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Master of Science in Human Factors
Engineering
Human Factors Engineering is also referred to as Engineering Psychology or
Ergonomics. The field is rapidly growing with wide engineering and
non-engineering applications. The program offers specialized courses, training
and research opportunities in the human-centered aspects of engineering
activities such as: medical devices and systems design, product design,
computer-interface design, ergonomics and workplace safety.
Students interested in pursuing an MS in Human Factors should apply for
admission in the regular fashion to the Department of Mechanical Engineering,
indicating on their application that they are interested in Human Factors.
Although this program has its own entrance and course requirements separate from
Mechanical Engineering, it is expected that applicants to the Human Factors
program will have an acceptable BS in engineering or science. Relevant course
work and research experience may be considered for non-engineering students. It
is strongly recommended that the prospective student identify and contact the
potential thesis advisor before applying to the program. For further details,
please visit the web site or contact the
program director- Professor Caroline Cao in the Department of Mechanical
Engineering at Caroline.Cao@tufts.edu. The Department also requires all
applicants to submit their recent General Record Examination (GRE) scores. More
detailed descriptions of all application requirements are provided in the
Graduate School Handbook.
Teaching assistantships (TA) and research assistantships (RA) are available on a
competitive basis to full-time MS and PhD candidates. The maximum amount of time
that a MS student can receive a stipend as a teaching assistant (TA) is two
academic years (4 semesters). The maximum duration of a research assistantship
(RA) is two calendar years (4 semesters + 2 summers).
Candidates admitted to the MEng program may transfer to the MS (HF) program at
any time. However, transfer from the MS (HF) program to the MEng program is
permitted by special petition and only if the student has not received any
financial support.
Candidates are required to complete the equivalent of ten (10) credits. MS
candidates normally complete their degree requirements in 2 years or 2 years
less a summer term.
The program has five distinct parts:
- Breadth of exposure across sub-disciplines
- Development of analytical capabilities
- Courses focused on thesis research
- Seminar
- Thesis research
Degree Requirements
The MS (HF) program requires successful completion of
ten (10) credits consisting of seven (7) course credits,
and a research-based thesis worth at least three (3)
credits; an official proposal defense; seminar attendance;
and successful thesis defense in an open forum. MS candidates
are also expected to present their research at scientific
conferences (e.g. ASME, HFES, IEA, IEEE SMC) and submit at
least one paper to a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
The exact number of course credits to be considered for
the thesis research (2 or 3) is determined by the thesis
committee at the time of the thesis prospectus submission.
After selecting a thesis topic and advisor, a student must
register for thesis credit and submit a thesis prospectus
signed by the student and advisor describing the proposed
research. The thesis prospectus must be submitted by the
end of the first semester of thesis credit registration.
The thesis defense is the final step in obtaining approval
for the thesis.
The composition of the course program must be selected in
consultation with the student's academic advisor. Five of the
eight course-credits are fulfilled by completing required courses
(see below). The remaining two or three credits are selected from
courses at the graduate level (100-level or above).
Course Work - The course structure is designed to provide a common core
upon which to build an individual program of study. In order to receive credit
towards the MS degree, students must pass the course with a grade of B- or
higher.
- Breadth of Technical Exposure (3 courses)
Human Factors Engineering is an applied field of diverse engineering science
fundamentals shaped by areas of application. The purpose of this requirement is
to expose the student to the connections between the various sub-disciplines of
human factors. All MS (HF) grad students must complete a sequence of two core
courses (Core A: ENP162 Human-Machine Systems Design; Core B: ENP163 Analytical
Methods in Human Factors Engineering), and a design course (ME102 Inventive
Design or ENP161 Human Factors in Product Design). Students are required to
take the design course after the first semester. All core courses
will have an analytical component that is taught as applied to the subject area,
a project component, and a software component (see course descriptions).
- Development of Analytical Capabilities
(2 courses)
The ability to apply statistical analysis to the solution of human factors
problems is central to this curriculum. To this end, all MS students are
required to take Advanced Probability and Statistics (PSY107 Advanced
Probability and Statistics I & PSY108 Advanced Probability and Statistics II) in
the first year.
- Focus Course Work (2-3 courses)
The remaining courses should be selected by students in consultation
with their advisor. These should be courses that are relevant to the thesis
work. All of these courses must be at the graduate level (100 or above). It is
recommended that a design course be taken. Courses outside of engineering or
the sciences are exceptions requiring departmental approval in advance.
- Seminar (each semester)
Regular attendance at Mechanical Engineering weekly Seminar Series
is an integral part of full-time graduate studies. The seminars, held on
Thursday afternoons, feature speakers from both inside and outside of Tufts.
The seminars provide students and faculty with an opportunity to learn about
the latest developments in mechanical engineering research and practice.
All full-time mechanical engineering graduate students are required to
register for the ME Seminar every semester. As part of this requirement,
a student must pass the seminar course by attending at least 80% of the seminars
in the semester. Students who pass the seminar will receive an "S" on their
transcript; students who fail the seminar will receive a "U" on their transcript.
