DEVELOPMENT OF A MULTI-CAMPUS MULTIDISCIPLINARY TRANSPORTATION CURRICULUM FOR UTCA

This project focused on the design of an ideal curriculum of multidisciplinary transportation course work for the three University of Alabama (UA) campuses. The investigators evaluated existing curricula and courses on all three campuses, identified desired new courses, and prepared sample transportation curricula. A thorough review of competing programs throughout the U.S., with emphasis on the Southeast, was carried out to establish a benchmark to which to compare existing and proposed University Transportation Center for Alabama (UTCA) programs. The project team also identified barriers and incentives for adoption of the program. A team approach encompassing all three campuses - the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the University of Alabama, and the University of Alabama at Huntsville (UAB, UA, and UAH) - was used. Three different levels were investigated, all of which would have a multi-campus course requirement - an undergraduate area of emphasis (two or three courses), Master of Science in Civil Engineering and other Master's Degree options, and a shared Ph.D. program. The emphasis was on Master's Degree options and on developing a sound foundation for the shared Ph.D. program. The major objective of this project was to develop a unique multidisciplinary multi-campus transportation curriculum for all three UA System campuses. Graduate programs were developed to attract students who do not have an undergraduate civil engineering background to careers in transportation engineering as well as students with undergraduate civil engineering degrees. This coordinated curriculum will improve transportation engineering education in the University of Alabama System.