UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON
Dayton, Ohio
Department of Psychology

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BACKGROUND:
Title: Experimental-Human Factors Psychology (MA). Contact: William F. Moroney, Dept. of Psychology, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH 45469-1430; 937/229-2767, fax 937/229-3900; moroney@udayton.edu. Est: 1981. Semester. Granted last 3 years: MA: 7. Part-time: Yes. Program: Emphasis is placed on the integration of theory, data, and methodology of experimental psychology with that of human factors. The curriculum stresses integration of knowledge in three major areas: (a) theoretical models and quantitative research methodology associated with cognition, perception, and physiological processes; (b) the application of knowledge about psychological processes to the development of systems, interfaces, and work environments; and (c) the methods and tools that the human factors specialist applies during system analysis, design, and evaluation. Specializes in human-computer interaction, information technology, aerospace, and ergonomics applications. Opportunities exist for practicum and co-op experience with local human factors research an development facilities in both government and industry. The program is structured to prepare the student for a career in human factors applications and research, or doctoral-level studies in human factors or experimental psychology.  For additional details see http://www.udayton.edu/~psych/humfac.html. Accredited by: HFES. HFES student chapter: Yes, see http://www.udayton.edu/~udhfes/. Catalog: (free): William F. Moroney, Dept. of Psychology, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH 45469-1430.

APPLICATION:
Deadlines: 3/15 for financial assistance, otherwise 6/1. Fee: None, see http://www.udayton.edu/~gradsch/app.htm .

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
GPA: 3.0. GRE: 1000 v + q. Other: 15 semester hours of psychology including statistics, experimental psychology or research design, and 6 semester hours in upper-level psychology courses. The calculus and computer programming requirement may be dropped for 2004 applicants and following applicants. Applicants without necessary preparation may be admitted conditionally; regular standing contingent upon completion of coursework specified by admissions committee. Research: medium. Work experience: medium. Letters: high. Interview: medium.

ADMISSIONS:
Students applying last year: 15 Accepted: 9. Entered program: 4. Openings/year: 3-6.

TUITION AND FEES:
Resident and nonresident: $505/credit hour.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:
% receiving: 100. Amount: for 9 months $8400/salary from local organizations. Available:  GA, RA both tuition exempt and Julian M. Christensen Endowment Fund.  There are also local positions with industry/government.  Apply: with application.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS:
MA: 39 units, oral defense of proposal and thesis, no languages, thesis, practicum, 2 years. Nonthesis option: No.

CURRICULUM:
Required courses: Engineering Psychology, Ergonomics, Human Factors in System Development, Perception, Cognitive Processes, Experimental Design and Statistics, History and Systems, Thesis, Practicum. Popular electives: Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Aviation Psychology, Visual Displays, Questionnaire Design. Required courses outside department: 0. Recommended courses outside department: 1-2. Offered: evening. Class size: 5-10.

RESEARCH/TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES:
Research facilities: Research and support facilities include those of the university, the Psychology Department, the University Research Institute, and the Southwest Ohio Human Factors/Ergonomics Consortium (SOHFEC). Through SOHFEC, students can take courses and participate in research at the University of Cincinnati and Miami University. The Psychology Department maintains the Human Factors/Cognitive Psychology research lab, which includes microcomputer-based facilities capable of supporting multiple simultaneous experiments and studies of group processes.  Approximately 2000 sqare feet of laboratory space is divided into observation rooms and experimental areas. The Psychology Teaching Laboratory (an additional 1500 sqare feet) has 23 LAN-connected Pentium III or higher workstations and several experimental areas. The University Information Systems Lab, a state-of-the-art video/behavioral observation facility, is utilized for studying human-computer interaction. The Learning Teaching Center  (http://ltc.udayton.edu/) designed to encourage the use of technology in learning and teaching houses the Collabatory. The mission of the Collaboratory (http://collaborate.udayton.edu/) is to help teams apply groupware technology effectively. The Collaboratory focuses on four major areas: team support, learning opportunities, research and development, and consulting.  Computing resources include microcomputers and campus-wide networking. In addition to university facilities, opportunities for access to human factors laboratory and flight simulation facilities at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base are open to students through cooperative agreements between the university and Air Force Laboratory. Several coop opportunities are available with local industries. The university and Research Institute libraries contain more than a half million volumes as well as extensive periodicals and technical report literature. Students can access and obtain material from 43 university libraries throughout Ohio through OHIOLINK. Teaching: Graduate assistants do not have teaching responsibilities.

STUDENT STATISTICS:
Active:  6 men, 3 women. First-year students: 4. Mean scores: MA: GRE 1152 (508 v, 645 q), GPA 3.3.

FACULTY:
David W. Biers, PhD 1970, Northwestern U; quantitative methods, human-computer interaction, learning and information technology. Samuel M. Bower, PhD 1963, Vanderbilt U; perception, product design, accelerated training. Robert J. Crutcher, PhD 1992, U Colorado, Boulder; memory, cognitive skill and learning, verbal report methodologies, language acquisition, statistics and research design, computer applications. Susan T. Davis, PhD 1991, Miami U;  memory, especially context effects and implicit memory; aesthetic preferences, including the effect of illusions; creativity; problem-solving. Greg Elvers, PhD 1989, Purdue U; human information processing, information integration, electronic classroom. F. Thomas Eggemeier, PhD 1971, Ohio State U; workload assessment, training, human performance. Donald J. Polzella, PhD 1974, U Michigan; cognition and perception, performance measurement, environmental design.Sarah J. Swierenga, PhD 1986, University of South Dakota; human-computer interaction, usability testing, human factors. William F. Moroney, PhD 1968, St. Johns U; human factors in systems design, ergonomics, aviation, questionnaire design.