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BACKGROUND:
Title: Graduate Program of Ergonomics and Biomechanics (MS, PhD). Contact: Katherine Hahler, New York University, 63 Downing St., New York, NY 10014; 212/255-6690, fax 212/255-6754; http://www.oioc.org/. Est: 1985. Semester. Granted last 3 years: 5 PhD , 14 MS. Part-time: yes. Program: The Graduate Program of Ergonomics and Biomechanics (ERBI) offers both Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees to those qualified students who seek an advanced understanding of the theory and application of the disciplines of ergonomics and biomechanics. The program is conducted at the Occupational and Industrial Orthopaedic Center (OIOC) of the Hospital for Joint Diseases Orthopaedic Institute. OIOC is an internationally recognized clinical, research, and educational center that specializes in the prevention and treatment of work-related musculoskeletal injuries and conducts research in the fields of ergonomics and biomechanics. The primary objective of the program is to prepare students for professional careers or academic and research careers. The curriculum is designed to be a well-balanced blend of theoretical, practical, and research skills coursework. The multidisciplinary faculty members have backgrounds in physical sciences, biomechanics, ergonomics, human factors, engineering, psychology, epidemiology, and medicine. Students attracted to the ERBI program come from varied backgrounds such as medicine, physical and occupational therapy, occupational health, environmental health, allied health, basic medical sciences, basic sciences, engineering, safety and health, industrial hygiene, osteopathy, orthopaedic surgery, epidemiology, anthropology, psychology, physics, and kinesiology. ERBI students are trained to apply immediate practical solutions to health-related problems and to develop methods for the prevention, treatment, and management of musculoskeletal ailments. HFES student chapter: no. Catalog: Katherine Hahler, OIOC/HJD/NYU, 63 Downing St., New York, NY 10014; 212/255-6690, fax 212/255-6754 ; ergo.biom@nyu.edu.

APPLICATION:
Deadlines: 4/15, fall and summer; 11/1 spring. Fee: $60.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
MS: Undergraduate degree in health-related sciences, basic sciences, or engineering; coursework in anatomy, physics, and calculus. PhD: GPA: 3.0 GRE: 600 v, 600 q, 600 a. Other: Master’s degree in natural or physical sciences, health sciences, or engineering. Research: medium (MS); high (PhD). Work experience: medium (MS and PhD). Letters: medium (MS and PhD). Interview: high (MS and PhD).

ADMISSIONS:
Students applying last year: 13 (MS), 3 (PhD). Accepted: 7 (MS), 3 (PhD). Entered program: 5 (MS), 3 (PhD). Openings/year: 15 (MS); 3 (PhD).

TUITION AND FEES:
Resident and nonresident (estimated): $782 per point, nonreturnable registration and service fee; first point: $210 (fall) and $224 (spring), nonreturnable registration and service fee per point for registration after first point: $38.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:
% receiving: 55 (including those with employee tuition benefits). Amount: n/a. Available: fellowships, TA, RA, scholarship, loans, all tuition exempt. Apply: with application.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS:
MS: 36 units (credits/points), independent study research, no languages or practical experience, 3 part-time years. Nonthesis option: yes (MS); no (PhD). PhD: 72 units (credits/points), comprehensive exams, thesis research, thesis defense, no languages or practical experience, 4 to 8 years.

CURRICULUM:
Required courses (units): Biomechanics I & II (6), Physical Biomechanics I & II (6), Practicum in Biomechanics and Ergonomics I & II (6), Ergonomic Workplace Design (3), Environmental Health (3), Biostatistics (4), Epidemiology (4). Electives: Independent Study (1-6), Departmental Seminar (3). Required courses outside department: 2. Offered: evenings. Class size: maximum of 15.

RESEARCH/TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES:
Research facilities: Data Acquisition System consisting of general-purpose data acquisition software and a 64-channel, multifunction data acquisition board; Triaxial Dynamometer to conduct two- and three-dimensional measurements of relative position, velocity, and acceleration of the trunk and the torque output of the trunk muscles during various physical activities; Polhemus 3Space Tracker utilizing low-frequency magnetic field technology determines position and orientation of moving body segments relative to a source reference frame; 16-Channel Electromyography (EMG) System measures and analyzes electrical signals generated by muscles; Isotechnologies Back Tracker, a portable triaxial electromechanical trunk goniometer; Bruel & Kjaer Human Vibration Measurement Set measures vibration exposure on the human body; Driving simulator. Teaching: Doctoral candidates are invited to assist the faculty in teaching. Current research: Role of trunk muscles in intra-abdominal pressure; effect of pure and combined loading on the recruitment patterns of trunk muscles; sociocultural factors in health care utilization and back pain; prevention of occupational low back pain; early predictors of delayed return to work in patients with low back pain; acute phase predictors of outcome of low back pain; automobile instrument panel design; reach capabilities of older and younger drivers; ergonomic workplace and job analysis; medical standards systems; biomechanical analysis of tasks.

STUDENT STATISTICS:
Active: 11 (MS), 8 (PhD). First-year students: n/a. Mean scores: n/a.

FACULTY:
David Goldsheyder, MS, 1990 NYU; biomechanics, workplace design. Manny Halpern, PhD 1999, NYU; ergonomics, workplace design, job analysis. Margareta Nordin, MDSci 1982, U Gothenburg (Sweden); ergonomics, biomechanics, low back pain. Ali Sheikzadeh, PhD 1997, NYU; biomechanics, electromyography, mechanical testing. Sherri Weiser, PhD 1989 City University of New York; biopsychosocial models, low back pain, occupational stress.