Psychology, Human Factors Option, M.S.

Take all the following courses or their equivalents:

Students lacking only PSY 310  may be admitted to the program but must complete the course their first semester in attendance.

• PSY 310 - Intermediate Statistics (4 units)
• PSY 331 - Sensation and Perception (3 units)
• PSY 332 - Human Cognition (3 units)

Take one of the following:

• PSY 533 - Research in Cognition and Learning (3 units)
• PSY 633 - Seminar in Perception and Attention (3 units)
• PSY 634 - Seminar in Cognition (3 units)

Electives

Culmination Option A:  Thesis Track-Take 6 units from the following

Culmination Option B:  Applied Research/Professional Track-Take 9 units from the following. Substitutions require permission from the program.

• PSY 512 - Multivariate Statistical Analysis (3 units)
• PSY 544 - Cognitive Neuroscience (3 units)
• PSY 696 - Research Methods (3 units)
• PSY 697 - Directed Research (1-3 units)
• ENGL 419 - Writing in Science, Social Science, and Technology (3 units)

Take one of the following options:

Option A: Thesis Track 6 units of PSY 698  (Thesis). 

• A preliminary oral examination on the thesis proposal and a final oral examination in defense of the completed thesis are required.

Option B: Applied Research/Professional Track - PSY 694  (Human Factors Work-Based Research Project; 3 units)

• A “B” or better is required in PSY 694.

1. Knowledge Base in HF/E related fields

By the completion of the Master’s degree, students will:

• Demonstrate knowledge of established research and theories of human capabilities and limitations in the areas of:
  • Perception
  • Attention
  • Learning and memory
  • Reasoning and Decision Making
  • Action performance
  • How the environment influences decision making and performance
• Demonstrate Knowledge of human-computer interaction including:
  • Usability testing
  • Auditory/visual display design
  • Knowledge engineering and decision making

2. Research Methodology in HF/E related fields

By the completion of the Master’s degree, students will:

• Demonstrate the ability to apply Evidence-Based HF/E Methods to the design of:
  • Jobs
  • Information systems
  • Consumer products
  • Workplaces
  • Equipment to improve user performance, safety and comfort.
• Demonstrate the ability to apply methodologies that are used in the design of human-machine systems
• Demonstrate the ability to investigate basic and applied issues in Human Factors related areas.

3. Practical (applied) HF/E experience

By the completion of the Master’s degree, students will:

• Engage in real-world research and practice in the field
• Use academic knowledge and professional skills to help create Human Factors solutions for clients

4. Communication

By the completion of the Master’s degree, students will:

• Independently create professional manuscripts and reports
• Accurately report analysis of data
• Effectively orally communicate HF/E knowledge

5. Teamwork

By the completion of the Master’s degree, students will:

• Demonstrate professional team management and organizational skills
• Demonstrate collaboration in the production of verbal and manual reports of field knowledge