Master of Science in Human Factors & Systems
- OVERVIEW
- ADVANTAGES
- REQUIREMENTS
- CAREERS
- FACULTY
Overview
The Department of Human Factors and Systems offers graduate instruction leading to the Master of Science degree in Human Factors and Systems with two distinct tracks in Human Factors and in Systems. These programs are designed to meet the highest academic standards, fully preparing students for doctoral-level studies, while, at the same time, preparing students for immediate employment in the real world of cost-sensitive and operationally driven aviation/aerospace environments.
The Human Factors track will develop a graduate with the capacity to design, conduct and apply human factors research in support of the design of simple and complex systems. It will develop a student's ability to work as a human factors professional in aviation and aerospace environments based on their academic preparation and to actively participate in human factors projects at the graduate level. A variety of research, consulting and internship arrangements are included in the program.
This track is based on the scientist-practitioner model of the American Psychological Association (APA) and adheres to guidelines established by the committee for Education and Training of APA's Division 21 (Applied Experimental and Engineering Psychology). The program has been designed to meet the accreditation requirements of the Education Committee of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, as well as the International Ergonomics Association.
Students receive education in the content and techniques of human factors, including statistical and quantitative procedures, experimental design, survey methods, computer techniques and other research methodologies.
The Systems track provides a systemic focus to the transformation of an operational need into a defined system configuration through the iterative process of functional analysis, synthesis, optimization and design integration.
History indicates a properly coordinated and functioning system which has a minimum of undesirable side effects cannot be achieved unless the system designer is sensitive to operational feasibility during the early stages of system development, and assumes the responsibility for a user-centered life cycle. Therefore, a major focus of the Systems Track is an appreciation of the total life cycle of the system, including design, development, testing, production, operations, sustaining support and disposal.
Advantages
The program has two tracks: Human Factors or Systems.
Human Factors Track
This is a research-based program, offering a variety of research, consulting and internship opportunities which will prepare you to work as a human factors professional. You will learn the techniques of human factors research, including statistical and quantitative procedures, experimental design, survey methods, computer techniques and other methodologies.
The program is based on the scientist-practitioner model of the American Psychological Association.
Systems track
This program will teach you how to take a systematic approach to integrating and applying scientific principles and knowledge to product design. You'll also learn to transform an operational need into a defined system function, through the process of functional analysis, synthesis, optimization and design integration.
A major focus of the Systems track is on the total "life cycle" of the system. The program teaches how issues of reliability, maintainability, logistic support, safety, producibility and economics apply to the design, integration and evaluation of systems.
You will graduate knowing the proper balance between operational, behavioral, economic and logistics factors.
Requirements
The Master of Science degree in Human Factors and Systems has two distinct tracks. Choose human factors to learn the techniques of human factors research or systems to learn the systematic approach in designing/improving machines, tasks, systems and workplaces. These programs are designed to meet the highest academic standards (full preparation for doctoral-level studies), while also preparing students for immediate employment in real-world, cost-sensitive and operationally-driven aviation/aerospace environments.
| Course | Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| HFS 500 | Systems Concepts, Theory, and Tools | 3 |
| HFS 510 | Research Design and Analysis I | 3 |
| HFS 600 | Human Factors in Systems | 3 |
| HFS 610 | Research Design and Analysis II | 3 |
| HFS 615 | Sensation and Perception | 3 |
| HFS 620 | Memory and Cognition | 3 |
| Electives* | ||
| BA 511 | Operations Research | 3 |
| HFS 520 | Team Resource Management | 3 |
| HFS 525 | Human and Organizational Factors in Technological Systems | 3 |
| HFS 530 | Systems Psychology | 3 |
| HFS 590 | Graduate Seminar | 3 |
| HFS 625 | Applied Testing and Selection | 3 |
| HFS 630 | Cognitive Systems | 3 |
| HFS 635 | Human Computer Interaction | 3 |
| HFS 640 | Aviation/Aerospace Psychology | 3 |
| HFS 645 | Underpinnings of Human Factors and Ergonomics | 3 |
| HFS 650 | Human Factors of Aviation/Aerospace Applications | 3 |
| HFS 696 | Internship in Human Factors and Systems (highly recommended) | 3 |
| HFS 699 | Special Topics in Human Factors and Systems | 3 |
| MSA 611 | Aviation/Aerospace System Safety | 3 |
| MSA 612 | Aviation/Aerospace Industrial Safety Management | 3 |
| MSE 500 | Software Engineering Discipline | 3 |
| TM 605 | Organization Theory in a Technical Environment | 3 |
| TM 610 | Managing Effective Technical Work Teams | 3 |
| Option I | ||
| HFS 700 | Thesis | 6 |
| -OR- | ||
| Option II | ||
| HFS 515 | Ergonomics | 3 |
| -AND- | ||
| HFS 611 | Work Physiology | 3 |
