Resources

Miami University

Location:   Oxford, Ohio

Department:  Psychology


Quick links:

Directory of Graduate Programs

PROGRAM BACKGROUND

Title of program:

Applied Concentration in Ergonomics and Human Factors (PhD)

Year human factors/ergonomics
program was established:

1983

Accredited by HFES?

No

Contact person for more information, including applications:

Leonard S. Mark
Department of Psychology
Miami University
3128 CEBA Building
Oxford, OH 45056
513/529-2417, 513/529-2400
markls@muohio.edu

Academic calendar:

Semester

Human factors/ergonomics graduate degrees offered:

PhD

Goals, objectives, and emphasis of the programs:

The program's emphasis is on a firm and extensive foundation in basic psychology (theory and method), which then serves as a springboard to allow the student to function as an effective problem solver in a variety of applied settings. Students are expected to be involved in formal research and participate in real-world design problems generating specific products. Group interaction among students and faculty is highly valued. Miami University is a member of the Southwestern Ohio Human Factors and Ergonomics Consortium. Other members include the University of Cincinnati and the University of Dayton. Students have access to faculty, courses, and laboratories at each participating institution.

Number of degrees granted during last 3 years:

PhD 3, MA 2

Can students attend part-time?

No

Are required courses offered through distance learning?

No

Are classes offered during summer

Yes

Are classes offered at night?

Yes

Does the university have an HFES student chapter?

No


APPLICATION PROCESS

Application deadlines:

January 20

Application Fees:

$35


ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Minimum requirements

  • GPA: 3.0
  • GRE: 1100 v + q
  • Other: Psychology GRE, TOEFL, BA, some background in psychology, mathematics, computers Psychology GRE, TOEFL, BA, some background in psychology, mathematics, computers

Importance of other criteria as admission factors:

  • Research: hugh
  • Work experience: medium
  • Letters: high
  • Interview: medium

Tuition and fees

Resident: $5,962/year
Nonresident: $12,422/year


ADMISSIONS

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

15

Number of students accepted into the program last year:

3

Number of students entering the program last year:

2

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

20


FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Percentage of students in program receiving financial assistance:

100%

Amount received per year:

$11,301/$15,000 plus $1,800 summer supplement.
Waiver of tuition is included as part of all support.

Types of assistance available:

TA, RA, all exempt

When should students apply for financial assistance?

With application


DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Graduate degree offered:

PhD

Number of units required:

90 (includes master's)

Exams required:

Comprehensive exam

Language requirements:

None

Research required:

Continuous research

Typical number of years required to obtain degree:

5

Is there a non-thesis option?

No


CURRICULUM

Required Courses (units):

Introduction to Human Factors, Statistics and Experimental Design, Research Methods, Task Analysis, Usability of Complex Systems, Anthropometry and Biomechanics, Advanced Seminars in Experimental and Applied Psychology (cognitive processes, knowledge systems, motion perception, perception and action)

Electives:

Special Topics in Methodology (lab instrumentation, microprocessor logic and interfacing, analog and digital electronics, neural net modeling, quasi-experimental design, program evaluation)

Number of courses outside department that are required:

N/A

Number of courses outside department that are recommended:

N/A

Average or typical class size in a required course:

3-8


RESEARCH/TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES

Research and support facilities available to students in the program:
The Center for Ergonomic Research includes facilities for workstation design and analysis, including apparatus for dynamic postural analysis and anthropometric modeling. The Vision Lab includes facilities for computer-generated motion simulation, spatial frequency analysis, photometry, and colorimetry. Corporate partnerships provide research opportunities in cognitive systems engineering, interface design and usability evaluation. Other apparatus available through collaborative relationships with the Department of Manufacturing Engineering, the Department of Health and Physical Education, members of the Southwestern Ohio Human Factors and Ergonomics Consortium, NIOSH, and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

Teaching opportunities available to students in the program:
Students serve as teaching assistants in the department's undergraduate research methods and statistics course. In addition, some can teach a course of their own design.

Current research activities and projects being carried out by program faculty and/or students:
Perception-action analysis of workstation design; methods of anthropometric analysis; spatial orientation and adaptation with respect to motion sickness and simulated (virtual) environments; quantitative modeling of cognitive, perceptual, and decision-making processes; contrast gain-control mechanisms in spatial perception; cognitive work analysis with specific application to products, workspaces, and computer systems; human/computer interaction with emphasis on user-centered design and system usability; use of simulated (virtual) environments to study orientation and navigation in large-scale spaces.


STUDENT STATISTICS

Current number of active students in program, by gender:

7 men, 2 women

Current number of first-year students in program:

3

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

GRE 1280 v + q, GPA 3.6


FACULTY

William P. Berg, PhD 1990, U. Minnesota; motor control and coordination, visual guidance, aging

Marvin J. Dainoff, PhD 1969, U. Rochester; workstation ergonomics, ergonomic standards, cognitive systems engineering

Osama Ettooney, PhD 1987, U. Minnesota; manufacturing engineering

Douglas L. Gardner (adjunct), PhD 1997, Miami U.; cognitive systems engineering, HCI, usability

Joseph G. Johnson, PhD 1994, Indiana U.; judgment and decision making

Leonard S. Mark, PhD 1979, U. Connecticut; perception and action, workstation ergonomics

Lynn Olzak, PhD 1982, UCLA; higher-level processing mechanisms in visual perception

Allan J. Pantle, PhD 1968, Northwestern U.; form and movement perception

Robin Thomas, PhD 1995, Indiana U.; decision making

David Waller, PhD 1999, U. Washington, spatial cognition

Rik Warren (adjunct), PhD 1972, Cornell U.; flight simulation

William P. Berg, PhD 1990, U. Minnesota; motor control and coordination, visual guidance, aging

Marvin J. Dainoff, PhD 1969, U. Rochester; workstation ergonomics, ergonomic standards, cognitive systems engineering

Osama Ettooney, PhD 1987, U. Minnesota; manufacturing engineering

Douglas L. Gardner (adjunct), PhD 1997, Miami U.; cognitive systems engineering, HCI, usability

Joseph G. Johnson, PhD 1994, Indiana U.; judgment and decision making

Leonard S. Mark, PhD 1979, U. Connecticut; perception and action, workstation ergonomics

Lynn Olzak, PhD 1982, UCLA; higher-level processing mechanisms in visual perception

Allan J. Pantle, PhD 1968, Northwestern U.; form and movement perception

Robin Thomas, PhD 1995, Indiana U.; decision making

David Waller, PhD 1999, U. Washington, spatial cognition

Rik Warren (adjunct), PhD 1972, Cornell U.; flight simulation

[Updated Winter 2007]