Program Overview

MS in Human Factors Engineering - Thesis Option

The MS in Human Factors Engineering - Thesis Option is a graduate program that focuses on the application of human factors principles to the design and development of systems, products, and environments. Applicants are admitted to this program on the basis of their educational qualifications, with an acceptable BS in engineering or science. Relevant coursework and research experience may be considered for non-engineering students.

Requirements

Candidates are required to complete the equivalent of ten (10) courses to graduate from this program. Full-time MS candidates generally complete their degree requirements in two academic years.

1. Human Factors Core (1 course, 3 credits)

• ENP-0162 Human Machine Systems Design

2. Design Core (choose 1 course, 3 credits)

• ME-0140 Inventive Design
• ME-0141 Assistive Design (previously titled ENP-193-AD Assistive Design prior to Fall 2023)

3. Probability and Statistics (1 course, 3 credits)

• ENP-0164 Applied Behavioral Statistics for Engineering

4. Analytical Methods (choose 1 course, 3 credits)

• ENP-0163 Analytical Methods in Human Factors Engineering
• ENP-0264 Advanced Research Methods in Human Factors Engineering

5. Human-Computer Interaction (choose 1 course, 3 credits)

• ENP-0166 Computer Interface Design
• CS-0171 Human-Computer Interaction
• CS-0175 Computer Graphics
• CS-0177 Visualization

6. General Electives (6 or 9 credits)

Six or nine additional technical credits should be selected from any graduate course (100 or above) in ENP, ME, EM, CS, PSY, or OTS, or any graduate course (100 or above) that is also a requirement for an HFE certificate.

7. Seminar (no credit)

• ME-0291 ME Graduate Seminar (fall semester)
• ME-0292 ME Graduate Seminar (spring semester)

Regular attendance at weekly seminar series (ME291/292) is an integral part of full-time graduate studies. The seminars, held on Thursday mornings, feature speakers from both inside and outside of Tufts. The seminars provide students and faculty with an opportunity to learn about the latest developments in human factors engineering and mechanical engineering research and practice.

All full-time human factors engineering graduate students are required to complete the ME Seminar course every semester. Passing the seminar requires attending at least 80% of the meetings in the semester. Students who pass the seminar will receive an "S" on their transcript; students who fail the seminar will receive a "U" on their transcript. Multiple unsatisfactory grades may impact academic standing in the graduate program.

8. Thesis (6 or 9 credits)

• ENP-0296 MS Thesis

Preparation of a thesis representing an independent research work is a pivotal phase of the M.S. degree program. It provides the student with an opportunity to work on an open-ended problem, developing a particular solution that is not pre-determined and involving synthesis of knowledge and intellectual creativity. The thesis may involve an investigation that is fundamental in nature, or may be applied, incorporating theory, experimental testing or analytical modeling, and/or creative design. Through the thesis, candidates are expected to give evidence of competence in research and a sound understanding of the area of specialization involved. Students are also strongly encouraged to present their research at scientific conferences and publish the results of their thesis research in a peer-reviewed journal.

Students receive a grade of Y (incomplete) in these courses as long as the thesis in progress. Eventual thesis grades replace the incomplete grades upon formal completion of the thesis. In order to receive a grade of Y for ENP296, students must submit a thesis prospectus that outlines the area of work, thesis goals, proposed approach and a review of relevant past work in the literature before the end of the first semester in which the student enrolls in ENP296, typically the third semester of full-time study.

The examining committee for master's candidates completing theses should be composed of three (3) members. The committee chair is normally a full-time, tenure-track faculty member. One committee member must be from outside the student's department. Thesis normally counts as 9 credits towards the M.S. degree requirements. However, a student, with the approval of his/her thesis advisor, has the option to complete a 6-credit thesis by submitting a petition form to the Department. This petition must be signed by the student and the thesis advisor and will become part of the student's academic record. With a 6-credit thesis, a student must complete an extra graduate-level course (for a total of 8 courses) to fulfill the 30-credit requirement for graduation. This option is not typically available to those intending to pursue a Ph.D. degree.

Degree Completion

The MS thesis is completed upon:

• A successful oral defense (open to the community)
• Submittal of an approved thesis to the Office of Graduate Studies

The thesis examination committee is composed of at least three members:

• Thesis advisor
• One technical expert outside of the Department
• A third member of the committee, often another faculty member in the Department

Degree Continuation

• ENP-0401-PT Part-Time MS Continuation
• ENP-0402-FT Full-Time MS Continuation

Students whose research requires work beyond the semesters in which they are registered for MS thesis must register for continuation. A student must be enrolled at Tufts for every semester during the academic year until graduation; otherwise he/she will be administratively withdrawn from the University. A per semester continuation fee is assessed to students who require additional time over the expected completion period - two years for full-time masters programs. Tuition scholarship CANNOT be applied to this fee. An exception to this rule is when a student is granted a leave of absence. International students must have full-time status at all times. International students cannot take a leave of absence and remain in the United States.

Degree Programs

• BS in Mechanical Engineering
• BS in Human Factors Engineering
• MS in Mechanical Engineering
• MS in Human Factors Engineering
• MS in Human-Robot Interaction
• PhD in Mechanical Engineering
• Joint PhD in Human-Robot Interaction
• Joint PhD in Materials Science and Engineering
• Certificate in Assistive Design
• Certificate in Human-Computer Interaction
• Certificate in Human Factors in Medical Devices and Systems
• Certificate in Manufacturing Engineering