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Master of Aviation (Human Factors)

Postgraduate course

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Overview

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.)
Please also refer to the Aviation website for more information.
Duration3 years part-time
Campus and intakes  Calendar
Off-Campus -Semester 1, Semester 2
Study modeDistance
Course codeM096N
Fees
The total tuition fee is dependent upon the combination of units of study selected by the student. Fees are reviewed each year.
For information about Swinburne's fees visit the Fees website.
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Course in detail

On this page: course description, course structure, major specialisations and units of study.

Course description

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.)
Please also refer to the Aviation website for more information.

Course structure

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 Conference
A three-day conference is held each year at the Hawthorn campus during July. 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.  HES6699A Aviation Industry Conference 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.

Major specialisations

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.

Units of study

Core units
HES6611 Introduction to Air Transportation
HES6699A Aviation Industry Conference
Aviation (Human Factors) units
HES6002 Safety in Operational Teams
HES6600 Introductory Human Factors
HES6601 Human Factors in Air Traffic Management
HES6602 CRM and Threat & Error Management
HES6603 Organisational Change in Aviation
HES6604 Advanced Human Factors
HES6605 Human Factors in Maintenance
HES6606 Human Factors Instruction
HES6616 Stress and Fatigue Management in Aviation 
Elective units
Electives are usually selected from Aviation (Human Factors), Aviation (Management), Risk Management, or other disciplines (subject to approval and availability).
Research units
HES7605 Research Design and Methodology
HES7606PT1 Minor Thesis (Part 1) (12.5 pts) and HES7606PT2 Minor Thesis (Part 2) (25 pts)
HES7606 Minor Thesis (37.5 credit points)
Recommended Sequence
Stage 1 - Graduate Certificate
HES6611 Introduction to Air Transportation
HES6699A Aviation Industry Conference
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):
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Graduate outcomes

On this page: aims and objectives.

Aims and objectives

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.
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On this page: entry requirements and recognition of prior learning

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

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 may be eligible for the entry at the graduate certificate level:

  • are currently working in the aviation industry;
  • have demonstrated academic capacity to deal with the study required;
  • would benefit from paticipation in the program.

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. 

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process where a student may be granted credit or partial credit towards a qualification in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training.
 
Within the Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Sciences, the maximum credit available is four units (50 credit points) towards a 150 credit point master. 
 
Further details for students considering Higher Education courses: www.future.swinburne.edu.au/pathways/rpl
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Apply

On this page: how to apply, course fees and find out more.

How to apply

Application forms can be downloaded from the website at: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/postgrad/apply/

Course fees

The total tuition fee is dependent upon the combination of units of study selected by the student. Fees are reviewed each year.
For information about Swinburne's fees visit the Fees website.

Find out more

Web: Enquire online
Tel: 1300 ASK SWIN (1300 275 794)
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