Skip to Content

Courses

Print or email this page: Print this page Email a Friend

 

Master of Aviation (Human Factors)

M096N  Distance



Duration

 Campus and Intake Show intake calendar

Fee*
18 Month/s Off-Campus (Semester 1, Semester 2) A$18,400 (annual for 2012) 
*The indicative course fees shown in Course Search apply to international students studying on-campus in Australia for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.

This program information is provided for prospective students. Current students, please refer to your program planner and Unit Search. Program planners are available on the Faculty web site under Information for Current Students.
 
Please note: students must have access to the internet as materials are delivered online.
 
The Master of Aviation (Human Factors) forms the final stage in a three-stage nested suite of programs consisting of:
This course is designed primarily to meet the needs of personnel currently involved in the aviation industry who wish to upgrade their skills at tertiary level in the specialist area of human factors. In addition, the course is designed to have considerable application for personnel in other technologically based industries including rail, shipping, heavy industry, the chemical industry and energy production.

The program provides students with the skills necessary to design and implement human factors programs within the aviation industry. It also provides insight into management of the air transportation industry and a deep understanding of the multiple facets of human factors training and its application to the aviation industry.

One of the unique aspects of the program is that lecturers from a number of universities contribute to the teaching. This provides a range of diverse views and ideas and broadens the students' understanding of the human factors domain. 

All aviation units of study are undertaken by distance education. Students are required to have internet access as materials are provided online and all assessment is submitted via the Swinburne intranet (Blackboard). Non-aviation units may use other means of delivery and assessment.
 
(This course is not available to on-shore international students.)

Back to Top


The adoption of the distance education mode of delivery enables access to undertake the program by personnel currently employed in the aviation industry in Australia and overseas who may not be able to attend classes at Swinburne. 

This program is designed to develop an understanding of the multiple facets of human factors training and application and also provides insight into management of the air transportation industry.
 
Students undertaking this program can expect a comprehensive and in-depth approach to areas such as:
  • The principles of human factors
  • Threat and error management
  • Safety management systems
  • Implementation of human factors training programs
  • Applied human factors research
The program has been developed in partnership to ensure the content accurately reflects the dynamics of this rapidly changing area.  The contribution of human factors professionals to the program ensures access to accurate, timely and practical applications throughout the program.

Back to Top


Swinburne's Aviation (Human Factors) programs are a nested suite, offering students the opportunity to exit at the graduate certificate, graduate diploma or master stage. They offer great flexibility through a wide choice of program-specific units and elective units.  All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless specified otherwise. 
 
The master comprises 150 credit points (usually 12 academic units of study) normally taken over three years of part-time study* by distance education, plus the seminar attendance requirement.
 
Students complete:
Alternatively, students can choose to complete the master stage by a minor research thesis. Students selecting the minor research thesis option will complete:
In lieu of two Aviation (Human Factors) units of study, one Aviation Management unit of study and one elective unit of study.
 
Students who may be considering undertaking a higher degree by research (such as a PhD) after completion of the Masters program are highly recommended to undertake the option of the minor research thesis.
 
Aviation Seminars
A three-day seminar is held each year at the Hawthorn campus during the Summer Term. This enables students and staff to interact and to consolidate and expand understanding of the industry and of the subject material delivered. Attendance at one seminar series is mandatory for graduate certificate, graduate diploma and master students.  HES6699 is a zero credit point unit.
 
For students with significant travel problems, attendance at an equivalent seminar may be an acceptable alternative and prior approval is required from the program co-ordinator.
 
*International students are required to study full-time.

Back to Top



Elective units
Electives are usually selected from Aviation (Human Factors), Aviation (Management), Risk Management, or other disciplines (subject to approval and availability).
 
Research units

Recommended Sequence

Stage 1 - Graduate Certificate
HES6611 Introduction to Air Transportation
HES6699 Aviation Seminars
Three Aviation (Human Factors) units of study

Stage 2 - Graduate Diploma
One Aviation (Human Factors) unit of study
Three elective units of study

Stage 3 - Master
Students can choose to undertake the Master stage by coursework or research project.

Coursework option
Two units of study (25 credit points) from the Aviation (Human Factors) discipline group
One unit of study (12.5 credit points) from the Aviation (Management) discipline group
One unit of study from the electives group

Research project option 
HES7605 Research Design and Methodology
Minor Thesis (total 37.5 credit points):

Back to Top


Students undertaking either the Management or Human Factors postgraduate program can design their program to respectively focus on either Management or Human Factors, or through the selection of elective units, add breadth to their program by undertaking units from the each of the programs.

Back to Top


Note that online and distance education courses are only available to international students who are studying in a country other than Australia.
 
The Postgraduate Application Form for Off-Campus, Distance Education and Online Programs is available from the Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Sciences or can be downloaded from the How to Apply website.

Applications must be accompanied by a certified copy of original transcripts of official results

Back to Top


Swinburne College English for Academic Purposes Advanced level certificate at the undergraduate level (EAP 5: UG-65% ); OR, Obtaining a minimum IELTS overall band of 6.0 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0; OR, a TOEFL (Paper-based) minimum score of 550 (with Test of Written English (TWE) score of 5); OR, a TOEFL (Computer-based) minimum score of 213 (with Written Writing score of 5); OR, a TOEFL (Internet-based) minimum score of 80 with no band less than 20.

Refer to the English Language Requirements website for further information.

Back to Top


To be eligible for consideration for entry, candidates would normally be university graduates with a degree or postgraduate qualification in any of the following disciplines:

  • Aviation
  • Engineering
  • Business
  • Economics
  • Management
  • Law
  • Marketing
  • Science
  • Technology
  • Psychology
  • Social Science

or other disciplines assessed to be appropriate.

Entry is also open to the following candidates, provided that they have completed at least two years' operational experience:

  • Air Traffic Controllers (ATC)
  • Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (LAME)
  • Company managers and supervisors
  • Military Pilots who have completed a "Wings Course"
  • Pilots holding an Airline Transport Pilot's Licence (ATPL)

Candidates who do not fit the exact categories above, but who meet all of the following criteria:

  • Are currently working in the aviation industry
  • Have demonstrated academic capacity to deal with the study required
  • Would benefit from participation in the program

may be eligible for the entry at the Graduate Certificate level.  Upon completion of the Graduate Certificate students may enrol in the Graduate Diploma.

This category also allows applicants with overseas qualifications, for which there is no precise Australian equivalent, to be admitted to the program. 

Back to Top


Tel: +61 3 9214 3555
Email: postgrad@swinburne.edu.au  
Website: www.swinburne.edu.au/engineering

Back to Top
 
Make an Enquiry
How to Apply
Accept Your Offer