The bachelor of science in Rail Transportation Engineering (RTEAL) will provide students with the necessary skills for careers in the rail freight and passenger transportation industries. The RTEAL degree provides a solid background in engineering design but also focuses on the maintenance and management skills required by the rail industry. The program provides a breadth of knowledge in the major areas associated with the design, operation, and maintenance of rail systems, including:

  • the engineering of rail and track structures
  • basic rail operating practices and safety
  • wheel/track dynamics
  • construction and maintenance of railroad infrastructure
  • basic railroad communications and signals.

Laboratories are used throughout the RTEAL curriculum to provide students with experiences in the field with actual rail equipment, and extensive team-based laboratory activities are used to develop the leadership qualities that are essential for rail professionals. In order to prepare students for the occupational challenges associated with careers in the rail industry, careful and candid discussions of career possibilities and working environments typical of railway professionals are provided throughout the RTEAL program.

Entrance to Major Requirements:
All students applying for entrance to the RTEAL major must have at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA by the end of the semester prior to applying for entrance to the major and have completed, with a minimum grade of C: CHEM 110 GN(3), MATH 140 GQ(4), MATH 141 GQ(4), and PHYS 211 GN(4). These courses must be completed by the end of the semester during which the admission to major process is carried out.

For the B.S. degree in Rail Transportation Engineering, a minimum of 130 credits is required.

Scheduling Recommendation by Semester Standing given like (Sem:1-2)

GENERAL EDUCATION: 45 credits
(27 of these credits are included in the REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR) (See the description of General Education in this bulletin.)

UNITED STATES CULTURES AND INTERNATIONAL CULTURES:
(Included in ELECTIVES or GENERAL EDUCATION course selection)

WRITING ACROSS THE CURRICULUM:
(Included in REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR: 112 credits
(This includes 27 credits of General Education courses: 9 credits of GWS, 6 credits of GQ, 9 credits of GN, 3 credits of GS.)

PRESCRIBED COURSES (100 credits)
CHEM 110 GN(3)[1], ECON 102 GS(3), EDSGN 100(3), MATH 140 GQ(4)[1], MATH 141 GQ(4)[1], PHYS 211 GN(4)[1](Sem: 1-2)
C E 310(3), E MCH 211(3)[1], E MCH 212(3)[1], E MCH 213(3)[1], ENGL 202C GWS(3), GEOSC 001(3), MATH 220(2), MATH 251(4), PHYS 212 GN(4), STAT 401(3) (Sem: 3-4)
C E 335(3)[1], C E 336(4)[1], C E 360(3), RTE 301(3), RTE 302(3)[1], RTE 303(3)[1], RTE 305(3)[1], RTE 402(3) (Sem: 5-6)
ACCTG 211(4), C E 332(3)[1], C E 333W(3)[1], C E 340(3)[1], RTE 403(3), RTE 404(3), RTE 406(4) (Sem: 7-8)

ADDITIONAL COURSES (12 credits)
ENGL 015 GWS(3) or ENGL 030 GWS(3) (Sem: 1-2)
CAS 100A GWS(3) or CAS 100B GWS(3) (Sem: 1-2)
Select 3 credits from CMPSC 201(3) or CMPSC 202(3) (Sem: 3-4)
Select 3 credits of technical electives from the departmental list in consultation with an adviser (Sem: 7-8)

[1] A student enrolled in this major must receive a grade of C or better, as specified in Senate Policy 82-44.