Minor in Rail Transportation

Join the Rail Transportation Industry

The Rail Transportation minor combines specific and multi-disciplinary class requirements.

Take courses geared toward the rail industry and engineering. Also learn logistics, management, leadership, and communications skills. Railroads are looking for graduates with versatile skills. You can meet the demands of rail industry careers.

Become an effective engineer, manager, and team leader in various company positions. Learn the requirements placed by the industry on its professional staff.

Choose an area in civil, mechanical, or electrical engineering.

Learning Goals

Students will develop:

A Rail Industry Knowledge Base

Be familiar with rail system components
Understand industry terminology
Understand engineering and operational practices of the rail transportation industry

Professional Skills

Gain discipline-specific knowledge of rail transportation industry topics
Apply practical concepts and technologies to industry issues
Work with design and data analysis of various system components

Leadership

Learn management fundamentals
Develop problem solving and effective communication skills
Experience industry mentoring

Communication

Demonstrate effective communication in multiple formats
Experience opportunities to meet industry leaders and hear from guest speakers

Industry Safety Culture

Understand fundamental processes that are put in place by the rail industry to achieve optimum safety
Research new procedures and technologies to further increase industry safety

Curriculum

Program Code ECRM
Total Credits Required: 19

Required Courses

Take all courses for 7 credits.

CEE 3490 - Introduction to Sustainable Rail Transportation

Introduction to topics related to rail transportation and industry. Overview of North American passenger and freight railroads in the past and today, concentrating on aspects and developments highlighting railroads as the sustainable mode of transportation.

Credits: 1.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-1-0)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman

CEE 4404 - Railroad Engineering

Rail transportation systems require infrastructure, vehicles, motive power and energy, and control systems to move goods and people. This multi-disciplinary course provides students with understanding of these system components and related engineering and technology enabling efficient operation of today's system.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman, Sophomore

OSM 4700 - Logistics and Transportation Management

Focuses on the transportation and distribution services that support demand fulfillment from the receipt of customer orders to order fulfillment. Topics include customer service, order fulfillment, inventory, transportation costs and modes, facility design and operation, carrier selection, and negotiation.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman, Sophomore
Pre-Requisite(s): (MA 2710 or MA 2720 or MA 3710 or CE 3710 or CEE 3710) and (MA 1135 or MA 1160 or MA 1161 or MA 1121)

Leadership/Professional Elective

Choose one course for 3 credits.

AF 3001 - Leading People and Effective Communication I

Study and practice of leadership in civilian and military organizations, with emphasis on development of effective oral and wirtten communication. Topics include Air Force leader development, effective supervision, diversity, cross-cultural competence and ethics. The course includes discussion, informal lecture, case studies, self-evaluation of leadership traits, and experiential exercises.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-2-3)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman, Sophomore
Pre-Requisite(s): UN 1015 and (UN 1025)

AF 3002 - Leading People and Effective Communication II

Study of leadership in civilian and military institutions. Topics include leadership theory, mentoring, feedback, organizational climate, and professionalism. The course includes discussion, informal lecture, case studies, and experiental exercises.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-2-3)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman, Sophomore

HU 3120 - Technical and Professional Communication

A study of written and oral communication in technical and scientific environments; emphasizes audience, writing processes, genres of scientific and technical discourse, visual communication, collaboration, professional responsibility, clear and correct expression. Students write and revise several documents and give oral report(s).

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman, Sophomore
Pre-Requisite(s): UN 1015 and (UN 1025)

MGT 3000 - Organizational Behavior

Covers concepts of human relations and organizational behavior through the study of people's behavior at work. Develop understanding, attitudes, and skills leading to increased personal effectiveness.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman

MGT 3100 - Leadership Development

Assesses students' current knowledge, abilities and values relevant to leadership and guides students in developing and implementing plans for new leadership abilities.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman

OSM 4300 - Project Management

The various stages in a project life cycle will be covered and include initiation, planning, execution, and closeout. Basic tools such as the Project Charter, Network Diagrams Gantt, and budgeting will be covered. Basics of MS Project are included.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman, Sophomore
Pre-Requisite(s): BUS 2100 or CEE 3710 or MA 2720 or MA 3710 or EE 3180 or BE 2110 or MA 2710 or PSY 2720

Civil Engineering Area of Study

Choose 9 credits.

