Overview

In this unit students will learn and apply the concepts of human factors to the analysis, optimisation, and management of human work in aviation systems. Students will be able to recognise and apply the principles of human factors to situations in which the relationship between the human operator, task, environment, and/or technology are incompatible or problematic. Students will then develop potential solutions to address the identified human factors issues.

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
29-July-2024
27-October-2024
Last self-enrolment date
11-August-2024
Census date
31-August-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
13-September-2024
Results released date
03-December-2024
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
04-August-2025
02-November-2025
Last self-enrolment date
17-August-2025
Census date
31-August-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
19-September-2025
Results released date
09-December-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Identify and understand the influence of psychological factors such as personality, communication, attention, vigilance, and workload on human performance in aviation
  • Recognise and discuss important models of human information processing in relation to errors
  • Evaluate the human factors issues associated with advanced technology in the aviation environment
  • Identify and analyse the challenges associated with managing complex socio-technical systems in aviation
  • Communicate effectively as an aviation professional within diverse teams, across the structure of an aviation organisation
  • Explain the importance of the individual, the team and the organisation's contribution to the effective performance of work
  • Develop self-awareness of individual and group competencies required to manage people effectively within team-based work structures

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Online
Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning		2.00 12 weeks 24
On-campus
Workshop		1.00 12 weeks 12
Unspecified Activities
Independent Learning		9.50 12 weeks 114
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Case Study ReportGroup 35 - 45% 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 
EssayIndividual 30 - 40% 1,2,3,4,6 
Online QuizzesIndividual 20 - 30% 1,2,3,4,6 
PresentationGroup 10 - 30% 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 

Content

  • Describe the principles of the human factors discipline
  • Describe and explain models of human performance
  • Evaluate human factors research
  • Identify common psychological issues associated with human operators in aviation operations
  • Explain human information processing and decision-making models and their limitations
  • Describe the role of teams in the aviation environment
  • Outline the fundamental principles of safety culture and its impact on an aviation organisation
  • Describe and assess the human factors issues associated with advanced technology in the aviation environment
  • Demonstrate through creative and informed written and verbal communications the application of theory and current research to practices and developments in human factors in aviation
 
  • Graduate Attribute – Communication Skills: Verbal communication
  • Graduate Attribute – Communication Skills: Communicating using different media
  • Graduate Attribute – Teamwork Skills: Collaboration and negotiation
  • Graduate Attribute – Teamwork Skills: Teamwork roles and processes
  • Graduate Attribute – Digital Literacies: Information literacy
  • Graduate Attribute – Digital Literacies: Technical literacy

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.