TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY
Lubbock, Texas
Industrial Engineering

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BACKGROUND:
Title: Industrial Engineering with specialization in Ergonomics (MSIE, PhD)
Est: 1961
Semester
Granted last 3 years: MSIE 8, PhD 2
Part-time: yes
Distance learning available: no
HFES student chapter: yes
Program: The Texas Tech Industrial Engineering graduate program in human factors and ergonomics is designed to develop qualified and competent practicing engineers, teachers, and researchers. Over the last 50 years the ergonomics program has produced more than 150 MS and 65 PhD graduates who hold leadership positions in educational, research, manufacturing, governmental, and consulting organizations. The program emphasizes occupational ergonomics from both the physical and cognitive perspectives, in conjunction with the Human Factors Program in Experimental Psychology. Areas of emphasis include workplace design, anthropometry, musculoskeletal systems, cumulative trauma, work physiology, biomechanics, environmental hygiene, manual materials handling, occupational safety and health, automation, information processing, decision making, and the development of intelligent interfaces for decision support systems. Accredited by: HFES.
Contact: James L. Smith, Texas Tech University, Industrial Engineering Dept., Lubbock, TX 79409-3061; 806/742-3543, james.smith@ttu.edu, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/ieweb.
Catalog: (free) Graduate School, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409-1033, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/gradschool/prospect.php.

APPLICATIONS:
Deadline: Spring: 6/15; Fall: 1/15 for full consideration
Fee: $50 U.S., $75 international

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
Applications (e.g., transcripts, GRE scores, work history, letters of recommendation, and written personal statements) are evaluated by the graduate faculty to determine the student's potential for completing the graduate degree. No rigid criterion or cut-off points are used in admissions decisions. Foreign students are subject to financial and immigration. Science, mathematics, or engineering undergraduate degree recommended. Leveling courses may be required in math and engineering science for students without engineering undergraduate degrees.
Research: high
Work experience: high
Letters: high
Interview: medium

ADMISSIONS:
Students applying last year: 12
Accepted: 8
Entered program: 5
Openings/year:10

TUITION AND FEES:
Resident: $4478/semester (approximate; see catalog)
Nonresident: $8690/semester (approximate; see catalog)

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:
% receiving: 50
Amount: $19500/$26000
Available: TA, RA, scholarship, not tuition exempt but nonresident fees waived
Apply: with application

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS:
MSIE: 30 hours, thesis defense, research required, no languages or practical experience required, 1 1/2 years
Nonthesis option: yes; 30 hours; comprehensive exam, no languages, research, or practical experience required; 1 year
PhD: 60 hours, 2 exams, research required, no languages or practical experience required, 3 years

CURRICULUM:
Required courses (units): Ergonomics and Design (3), Work Physiology (3), Occupational Biomechanics (3), Safety Engineering (3), Loss Assessment and Control (3), Cognitive Engineering (3), Human Factors in Engineering & Design (3).
Electives: Design of Experiments (3), Decision Theory and Management Science (3), Productivity and Performance Improvement in Organizations (3), Simulation Models for Operations Analysis (3), Total Quality Systems (3), Theoretical Studies in Advanced IE Topics. (3). Human factors electives from Psychology, as appropriate.
Required courses outside department: 0
Recommended courses outside department: 0-2 for MS, 5 for PhD
Offered: summer
Class size: 5-25

RESEARCH/TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES:
Research facilities: The Industrial Ergonomics Laboratory occupies more than 4,000 square feet in the Industrial Engineering Building. Lab facilities include equipment specialized for research in work physiology (Metabolic Measurement Systems [Cosmed K4b2], physiological monitoring and recording equipment); biomechanics (3D motion analysis system, force platforms, Biodex, portable load cells, lifting machines); ASL desktop and head-mounted eye tracking systems; usability lab; environmental hygiene (environmental monitoring systems); human gait (slip-fall arresting rig); general ergonomics equipment such as anthropometers and dynamometers. Support facilities include a student computer laboratory, metal and woodworking shops, and an electronics shop. University computing facilities include mainframe and additional microcomputer facilities.
Teaching: TAs primarily assist faculty with classroom teaching and labs. Opportunities to assume full teaching responsibility are available to PhD students.
Current research: Gait in simulated partial gravity environments (NASA), Thorasic spine modeling and bone density changes (NASA), and gait analysis related to slips and falls.

STUDENT STATISTICS:
Active: 6 men, 4 women
First-year students: 5
Mean scores: MSIE GRE 510 v, 680 q, GPA 3.50; PhD GRE 443 v, 760 q, GPA 3.70

FACULTY:
Mario Beruvides, PhD 1993, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State U; macroergonomics, engineering management, productivity
Simon M. Hsiang, PhD 1992, Texas Tech University; cognitive engineering, biomechanics, virtual reality, modeling and system design, data mining, system identification, human safety and reliability
Barbara Millet, PhD 2009, University of Miami; human-computer interaction, product design, human performance modeling
Patrick E. Patterson, PhD 1984, Texas A&M U; ergonomics, biomechanics, interaction design, safety
James L. Smith, PhD 1980, Auburn U; work physiology, biomechanics, ergonomics

[Updated June 2012]