Resources

Iowa State University

Location:   Ames, Iowa

Department:   Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering


Quick links:

Directory of Graduate Programs

PROGRAM BACKGROUND

Title of program:

Industrial Engineering with Specialization in Human Factors (MEng, MS, PhD)

Year human factors/ergonomics
program was established:

1974

Accredited by HFES?

No

Contact person for more information, including applications:

Richard T. Stone, Assistant Professor
Dept. of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering
Iowa State University
3004 Black Eng
Ames, IA 50011-2164
515/294-3644
rstone@iastate.edu

Catalog:

Academic calendar:

Semester

Human factors/ergonomics graduate degrees offered:

MEng (non-thesis masters)
MS (thesis-based masters)
PhD

Goals, objectives, and emphasis of the programs:

Areas of study include human factors engineering using biomechanics, work physiology, and engineering psychology; work design; industrial safety; and human-computer interaction. Supporting courses in psychology, physiology, computer science, statistics, biomedical engineering, and other elective areas. Students are free to choose an area of specialization. Each program of study is individually tailored to meet the needs of a given specialization. Typical areas of specialization include industrial ergonomics with emphasis in biomechanics and work physiology, safety engineering and reliability, biomedical engineering, and ergonomics in manufacturing and system design. Additional information can be found at http://www.imse.iastate.edu/research/focus-areas.

Number of degrees granted during last 3 years:

MS 8, PhD 4

Can students attend part-time?

No

Are required courses offered through distance learning?

Yes

Does the university have an HFES student chapter?

No


APPLICATION PROCESS

Application deadlines:

March 1 (fall)
October 1 (spring)
February 1 (for financial aid)

Application Fees:

$40 for U.S., $90 for international
Apply Online.


ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Minimum requirements

  • GPA: 3.0
  • GRE: V + Q 1200
  • Other: TOEFL 550, BS degree in engineering or physical science.

Tuition and fees

Resident: $4,424/semester
Nonresident: $9,969/semester


ADMISSIONS

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

9

Number of students accepted into the program last year:

5

Number of students entering the program last year:

5

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

8


FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Amount received per year:

$18,000–$22,000 plus tuition and health insurance

Types of assistance available:

Teaching assistantships and research assistantships (not tuition exempt; covered by department)


DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Graduate degree offered:

MEng (non-thesis masters)
MS (thesis-based masters)
PhD

Number of units required:

MEng (non-thesis masters): 30
MS (thesis-based masters): 30
PhD:72

Exams required:

MEng (non-thesis masters): none
MS (thesis-based masters): oral defense of thesis
PhD: qualifying exam, comprehensive exam, oral defense of dissertation, dissertation

Language requirements:

None

Research required:

MEng (non-thesis masters): none
MS (thesis-based masters): thesis research
PhD: none

Practical experience required:

None

Typical number of years required to obtain degree:

MEng (non-thesis masters): 2
MS (thesis-based masters): 2
PhD: 4

Is there a non-thesis option?

Yes (MEng)


RESEARCH/TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES

Research and support facilities available to students in the program:

The Physical Ergonomics Laboratory conducts basic and applied biomechanical research. Major equipment includes a 16 channel Delsys EMG data collection system, two Lumbar Motion Monitors, an 8-channel Ascension magnetic motion capture system, two Bertec force platforms and a Kin/Com isokinetic dynamometer. The Human Performance and Cognitive Engineering Laboratory conducts research related to cognitive and physiological engineering for augmenting human performance and understanding human capabilities. Equipment includes biomedical and neurological sensors (EKG, EMG, EEG, HRV, etc.), goniometry, force and moment sensors, dynamometers, etc. Projects include Augmented Reality Interfaces, Tele-robotic Systems and Decisions support systems. The Virtual Reality Lab is available through the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Teaching opportunities available to students in the program:

Opportunities exist in teaching laboratory sections of an undergraduate course in Applied Ergonomics and Work Design.

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

Current emphasis areas include 1) physical ergonomics with a particular focus on spine biomechanics, prevention of low back injury and hand/wrist disorders such as tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome and 2) cognitive engineering with a focus on augmented human performance and human computer interaction.


STUDENT STATISTICS

Current number of active students in program, by gender:

6 men, 5 women

Current number of first-year students in program:

3

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

N/A


FACULTY

Gary Mirka, PhD 1992, Ohio State U.; industrial & systems engineering; physical ergonomics, spine biomechanics, electromyography, ergonomic intervention effectiveness research

Richard Stone, PhD 2008, U. at Buffalo, the State University of New York; industrial engineering; human performance enhancement, cognitive engineering, augmented reality in multisensory devices, telerobotic control system development

[Updated June 2012]