COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
Fort Collins, Colorado
Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences

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BACKGROUND:
Title: Ergonomics Graduate Program; Occupational Ergonomics (MS, PhD)
Est: 1990
Semester
Granted last 3 years: MS 5, PhD 2
Part-time: yes
Distance learning available: no
HFES student chapter: no
Program: The graduate program has an interdisciplinary focus with contributing faculty from occupational and environmental health, occupational health psychology, biomedical engineering, and health and exercise science. The program is a component of the NIOSH-supported Mountain and Plains Education and Research Center (ERC), which includes programs in occupational ergonomics, occupational medicine, occupational health psychology, industrial hygiene, and health physics.
     Emphasis is placed on occupational ergonomics and human factors, injury prevention applications, occupational exposure assessment, workstation design, production quality and efficiency, safety climate, and safety culture. Current focus of research is in the research in the manufacturing, construction, and agriculture industries. The goal is to provide students the capability to effectively resolve occupational human performance challenges through design with considerations to production, product or process quality, worker health and safety, and the quality of work life.
Contact: John Rosecrance, PhD, PT, CPE, Director, Ergonomics Graduate Program, ERHS Department, 1681 Campus Delivery, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523-1691; 970/491-1405; john.rosecrance@colostate.edu; Online information: http://www.cvmbs.colostate.edu/erhs/ergonomics.htm.
Catalog: http://catalog.colostate.edu/

APPLICATION:
Deadlines: Fall: 5/1; Spring: 11/1
Fee: $50

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
GPA: MS: 3.0; PhD: 3.5
GRE: Recommended: 600 v, 600 q, 5.0 w
Other: official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions; official GRE scores; resume or curriculum vitae; written statement of background, interests, motivation for graduate study, and professional goals; 3 letters of recommendation from academic sources. International Students: TOEFL minimum 550 (paper), 213 (computer); evidence of research capability (for PhD program).
Recommended: Applications are most commonly accepted from individuals with undergraduate or graduate degrees in the health sciences (e.g., physical or occupational therapy), engineering, behavioral, biological, physical, or safety sciences. Previous coursework in anatomy, physiology, psychology, and statistics is strongly recommended. Each candidate is evaluated on their individual merits and qualities.
Research: medium
Work experience: medium
Letters: high
Interview: high

ADMISSIONS:
Students applying last year: 6
Accepted: 2
Entered program: 2
Openings/year: 2-3

TUITION AND FEES:
Resident: $4775/semester (est.)
Nonresident: $10600/semester (est.)

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:
% receiving: 100
Amount: variable
Available: NIOSH stipends/fellowships (for U.S. citizens), TA, RA
Apply: For priority consideration, submit application by 11/1 (fall semester) or 3/1 (spring semester).

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS:
MA: 43 semester units, oral exams, practicum experience, research required, no languages required, completion in 2 years
Nonthesis option: yes
PhD: At least 72 semester units beyond the bachelor's degree, 12 semester units of research/dissertation, qualifying and comprehensive exams and oral defense of dissertation, no language requirement, 3 years minimum

CURRICULUM:
Required courses (units): Departmental core courses (12), Principles of Ergonomics (3), Occupational and Environmental Health Interdisciplinary Symposia (1), Human Performance (3), Occupational Safety (3), Ergonomics in Product and Process Design (3), Ergonomic Practicum (3), Introductory Statistics (3), Intermediate Statistics (3)
Electives: TBD
Required courses outside department: Biomechanics (3), Occupational Health Psychology (3)
Recommended courses outside department: TBD depending on student's background
Distance learning: no
Class size: 8-12

RESEARCH/TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES:
Research facilities: State-of-the-art laboratory and computer facilities are available for research in human factors/ergonomics and injury prevention.
Teaching: Graduate students are encouraged to serve as teaching assistants and/or enroll in Supervised College Teaching (3).
Current research: Workplace exposure assessment and design, injury prevention, prevention of upper extremity and low back disorders, epidemiology of occupational injuries and illnesses, ergonomic design, organizational factors in ergonomics, safety climate and culture, production quality and efficiency through design.

STUDENT STATISTICS:
Active: N/A men, N/A women
First-year students: 3
Mean scores: MS: GRE 550 v, 603 q; 4.5 w; GPA 3.76. PhD: GRE 530 v; 630 q; 4.5 w; GPA 3.75

FACULTY:
David Gilkey, PhD 1995, Colorado State U; industrial hygiene, safety and ergonomics
Robin Herron, (professor emeritus) PhD 1964, U of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; applied physiology
Raoul Riser, PhD 2000, Colorado State U; mechanical engineering
John Rosecrance, PhD 1993, U of Iowa; occupational biomechanics and ergonomics

[Updated May 2012]