CEE 3401 - Transportation Engineering

Introduction to transportation in the United States, transportation mode characteristics and applications, highway geometrics and design standards, pavement design and management.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman

CEE 4333 - Estimating and Planning of Construction Projects

Examination of the principles and techniques of estimating construction costs leading to the development of an estimate and proposal submission. The relationship between the contract specification, drawings, and the estimate will be illustrated.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (2-0-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Pre-Requisite(s): CEE 3332 or CMG 3265

CEE 4407 - Transportation Design

Introduction to computer aided geometric design of highways and railways. Covers design principles and use of standards for horizontal and vertical alignments and cross sections, including road intersections, railway turnouts and grade crossings. Students develop engineering drawings and related cost estimates for road/rail project.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (2-0-2)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman, Sophomore
Pre-Requisite(s): CEE 3401 and SU 2000

CEE 4905 - Engineering Design Project

An engineering design project related to civil and environmental engineering. Not available to students who have taken CE4900 or CE4910. (Senior project ready as defined by major substitutes for prerequisites)

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-2-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Restrictions: Permission of instructor required; May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman, Sophomore, Junior

CEE 4920 - Civil Engineering Independent Study

Approved research or design project in civil engineering, originating with an individual student or assigned by the instructor.

Credits: variable to 3.0; Repeatable to a Max of 3
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Restrictions: Permission of instructor required; May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman, Sophomore

CEE 4905 and CEE 4920 require prior written approval by the Director of the Rail Transportation Program.
Students wishing to substitute a rail topics course from another university must get prior written approval by the Director of the Rail Transportation Program.

Mechanical Engineering Area of Study

Choose 9 credits.

MEEM 3911 - Mechanical Engineering Practice IV

Students create simulations and validation procedures to verify that components and assembled system meet desired requirements. Experimental methods, simulation, data processing, comparing experimental and analytical results, and engineering communication methods are emphasized.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-2-3)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Major(s): Mechanical Engineering
Pre-Requisite(s): MEEM 2911 and MEEM 3901(C)

MEEM 4220 - Internal Combustion Engines I

This course teaches the operational principles of spark-ignition and compression-ignition internal combustion engines through the application of thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and heat transfer. Course studies engine performance, efficiency, and emissions using cycle-based analysis, combustion thermochemistry, and compressible fluid flow.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate
Pre-Requisite(s): MEEM 3201

MEEM 4450 - Vehicle Dynamics

This course will develop the models and techniques needed to predict the performance of a road vehicle during drive off, braking, ride, and steering maneuvers. Topics to be covered include: acceleration and braking performance, power train architecture, vehicle handling, suspension modeling, tire models, and steering control. Matlab, Adams Car, and Amesim, will be used as computational tools.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following College(s): College of Engineering; Must be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Junior, Senior
Pre-Requisite(s): MEEM 3400 or EE 3261

MEEM 4655 - Production Planning

Covers fundamental production planning topics as capacity management, facility layout, process design and analysis, forecasting, inventory management, MRP, scheduling, and theory of constraints. Introduces basic lean concepts, lean production, and value stream mapping.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Spring, Summer
Pre-Requisite(s): MEEM 3600(C)

MEEM 4901 - Senior Capstone Design I

Students work in teams on "open-ended" engineering capstone design projects - most with industrial sponsors - developing original and creative solutions to real engineering problems.

Credits: 2.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-6)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Major(s): Mechanical Engineering
Pre-Requisite(s): MEEM 3400 and EE 3010(C) and MEEM 3600(C) and MEEM 3901 and MEEM 3201 and MEEM 3750 and MEEM 3911 and MA 3710(C)

MEEM 4911 - Senior Capstone Design II

Design projects started in MEEM4901 are completed and evaluated using computer-aided engineering methods, physical models, and/or prototypes as appropriate.

Credits: 2.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-6)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Major(s): Mechanical Engineering
Pre-Requisite(s): EE 3010 and MEEM 3201 and MEEM 3600 and MEEM 3750 and MEEM 4901

MEEM 4990 - Special Topics in Mech Engg

Problems in mechanical engineering, engineering mechanics, manufacturing, or industrial engineering that are not covered in regular courses.

Credits: variable to 6.0; Repeatable to a Max of 6
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Restrictions: Permission of department required; May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman, Sophomore

MEEM 4901, MEEM 4911, and MEEM 4990 require prior written approval by the Director of the Rail Transportation Program.
If taking MEEM 4901, then also take MEEM 4911.
Students wishing to substitute a rail topics course from another university must get prior written approval by the Director of the Rail Transportation Program.

Electrical Engineering Area of Study

Choose 9 credits.

