Doctor of Philosophy
The Doctor of Philosophy program in Human Factors is designed to produce research-oriented graduates who, from positions in academia or industry, can advance the state-of-the art of human factors theory and practice.
Human factors has emerged as a discipline that applies behavioral, social and biomedical knowledge about human capabilities, limitations and other characteristics to the design, operation and management of high technology activities. As a science, human factors is concerned with the development of human-system interface technology. Its components include human-machine, human-environment, user-system (software), and organizational-machine interface technology. As a practice, human factors applies this technology to systems to improve productivity, safety, health and quality of life. The overall goal of human factors is to enhance individual, system and organizational effectiveness.
The Ph.D. degree is awarded under the jurisdiction of the Graduate School of the university. Candidates for the degree must also refer to the Graduate School section of this catalogue for applicable policies.
Admission Requirements
Candidates for admission will be selected on a competitive basis by a committee of faculty. All candidates must have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university, a satisfactory undergraduate grade point average (GPA) and a satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE). They must also have had undergraduate course work in mathematics equivalent to calculus, computer programming (or equivalent skill experience) and four courses in the natural or behavioral/social sciences, with at least one of these from the behavioral area. Prospective students must obtain three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with their academic achievement, goals and research potential. They must also submit a written statement of interests which contains evidence of their potential for research.
Requirements for Completion
The Ph.D. in Human Factors requires completion of 60 units of graduate work. All students are required to take a core program of 18 units and complete a directed research project or master's thesis, an area of concentration (9 units), a qualifying examination and a doctoral dissertation.
| Human Factors Core | Units |
| HUFA 527 | Applied Issues in Human Information Processing | 3 |
| HUFA 540 | Occupational Ergonomics | 3 |
| SSM 531 | Human and Organizational Factors in Technological Systems | 3 |
| Quantitative and Methods Core | Units |
| HUFA 573 | Statistics and Data Analysis | 3 |
| SSM 552 | Probability, Risk and Statistics | 3 |
One other quantitative or methods course
(e.g., HUFA 537; SYMA 525, SYMA 521, SYMA 665; PSYC 575, PSYC 577, PSYC 578) | 3 |
Research Requirement
By the end of the second year a student must have completed either a directed research project (SSM 790, 4-6 units) or Master's Thesis (594abz, 2-2-0 units).
Area of Concentration (9 units)
Beyond the required courses, students are expected to declare an area of concentration. This concentration would be expected to focus on courses appropriate to the student's dissertation and approved by the student's advisor and advisory committee. Areas of concentration include:
Ergonomics Ergonomics is the study of human performance and its application to the design of technological systems. The goal of this activity is to enhance productivity, safety, convenience and quality of life. Example topics include models and theories of human performance, design and analytical methodology, human-computer interface issues, environmental and work design, and physical and mental workload assessment. Course work illustrative of this area would include:
| HUFA 532 | Human Factors in Accident Causation | 3 |
| HUFA 533 | Advanced Job Analysis, Design, and Mental Workload Assessment | 3 |
| HUFA 539 | Environmental Design in Human Factors | 3 |
| HUFA 541 | Human Performance: Neuromuscular Behavior | 3 |
| HUFA 640 | Seminar in Ergonomics | 3 |
| PSYC 610 | Seminar in Information Processing in the Nervous System | 4 |
Risk and Safety The risk and safety concentration involves advanced knowledge for identification, analysis and control of hazards in technological systems. Topics include hazard management, hazard analysis and controls, safety and new computer models. Illustrative courses in the area would include:
| SASC 560 | Environmental Safety | 3 |
| SASC 578 | Advanced Industrial Hygiene | 3 |
| SASC 650 | Risk and Safety Seminar | 3 |
| SASC 670 | Regulatory Aspects of Technology and Safety | 3 |
| SYMA 571 | Risk Management | 3 |
Macroergonomics and Sociotechnical Systems Design Macroergonomics is the study of the interactive contributions of technology, people and organizational factors to organizational effectiveness, worker satisfaction and optimum human and system performance. Example topics would include user-centered design, participatory ergonomics and human-machine task allocation. Illustrative courses for the students interested in this area would include:
| HUFA 515 | Personnel and Training Systems Development | 3 |
| HUFA 517 | Psychological Factors in Systems | 3 |
| HUFA 522 | Design of Organizationally Compatible Complex Technologies | 3 |
| HUFA 537 | Quasi- and Non-Experimental Research Methods and Analysis | 3 |
| HUFA 675 | Recent Topics in Macroergonomics and Sociotechnical Systems | 3 |
| EDCO 575 | Application of Computers and Information Processing to Education and Training | 3 |
Electives
The remaining units are to be selected in an area supportive of the Ph.D. in Human Factors and with the concurrence of the faculty advisor and guidance committee. One to six units may be included in field study (internship) work (SSM 589). Courses available as electives include:
| HUFA 515 | Personnel and Training Systems Development | 3 |
| HUFA 537 | Quasi- and Non-Experimental Research Methods and Analysis | 3 |
| BKN 563 | Biomechanics | 2 |
| EDCO 575 | Application of Computers and Information Processing to Education and Training | 3 |
| EXSC 580a | Experimental Studies of Human Performance II: Kinesiology | 4 |
| PSYC 610 | Seminar in Information Processing in the Nervous System | 4 |
Screening Procedure
An evaluation of the student's progress will be done no later than the completion of 24 units of graduate work, but in no case with less than 15 units of course work completed at USC following admission to the doctorate in human factors. The faculty advisor and the student's guidance committee (comprising five members, three of whom are ISSM faculty) is responsible for this review.
Qualifying Examination
The qualifying examination is to demonstrate the student's ability to grasp the major area of interest chosen and its relation to the field of human factors and the management of technology. Both written and oral, the exam is comprehensive and tests the student's ability to meet the standards of the profession. Part of the examination is a dissertation proposal. The student's guidance committee is responsible for administering the qualifying examination.
Dissertation
The final phase of the program is the completion of a dissertation (SSM 794abcdz). The dissertation must be based on original investigation which makes a substantive contribution to knowledge and demonstrates capacity for independent scholarly research. The quality of the dissertation should meet the standards for publication in leading human factors journals.
Oral Defense
When the student's dissertation committee agrees that the candidate has essentially completed the research and a satisfactory draft of the dissertation has been written, a final oral examination is held. This examination is open to all members of the faculty, but final judgment on the dissertation and its defense is rendered only by members of the dissertation committee. The dissertation and defense must be accepted unanimously by the dissertation committee.
Format for Theses and Dissertations
All theses and dissertations submitted in fulfillment of requirements for graduate degrees at USC must conform to certain university regulations with regard to format and method of preparation. These requirements are explained in detail in Regulations for Format and Presentation of Theses and Dissertations, available from the Graduate School, Grace Ford Salvatori Hall 315. Further information on procedures is contained in the Graduate School section of this catalogue.
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Produced by the USC Division of Student Affairs, Office of University Publications, May 1, 1995
David Henriquez
univpub@stuaff.usc.edu