FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Melbourne, Florida
Center for Aviation Human Factors

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BACKGROUND:
Title: Aviation Human Factors (MS) (resident program) or Human Factors in Aeronautics (online program)
Est: 1982 (as Engineering Psychology Program)
Semester
Granted last year: MS 5
Part-time: yes
Distance learning available: yes
HFES student chapter: no
Program: The program provides a sound theoretical foundation and offers training in applied research methods and in systems design and evaluation techniques. Designed to benefit and support the unique facilities available at Florida Tech for applied research, the program emphasizes the cognitive, perceptual, and ergonomic aspects of human factors. Students can acquire the knowledge and skills essential for careers in industry and government or for successful doctoral-level study. Faculty interests include design of dynamic displays, techniques for integrated information presentation, crew resource management, workstation design, air traffic control facilities, workload analysis, human-computer interaction, operations and management, aircraft accident investigation and prevention, and several other practical issues of human performance in technological tasks. Florida Tech has a prime location on Florida's Space Coast nestled among many high-tech companies and government agencies. The world's leading aviation and aerospace industries and research institutes are easily accessible. NASA and the Kennedy Space Center are only a few miles away. This provides a wide variety of practicum, internship, and interdisciplinary research opportunities in challenging occupational settings. Students are encouraged to take electives in the computer sciences, aeronautical sciences, industrial and organizational psychology, and the engineering disciplines. Students interested in advanced study beyond the MS should contact the program chair for more information on allied PhD programs.
Contact: John E. Deaton, Chair, Human Factors Program, Florida Institute of Technology, College of Aeronautics, 150 W. University Blvd., Melbourne, FL 32901; 407/674-8120; 407/674-7474; jdeaton@fit.edu; or John Cain, Graduate Program Chair, jcain@fit.edu.
Catalog: (free) Graduate Admissions Office, Florida Institute of Technology, 150 W. University Blvd., Melbourne, FL 32901

APPLICATION:
Deadline: 3/1; late applications will be considered

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
GRE: 1500 v + q + a preferred; however, GRE requirements are waiverable
Other: Bachelor's degree in aeronautics engineering, psychology, computer science, or other technical fields required. Students with an interest or experience in aviation and/or the aerospace sciences are strongly encouraged.
Research: high
Work experience: medium
Letters: medium
Interview: medium

ADMISSIONS:
Students applying last year: 20
Accepted: 10
Students entered: 10
Openings/year: 15

TUITION AND FEES:
Resident and Nonresident: $1,090/credit hour resident program, $550/credit hour online program

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:
% receiving: 5 resident
Available: TA, RA (tuition reduction)
Apply: with application

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS:
MS: 36 credit hours, thesis, demonstrated computer literacy and mathematical skills required, no languages or practical experience required, 2 years. 30 credit hour, nonthesis, online program available.
Nonthesis option: yes

CURRICULUM:
Required courses (credit hours): Introduction to Man-Machine Systems (3), Human Performance 1 and 2 (6), Sensation and Perception (3), Thesis Research (6) (resident program only), Human-Computer Interaction (3), Statistics (3), Research Methods (3)
Electives: Cognitive Science, Advanced Aircraft Operations, Accident Investigation, Information Systems, Program Management, Computer Graphics, Artificial Intelligence, Introduction to Simulation, Aviation Physiology, Practicum in Computer Education, Neural Networks, Ocean Engineering Systems, Learning and Memory, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and Industrial Training
Required courses outside department: 0
Recommended courses outside department: 2
Offered: nights, weekends, summer, online
Distance learning: Yes. See http://www.fit.edu/grad/majors/ms_human_factors_in_aeronautics.com.

RESEARCH/TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES:
Research facilities: Extensive research facilities are at the College of Aeronautics, other campus labs, and with FIT LLC at the Melbourne International Airport. Facilities include high-fidelity flight simulators, single- and multiengine aircraft, psychophysiological monitoring equipment, and the potential for marine research aboard the R/V Delphinus. The Center for Aviation Human Factors Lab is equipped with IBM PC-compatible computers, an Elite simulator, and student office spaces. The program collaborates with local industry and federal agencies, including Kennedy Space Center, Northrop-Grumman, Collins, Harris Corporation, Space Florida, and Holmes Regional Medical Center.
Teaching: Teaching seminars may be offered at the master's level.
Current research: The use of haptics in developing enhance virtual environment training programs; cross cultural training using virtual technology to teach Iraqi peacekeepers cultural knowledge of the local population; system interface design of a surface explosive detection device; human factors issues associated with the next generation aircraft; interface design for UAV systems, to name a few.

STUDENT STATISTICS:
Active: 39 men, 6 women
First year students: 10

FACULTY:
John H. Cain, PhD, Florida Tech; aerodynamics, accident investigation, educational technology
John E. Deaton, PhD, Catholic U of America; Director, Aviation Human Factors Program; human-computer interaction, cockpit automation, human performance, man-machine system design, training applications
Tom Utley, PhD, Florida Tech; aviation, synoptic and satellite meteorology
Stephen K. Cusick, JD, U of Louisville; aviation safety, aviation law, human factors, aviation safety management systems

[Updated April 2011]