team cognition.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
1. Conduct analyses in order to characterise user performance and relate these analyses back to elements of cognition.
2. Describe how humans process sensory information and apply this understanding to a variety of aviation contexts to understand and ensure safe human performance.
3. Evaluate a range of subjective and objective assessment methods available to measure cognitive work performance including assessment of situation awareness, workload.
Human Error and System Safety
Aim
This module aims at providing you with the necessary knowledge and skills to appraise human error and factors affecting human performance, and to apply tools and methods for system safety.
Syllabus
Error types and classification methods
Hierarchical Task Analysis
Error management
Safety-I and Safety-II
Functional resonance analysis method
Systems theoretic process analysis
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
Identify the contributory factors leading to unsafe system conditions.
Conduct a hierarchical task analysis and classify different types of human error.
Appraise techniques available to manage human performance and error.
Evaluate Safety I and Safety II approaches.
Apply system-based risk analysis techniques to ensure system safety.
Human-Computer Interaction in Aviation
Aim
Human-Computer Interaction focus on system approach to address the flight deck design, human factors certification, incident and accident investigation, workload and performance, and human-information processing.
Syllabus
• Human-Computer interaction
• Automation and automation surprise
• Attention allocation
• Human errors in flight operations.
• Augmented Flight Deck Design
• Certification and Regulations in Aviation
Intended learning outcomes On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
1. Apply the principles of Human-Computer interaction which relate to pilot performance.
2. Evaluate the design of the cockpit and understand pilot attention allocation pattern.
3. Application of Human Information Processing Theory (HIP) in aviation interaction design and evaluation.
4. Critically evaluate the problems and benefits of automation in flight operations.
5. Understand the processes and challenges of human factors certification.
Research Methods (only)
Aim
Industrial roles which draw on skill sets in safety and human factors demand the skill sets developed in this module in support of the course level learning outcomes.
Syllabus
Collecting data
Doing research (research ethics, the research story, the thesis, the hypothesis).
Introduction to experimental design - basic designs, experimental control, and minimising error variance.
Qualitative data analysis.
Questionnaire design (content, phrasing, response formats and analysis).
Analysing quantitative data
Exploring data (descriptive statistics, levels of measurement).
Examining differences (parametric and non-parametric statistical tests).
Examining relationships (bivariate correlation).
Introduction to modelling data.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
Be able to develop, plan and communicate research in a structured way.
Be able to identify ethical issues when using human participants in research.
Be able to develop effective questionnaires and subjective-rating scales to answer research questions.
Be able to select and conduct appropriate qualitative and quantitative research methods and apply methods to different research needs.
Safety Assessment of Aircraft Systems
Aim
To familiarise course members with the various approaches to the problems of assessing the safety of increasingly complex aircraft systems.
Syllabus
Introduction and background
Outline of relevant accidents and system design philosophy. Discussion of acceptable accident rates and recent advances in systems. Introduction to probability methods.
Regulatory background
The development of requirements for safety assessment, FAR / EASA CS25—1309.
Methods and techniques
Introduction to the more common safety analysis techniques. Influence of human factors. Common mode failures, traps and pitfalls of using safety assessment and examples of mechanical systems and power plants.
Use of safety assessment techniques
Determination of correct architecture of safety critical systems. Fault Tree Analysis, Dependence Diagrams and Boolean algebra for quantification of system reliability. Zonal safety analysis (ZSA), Particular Risk Analysis (PRA) and Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) of aircraft systems.
Practical examples of the application of safety assessment techniques
Minimum Equipment Lists (MEL), Safety and Certification of digital systems and safety critical software. Application of Aerospace Recommended Practice (ARP) 4761. Typical safety assessment for a stall warning and identification system.
Current and future issues
Integrated and modular systems and their certification. Certification maintenance requirements. Flight-deck ergonomics.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
Demonstrate an understanding of the regulatory background behind the Safety Assessment of Aircraft Systems.
Evaluate and apply the technique(s) which is most appropriate for the system under consideration.
Explain the theory behind each technique, including the strengths and weaknesses of each one, and be aware of possible pitfalls.
Appreciate the role of safety assessment in the overall context of aircraft certification.
Illustrate the issues to be faced for the certification of new systems and aircraft.
Applied Safety Assessment
Aim
This module will provide you with an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills learned in the 'Safety Assessment of Aircraft Systems' module, in a practical scenario. The module aims to equip you with the ability to conduct a comprehensive safety assessment on an airframe whist working in a team, and to present the group work both orally and in a written report.
Syllabus
• Functional Hazard Assessment (FHA): The FHA exercise will identify the critical failure conditions of the system. Each group will classify the failure conditions in accord with the 25.1309 categories and identify the analysis techniques most appropriate to each.
• Particular Risks: The Particular Risks appropriate to the system and its installation will also be considered as appropriate.
• Enhanced Fault Tree Analysis (EFTA): In groups the you will carry out an Enhanced Fault Tree Analysis for the failure conditions identified by the FHA as being appropriate to this analytical technique.
• Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA): This exercise will use existing system drawings in order to perform FMEA on the aircraft system.
