INFSCI 1044
Human Factors for System Design 
Spring 2018 (2184)

Instructor: Prof. Stephen Hirtle Email: hirtle@pitt.edu Office: 2B01 IS Building Office Phone: 412-624-9434 Office Hours: Tues 1:00-2:30 Class Meets: Mondays, 3:00-5:54pm,  405 IS Bldg Prerequisite: INFSCI 0010/0011

GSA: Yue Qin Email: yuq9@pitt.edu Office: 2B10 IS Building Office Hours: tba

Overview. Examines human-machine designs with special emphasis on human-computer interaction. Topics center on how to analyze, create, and improve equipment and environment to be compatible with human capabilities and expectations.

Email. All email to the instructor about this class should contain "IS1044" in the subject line to be read.  For example, the subject line might read "IS 1044: Question about displays".  Email without this information might be deleted by spam filters or placed in a folder to be read at a later date.  Email with the appropriate identifier will usually be read within 24 hours of receipt.

Courseweb. The University uses a specialized course management package found at http://courseweb.pitt.edu. All class notes will be available through Courseweb.

Classroom Behaviors. I ask that you attend on time and stay for the entire class period. Anyone using phones or laptops during class will be subject to extra questioning, as technology should not add to distractions. Students are free to leave the classroom to attend to important calls, rather than disturb other students and the instructor. During exams, no electronic devices of any kind will be allowed including cellphones, pdas, laptops, calculators, etc.

Readings. The following textbook is required and should be purchased at the bookstore or through your favorite on-line distributor.

Special circumstances.  If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accomodation, you are encouraged to contact both your instructor and the Office of Disability Resources and Sevices, 216 William Pitt Union, (412-648-7890/TTY:412-383-7355) as early as possible in the term. DRS will verify your disability and determine reasonable accomodations for this course.  In addition, you should be aware that my office is up a short flight of stairs.  If this problematic, I am happy to arrange a meeting in an accessible location at any time.

Homework (50 points). There will be 5 homework assignments during the term, each worth 10 points.  Homework assignments will be posted one week before the due date.

Exams (150 points). There will be three exams during the term.  The exams are closed-book, in-class exams.  They will not be cumulative. 

Grading. Grading will be based on performance on the requirements specified above. Of the possible 200 points that might be earned, grades will be as follows:

Weekly Schedule

Last Update: January 4, 2018