UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Psychology Department

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BACKGROUND:
Title: Perception, Aging, and Cognitive Ergonomics (PACE; MSc, PhD)
Est: 1986
Semester
Granted last 3 years: MSc 3, PhD 2
Part-time: no
Distance learning available: no
HFES student chapter: no
Program: The program emphasizes the scientist-practitioner model of training. Primary areas of research activity are in transportation ergonomics, visual ergonomics, aging and visual health, human error, human-computer interaction, medical human factors, attention and skill acquisition, visual processing, speech perception, and audition. Numerous opportunities exist to develop multidisciplinary interests in conjunction with computer science, environmental design, kinesiology, and medicine faculties.
Contact: Don Kline, University of Calgary, Department of Psychology, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4 CANADA; 403/220-5571; http://www.psych.ucalgary.ca/pace.
Catalog: (free) Rachela Buonincontri, University of Calgary, Department of Psychology, 2500 University Dr. NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, CANADA; cpsych@ucalgary.ca.

APPLICATION:
Deadline: 1/15
Fee: $100 (Cdn.), $130 (International)

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
GPA: 3.4
GRE: acceptable score
Other: Baccalaureate degree or its equivalent with a minimum of 4 years of acceptable coursework from a recognized institution. A GPA of 3.4 over the last two undergraduate and/or graduate years consisting of at least 10 full-course equivalents. Proficiency in English.
Research: high
Work experience: medium
Letters: high
Interview: low

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

TUITION AND FEES:
Resident: $4992/year Full Fees, $1432/year Continuing
Nonresident: $9844/year Full Fees, $2864/year Continuing

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:
% receiving: 100
Amounts: $19,450 (Cdn)
Available: Fellowship, TA, RA, scholarship; only fellowship and scholarship are tuition exempt.
Apply: with application

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS:
MSc: 24 units, thesis defense, research required, no languages or practical experience, 2-3 years
Nonthesis option: no
PhD: 12 units, oral and written preliminary exams, research required, no languages required, internship suggested, 2-3 years

CURRICULUM:
Required courses (units): Introduction to Design and Analysis (3), Advanced Design and Analysis (3), Engineering Psychology (3), Advanced Sensation, Perception, and Cognition (3)
Electives: Advanced Experimental Aging, Transportation Human Factors, Human Error, Medical Human Factors, Cognitive Engineering, Advanced HCI, Methods in HCI, Ergonomics for Environmental Design, People and Products
Required courses outside department: 0
Recommended courses outside department: 2-4
Class size: 3-8

RESEARCH/TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES:
Research facilities: General and specialized computer facilities are available to graduate students. Hardware and software technical support staff and shops support a wide range of research needs. Research experience is usually specific to an adviser's lab. The Vision and Aging Lab includes automated and manual optical correction, electromechanical visual testing and optics equipment and materials, and an extensive Mac network to support graphics development, image processing, vision testing, stimulus presentation, data acquisition, and analysis. The Cognitive Ergonomics Research Lab (CERL) houses the University of Calgary Driving Simulator (UCDS). The UCDS is a full automobile with projection to 150 degrees, a high-speed eye movement system, and ITS prototyping software. The Perceptual and Cognitive Aging Lab has acuity and contrast sensitivity testing equipment, lensometry, autorefraction, noncontact tonometers, a number of Mac workstations, and a PC-based eye movement system. The GroupLab contains networked Sun and PC workstations, a digital editing suite, a smartboard, and networked PDAs.
Teaching: Graduate students who receive TA support typically serve as laboratoy or tutorial instructors; they may lecture occasionally. Advanced students may have the opportunity to instruct an entire course as preparation to enter academics.
Current research: Effects of visual aging on everyday tasks; image processing and optimization of visual displays and fonts; effects of luminance, age, and clutter on sign conspicuity; effects of technology on intensive care units; teen and novice driver distraction; the usability of computer-supported cooperative work applications; and hearing problems in daily life.

STUDENT STATISTICS:
Active: 1 man, 5 women
First-year students: 2
Mean scores: n/a

FACULTY:
Jeff Caird, PhD 1994, U Minnesota; transportation and medical human factors, HCI
Jan Davies, MD; medical and aviation human factors, human error
Bob Dewar, PhD 1965, McMaster U; driver behavior, human factors, perception
Saul Greenberg, PhD, U Calgary; HCI, computer-supported cooperative work, visualization interfaces
Don Kline, PhD 1972, U of Southern California; vision, aging, visual health, human factors
Theresa Kline, PhD 1990, U Calgary; I/O, computer-supported cooperative work, human factors
Chip Scialfa, PhD 1987, U Notre Dame; driving, aging, visual perception
Ron Wardell, PhD 1983, U Waterloo; occupational ergonomics, macroergonomics

[Updated Winter 2007]