• Zonal Safety Analysis: Students will carry out a Zonal Safety Analysis on the aircraft zones in which the system is installed.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
1. Explain the application of the main techniques for safety assessment.
2. Critically evaluate the functions of an aircraft system from a safety perspective and select the most appropriate analytical technique.
3. Conduct a variety of System Safety Assessment analysis methods in an applied context.
4. Plan the different aspects of a System Safety Assessment, allocating team tasks and resources as appropriate.
Aviation Safety Management
Aim
To provide students with the fundamental skills required to manage operational safety within the aviation industry.
Syllabus
The fundamentals of a Safety Management System, and introduction to associated guidance material provided by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and other State safety regulatory bodies;
Safety data, safety information and analyses; including reporting systems, investigation and Flight Data Monitoring (FDM);
Hazard identification and risk management, including an introduction to Enterprise Risk Management (ERM);
Safety performance and safety health; including guidance on audits and safety promotion;
Safety organisations, including guidance on effective management of safety teams.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module you will be able to:
Describe the fundamental concepts behind Safety Management Systems (SMS), as defined by ICAO and other regulatory bodies;
Select and implement techniques for the identification, quantification and management of hazards and risks;
Critically assess strategies for developing and enhancing safety culture including the role of leadership, structure and reporting systems;
Identify techniques for measuring safety performance;
Aircraft Accident Investigation and Response
Aim
This course is based around a case study approach to aircraft accident investigation. You will have the opportunity to experience important elements of aircraft accident investigation from initial notification of an event through to generating and communicating investigative findings.
You will be presented with a simulated accident scenario during which you will be exposed to all elements of the investigation such as evidence collection, interviewing, analysis and the generation of safety recommendations.
Syllabus
Accident investigation approaches and response.
On-site appraisal and preservation of evidence.
Human factors in investigations.
Witnesses and interviewing.
Preparing and managing recommendations.
Communication of investigation findings.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
Describe the accident investigation process as applied to aviation.
Identify roles and responsibilities within the accident investigation process.
Critically assess analysis techniques used in accident investigation.
To develop interview skills and recognise the limitations of interview based data.
Safety and Human Factors in Aviation Course Induction
Aim
To familiarise you with the Cranfield University environment and procedures, meet fellow students and staff. To develop personal skills in team working. To provide an introduction to the course structure and the tempo of the. To introduce you to members of departmental staff.
Syllabus
• Overview of the programme and course, technical writing and communication presentations, environmental issues. Learning styles, group and team working and self-study.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
1. State the course aims and its teaching methods.
2. Be aware of the structure of the course.
3. Reflect on the personal skills required for individual and team working.
Capstone (Group Project)
Aim
This module will provide a simulated industrial environment where knowledge and skills gained from the taught components of the course can be applied to solving a human factors and safety problem.
Syllabus
Introduction to the project.
Student-led planning and management of the project.
Student-led deliver of written and oral reporting of the findings.
Intended learning outcomes On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
Collect information from a variety of sources (for example electronic, subject-matter experts to support a group research project)
Appraise and critique the work of other practitioners and specialists
Plan, manage and complete work to a deadline within a team environment
Collaborate with other team members to produce a group report within a set deadline
Contribute effectively to a group presentation and competently defend the findings of the project.
Elective modules
A selection of modules from the following list need to be taken as part of this course
Flight Data Monitoring
Aim
This module will provide an understanding of Flight Data Monitoring within a commercial organisation and to detail the uses, processes and responsibilities of a successful FDM programme.
Syllabus
The history of FDM and an overview of its objectives
CAP739, EASA and ICAO regulatory frameworks
Integration of FDM within a safety system
FDM technology
Setting analysis targets
Data recovery and analysis tools
Principles of data validation and assessment
Trace interpretation, with both theoretical and practical sessions
Database management
The use of statistics in data analysis
Animations and visualisation in data presentation
FDM in accident and incident investigation
The interface between the analyst and crews
Legal aspects of FDM data collection, retention and use
The use of FDM to justify operational and technical change
The potential of FDM within maintenance programmes.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
Describe the key elements of an FDM programme and appraise the security and anonymity safeguards of a given FDM programme.
Critically analyse an FDM event, including evaluating data integrity and present the analysis in an appropriate format.
Propose and defend an FDM regime for application in their own company.
Training and Simulation
Aim
The aims of this module are to enable you to identify training needs, develop training programmes and to explore methods for the training and simulation in aviation.
Syllabus
• Systems approaches to training - a description of the systems approach to training and its practical limitations.
• Introduction to training needs analysis.
• Training design - introduction to training content and structure; theories of training instruction, training instruction and delivery; trainee characteristics.
• Simulation in the work context - an introduction to simulation as a training tool; types of simulators and fidelity issues; validating simulators and simulation, human factors integration.
• The future development of simulation - current state of the art in a changing world of work.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
1. Evaluate the skills and knowledge related to training and simulation
2. Interpret the principles of training design and evaluate effectiveness of training
3. Apply simulation tools for improving training
4. Distinguish human factors concepts in the training and simulation domain
5. Practicing cabin safety and emergency evacuation
Human Factors in Aviation Maintenance
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