Human Systems Engineering Track Mary (Missy) Cummings Associate Professor Aeronautics & Astronautics Engineering Systems Division Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory
- 2 - Motivation Humans operating in increasingly complex sociotechnical systems Technology, meant to be a solution, often introduces new, even more difficult problems There is a critical need (and pull) for advanced degree programs in human- system engineering (HSE) DoD Focus HSI (Human Systems Integration) vs. HSE Industry Focus
- 3 - A Technology Solution?
- 4 - The Cool Factor
- 5 - ESD HSE Areas of Focus Cognitive Humans & Automation Laboratory International Center for Air Transportation Physiologic Man-Vehicle Laboratory Organizational Technology & Public Policy Complex Systems Research Laboratory Not mutually exclusive! The Age Lab, Sloan, CSAIL, etc.
- 6 - MIT HSE Program Structure Overarching ESD policies & procedures apply Focus is on PhD AND SM degrees Established USAF pipeline A program that produces leaders in HSE/HSI Doctoral pipeline for NPS, AFIT, etc.
- 7 - ESD HSE PhD Program of Study Fundamental Engineering Systems Thinking ESD.83, ESD.86, ESD.87 Depth in Domain/Context (3 classes) ESD.774 Human Supervisory Control of Automated Systems Depth in Methodology (3 classes) ESD 756J Statistical Methods in Experimental Design
- 8 - Existing Representative Publications Understanding complexity: Dynamic analysis of combat vehicle accidents Learning from organizational experience Effect of auditory peripheral displays on unmanned aerial vehicle operator performance Enabling systems thinking to accelerate the development of senior systems engineers Command in air war: Centralized vs. decentralized control of combat air power
- 9 - Student Funding Sources TTypical RA/TA SSelf-funding HHome organization sponsors e.g., senior officers SStudent obtains pseudo-RA Military pays salary, student responsible for tuition A popular model for USAFA graduates
DoD HSI Education Requirements HSI domain knowledge Detailed breakdown to follow Systems approach Analytical techniques Modeling and simulation Human performance Implementing HSI tradeoffs Case studies
DoD HSI Detailed Requirements Human Factors Engineering Environment, Safety, & Occupational Health Habitability Survivability Manpower Personnel Training
Future HSE Steps Program growth Development of a more extensive human-systems engineering gateway course? Project-based course with local industries? More formal program like Course 2N or MLOG if demand dictates Development of short courses