FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Melbourne, Florida
Center for Aviation Human Factors

To return to the contents page, click your browser's "Back" button.

BACKGROUND:
Title: Aviation Human Factors (MS)
Est: 1982 (as Engineering Psychology Program)
Semester
Granted last year: MS 3
Part-time: yes
Distance learning available: yes
HFES student chapter: no
Program: The program provides a sound theoretical foundation and offers training in applied research methods and in systems design and evaluation techniques. Designed to benefit and support the unique facilities available at Florida Tech for applied research, the program emphasizes the cognitive, perceptual, and ergonomic aspects of human factors. Students can acquire the knowledge and skills essential for careers in industry and government or for successful doctoral-level study. Faculty interests include design of dynamic displays, techniques for integrated information presentation, crew resource management, workstation design, air traffic control facilities, workload analysis, human-computer interaction, operations and management, aircraft accident investigation and prevention, and several other practical issues of human performance in technological tasks. Florida Tech has a prime location on Florida's Space Coast nestled among many high-tech companies and government agencies. The world's leading aviation and aerospace industries and research institutes are easily accessible. NASA and the Kennedy Space Center are only a few miles away. This provides a wide variety of practicum, internship, and interdisciplinary research opportunities in challenging occupational settings. Students are encouraged to take electives in the computer sciences, aeronautical sciences, industrial and organizational psychology, and the engineering disciplines. Students interested in advanced study beyond the MS should contact the program chair for more information on allied PhD programs.
Contact: John E. Deaton, Chair, Human Factors Program, Florida Institute of Technology, College of Aeronautics, 150 W. University Blvd., Melbourne, FL 32901; 407/674-8120; 407/674-7474; jdeaton@fit.edu; or Nat Villaire, Graduate Program Chair, villaire@fit.edu.
Catalog: (free) Graduate Admissions Office, Florida Institute of Technology, 150 W. University Blvd., Melbourne, FL 32901

APPLICATION:
Deadline: 3/1; late applications may be considered

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
GRE: 1500 v + q + a preferred
Other: Bachelor's degree in aeronautics engineering, psychology, computer science, or other technical fields required. Students with an interest or experience in aviation and/or the aerospace sciences are strongly encouraged.
Research: medium
Work experience: medium
Letters: medium
Interview: low

ADMISSIONS:
Students applying last year: 15
Accepted: 4
Students entered: n/a
Openings/year: 15

TUITION AND FEES:
Resident and Nonresident: $945/credit hour

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:
% receiving: 5
Available: TA, RA (tuition reduction)
Apply: with application

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS:
MS: 36 credit hours, thesis, demonstrated computer literacy and mathematical skills required, no languages or practical experience required, 2 years
Nonthesis option: no

CURRICULUM:
Required courses (credit hours): Introduction to Man-Machine Systems (3), Human Performance 1 and 2 (6), Sensation and Perception (3), Thesis Research (6), Human-Computer Interaction (3), Statistics (3), Research Methods (3)
Electives: Cognitive Science, Advanced Aircraft Operations, Accident Investigation, Information Systems, Program Management, Computer Graphics, Artificial Intelligence, Introduction to Simulation, Aviation Physiology, Practicum in Computer Education, Neural Networks, Ocean Engineering Systems, Learning and Memory, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and Industrial Training
Required courses outside department: 0
Recommended courses outside department: 2
Offered: nights, weekends, summer
Distance learning: Florida Tech's College of Aeronautics now offers the MS degree, with a Human Factors in Aeronautics (HFA) major, online. The degree meets or exceeds all of the very high academic and research standards established for the resident Aviation Human Factors (AHF) degree. The program has the following characteristics:

1. It is an asynchronous program conducted online.
2. Thirty-three (33) semester hours of study are required.
3. Basic research and a thesis are required.
4. Classes are presented in a "Lock-Step" format.
5. Two classes per semester are required.
6. All requirements are completed in 2 calendar years.
7. All students must be present on the main campus for 2 days at the end of each semester for course cap seminars and final examinations.
8. Class sizes are limited to 15 students.
9. Applicants may request a specific start date. However, if that date is not available, students will be placed on a "Wait List" for the next regularly scheduled cohort.
10. A regular, written, or online application for admission to the Aeronautics Graduate School must be accomplished. See http://www.fit.edu/admission/graduate/index.html or https://ssb-p.adm.fit.edu/prod/bwskalog.P_DispLoginNon.
11. Candidates without direct aviation experience may qualify for the program by taking a general prerequisite course offered during the summer prior to the beginning of the regular cohort in the fall semester.
12. Commencement will be on the main campus with the rest of the student body.

RESEARCH/TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES:
Research facilities: Extensive research facilities are at the College of Aeronautics, other campus labs, and with FIT LLC at the Melbourne International Airport. Facilities include high-fidelity flight simulators, single- and multiengine aircraft, psychophysiological monitoring equipment, and the potential for marine research aboard the R/V Delphinus. The Center for Aviation Human Factors Lab is equipped with IBM PC-compatible computers, an Elite simulator, and student office spaces. The program collaborates with local industry and federal agencies, including Kennedy Space Center, Northrop-Grumman, Collins, Harris Corporation, Space Florida, and Holmes Regional Medical Center.
Teaching: Teaching seminars may be offered at the master's level.
Current research: The use of haptics in developing enhance virtual environment training programs; cross cultural training using virtual technology to teach Iraqi peacekeepers cultural knowledge of the local population; system interface design of a surface explosive detection device; human factors issues associated with the next generation aircraft, to name a few.

STUDENT STATISTICS:
Active: 8 men, 4 women
First year students: 4

FACULTY:
John H. Cain, PhD, Florida Tech; aerodynamics, accident investigation, educational technology
John E. Deaton, PhD, Catholic U of America; Director, Aviation Human Factors Program; human-computer interaction, cockpit automation, human performance, man-machine system design, training applications
Mike Gallo, PhD, Florida Tech; statistics, research methods
Richard Griffith, PhD, U Akron; personality measurements, group performance
Ron Hansrote, MD, U Nebraska; aerospace medicine and physiology, human performance, accident investigation, forensic pathology and toxicology
N. E. Villaire, EdD, College of William and Mary; aviation physiology, safety
Frank Webbe, PhD, U Florida; biological psychology, learning and memory
Donna Wilt, PhD, Florida Tech; situation awareness, glass cockpit displays
Tom Utley, PhD, Florida Tech; aviation, synoptic and satellite meteorology

[Updated Winter 2007]