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BACKGROUND:
Title: Industrial Engineering with 5 graduate courses in Human Factors (MSIE). Contact: Paul S. Ray or Thomas W. Merritt, University of Alabama, Box 870288, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0288; 205/348-1603; lwilliam@alam.ua.edu. Est: 1965. Semester. Granted last 3 years: MSIE 3 HF/ergonomics; 27 overall MSIE. Part-time: yes. Program: Specialized study in human factors engineering is one of the three areas of concentration available to graduate students in industrial engineering. Emphasis is placed on industrial ergonomics, human information processing, biomechanics, work physiology, human performance, and occupational safety. HFES student chapter: no. Catalog: (free) Graduate School, University of Alabama, Box 870118, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0118.

APPLICATION:
Deadline: 7/6. Fee: $25.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
GPA: n/a. GRE: 1600 v + q + a. Other: TOEFL 550 (international), BS in engineering, physical sciences, industrial psychology, or life sciences, calculus through differential equations (differential equations may be taken at this university). Prefer some background in operations research and statistics (both may be taken at this university). Research: high. Work experience: high. Letters: medium. Interview: low.

ADMISSIONS:
Students applying last year: 3. Accepted: 3. Entered program: 2. Openings/year: 4.

TUITION AND FEES:
Resident: $1646/semester. Nonresident: $4456/semester.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:
% Receiving: 80. Amount: $8432. Available: TA, RA, scholarships, all tuition exempt. Apply: Written expression of interest in funding should be submitted to department head by 3/15.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS:
Thesis MSIE: 30 units, exams and research required, no languages or practical experience, 2 years. Nonthesis MSIE: 33 units, exams and research required, no languages or practical experience, 2 years.

CURRICULUM:
Required courses: n/a. Electives (units): Occupational Biomechanics (3), Work Physiology (3), Human Information Processing (3), Cumulative Trauma (3), Safety Engineering (3). Required courses outside department: 0. Recommended courses outside department: 2. Offered: n/a. Class size: 4-5.

RESEARCH/TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES:
Research facilities: Laboratory facilities include the ergonomics laboratory with equipment for measuring heart rate, oxygen consumption, force, sound, illumination, human threshold limits, and anthropometric models. The biomechanics laboratory includes equipment for research on static and dynamic forces, motion analysis, micromotion, and work measurement studies. Several microcomputer laboratories (one in IE) as well as remote terminals to the mainframe at Seebeck Computer Center are available for human factors research. Supporting facilities are available for research in work physiology at the human performance laboratory in the Physical Education Department. Teaching: Graduate students may serve as teaching or laboratory assistants. Current research: (a) Integrated methodology for system hazard analysis, (b) failure modes and effects analysis for space programs, (c) validity of a behavioral safety index, (d) significant factors of risk management for space programs.

STUDENT  STATISTICS:
Active: 2 men, 1 woman. First-year students: 3. Mean scores: MSIE: GRE 1950 v + q + a, GPA 3.2.

FACULTY:
Paul S. Ray, PhD. 1988, U Oklahoma; occupational safety, industrial ergonomics. Thomas W. Merritt, PhD 1987, Auburn U; cumulative trauma disorders, ergonomics.