COURSE SYLLABUS
COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
AHF 1101: Aviation Psychology and Human Factors
Fall 2021
Instructor: Captain De Vere Michael Kiss, Ph.D. (American Airlines/US Airways, Retired)
Office: TBA
Room: 116
Office Phone: 321-474-3074
E-Mail:
Office Hours: By appointment.
Class Time: MWF: 12:00 - 12:50
Skurla Hall,
College of Aeronautics
Room 116
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course introduces the field of Aviation Psychology and Human Factors,
and will present and analyze aviation associated issues in general applications. The class will also
emphasize related aviation-industry issues and related structures, including: aircraft systems, personnel
selection, training, stress, anatomy & physiology, circadian issues, human performance, organizational
management, culture, leadership and other topics. (SS)
1
, COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Students successfully completing this course should be able to:
• Define aviation psychology and explain its role in the design of systems
• Understand key concepts used in aviation psychology
• Apply aviation psychology concepts to everyday challenges
• Apply aviation psychology principles to improving aircraft design, safety, and pilot performance
• Apply human anatomy and physiology and the associated effects on human behavior
• Apply organizational management, culture, and leadership knowledge and how they affect human
behavior
GRADING CRITERIA
= 20% Grading Scale: A= 90% - 100% (900 – 1,000 points)
Exam 1 (200 pts.):
= 20% B= 80% - 89% (800 – 899 points)
Exam 2 (200 pts.):
= 20% C= 70% - 79% (700 – 799 points)
Final Exam (200 pts.):
Assignments (200 pts.): = 20% D= 60% - 69% (600 – 699 points)
= 20% F˂ 60% ( ˂ 600 points)
Attendance (200 pts):
Total (1,000 pts.): = 100%
Total Points Available: 1,000
Mode/Style of Teaching: This course will include a variety of instructional methods including: lecture,
group discussion, exercises, textbook, and Lab. Additionally, the instructor will enhance the material with
knowledge and experience gained during a 40-year history as an airline captain/instructor, accident
investigator, university instructor and designer of human-machine-interactive systems.
Reference Textbooks: Martinussen, M. & Hunter, D.R. (2018). Aviation Psychology and Human
Factors. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
Additional Materials: Students will be provided with special materials the instructor has prepared for
enhanced knowledge of the subject matter.
Academic Accommodations for Students: Florida Tech is committed to equal opportunity for persons
w/disabilities in the participation of activities operated/sponsored by the university. Therefore, students
w/documented disabilities are entitled to reasonable educational accommodations. The Office of
Accessibility Resources (OAR) supports students by assisting w/accommodations, providing recommended
interventions, and engaging in case management services. It is the student’s responsibility to make a
request to OAR before any accommodations can be approved/implemented. Also, students w/approved
accommodations are encouraged to speak w/the course instructor to discuss any arrangements and/or
concerns relating to their accommodations for the class.
Office of Accessibility Resources (OAR): Telephone: 321-674-8285 /
Email: Website: https://www.fit.edu/accessibility-resources
ACADEMIC HONESTY/INTEGRITY: No form of academic dishonesty or misconduct will be
tolerated.
Effective Date Jun 22, 2018
Eight Rules of Academic Integrity
1. Know your rights—Do not let other students in your class diminish the value of your
achievement by taking unfair advantage. Report any academic dishonesty you see.
2. Acknowledge your sources—Whenever you use words or ideas that are not your own when
writing a paper, use quotation marks where appropriate and cite your source in a footnote,
backing it up at the end with a list of sources consulted. See section on plagiarism.
2
COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
AHF 1101: Aviation Psychology and Human Factors
Fall 2021
Instructor: Captain De Vere Michael Kiss, Ph.D. (American Airlines/US Airways, Retired)
Office: TBA
Room: 116
Office Phone: 321-474-3074
E-Mail:
Office Hours: By appointment.
Class Time: MWF: 12:00 - 12:50
Skurla Hall,
College of Aeronautics
Room 116
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course introduces the field of Aviation Psychology and Human Factors,
and will present and analyze aviation associated issues in general applications. The class will also
emphasize related aviation-industry issues and related structures, including: aircraft systems, personnel
selection, training, stress, anatomy & physiology, circadian issues, human performance, organizational
management, culture, leadership and other topics. (SS)
1
, COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Students successfully completing this course should be able to:
• Define aviation psychology and explain its role in the design of systems
• Understand key concepts used in aviation psychology
• Apply aviation psychology concepts to everyday challenges
• Apply aviation psychology principles to improving aircraft design, safety, and pilot performance
• Apply human anatomy and physiology and the associated effects on human behavior
• Apply organizational management, culture, and leadership knowledge and how they affect human
behavior
GRADING CRITERIA
= 20% Grading Scale: A= 90% - 100% (900 – 1,000 points)
Exam 1 (200 pts.):
= 20% B= 80% - 89% (800 – 899 points)
Exam 2 (200 pts.):
= 20% C= 70% - 79% (700 – 799 points)
Final Exam (200 pts.):
Assignments (200 pts.): = 20% D= 60% - 69% (600 – 699 points)
= 20% F˂ 60% ( ˂ 600 points)
Attendance (200 pts):
Total (1,000 pts.): = 100%
Total Points Available: 1,000
Mode/Style of Teaching: This course will include a variety of instructional methods including: lecture,
group discussion, exercises, textbook, and Lab. Additionally, the instructor will enhance the material with
knowledge and experience gained during a 40-year history as an airline captain/instructor, accident
investigator, university instructor and designer of human-machine-interactive systems.
Reference Textbooks: Martinussen, M. & Hunter, D.R. (2018). Aviation Psychology and Human
Factors. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
Additional Materials: Students will be provided with special materials the instructor has prepared for
enhanced knowledge of the subject matter.
Academic Accommodations for Students: Florida Tech is committed to equal opportunity for persons
w/disabilities in the participation of activities operated/sponsored by the university. Therefore, students
w/documented disabilities are entitled to reasonable educational accommodations. The Office of
Accessibility Resources (OAR) supports students by assisting w/accommodations, providing recommended
interventions, and engaging in case management services. It is the student’s responsibility to make a
request to OAR before any accommodations can be approved/implemented. Also, students w/approved
accommodations are encouraged to speak w/the course instructor to discuss any arrangements and/or
concerns relating to their accommodations for the class.
Office of Accessibility Resources (OAR): Telephone: 321-674-8285 /
Email: Website: https://www.fit.edu/accessibility-resources
ACADEMIC HONESTY/INTEGRITY: No form of academic dishonesty or misconduct will be
tolerated.
Effective Date Jun 22, 2018
Eight Rules of Academic Integrity
1. Know your rights—Do not let other students in your class diminish the value of your
achievement by taking unfair advantage. Report any academic dishonesty you see.
2. Acknowledge your sources—Whenever you use words or ideas that are not your own when
writing a paper, use quotation marks where appropriate and cite your source in a footnote,
backing it up at the end with a list of sources consulted. See section on plagiarism.
2
