Industrial and Human Factors Engineering, MSIHE

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Program Description:

The Department of Biomedical, Industrial, and Human Factors Engineering offers a program of graduate study leading to a Master of Science in Industrial and Human Factors Engineering (MSIHE) degree. The MSIHE program prepares students with skills for effective design and operation of a variety of systems in industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, aerospace, distribution, and retail. Industrial engineers utilize tools in simulation, optimization, computing, and statistics to design and improve modern technology-laden systems, while human factors engineers design systems that effectively integrate human abilities and limitations with machines and tools. The MSIHE program is very flexible and can be obtained entirely or partially through distance learning courses. Students work with a faculty advisor to plan a custom course of study within one of several focused areas of study. Both thesis and non-thesis (coursework) options are available.

Admissions Requirements:

Typical requirements for admission are based on the following criteria:  

• GPA
  • At least 2.7 in undergraduate course work OR
  • An overall undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5, with a 3.0 or better in the last 90 quarter hours or 60 semester hours earned towards the undergraduate degree.  
  • For students who have previously earned graduate credit, an overall graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher is required, regardless of the undergraduate GPA.    
• Additional prerequisite course work may be required if the undergraduate degree is not in engineering.
• Three (3) letters of recommendation are required.
• International students whose native language is not English and who do not have a degree from a regionally accredited US college or university must demonstrate English proficiency with a minimum TOEFL score of at least 79/120 or minimum IELTS score of 6.

Program admission decisions are based on complete application information including overall academic performance and standardized test scores where applicable.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Students will be able to:

• Apply techniques and tools for the design and implementation of industrial systems, incorporating human factors principles;
• Communicate effectively in written and oral form, at a high level of knowledge;
• Work in teams

Facilities:

Students have access to a variety of computing platforms and research laboratories: general purpose software for analysis of data, software development and modeling of systems; application-specific software for use within focused areas of instruction and research. 

For additional information:

• Industrial and Human Factors Engineering, MSIHE
• Department of Biomedical, Industrial and Human Factors Engineering
• College of Engineering and Computer Science

Program Requirements:

Students must plan a program of study in consultation with a faculty advisor. The approved program of study must be submitted by the time the student completes 9 credit hours of graduate study. Any changes to the program of study must be approved in advance by the faculty advisor.

1. The following requirements must be met for the Master of Science in  Industrial & Human Factors Engineering degree. Courses can be used to fulfill requirements in more than one category. Requirement categories are not mutually exclusive. 
2. Completion of 30 graduate credit hours in courses that have prior approval by a BIE graduate advisor.
3. At least 12 of the 30 graduate credit hours must be courses numbered 7000 or above, 9 of which must be from the BIE Department.  
4. At least 18 of the 30 graduate credit hours must be IHE specific courses numbered 6000 or above.  
5. At least 6 of the total 30 graduate credit hours must be approved courses in mathematics, statistics, or computer science.
6. A maximum of 4 credit hours of independent study or non-thesis research may count toward the degree requirement of 30 graduate credit hours.  
7. Students may choose either a thesis option or a 30 credit hours graduate advanced course work option. The thesis option consists of a research project satisfying all requirements of the Graduate School. The final report (thesis) must be completed and successfully defended in an oral examination before the major committee. Up to 8 credit hours of IHE 7950 M.S. Thesis Research in Industrial & Human Factors Engineering may count toward the degree requirement of 30 graduate credit hours.

Department Core and Electives

I. MATHEMATICS: 6 HOURS MIN.

• Department courses with a mathematics or statistics content include IHE 6150, IHE 6711, IHE 6712, IHE 7050, IHE 7300, or others as approved. 

II. 7000-LEVEL COURSES: 12 HOURS MIN.

• Minimum 9 of 12 7000-level credits must be from BIE Department:  IHE 7000-7999; BME 7000-7999

III. PROGRAM COURSES: 18 HOURS MIN.

IHE 6000-7999

IV. THESIS OPTION: 8 HOURS MAX.

• IHE 7950 - M.S. Thesis Research in Industrial & Human Factors Engineering Credit Hour(s): 1 to 8

TOTAL: 30 HOURS