EE 3120 - Electric Energy Systems

An overview of the generation and utilization of electrical energy. Covers three-phase circuits, transformers, photovoltaics, batteries, electromechanical energy conversion, and an overview of electric power systems, including economic issues.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Pre-Requisite(s): EE 2110 or EE 3010 or (EE 2111 and EE 2112(C))

EE 4219 - Introduction to Electric Machinery and Drives

Provides a thorough understanding of how electric machines can be used to drive loads with control of speed, torque and position. Topics include basic electro-mechanics, rotating machinery, dc machines, ac machines, power electronics and load modeling. Applications include industrial systems, hybrid/electric vehicles and electric power systems.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Pre-Requisite(s): (EE 2112 or EE 3010) and EE 3120

EE 4220 - Introduction to Electric Machinery and Drives Laboratory

Provides a hands on understanding of how electric machines can be used to drive loads with control of speed, torque, and position. Topics include basic electro-mechanics, rotating machineer, dc machines, ac machines, power electronics, and load modeling.

Credits: 1.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-2)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Pre-Requisite(s): EE 4219(C)

EE 4227 - Power Electronics

Fundamentals of circuits for electrical energy processing. Covers switching converter principles for dc-dc, ac-dc, and dc-ac power conversion. Other topics include harmonics, pulse-width modulation, feedback control, magnetic components and power semiconductors.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Summer
Pre-Requisite(s): EE 3120 and (EE 3130(C) or EE 3131)

EE 4228 - Power Electronics Lab

Fundamentals of design, construction and control of circuits for electrical energy processing. Covers switching converter principles for dc-dc, ac-dc, and dc-ac power conversion. Other topics include harmonics, pulse-width modulation, feedback control, magnetic components and power semiconductors.

Credits: 1.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-3)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Pre-Requisite(s): EE 4227(C)

EE 3160 - Signals and Systems

Introduces the mathematical analysis of signals, systems, and control. Topics include differential equations, Fourier series, Fourier transforms, LaPlace transforms, frequency response, Bode plots, state models, and an introduction to control systems.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Pre-Requisite(s): (EE 3010 or EE 2112) and (MA 2320 or MA 2321 or MA 2330) and (MA 3520 or MA 3521 or MA 3530 or MA 3560)

EE 3171 - Microcontroller Applications for Cyber Physical Systems

Introduces the concepts of microcontroller-based systems. Describes basic characteristics of microcontrollers, then goes into significant detail in the applications of a specific microcontroller. Topics include C and assembly language programming, instruction set interface, ASICs, and polled, interrupt, and DMA input/output.

Credits: 4.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Major(s): Computer Engineering
Pre-Requisite(s): (EE 2241 or CS 1121 or CS 1111) and (EE 2174 or EE 2173)

EE 3261 - Control Systems

Mathematical formulation of control problems (both transfer function and state-variable descriptions); analysis of feedback control systems (stability, transient performance, steady-state error, sensitivity, etc.); analog and digital simulation; and experiments with physical systems.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (2-0-2)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Pre-Requisite(s): EE 3160

EE 4253 - Real Time Signal Processing

Practical implementation of digital signal processing concepts as developed in EE4252. Emphasis on applications of DSP to communications, filter design, speech processing, and radar. Laboratory provides practical experience in the design and implementation of DSP solutions.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (2-0-2)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Pre-Requisite(s): EE 4252

EE 4805 - Electrical Engineering Project

A project in electrical engineering. An individual student or a group of students complete a mutually- agreed-upon project in consultation with a faculty member.

Credits: variable to 3.0; Repeatable to a Max of 6; Graded Pass/Fail Only
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Restrictions: Permission of instructor and department required

EE 4901 - EE Design Project 1

The first semester of a program of study in which a group of students work on an engineering design project in consultation with a faculty member. (Senior project ready as defined by major substitutes for prerequisites)

Credits: 2.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (1-0-3)
Semesters Offered: Fall
Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman, Sophomore, Junior
Pre-Requisite(s): (EE 3131 or (EE 3280 and EE 3261(C))) and EE 3901 and (EE 3171(C) or EE 3173(C))

EE 4910 - EE Design Project 2

The second semester of a program of study in which a group of students work on an engineering design project in consultation with a faculty member. (Senior project ready as defined by major substitutes for prerequisites)

Credits: 2.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-1-3)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Pre-Requisite(s): EE 4901

EE 4805, EE 4901, and EE 4910 require prior written approval by the Director of the Rail Transportation Program.
If taking EE 4227, then also take EE 4228.
If taking EE 4901, then also take EE 4910.
Students wishing to substitute a rail topics course from another university must get prior written approval by the Director of the Rail Transportation Program.