This concentration focuses on the application of Human Factors and Ergonomics to improve the ergonomic design and usability of hardware, software, and workplaces to enhance people's comfort, performance, and health. The program builds on the work of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Laboratory. Recent projects have focused on the effects of physical design on users' behavior, performance, and attitudes, including studies on the effects of workstation adjustability on user satisfaction; the ergonomic design of seating; new computer technologies; and the impact of indoor environmental factors, such as indoor air quality, lighting and noise on the health and productivity of computer workers. Instruction includes team project work with real clients.
Careers
Excellent career opportunities in human factors and ergonomics are available in the private sector, in government, and in educational institutions.
M.S. Requirements
| Required DEA field course audits: |
| DEA1110 | Making a Difference: By Design | 3 credits |
| DEA1500 | Intro to Human Environment Relations | 3 credits |
| Required courses: |
| DEA6510 | Human Factors: Ergonomics, Anthropometrics And Biomechanics | 4 credits |
| DEA6520 | Human Factors: The Ambient Environment | 4 credits |
| DEA6530 | Planning and Managing the Workplace | 4 credits |
| DEA6600 | The Environment and Social Behavior | 4 credits |
| DEA6700 | Environmental Analysis I: Applied Ergonomics Methods | 4 credits |
| And at least ONE of the following courses: |
| DEA6000 | Directed Readings in Human Factors | 4 credits |
| DEA6010 | Empirical Research in Human Factors | 4 credits |
| DEA6020 | Supervised Fieldwork in Human Factors | 4 credits |
| DEA6560 | Research Methods in Human Environ Relations | 4 credits |
| At least ONE of the following COMBINATIONS of courses in statistics: |
| ILRST5100 | Statistical Methods for the Social Sciences I | 4 credits |
| ILRST5110 | Statistical Methods for the Social Sciences II | 4 credits |
| OR | |
| BTRY6010 | Statistical Methods I | 4 credits |
| BTRY6020 | Statistical Methods II | 4 credits |
| OR | |
| PSYCH3500 | Statistics and Research Design | 4 credits |
| PSYCH4720 | Multiple Regression | 2 credits |
| PSYCH4730 | General Linear Model | 2 credits |
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| Required course: |
| DEA8990 | Master Thesis | 8-12 credits |
| Summary of Curriculum | Number of Courses | Total Credits |
| Required DEA field course audits | 2 | [6] audit |
| Research Methods & Thesis | 2-3 | 8-12 |
| Required M.S. courses | 9-10 | 34-36 |
| Courses in minor | 1-3 | 3-12 |
| | Total: 51-66 |
NOTE: Effective as of Fall 2007, a minimum grade of B- is required for courses taken within this major.
