Location: New York, New York
Department: Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine and Graduate School of Arts and Science
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PROGRAM BACKGROUND
Title of program:
Graduate Program of Ergonomics and Biomechanics
Year human factors/ergonomics program was established
1985
Accredited by HFES?
No
Contact person for more information, including applications
Ali Sheikhzadeh, OIOC, New York University
63 Downing St, New York, NY 10014
212/255-6690, fax 212/255-6754
ali.sheikhzadeh@nyu.edu
Catalog (free)
Ali Sheikhzadeh, OIOC/HJD, 63 Downing St., New York, NY 10014
212/255-6690, fax 212/255-6754 ergo.biom@nyu.edu
Web site
https://med.nyu.edu/oioc/education/masters-degree-ergonomics-and-biomechanics
Academic calendar:
Semester
Human factors/ergonomics graduate degrees offered:
MS and PhD
Goals, objectives, and emphasis of the program
The Graduate Program of Ergonomics and Biomechanics (ERBI) is concerned with physical ergonomics and biomechanical analysis as related to physical activity. The program provides the analytical skills essential to understanding the development of musculoskeletal disorders, as well as the skills needed to manage preventive programs from initial occurrence to disability. The program trains students in basic research, study design, and the use of equipment and measurement techniques employed in ergonomic and biomechanical analysis. The curriculum starts with basic concepts, progresses to the development of analytical skills, and culminates in methods of practical application. Graduates learn to communicate with different disciplines and to integrate solutions to problems by generating ideas, presenting proposals, and facilitating management of projects within the scope of ergonomics and biomechanics. Students attracted to the ERBI program come from varied backgrounds such as medicine, physical and occupational therapy, occupational and environmental health, allied health, basic medical sciences, engineering, safety and health, industrial hygiene, industrial design, epidemiology, psychology, and kinesiology. The ERBI program is conducted at the Occupational and Industrial Orthopaedic Center (OIOC) of the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases. OIOC is an internationally recognized clinical, research, and educational center, and the faculty has both academic and practical experience.
Accreditation: Oxford Research Institute CAE.
Number of degrees granted during last 3 years
5 PhD , 14 MS
Can students attend part-time?
Yes
Are required courses offered through distance learning?
No
Are required courses offered in the evening?
Yes
Does the university have an HFES student chapter?
No
APPLICATION PROCESS
Application deadline
April 15 (fall)
Application fees
$80 online, $90 paper copy
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Minimum requirements
- MS: a total mean GPA of B (3.0) or higher; undergraduate degree in health-related sciences, basic sciences, or engineering
- Acceptance into the MS program is based upon undergraduate grades, GRE scores, professional or academic experience, letters of recommendation, and an interview
- PhD: GPA: 3.0; GRE: 600 v, 600 q, 600 a; master's degree in natural or physical sciences, health sciences, or engineering
Importance of other criteria as admission factors
- Research: medium (MS); high (PhD)
- Work experience: medium
- Letters: medium
- Interview: high
Tuition and fees
Resident and nonresident (estimated): $1,080 per point, nonreturnable registration and service fee; first point: $310 (fall) and $224 (spring), nonreturnable registration and service fee per point for registration after first point: $38
ADMISSIONS
Number of students applying to the human factors/ ergonomics program last year
11 (MS), 3 (PhD)
Number of students accepted into the program last year
8 (MS), 2 (PhD)
Number of students entering the program last year
4 (MS), 2 (PhD)
Anticipated number of openings per year for the next two years
15 (MS); 3 (PhD)
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Percentage of students in program receiving financial assistance
55% (including those with employee tuition benefits)
Amount received per year
N/A
Types of assistance available
Fellowships, TA, RA, scholarship, loans, NIOSH ERC program offers two tuition awards for 8 credits each semester
When should students apply for financial assistance?
With application. For information on financial aid and alternative funding, visit http://gsas.
nyu.edu/financial-support.html. For information on the ERC grant, contact Ali Sheikhzadeh at 212/652-1934.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Graduate degrees offered
MS and PhD
Number of units required
- MS: 36 units (credits/points)
- PhD: 72 units (credits/points)
Exams required
- MS: none
- PhD: comprehensive exams, thesis defense
Language requirements
None
Research required
- MS: independent study research
- PhD: thesis research
Practical experience required
Typical number of years required to obtain degree
- MS: 1.5 full-time, 2–3 part-time years
- PhD: 4–8
Is there a non-thesis option?
No
CURRICULUM
Required courses (units)
Biomechanics (4), Physical Biomechanics (4), Applied Biomechanics in the Analysis of Human Performance (4), Practicum in Biomechanics and Ergonomics (4), Ergonomic Issues I: Physical factors in the workplace (4), Ergonomic Issues II: Environmental factors in the workplace (4), Biostatistics (4), Research Methods in Ergonomics and Biomechanics (4)
Electives: Independent Study (1–6)
Number of courses outside department that are required
1
Average or typical class size in a required course
maximum of 15
RESEARCH/TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES
Research and support facilities available to students in the program:
Data Acquisition System consisting of general-purpose data acquisition software and a 32-channel, multifunction data acquisition board; Polhemus Liberty Tracker utilizing low-frequency magnetic field technology determines position and orientation of moving body segments relative to a source reference frame; 16-Channel Electromyography (EMG) System measures and analyzes electrical signals generated by muscles; Bruel & Kjaer Human Vibration Measurement Set measures vibration exposure on the human body; driving simulator.
Teaching opportunities available to students in the program:
Doctoral candidates are invited to assist the faculty in teaching.
Current research activities and projects being carried out by program faculty and/or students:
Effect of pure and combined loading on the recruitment patterns of trunk muscles; prevention of occupational low back pain; early predictors of delayed return to work in patients with low back pain; predictors of patient satisfaction; automobile instrument panel design; reach capabilities of older and younger drivers; ergonomic workplace and job analysis.
STUDENT STATISTICS
Current number of active students in program
11 (MS), 8 (PhD)
Current number of first-year students
in program
N/A
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
FACULTY
Marco Campello, PhD 2002, NYU; CIE; disability guidelines, return to work, stay at work
David Goldsheyder, MS 1990, NYU; CIE; biomechanics, workplace design
Manny Halpern, PhD 1999, NYU, HFES member; CPE; ergonomics, workplace design, job analysis
Rudi Hiebert, MS 2004, Johns Hopkins U.; epidemiology, study design, injury prevention data base management, regression analysis
Angela Lis, MA 2000, NYU; CIE; ergonomics, biomechanics, low back pain, predictors of disability
Margareta Nordin, Dr.Sci. 1982, U. Gothenburg (Sweden), HFES member; CIE; ergonomics, biomechanics, low back pain
Ali Sheikzadeh, PhD 1997, NYU; CIE; biomechanics, electromyography
Sherri Weiser, PhD 1989 City U. of New York; biopsychosocial models, low back pain, occupational stress
Diane Trainor, PhD 1989, NYU; environmental science, industrial hygiene, occupational safety and health
[Updated Winter 2007]