Human Systems Engineering Track

Mary (Missy) CummingsAssociate ProfessorAeronautics & AstronauticsEngineering Systems DivisionComputer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory617-252-1512missyc@mit.edu

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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

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A Technology Solution?

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The Cool Factor

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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.

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MIT HSE Program Structure

http://esd.mit.edu/hse/default.htm 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.

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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

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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

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Student Funding Sources

Typical RA/TA Self-funding Home organization sponsors

e.g., senior officers

Student obtains pseudo-RA Military pays salary, student responsible for

tuition A popular model for USAFA graduates

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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

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DoD HSI Detailed Requirements

Human Factors Engineering Environment, Safety, & Occupational

Health Habitability Survivability Manpower Personnel Training

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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