With this in mind, Penn State Altoona set up a four-year degree program in rail transportation engineering. About 15 students are expected to be in its first class starting this fall including one student transferring from the university’s State College campus, which doesn’t happen often.
Hai Huang, one of the faculty members leading the program, explains that rail transportation engineering majors will get an education with a background in civil engineering. But the new degree will be unique because it will include special courses focused on railroads and experience working on real machinery. Graduates will be prepared to work in areas like railroad operations, signaling and track design.
The Norfolk Southern Corporation, which announced a $100,000 grant for the program two years ago, is also donating equipment for the students to train on. And from what Huang is hearing from prospective students and parents, convincing future engineers to come to Altoona won’t be a problem. He says many of those who are interested are still in high school.
Source: Hai Huang, Penn State Altoona
Writer: Rebecca VanderMeulen