2012–2013 UNIVERSITY CATALOG - Florida Institute of Technology

system dynamics and control, instrumentation and applied laser
research, computer-aided design and computational research.
Other laboratories around the campus can also be used by
mechanical engineering graduate students performing advanced
research.
Funded research activities of mechanical and aerospace engineering
faculty have recently included studies of efficient heat transfer/
insulation mechanisms in building environments, advanced HVAC
and fuel cell systems, integration of renewable energy sources into
residential and utility applications, computation of radiative transport,
computational mechanics with emphasis on nano-devices
and damage mechanisms in laminated composite structures,
development of experimental techniques for mechanical behavior
of advanced materials systems, biomechanics, laser applications
in bioengineering, turbulent boundary-layer structure, condition
monitoring and fault diagnosis in rotating machinery and turbulent
transport of moisture contained in air streams. Other studies have
involved combustion in porous media, novel spatial and spherical
mechanisms for part-orienting tasks, design and control of mobile
robots, response of occupants in automobile collisions, smart
composite structures with embedded sensors and optimization
of composites. Research projects have been variously supported
through grants from NASA, National Science Foundation, Defense
Nuclear Agency, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Edith
Bush Charitable Foundation, Florida Solar Energy Center, Florida
Space Grant Consortium, Department of Energy and a number of
industrial affiliations.
Laboratories include the Robotics and Spatial Systems Laboratory
(RASSL); Laser, Optics and Instrumentation Laboratory (LOIL);
Fluid Dynamics Laboratory and the Aerospace Structures
Laboratory. RASSL is equipped with several industrial robots as
well as a state-of-the-art autonomous mobile robot. In LOIL, the
current technologies in continuous wave and short-pulse lasers
and optics are used to develop new techniques for measuring and
characterizing material properties for biomedical and material
processing applications. The Fluid Dynamics Laboratory features
a low-speed, low-turbulence wind tunnel of open-return type,
with a square test section 0.535 m on a side and 1.6 m long. The
speed range is from zero to 42 m/s. The mean turbulence level
is a few hundredths of one percent at the lowest tunnel speeds.
The Aerospace Structures Laboratory features a drop-tower for
impact testing of structures and materials. This laboratory also
has a shaker table for the vibration testing of structures. There are
also ovens, vacuum pumps and other paraphernalia needed for the
custom preparation of material specimens from advanced composite
materials.
The Human-Centered Design Institute (HCDI) members are
faculty, permanent and visiting research scientists and graduate
students conducting research in cognitive engineering, advanced
interaction media, complexity analysis in human-centered design,
life-critical systems, human-centered organization design and management,
and modeling and simulation.
See the Institution Overview section of this catalog for further
information regarding the Dynamic Systems and Controls
Laboratory; the Laser, Optics and Instrumentation Laboratory; and
the Robotics and Spatial Systems Laboratory.
hUmaN-CeNTereD DesigN iNsTiTUTe
Guy A. Boy, Ph.D.
Degree Program
Human-Centered Design, Ph.D.
Director and Program Chair
Guy A. Boy, Ph.D.
Adjunct Faculty
J.M. Bradshaw, Ph.D.; M.M. Carvalho, Ph.D.;
A.T. Duchowski, Ph.D.; T. Fong, Ph.D.; G. Grote, Ph.D.;
R.J. Hansman Jr., Ph.D.; P. Millot, Ph.D.
GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAM
Human-Centered Design, Ph.D. _________________
major Code: 9200 Degree awarded: Doctor of Philosophy
age restriction: N admission status: graduate
Delivery mode/s: classroom only Location/s: main campus
admission materials: 3 letters of
recommendation, résumé, objectives, GRE
The Ph.D. program in human-centered design is designed to provide
advanced education and research opportunities to qualified students
with master’s degrees. On completion, the students can conduct
independent scholarly work, teach in academia or pursue advanced
research careers in government, or commercial or private sectors.
Admission Requirements
Admission to doctoral study is granted to qualified students on a
limited basis who have successfully completed master’s degrees in
engineering, physical or computer science, or mathematics from
regionally accredited institutions. The program is ideally suited for
applicants with strong interest in human and social science or the
arts. Applicants with demonstrated background in industry and
academia are eligible and prior experience is highly recommended.
The applicant must have a master’s degree cumulative GPA of at
least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale and a minimum score of 1100 on the GRE.
International applicants must score 600 or higher on the TOEFL
examination. Applicants must submit undergraduate and graduate
transcripts, three letters of recommendation and a statement of
objectives in addition to the GRE and TOEFL scores.
General admission requirements and the application process are
covered in the Academic Overview section.
Degree Requirements
The Doctor of Philosophy in Human-Centered Design is conferred
for successful completion of the coursework outlined below.
General degree requirements are presented under the Academic
Overview section.
Coursework and Dissertation Summary
Doctoral coursework minimum beyond the master’s degree................ 18–24
Doctoral research and dissertation............................................................. 24
TOTAL MINIMUM BEYOND THE MASTER’S DEGREE .............42–48
Curriculum
In addition to the 18 to 24 credit hours of coursework, the major
adviser may require additional courses to better prepare the student
to conduct research in the selected topic.
The student must complete an approved program plan within one
month of acceptance to the doctoral program, successfully pass a
comprehensive examination, submit a dissertation proposal and
defend that proposal to the dissertation committee. The candidate
Degree Programs—College of Engineering 147