Instructor: Nicholas Warren
Course Description and/or Objectives (from syllabus): This problem-based course begins with a work related overview of the design strengths and limitations of human anatomy and physiology (molecular, tissue and systems levels). Definition and measurement of “normal” and “non-normal” or pathological conditions are explored. Measurement of the response of these biological tissues and systems to work-related stressors is examined, to define the mechanism and presentation of cumulative trauma disorders. The course focuses on the translation of external exposure to internal response. It addresses physiological and anatomical damage due to both biomechanical and psychosocial stressors and explores the range of possible control strategies of interest to the engineer and public health practitioner. These range from job- and task-specific engineering changes to organization-level interventions. For each type of exposure, students are exposed to a range of measurement approaches, combined with an exploration of issues and trade-offs in exposure assessment. Finally, the course explores the role of human cognition and perception in work performance and the contribution of work/worker mis-matches to the development of disease. Throughout the course, students will examine the political and social issues involved in identifying disease and risk factors and in altering work and organizations to control these risks.
