Human Factors is that field which is involved in conducting research regarding human psychological, social, physical, and biological characteristics, maintaining the information obtained from that research, and working to apply that information with respect to the design, operation, or use of products or systems for optimizing human performance, health, safety, and/or habitability (Stramler, 1993).

Human Factors is concerned with the application of what we know about people, their abilities, characteristics, and limitations to the design of equipment they use, environments in which they function, and jobs they perform (Human Factors & Ergonomics Society).

Human Factors is a body of knowledge about human abilities, human limitations, and other human characteristics that are relevant to design. Human factors engineering is the application of human factors information to the design of tools, machines, systems, tasks, jobs, and environments for safe, comfortable, and effective human use (Chapanis, 1991).

Chapanis, A. (1991). To communicate the human factors message, you have to know what the message is and how to communicate it. Bulletin of the Human Factors Society, 34, 1-4.

Stramler, J. H. (1993). The dictionary for human factors/ergnomics. Boca Raton: CRC Press.

Dr. HeeSun Choi, Dr. Eric Greenlee, Dr. Keith Jones, Dr. Martina Klein, Dr. Madhuri Ramasubramanian and Dr. Balagopal Raveendranath will be considering applicants for Fall 2025. For specific application instructions, see the application guide.

A degree in psychology, social sciences, math or sciences is recommended. Mathematics through the first year of college calculus, and one higher-level programming language is desirable, although not required. Research experience and letters of recommendation are rated highly.