- Thesis Research: ENP 295/296 (2-3 credits)
The primary component of the MS (Human Factors) program is the thesis. The thesis
reports the results of an independent research investigation carried out by the
student. The thesis must be carried out under the direction of the candidate's
thesis advisor, normally, on the campus of Tufts University. The thesis may
involve an investigation that is fundamental in nature, or may be applied,
incorporating theory, experimental testing or analytical modeling, and/or
creative design. Through the thesis, candidates are expected to give evidence
of competence in research and a sound understanding of the area of
specialization involved. Students are expected to present their research at
scientific conferences and publish the results of their thesis research in a
peer-reviewed journal.
Students are awarded thesis credit through their registration in ENP 295/296 and
successful completion of their thesis work. ENP 295 is offered during the Fall term and
ENP 296 during the Spring term. Students receive the grade of Y in these
courses until the thesis is completed, at which time a formal grade is given.
In order to receive a grade of Y, all students must submit a thesis prospectus that
outlines the area of work, thesis goals, proposed approach and a review of relevant past
work in the literature before the end of the first semester in which the student
enrolls in ENP 295/296, typically the third semester of full-time study. A
formal thesis proposal defense should be scheduled before the end of the third
semester of full-time study.
Students planning to complete a 3-credit thesis must submit a petition form to
the Department. This document must be signed by the student, his/her thesis advisor,
and the department chair, and must include the name of at least one additional committee
member. This document will become part of the student's academic record.
ENP 401PT/402FT Students whose research requires work beyond the semesters
in which they are registered for ENP 295/296 must register for either ENP 401PT
or 402FT. Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for more information.
Students may not register for these no-credit continuation courses until they
have received grades of Y in ENP 295 and ENP 296.
A student must be enrolled at Tufts for every semester during the academic
year until graduation, otherwise he/she will be administratively withdrawn from
Tufts University. A per semester continuation fee is assessed to students who
require additional time over the expected completion period - two years for
full-time masters' programs. Tuition scholarship cannot be applied to this fee.
An exception to this rule is when a student is granted a leave of absence.
International students must have full-time status at all times. International
Students cannot take a leave of absence and remain in the United States.
MS Degree Completion
The MS thesis is completed upon a successful oral defense,
open to the community, and submittal of an approved thesis to the Office of
Graduate Studies. The thesis examination committee is composed of at least three
members. It includes the thesis advisor, one technical expert outside of the
Department, and a third member of the committee, often another faculty member in
the Department. The student should consult Graduate Student Handbook for
specific dates and deadlines for this process in the graduation semester.
Degree completion and recommendation for the award of the
appropriate degree involves a coordinated set of steps within and outside of the
Department. In order to ensure completion of all the program requirements, a
degree candidate should complete the MS Tracking Form (available in the ME
office).
Special Note: As students complete the steps listed below, they should
pay careful attention to the deadlines set by the Office of Graduate Studies for
submitting theses and other degree related work to complete degree requirements
in time for August, February or May degrees.
Step 1: The first step in the process is
filing the "Master's Degree Sheet" available on-line and also submitting the
Graduate Exit Survey. The student fills out the
degree sheet, obtains approval from his/her academic advisor, and submits it to
the Department Chair for approval. The Department then sends the approved form
to the Graduate School for processing and retains a copy as part of the
student's record. Upon receiving of this form, the Graduate School places the
student on the "Graduate Degree Listing" for the next degree awarding cycle
(August, February or May). Specific due dates for these forms are provided in
the Graduate School handbook for the graduation year.
Step 2: The second step in the process is
scheduling and defending the thesis. The student, in consultation with his/her
thesis advisor is responsible for selecting the date, the thesis committee and
the required room reservation. Ask the department office staff for
assistance. The thesis defense is a public presentation open to the entire
community. In order to provide adequate time for publicizing this event, the
student must inform the department of the impending defense in advance.
A minimum of ONE WEEK before the defense, the graduating
student must provide the Department with the following information
electronically (via
email to Lorin Polidora).
- Student's Name
- MS Thesis Title
- Date, Time and Place of Thesis Defense
- Committee Members and Affiliations including identification of thesis advisor(s)
- 100-200 word Abstract
Note that this time-lapse rule is strictly enforced and no
exception is granted.
Step 3: Upon a successful defense of the
thesis, the third step in the process is finalizing the thesis in
accordance with the examining committee's recommendations. The thesis in its
final form is submitted
electronically
along with the appropriate paperwork as per Graduate Student Handbook. The
handbook also provides a detailed description of the thesis format and
requirements.
Marching Only Policy at Commencement: Engineering students are allowed
to march at Commencement if they have only one lecture course credit remaining
to fulfill all degree requirements. All thesis and project requirements must be
completed and approved in order to be allowed to march in Commencement.
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