Human Factors Engineering and Ergonomics

Human Factors Engineering and Ergonomics is concerned with designing jobs, machines, operations, and work environments compatible with human capacities and limitations. An HFEE practitioner, operating within an industrial or governmental organization, applies human performance knowledge to design or modify of equipment and generate new experimental data required for equipment design. 

Foundation coursework includes a detailed study of existing research, design, and evaluation methods appropriate to human factors engineering and ergonomics. Content courses include sensory ergonomics dealing with sensory capabilities and limitations of humans, physical ergonomics dealing with biomechanics and work physiology, cognitive ergonomics dealing with human information processing, and macroergonomics dealing with group processes. This coursework is supplemented by research opportunities in a variety of application areas including auditory communication, computer displays, industrial safety, training, and transportation systems. There is a emphasis ion specific content area courses, elective courses in the student’s area of interest, and laboratory research under the direct guidance of an HFEE faculty member.

Students should demonstrate basic computer proficiency. Students who have previously taken courses equivalent to those indicated may be exempt from such requirements determined on a course-by-course basis. Students must petition substitution of these equivalent courses in their plan of study. This petition must be approved by the course instructor and ISE graduate program director.

Our program is accredited by the Board of Certification in Professional Ergonomics (BCPE) and the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES).