Academics
Ph.D. Program in Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors
and M.S. in Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors
Graduate Program
About | Research | Facilities | News
New faculty positions are available in response to the establishment of this graduate program.
About Applied Cognitive Science - Human Factors
Applied cognitive science addresses a diverse array of contemporary human phenomena, resulting in practical solutions for many real world problems. Through the application of cognitive psychology’s principles, applied cognitive scientists investigate diverse topics such as effective modes for the delivery of instruction, eyewitness memory, artificial intelligence, and human factors considerations in the design of systems.
Human Factors (HF) is the multi-disciplinary science within the purview of cognitive science that focuses on the needs of the human in the design of products, work processes, and technology systems in an effort to optimize human well-being and overall system performance. HF is concerned with the design and evaluation of technological systems from the perspectives of human needs, abilities, and limitations. HF professionals may examine human-machine interactions from cognitive, social, biological, physical, or other perspectives.
From an Applied Cognitive Science perspective, Human Factors is involved in conducting research regarding human cognitive abilities and limitations with respect to the design, operation, or use of products or systems. It is a subfield of applied cognitive science that focuses upon human-machine interactions. Overall goals include optimizing human performance, health, safety, and/or habitability. Thus, the proposed program in Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors will integrate the knowledge of human experts (psychology and cognitive science) and built systems experts (for example, technology and engineering).
Human Factors is a critical area of research because of (a) human safety concerns, (b) market forces, and (c) environmental sustainability. Human operators are often critical contributors to lapses in overall system safety. Human errors, for example, have been attributed as the cause of up to 98,000 preventable patient deaths a year in US medical practice. Despite our desire for automated, faultless systems, our current technological knowledge is not capable of foolproof technological fixes to problems of human error. Substantial funding has been allocated to research on machine intelligence, pattern-recognition technologies, and expert systems, but there is only one alternative for many complex systems: human operators. Although they have limitations, humans are excellent pattern recognizers and, unlike current automated systems, are immensely flexible. HF is concerned with understanding human abilities and limitations, information critical to the prevention of human-related errors and the preservation of human life and well-being.
Critical to understanding market forces, HF researchers are motivated to assess customer needs and desires in order to increase customer satisfaction by improving the usability of products. User-centered design is a widespread paradigm in information technology and consumer products. The success of a human factors perspective in improving customer satisfaction in these industries suggests wider application.
Human Factors is not only important for human safety, well-being, and the economy, but it is also a critical component in forming a sustainable society. Many environmental disasters, such as the Exxon Valdez incident, are due to poor HF design, task design, and working conditions. Good HF design not only prevents human casualties, it also prevents environmental catastrophes. In addition, HF leads to better consumer products. Customers will discard poorly-designed products as they seek products they can actually use. Throwing away products because of poor user design is not a sustainable practice. Therefore, HF design is sustainable design.
Research
Current research projects include work in human-robot interaction, interface design, multi-modal display design, data visualization, cognitive-perceptual performance assessment, transportation systems, computer automated systems, covert communication strategies, detection of deception (polygraph), human performance modeling, and STEM education. Affiliated faculty in the departments of Computer Science, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Exercise Science, Health, and Physical Education, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, and Biomedical Engineering have expertise in human-computer interaction, simulations, robotics, biomechanics, and work physiology.
See Areas of Specialization in Graduate Research.
Facilities
Graduate and undergraduate psychology students share basic computing resources.
For information on computing, laboratory facilities, and library materials, see Resources.
News
Complex Human Systems Research Center is in proposal stage to NIH. It is expected to occupy an addition to the Meese Center. It will have a vestibular rotator installed. READ MORE in Resources > Laboratories.
Board Gives Final Approval
The Board of Control granted final approval to a new PhD degree program in Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors.
Tech Today, July 17, 2009
Board of Control approves degrees
Mining Gazette, July 17, 2009
Board of Control Approves New Degrees
One of the seven new degree program proposals approved to advance to the State Academic Affairs Office is a Master of Science and PhD in Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors.
Applied cognitive science applies the principles of cognitive psychology to develop practical solutions for real-world problems such as effective teaching methods.
Human factors is a multi-disciplinary science within the framework of cognitive science that focuses on human needs in the design of products, work processes and technological systems. It is an emerging discipline critical to technological advancement.
Tech Today, May 4, 2009
New majors approved at Tech
Mining Gazette, May 2, 2009
NEXT: See Requirements
|
