Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Human Factors and Safety (Online)

AVTN 3310-30I

Course: AVTN 3310-30I
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: AVTN
CRN: 31879

Course Description

This course examines pilot performance as a function of physiological, psychological, and environmental factors. The element of human error in pilot performance is intensely examined. Specific topics addressed include aeronautical decision-making, and the influences and contributions of human physiology, situational awareness, workload management, attitudes, stress, and fatigue in decision-making. Effects of training devices and flight deck/cockpit design in man/machine interference are discussed. Examples of Crew Resource Management, communication, and crew coordination are examined. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): AVTN 1100 or AVTN 1740 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C

Required Texts


A Human Error Approach to Aviation Accident Analysis: The Human Factors Analysis and Classification System Paperback – October 2, 2016
by Douglas A. Wiegmann  (Author), Scott A. Shappell (Contributor) ISBN-13: 978-0754618737


https://www.faasafety.gov/files/gslac/courses/content/258/1097/AMT_Handbook_Addendum_Human_Factors.pdf

Links to an external site.

https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/phak
 


Learning Outcomes

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES: At the end of this course the students will understand how the human element affects the safety of the aviation environment. They will be able to list and define common terms associated with human factors in aviation. Students will explore accident and incident scenarios to analyze the contribution of human failures to these accidents and incidents. Students will demonstrate, in written and oral form, the ability to identify these contributing factors. In a similar fashion they will explain mitigation strategies pilots could employ to avoid similar future occurrences.

Course Requirements

Completion of three Discussion Topics with a demonstration of interacting with classmates = 60 points 
Three Mid-term Exams = 165 points (55 points each)
Three written papers = 150 points (50 points each)
Personal Assessment Exercise = 50 points
Final Paper = 200 points
Personal Introduction = 10 points


Course Outline

Week 1: Instructor Welcome and Introduction Board
Week 2: Wiegmann & Shappell: Pages 20 - 32; FAA-H-8083-25B: Pages 2-1 to 2-11; Case Study Air France 296 and Discussion Question
Week 3: Wiegmann & Shappell: Pages 32 - 44; FAA-H-8083-25B: Pages 2-1 to 2-11; Case Study UAL 232; Written Critique of A.I. Report
Week 4: Wiegmann & Shappell: Pages 45 - 56; FAA-H-8083-25B: Pages 2-11 to 2-20; Case Study Tenerife; Midterm #1
Week 5: Wiegmann & Shappell: Pages 56 - 71; FAA-H-8083-25B: Pages 2-11 to 2-20; Case Study AUL 173 and First Flight 6560; Discussion Question 
Week 6: Wiegmann & Shappell: Pages 72 - 83; FAA-H-8083-25B: Pages 2-11 to 2-20; Case Study Tatarstan Airlines 363; Written Assignment
Week 7: Wiegmann & Shappell: Pages 83 - 98; FAA-H-8083-25B: Pages 2-21 to 2-32; Mid-term #2
Week 8: Wiegmann & Shappell: Pages 116 - 129; FAA-H-8083-25B: Pages 2-11 to 2-20; Discussion Question 
Week 9:Catch-up Week
Week 10: Wiegmann & Shappell: Pages 99 - 116; FAA-H-8083-25B: Pages 2-11 to 2-20; Case Study Andy Tingwall Crash; Written Assignment 
Week 11: Wiegmann & Shappell: Pages 145 - 156; Mid-term #3
Week 12: Case Study We're Going into the Hudson
Week 13: Personal Assessment 
Week 14: Work on Final Course Paper
Finals Week: Final Course Paper Due

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

With permission, students may submit late-work for full points, if the reason for late submissions is approved by the instructor. There will be a "catch-up week" toward the end of the semester when students can submit late work, but not for full credit.

Attendance Policy

This section is an online course. There is no face-to-face requirement.

Course Fees

There are no course fees for this section. 

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.