| -AND- | ||
| Comprehensive Exam | 0 | |
| Total Required | 36 | |
| Course | Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| HFS 500 | Systems Concepts, Theory, and Tools | 3 |
| HFS 505 | System Engineering I | 3 |
| HFS 510 | Research Design and Analysis I | 3 |
| HFS 600 | Human Factors in Systems | 3 |
| HFS 605 | System Engineering II | 3 |
| HFS 610 | Research Design and Analysis II | 3 |
| Electives* | ||
| BA 511 | Operations Research | 3 |
| BA 520 | Organizational Behavior, Theory, and Applications in Aviation | 3 |
| BA 521 | Global Information and Technology Management | 3 |
| HFS 515 | Ergonomics | 3 |
| HFS 520 | Team Resource Management | 3 |
| HFS 525 | Human and Organizational Factors in Technological Systems | 3 |
| HFS 530 | Systems Psychology | 3 |
| HFS 590 | Graduate Seminar | 3 |
| HFS 625 | Applied Testing and Selection | 3 |
| HFS 635 | Human Computer Interaction | 3 |
| HFS 640 | Aviation/Aerospace Psychology | 3 |
| HFS 645 | Underpinnings of Human Factors and Ergonomics | 3 |
| HFS 650 | Human Factors of Aviation/Aerospace Applications | 3 |
| HFS 696 | Internship in Human Factors and Systems (highly recommended) | 3 |
| HFS 699 | Special Topics in Human Factors and Systems | 3 |
| MSA 611 | Aviation/Aerospace System Safety | 3 |
| MSA 612 | Aviation/Aerospace Industrial Safety Management | 3 |
| MSA 641 | Production & Procurement Management in the Aviation/Aerospace Industry | 3 |
| MSA 643 | Management of Research & Development in the Aviation/Aerospace Industry | 3 |
| MSE 500 | Software Engineering Discipline | 3 |
| MSE 520 | Formal Methods for Software Engineering | 3 |
| MSE 540 | Simulation and Software Engineering | 3 |
| MSE 545 | Specification and Design of Real-Time Systems | 3 |
| TM 505 | Computer Applications in Systems Management | 3 |
| TM 510 | Project Development Techniques with Statistical Applications | 3 |
| TM 610 | Managing Effective Technical Work Teams | 3 |
| TM 615 | Planning for Systems Development and Operations | 3 |
| TM 645 | Advanced Operations Research and Management Science | 3 |
| Option I | ||
| HFS 700 | Thesis | 6 |
| -OR- | ||
| Option II | ||
| HFS 515 | Ergonomics | 3 |
| -AND- | ||
| HFS 611 | Work Physiology | 3 |
| -AND- | ||
| Comprehensive Exam | 0 | |
| Total Required | 36 | |
* Electives are selected with the consent of the student's graduate advisor. Other elective courses may be selected with the approval of the graduate advisor. A total of four electives must be fulfilled for degree completion.
Careers
CO-OPS, INTERNSHIPS, JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Many Human Factors students expand their education through co-ops and internships at a wide variety of organizations, including:
- Aeronca
- Apple
- Aptima
- Boeing
- Delta Technologies
- Flight Safety International
- IBM
- Johnson Engineering
- Lockheed Martin
- Microsoft
- Motorola
- National Transportation Safety Board
- Sikorsky
- Toyota
- Transportation Safety Institute
- NASA
- United Space Alliance
- US Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory
If students pursue internships, they can find a wealth of support and information from our career services office.
Department of Human Factors and Systems
Human Factors and Systems (HFS) can prepare you for an exciting career in human computer interface design, research, ergonomics, and aerospace life sciences.
View Faculty and Details for Master of Science in Human Factors & Systems
Faculty
Associate Professor
Human Factors & Systems
Dr. Albert Boquet joined the department in August of 2005 and served as Department Chair from 2006 to 2012.
Assistant Professor
Human Factors & Systems
Dr. Amy Bradshaw Hoppock joined the Department in September of 2002. She is our resident clinician and teaches many of our traditional psychology courses. She also supervises independent studies and research practices.
Dr. Christina Frederick-Recascino
Full Professor
Human Factors and Systems
Dr. Christina Frederick-Recascino is an Human Factors and Systems professor at ERAU - Daytona Beach Campus.
Associate Professor
Human Factors & Systems
Dr. Dahai Liu is an Associate Professor and joined the Department in August of 2002. He is a systems engineer and his research interests include performance measurement theory, UAV control systems, and human and machine behavioral modeling and simulation.
Associate Professor
Human Factors & Systems
Dr. Elizabeth Blickensderfer's interests include the acquisition and assessment of cognitive skills , training effectiveness, team performance and simulation based training. She is also the Faculty Advisor of our PSI CHI chapter.
Associate Professor
Human Factors & Systems
Eric Vaden is the Undergraduate Program Coordinator and has been teaching in the department for more than 10 years. His research interests include training system design, performance measurement and human-computer interaction.
Assistant Professor
Human Factors & Systems
Dr. Jason Kring is an Assistant Professor in the Human Factors and Systems Department at Embry Riddle's Daytona Beach Campus.
Instructor
Human Factors & Systems
Jessica Cruit is an Instructor in the Human Factors & Systems Department at Embry Riddles Daytona Beach Campus.
Professor
Human Factors & Systems
Dr. Jon French is a Professor, the Human Factors & Systems Department's Director of Research, and Chair of the Aerospace Life Science Steering Committee.
Associate Professor
Human Factors & Systems
Dr. Kelly Neville is an Associate Professor in the Human Factors & Systems department at Embry Riddle's Daytona Beach Campus.
Associate Professor
Human Factors & Systems
Dr. Shawn Doherty is an Associate Professor in the Human Factors & Systems department at Embry Riddle's Daytona Beach Campus.
