Resources

Georgia Institute of Technology

Location:   Atlanta, Georgia

Department:   Psychology

 

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Directory of Graduate Programs


PROGRAM BACKGROUND

Title of program:

Engineering Psychology

Year human factors/ergonomics
program was established:

1970

Accredited by HFES?

Yes

Contact person for more information, including applications:

Richard Catrambone, School of Psychology
Georgia Institute of Technology
654 Cherry Street
Atlanta, GA 30332-0170
404/894-6775
richard.catrambone@psych.gatech.edu

Catalog:

Obtain information at http://www.psychology.gatech.edu
or contact Jan Westbrook
School of Psychology
Georgia Tech
Atlanta, GA 30332-0170
jw54@prism.gatech.edu

Website:

Academic calendar:

Semester

Human factors/ergonomics graduate degrees offered:

MS and PhD

Goals, objectives, and emphasis of the programs:

and emphasis of the program Focuses graduate training primarily from the perspective of applied experimental psychology. The foundation areas of study include cognition, sensation, and perception; physiological psychology; research methodology; and statistical inference with specialized courses in the science and practice of engineering psychology. Students have the opportunity to have a research concentration in the following areas: perceptual processes and attention; skill acquisition, transfer, and retention; individual differences and cognitive performance; human-performance-motivated design of technology; instructional system design; training and system design for special populations such as older adults. These basic areas are currently being applied at Georgia Tech in domains such as aviation, driving, education, human-computer interaction (including auditory displays), medical systems, and aware home technology. A fundamental goal is to train students as research scientists and as practitioners of engineering psychology. To that end, graduate students generally participate in both individual research and in research teams. In addition to core psychology courses, graduate students are expected to supplement their course work with courses that require application of that basic, scientific knowledge. Graduates of the program go on to research or management positions in government and industry as well as academic positions that involve both teaching and research.

Number of degrees granted during last 3 years:

MS 11, PhD 8

Can students attend part-time?

No

Does the university have an HFES student chapter?

yes


APPLICATION PROCESS

Application deadlines:

January 1

 

Application Fees:

$50. Application process is online only through Georgia Tech Graduate Admissions

 


ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Minimum requirements

  • GPA: 3.0
  • GRE: 550 v, 550 q, 1100 v + q, 550 a
  • Other: Evidence of research experience, math through beginning calculus, and familiarity with programming languages are recommended.

Importance of other criteria as admission factors:

  • Research: High
  • Work experience: low
  • Letters: High
  • Interview: Low

Tuition and fees

Resident: $4,160/semester
Nonresident: $13,196/semester

 


ADMISSIONS

Number of students applying to the human factors/ergonomics program last year:

25

Number of students accepted into the program last year:

6

Number of students entering the program last year:

3

Anticipated number of openings per year for the next two years:

Varies


FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Percentage of students in program receiving financial assistance:

100%

Amount received per year:

$11,500 – $15,550 – $20,240

Types of assistance available:

Fellowships, TA, RA, all tuition exempt

When should students apply for financial assistance?

With application


DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Graduate degree offered:

MS and PhD

Number of units required:

MS: 36
PhD: 36

Exams required:

MS: defense of thesis
PhD: completion of MS defense, preliminary examination

Language requirements:

None

Research required:

Ms: yes
PhD: yes

Practical experience required:

MA: None
PhD: recommended

Typical number of years required to obtain degree:

MS: 2.5
PhD: 3 years after MS
Certificate: 1

Is there a non-thesis option?

No


CURRICULUM

Required Courses (units):

Biomechanics and Human Performance (3), Biopsychology Core (3), Cognitive Core (3), Engineering Psychology I (3), Engineering Psychology II (3), Human Abilities (3), Professional Problems (3), Psychomotor & Cognitive Skills (3), Research Design (3), Sensation & Perception (3), Social Core (3), Stats I (3), Stats II (3), Teaching Practicum (3)

Electives:

Seminars in Engineering Psychology (3)

Number of courses outside department that are required:

3

Number of courses outside department that are recommended:

3

Average or typical class size in a required course:

5-15


RESEARCH/TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES

Research and support facilities available to students in the program:

All faculty have active research programs supported by state-of-the-art equipment. A variety of support computers are available to students actively involved in any given laboratory. The department maintains computers and printers for general graduate student usage. In addition to research opportunities within the department, strong ties with local companies, Georgia Tech Research Institute, and the GVU Center provide additional opportunities for research activities.

Teaching opportunities available to students in the program:
All students are required to take a Teaching Practicum. Classroom teaching opportunities are provided, and teaching assistantships are available.

Current research activities and projects being carried out by program faculty and/or students:

Research activities across the various laboratories include the following broad categories: aging and skill acquisition, perceptual processes and attention; skill acquisition, transfer, and retention; individual differences and cognitive performance; human-performance-motivated design of technology; design of auditory displays; situation awareness; and training and system design for special populations such as older adults. These basic areas are being applied at Georgia Tech in domains such as aviation, driving, education, HCI, medical systems, and aware home technology.


STUDENT STATISTICS

Current number of active students in program, by gender:

10 men, 11 women

Current number of first-year students in program:

3

Based on current graduate students in the MS in Human Systems Engineering program, the mean score on admission tests and undergraduate GPA by degree being sought are:

  • MS: GRE 650 v, 685 q, 650 a, GPA 3.5
  • PhD: GRE 650 v, 685 q, 650 a, GPA 3.4

FACULTY

Richard Catrambone, PhD 1988, U. Michigan; problem solving, task analysis, educational technology, instructional design, human-computer interaction, multimedia

Bruce N. Walker, PhD 2001, Rice U.; sonification and auditory displays, human-computer interaction, non-traditional interfaces, assistive technology

Jamie Gorman, PhD

[Updated May 2022]