Penn State Altoona is the only university in the United States to offer a bachelor of science degree program in rail transportation engineering.
The program meets the standards set by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. It prepares students for careers in civil engineering, railcar and locomotive design and maintenance, railway construction management, railroad track design and maintenance, and mechanical and signal operations.
Students use cutting-edge equipment while attending hands-on courses in railway transportation and network operations, railcars and locomotives, and railroad track infrastructure.
In their senior years, students also have the opportunity to join the Penn State Altoona chapter of American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association. By joining, students have access to field trips, networking with industry professionals and seminars.
Students who graduate from the program are eligible to take the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam to become a professional licensed engineer.
“We know that a rail-specific engineering program will generate graduates who meet the requirements of today’s railroad industry,” Gerhard Thelen, former vice president of Norfolk Southern operations planning and support, said. “This program provides the basic and advanced skills and education for a successful lifetime career and is the source of tomorrow’s leaders.”
The program arose from a need to fill railroad industry vacancies and was launched in 2011.