UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
Iowa City, Iowa
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

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BACKGROUND:
Title: Human Factors/Ergonomics (Industrial Engineering; MS, PhD); Cognition and Perception (Psychology; MS, PhD)
Joint program: with Department of Psychology, Computer Science
Est: 1970
Semester
Granted last 3 years: MS 23, PhD 11
Part-time: MS only
Distance learning available: no
HFES student chapter: yes
Program: Aggressive research program in human-machine systems and cognitive engineering. MS emphasis is on user interface design, supervisory control of complex systems, and modeling human-machine systems. PhD requires innovative research emphasizing creative design and thorough investigation into fundamental issues of human-machine interaction, including robotics, virtual reality, and driving simulation. Local resources include the most advanced driving simulator in the world, one of the largest teaching hospitals, and a diverse pool of research partners. PhD graduates are well prepared for a research-oriented career in industry, government, or academia. Accredited by: ABET.
Contact: Tom Schnell, 319/384-0811, or Geb W. Thomas, 319/335-5936. U. of Iowa, Dept. of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, 3131 Seamans Ctr., Iowa City, IA 52242-1527; http://www.mie.engineering.uiowa.edu/index.htm/.
Catalog: (free) Office of Graduate Admissions, University of Iowa, 116 Calvin Hall, Iowa City, IA 52242. http://www.registrar.uiowa.edu/registrar/catalog/.

APPLICATION:
Deadlines: Fall 7/15 (4/15 intl); spring 12/1 (10/1 intl); summer 4/15 (3/1 intl)
Fee: U.S. citizens $60, foreign students $100

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
GPA: n/a
GRE: n/a
Other: Engineering: bachelor's in engineering, math, physical science, or computer science (or in psychology with a math background approximating an engineering degree); statistics, computer programming, and English language competency. PhD: evidence of research capability. Psychology requires experimental psychology and statistics.
Research: high
Work experience: medium
Letters: high
Interview: medium

ADMISSIONS:
Students applying last year: n/a
Accepted: 11
Entered program: 8
Openings/year: 5

TUITION AND FEES:
Resident: $4593/semester
Nonresident: $12272/semester

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:
% receiving: 90
Amount:$16575/AY plus tuition supplement
Available: fellowship, TA, RA, scholarship (in-state tuition with appointment)
Apply: with application

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS:
MS (thesis): 30 hours of 100-level courses (incl. up to 6 hours of research), oral defense of thesis
Nonthesis option: no
PhD: 72 hours (incl. dissertation research), comprehensive exam, oral defense, no languages or practical experience

CURRICULUM:
Engineering required courses: One course in each of 3 areas: Human Factors, Operations Research, and Manufacturing. No specified requirements.
Electives: Human Factors, Ergonomic Design, Human Performance in Engineering Systems, Biomechanics, Engineering Management, Human-Computer Interaction, Statistical Design and Process Analysis, Operations Research, Regression and Design, Digital Systems Simulation, and others.
Psychology required courses: write for details
Required courses outside department: 0
Recommended courses outside department: 2
Offered: night, summer
Class size: 10-20

RESEARCH/TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES:
Research facilities: The two full-time human factors research faculty will share 2,400 square feet of lab space in the new Engineering Building. The GROK Laboratory (G. Thomas) addresses user interface issues with complex systems. Recent projects include the robotic exploration of the Chernobyl Reactor and the development of prototype technologies for robots exploring Mars. The Operator Performance Lab (T. Schnell) examines the limits of human performance and system effectiveness. Recent projects include development of models of visual acuity and evaluation of effectiveness of raised pavement markings. 4 high-performance graphics workstations and robotics equipment. The university is also home to the National Advanced Simulator, one of the most advanced driving simulators in the world.
Teaching: Students may direct undergraduate labs or supervise an entire course.
Current research: Cognitive human factors, including virtual reality, scientific visualization, complex system design and control, telerobotic interface design, driving simulation, measurement of control performance, human performance modeling, visual conspicuity, medical simulation, training, visualization, ecological interface design, human-machine cooperative problem solving, and supervisory control.

STUDENT STATISTICS:
Active: 24 men, 9 women
First-year students: 5
Mean scores: n/a

FACULTY:
Tom Schnell, PhD 1998, Ohio U; driver visual performance, driver eye scanning, color perception, legibility.
Geb W. Thomas, PhD 1996, Pennsylvania State U; interface design, distributed systems, supervisory control, automation.
Affiliated faculty: K. Anstreicher (management science), T. Brown (BME), Matthew Rizzo (neurology).

[Updated April 2011]