UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
Iowa City, Iowa
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

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BACKGROUND:
Title: Human Factors/Ergonomics (Industrial Engineering; MS, PhD); Cognition and Perception (Psychology; MS, PhD)
Joint program: with Department of Psychology, Computer Science
Est: 1970
Semester
Granted last 3 years: MS 7, PhD 5
Part-time: MS only
Distance learning available: no
HFES student chapter: yes
Program: Aggressive research program in human-machine systems and cognitive engineering. MS emphasis is on user interface design, supervisory control of complex systems, and modeling human-machine systems. PhD requires innovative research emphasizing creative design and thorough investigation into fundamental issues of human-machine interaction, including robotics, virtual reality, and driving simulation. Local resources include the most advanced driving simulator in the world, one of the largest teaching hospitals, and a diverse pool of research partners. PhD graduates are well prepared for a research-oriented career in industry, government, or academia. Accredited by: ABET.
Contact: Linda Boyle, 319/384-0554, John Lee, 319/384-0810, Tom Schnell, 319/384-0811, or Geb W. Thomas, 319/335-5936. U. of Iowa, Dept. of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, 3131 Seamans Ctr., Iowa City, IA 52242-1527; jdlee@engineering.uiowa.edu, http://www.mie.engineering.uiowa.edu/index.htm/.
Catalog: (free) Office of Graduate Admissions, University of Iowa, 116 Calvin Hall, Iowa City, IA 52242

APPLICATION:
Deadlines: 7/15 (fall), 10/1 (spring), 3/1 (summer)
Fee: U.S. citizens $30, foreign students $50

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
GPA: n/a
GRE: n/a
Other: Engineering: bachelor's in engineering, math, physical science, or computer science (or in psychology with a math background approximating an engineering degree); statistics, computer programming, and English language competency. PhD: evidence of research capability. Psychology requires experimental psychology and statistics.
Research: high
Work experience: medium
Letters: high
Interview: medium

ADMISSIONS:
Students applying last year: n/a
Accepted: 9
Entered program: 8
Openings/year: 8

TUITION AND FEES:
Resident: $2177/semester
Nonresident: $6288/semester

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:
% receiving: 100
Amount:$14718
Available: fellowship, TA, RA, scholarship (in-state tuition with appointment)
Apply: with application

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS:
MS (thesis): 30 hours of 100-level courses (incl. up to 6 hours of research), oral defense of thesis
Nonthesis option: no
PhD: 90 hours (incl. dissertation research), comprehensive exam, oral defense, no languages or practical experience

CURRICULUM:
Engineering required courses: One course in each of 3 areas: Human Factors, Operations Research, and Manufacturing. No specified requirements.
Electives: Human Factors, Ergonomic Design, Human Performance in Engineering Systems, Biomechanics, Engineering Management, Human-Computer Interaction, Statistical Design and Process Analysis, Operations Research, Regression and Design, Digital Systems Simulation, and others.
Psychology required courses: write for details
Required courses outside department: 0
Recommended courses outside department: 2
Offered: night, summer
Class size: 10-20

RESEARCH/TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES:
Research facilities: The four full-time human factors research faculty will share 2,400 square feet of lab space in the new Engineering Building. The GROK Laboratory (G. Thomas) addresses user interface issues with complex systems. Recent projects include the robotic exploration of the Chernobyl Reactor and the development of prototype technologies for robots exploring Mars. The Cognitive Systems Lab (J. Lee) examines how to shape new technology to enhance user performance. Recent projects include the evaluation of in-vehicle computer technology and the development of a computational model of driver response to collision warning systems. The Operator Performance Lab (T. Schnell) examines the limits of human performance and system effectiveness. Recent projects include development of models of visual acuity and evaluation of effectiveness of raised pavement markings. The Human Factors and Statistical Modeling Lab (L. Boyle) investigates how people's behavior affects their risk of injuries and mishaps. This includes exploring why drivers crash, why operator errors occur, and how people respond to emergency situations. These issues are addressed using a wide range of innovative analytical approaches and experimental design approaches to solve human factors problems. These labs house a driving simulator, an on-road instrumented vehicle, 4 high-performance graphics workstations, robotics equipment, and physiological and eye-tracking equipment. The university is also home to the National Advanced Simulator, the most advanced driving simulator in the world.
Teaching: Students may direct undergraduate labs or supervise an entire course.
Current research: Cognitive human factors, including virtual reality, scientific visualization, complex system design and control, telerobotic interface design, driving simulation, measurement of control performance, human performance modeling, visual conspicuity, medical simulation, training, visualization, ecological interface design, human-machine cooperative problem solving, and supervisory control.

STUDENT STATISTICS:
Active: 11 men, 9 women
First-year students: 5
Mean scores: n/a

FACULTY:
Linda Boyle, PhD 1998, U Washington; modeling driver behavior, user acceptance of new technology, commercial vehicle operations and transportation safety, statistics.
John D. Lee, PhD 1992, U Illinois; interface design, computational models of human-machine interaction, supervisory control and automation.
Tom Schnell, PhD 1998, Ohio U; driver visual performance, driver eye scanning, color perception, legibility.
Geb W. Thomas, PhD 1996, Pennsylvania State U; virtual reality interface design, supervisory control, automation.
Affiliated faculty: Thomas M. Cook (physical therapy), James C. Hay (exercise science), James V. Hinrichs (cognitive psychology), Malcolm Pope (biomechanics), Matthew Rizzo (neurology), David Wilder (biomechanics), Craig Zwerling (preventive medicine).

[Updated Winter 2007]