UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA, TUSCALOOSA
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Industrial Engineering Department

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BACKGROUND:
Title: Industrial Engineering with 5 graduate courses in Human Factors (MSIE)
Est: 1965
Semester
Granted last 3 years: 3 HF/E MSIE; 27 overall MSIE
Part-time: yes
HFES student chapter: no
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. Contact: Paul S. Ray or Thomas W. Merritt, University of Alabama, Box 870288, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0288; 205/348-1603; lwilliam@alam.ua.edu.
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
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