CSULB MASTER OF SCIENCE IN
HUMAN FACTORS
PSYCHOLOGY

OVERVIEW

Human factors (also known as ergonomics or human engineering) is a scientific discipline which examines human behavior and capabilities in order to find the best ways to design products, equipment and systems for maximum safe, effective, satisfying use by people.  Professionals in the area of human factors apply their skills in a variety of areas, including aerospace systems, computer software and hardware design, industrial and office settings, educational technology, consumer products, usability analysis and virtual reality. Employment areas may be in Academic Institutions, Industry, Military-related Research Centers and Independent Consultant. Job titles include professor, human factors engineer, ergonomist, technician specialist, safety scientist, consultant and research scientist.

Human factors research and engineering are concerned with enhancing the productivity of workers and increasing the level of satisfaction of workers with their jobs, in addition to improving the safety of work situations. Equipment design can be blamed, at least in part, for many of the errors that people make, both on the job and elsewhere.

The Option in Human Factors under the MS in Psychology at CSULB is designed to prepare students to apply human factors skills to the design of jobs, information systems, consumer products, workplaces and equipment in order to improve user performance, safety and comfort. The MS-Human Factors option program is designed as a terminal MS degree, but it also provides excellent preparation for advanced graduate work.

Faculty in the CSULB Human Factors program are currently working on a number of topics such as human-computer interaction, usability testing, auditory/visual display design, knowledge engineering and decision making.  Students in the program acquire a background in experimental psychology and research methods.  They are trained in the application of the material through courses in human factors, computer applications and interface design. Special topics seminars, in areas usch as large-scale simulation and usability testing, complement the core program of study. Finally, students complete a thesis in their chosen area of human factors.

Psychology Department * CSULB * 1250 Bellflower Blvd. * Long Beach, CA  90840-0901 * 562-985-5001