School of Engineering
Department of Mechanical Engineering

MS in Human Factors Engineering

The goal of the Master of Science (MS) degree program in Human Factors Engineering is to provide students with an opportunity to develop the engineering and intellectual skills to approach and solve problems arising when people interact with the technical world around them, preparing them for roles in consulting, research and development.  Applicants are admitted to this program on the basis of their educational qualifications, interests, recommendations and experience.

Requirements:

Candidates are required to complete the equivalent of thirty (30) credits to graduate from this program. Full-time MS candidates generally complete their degree requirements in two or three semesters. Students who matriculated before Fall 2024 may also use the prior degree sheet. 

1. Human Factors Core (1 course, 3 credits):

  • ENP-0162 Human-Machine Systems Design

2. Design Core (choose 1 course, 3 credits):

  • ME-0140 Inventive Design
  • ME-0141 Assistive Design (previously titled ENP-193-AD Assistive Design prior to Fall 2023)

3. Probability and Statistics (1 course, 3 credits):

  • ENP-0164 Applied Behavioral Statistics for Engineering

4. Analytical Methods (choose 1 course, 3 credits):

  • ENP-0163 Analytical Methods in Human Factors Engineering
  • ENP-0264 Advanced Research Methods in Human Factors Engineering

5. Human-Computer Interaction (choose 1 course, 3 credits):

  • ENP-0166 Computer-Interface Design
  • CS-0171 Human-Computer Interaction
  • CS-0175 Computer Graphics
  • CS-0177 Visualization

6. General Electives (15 credits)

Fifteen additional credits must be selected at the graduate level (100-level or 200-level), including at least nine credits of ENP course work. No more than one course may be taken outside of the faculty recommended areas of ENP, ME, EM, CS, PSY or OTS. Students are strongly encouraged to seek guidance from faculty advisors when selecting electives.

  • With thesis advisor consent, these elective credits may include up to 9 credits of project and/or thesis credits (ENP294 and/or ENP296). See thesis requirements page for specifics on doing a thesis.
  • The department recommends integrating an applied experience into the degree through a capstone course (ENP220) or research. Experience can also be gained through internship (ENP299) or a co-op, but these cannot be counted as elective credits. 

7. Seminar (no credit):

  • ME-0291 ME Graduate Seminar (fall semester)
  • ME-0292 ME Graduate Seminar (spring semester)

Regular attendance at weekly seminar series (ME291/292) is an integral part of full-time graduate studies. The seminars, held on Thursday mornings, 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 human factors engineering and mechanical engineering research and practice.

All full-time human factors engineering graduate students are required to complete the ME Seminar course every semester. Passing the seminar requires attending at least 80% of the meetings 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. Multiple unsatisfactory grades may impact academic standing in the graduate program. Please see the graduate handbook for more information.

Degree Completion

To complete the degree, the student should fill out the Master's Degree Sheet and submit 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 Student Services for processing and retains a copy as part of the student's record.
  • Upon receiving of this form, Student Services places the student on the "Graduate Degree Listing" for the next degree awarding cycle (February, May, or August).
  • Specific due dates for these forms are provided in the graduate handbook for the graduation year.