CORNELL UNIVERSITY
Ithaca, New York
Design and Environmental Analysis

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BACKGROUND:
Title: Human Factors/Ergonomics (MS); Human Behavior in Design (PhD)
Est: 1980/2009
Semester
Granted last 3 years: MS HFE 4
Part-time: no
Distance learning available: no
HFES student chapter: yes
Program: Focus is on human factors aspects of environment design. Course covers human-environment topics and ergonomics design issues. Emphasis is also placed on applied techniques and research methods.
Contact: Terry Mingle, Graduate Field Assistant, Cornell University, Design and Environmental Analysis, MVR Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853-4401; 607/255-2168; tpm2@cornell.edu, http://www.human.cornell.edu/dea/academics/graduate/index.cfm or http://ergo.human.cornell.edu.
Catalog: http://www.gradschool.cornell.edu/?p=38

APPLICATION:
Deadlines: 1/5 fall admission only
Fee: $80

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
GPA: 3.0
GRE: >1200 v + q
Other: TOEFL (overall) score should be 105, but section minimums must meet Cornell Graduate School's minimum scores. Psychology or related behavioral science, engineering, computer science, social science, design
Research: medium
Work experience: medium
Letters: high
Statement of Purpose: very high
Interview: high when requested, but not required if application clearly meets criteria

ADMISSIONS:
Students applying last year: MS 30, PhD 30
Accepted: MS 16, PhD 4
Entered program: MS 9, PhD 3
Openings/year: 5-8

TUITION AND FEES:
Resident and nonresident: $20,800/year

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:
% receiving: 56
Amount: Possible TA-ships (full fees +); summer support available on a competitive basis
Available: fellowships, TA, RA, all tuition exempt
Apply: deadline for application 1/15

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS:
MS: required units vary, typically 60 credit hours; thesis research required; 2 years
PhD: required units vary, typically 60 credit hours; dissertation research required; 4 years
Nonthesis option: no

CURRICULUM:
Required courses or demonstrated competency (units): Making a Difference: By Design (audit); Intro to Human/Environment Relations (audit); Programming Methods in Design (4); Human Factors: Ergonomics-Anthropometrics (4); Human Factors: The Ambient Environment (4); Research Methods in Social Sciences (4); Applied Ergonomics Methods (4); Universal Design: Ergonomics and Accessibility (3); Statistical Methods (6-8)
Required electives: One from Directed Readings in Human Factors (4); Empirical Research in Human Factors (4); Supervised Fieldwork in Human Factors (4); Planning and Managing the Workplace (4); Minor electives (3-12)
Required courses outside department: 2-5
Class size: 2-50

RESEARCH/TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES:
Research facilities: New research labs for environment simulations. Climate-controlled research laboratory. Extensive computer, electrophysiological, and environmental monitoring equipment, eye tracking, 3-D video motion capabilities, Faro arm. Whole-body scanner, hand scanner, and fMRI available. Biochemical analytic facilities available.
Teaching: Teaching assistantships can include occasional class teaching.
Current research: Research on human-computer interaction, input device (e.g., keyboard and mouse) design, ergonomic workplace design, scientific visualization methods, lighting and visual performance, noise and stress, ergonomics and health, personal environmental control systems, alternative work spaces, telecommuting, health care, universal design, aging and design.

STUDENT STATISTICS:
Active: 1 man, 3 women
First-year students: 4
Mean scores: GRE 557 v, 757 q, 3.84 a, GPA 3.41

FACULTY:
Franklin D. Becker, PhD 1972, UC Davis; psychology
Gary Evans, PhD 1975, U Massachusetts Amherst; psychology
David Feathers, PhD 2006, U Buffalo; industrial & systems engineering
Alan Hedge, PhD 1979, U Sheffield; psychology
Ying Hua, PhD 2007, Carnegie Mellon; architecture
Joseph Laquatra, PhD 1984, Cornell U; consumer economics & housing
Lorraine Maxwell, PhD 1990, City U of New York; psychology
William Sims, Jr., PhD (Emeritus) 1974, MIT; planning
Nancy Wells, PhD 2000, U Michigan; psychology and architecture

[Updated May 2011]