Location: Lubbock, Texas
Department: Industrial Engineering
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PROGRAM BACKGROUND
Title of program
Industrial Engineering with specialization in Ergonomics (MSIE, PhD)
Year human factors/ergonomics program was established
1961
Accredited by HFES?
No
Contact person for more information, including applications
James L. Smith, Texas Tech University, Industrial Engineering Dept., Lubbock, TX 79409-3061; 806/742-3543, james.smith@ttu.edu,
http://www.depts.ttu.edu/ieweb
Catalog (free)
Graduate School, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409-1033,
https://catalog.ttu.edu
Academic calendar
Semester
Human factors/ergonomics graduate degrees offered
MSIE and PhD
Goals, objectives, and emphasis of the program
The Texas Tech Industrial Engineering graduate program in human factors and ergonomics is designed to develop qualified and competent practicing engineers, teachers, and researchers. Over the last 50 years the ergonomics program has produced more than 150 MS and 70 PhD graduates who hold leadership positions in educational, research, manufacturing, governmental, and consulting organizations. The program emphasizes occupational ergonomics from both the physical and cognitive perspectives, in conjunction with the Human Factors Program in Experimental Psychology. Areas of emphasis include workplace design, anthropometry, musculoskeletal systems, cumulative trauma, work physiology, biomechanics, environmental hygiene, manual materials handling, occupational safety and health, automation, information processing, decision making, and the development of intelligent interfaces for decision support systems.
Number of degrees granted during last 3 years
MSIE 3, PhD 5
Can students attend part-time?
Yes
Are required courses offered through distance learning?
No
Are required courses offered during summer?
Yes
Does the university have an HFES student chapter?
Yes
APPLICATION PROCESS
Application deadlines
Spring: June 15; Fall: January 15 for full consideration
Application fee
$60
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Minimum requirements
Applications (e.g., transcripts, GRE scores, work history, letters of recommendation, and written personal statements) are evaluated by the graduate faculty to determine the student's potential for completing the graduate degree. No rigid criterion or cut-off points are used in admissions decisions. Foreign students are subject to financial and immigration. Science, mathematics, or engineering undergraduate degree recommended. Leveling courses may be required in math and engineering science for students without engineering undergraduate degrees.
Importance of other criteria as admission factors
Research: high
Work experience: high
Letters: high
Interview: medium
Tuition and fees
Resident: $4,478/semester (approximate; see catalog)
Nonresident: $8,690/semester (approximate; see catalog)
ADMISSIONS
Number of students applying to the human factors/ergonomics program last year
8
Number of students accepted into the program last year
5
Number of students entering the program last year
3
Anticipated number of openings per year for the next two years
10
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Percentage of students in program receiving financial assistance
67%
Amount received per year
$27,500
Types of assistance available
TA, RA, scholarship, not tuition exempt but nonresident fees waived
When should students apply for financial assistance?
With application
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Graduate degrees offered
MSIE and PhD
Number of units required
MSIE: 30
Nonthesis option: 30 hours
PhD: 60
Exams required
MSIE: thesis defense
Nonthesis option: comprehensive exam
PhD: 2 exams
Language requirements
None
Research required
MSIE: yes
Nonthesis option: no
PhD: yes
Practical experience required
None
Typical number of years required to obtain degree
MSIE: 1.5 years
Nonthesis option: 1
PhD: 3 years
Is there a non-thesis option?
Yes
CURRICULUM
Required courses (units)
Ergonomics and Design (3), Work Physiology (3), Occupational Biomechanics (3), Safety Engineering (3), Loss Assessment and Control (3), Cognitive Engineering (3), Human Factors in Engineering & Design (3)
Electives (units)
Design of Experiments (3), Decision Theory and Management Science (3), Productivity and Performance Improvement in Organizations (3), Simulation Models for Operations Analysis (3), Total Quality Systems (3), Theoretical Studies in Advanced IE Topics. (3). Human factors electives from Psychology, as appropriate
Number of courses outside department that are required
0
Number of courses outside department that are recommended
0–2 for MS, 5 for PhD
Average or typical class size in a required course
5–25
RESEARCH/TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES
Research and support facilities available to students in the program:
The Industrial Ergonomics Laboratory occupies more than 4,000 square feet in the Industrial Engineering Building. Lab facilities include equipment specialized for research in work physiology (Metabolic Measurement Systems [Cosmed K4b2], physiological monitoring and recording equipment); biomechanics (3D motion analysis system, force platforms, Biodex, portable load cells, lifting machines); ASL desktop and head-mounted eye tracking systems; usability lab; environmental hygiene (environmental monitoring systems); human gait (slip-fall arresting rig); general ergonomics equipment such as anthropometers and dynamometers. Support facilities include a student computer laboratory, metal and woodworking shops, and an electronics shop. University computing facilities include mainframe and additional microcomputer facilities.
Teaching opportunities available to students in the program:
TAs primarily assist faculty with classroom teaching and labs. Opportunities to assume full teaching responsibility are available to PhD students.
Current research activities and projects being carried out by program faculty and/or students:
Physiological modeling of high frequency lifting, Risk and task analysis for future space stations, stochastic resonance for time-to-contact estimation, social networks for construction collaboration, Biomechanical data mining, Conditional value at risk (CVaR) threshold for fault detection, Eye Movements during a Collision Detection Task, Scheduling Options for Hazardous Operations Regarding the Potential for Human Error: A Systems Dynamic Model.
STUDENT STATISTICS
Current number of active students in program, by gender
6 men, 2 women
Current number of first-year students in program
2
Based on current graduate students in the program,
the mean score on admission tests and undergraduate
GPA by degree being sought are
MSIE GRE 510 v, 680 q, GPA 3.50
PhD GRE 443 v, 760 q, GPA 3.70
FACULTY
Mario Beruvides, PhD 1993, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; macroergonomics, engineering management, productivity
Simon M. Hsiang, PhD 1992, Texas Tech University; cognitive engineering, biomechanics, virtual reality, modeling and system design, data mining, system identification, human safety and reliability
Patrick E. Patterson, PhD 1984, Texas A&M University; ergonomics, biomechanics, interaction design, safety
James L. Smith, PhD 1980, Auburn University; work physiology, biomechanics, ergonomics
[Updated February 2015]