Are you interested in pursuing a career in Transportation? If so, there are many options to choose from at the University of Florida’s Transportation Institute, located in Gainesville, Florida. The field of transportation engineering encompasses not only engineering but also researching various topics such as:
- Traveler behavior and safety analysis.
- Traffic flow theory.
- Big data and data analytics.
- Resilient Infrastructure planning, design and monitoring.
- Simulation and optimization of transportation systems.
- Connected and automated vehicles.
- Dynamic traveler information systems.
- Multi-modal transportation, such as transit, ridesharing and micro-mobility.
The profession of transportation engineering is undergoing a massive transformation. There is a great need to train the workforce in emerging technologies. Equally important is to develop leaders who can shepherd the profession through these rapidly transformative times, and such leadership development goes beyond technical training. UFTI’s educational portfolio caters to a wide spectrum of current and emerging educational needs. The online programs are targeted at working professionals who are looking to further their skills and credentials while the in-person programs are mostly geared towards full-time students seeking advanced skills and/or interested in advancing the state of the art through research.
In-Person Degree Options
Bachelor’s Program:
Students can receive a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering. Several courses on transportation engineering are available to undergraduate students (listed here).The students should consult the undergraduate degree requirements before choosing their courses. Students can receive a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering with a concentration in Transportation Engineering. Details about core courses are here.
Multi-Disciplinary Master’s Program:
Concurrent Degree in Engineering and Urban Planning
UF offers opportunities for students to pursue coursework in two different programs with shared credits leading to dual degrees. A student graduating with a concurrent degree will be better equipped to understand, analyze, design, and operate effective and efficient urban systems. These graduates are in great demand in both the engineering and planning professions today. A qualified student can expect to obtain the Master of Engineering and the Master of Arts in Urban and Regional Planning (MAURP) degrees in about three years.
The most common (in-person) program is the concurrent degree in engineering and planning. This degree is aimed at holistically preparing students for a successful career in the interdisciplinary field of planning, designing and operating urban infrastructure.
While the planning program is focused on sustainable land use and transportation policies and geospatial analysis to provide a good quality of life for the future population, the engineering program focuses on rigorous analytical methods for evaluating and prioritizing these policy actions and on operating the transportation systems efficiently.
A qualified student can expect to obtain the two degrees in about three years with nine shared credits (three common courses). Further details are available here. For additional information please contact Dr. Siva Srinivasan (Engineering) or Dr. Ruth Steiner (Planning).
Masters and Ph.D. Programs:
The Ph.D. and master’s (in-person) programs in Transportation Engineering at UF offer students exciting opportunities to work on cutting-edge technologies such as connected/automated vehicles; big data and data analytics; the theory of traffic flow; simulation and optimization of transportation systems; traveler behavior; infrastructure design and monitoring; dynamic traveler information systems; and multi-modal transportation (e.g., transit, ridesharing, and micro-mobility.) Students with strong analytical capabilities (one or more of statistics, big data analytics, optimization, simulation modeling, programming and GIS) and excellent written and oral communication skills interested in addressing various current and future transportation problems are encouraged to apply. Students from a variety of undergraduate/master’s disciplines including Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, or Industrial and Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Urban Planning, and Economics will be considered based on interests and expertise.
You can view our overview video, degree requirements/graduation guidelines, course offerings and find additional information below. For admission and other questions please contact Dr. Lili Du.
Online Degree Options
Master’s Degree Programs in Civil Engineering:
Most transportation graduate classes are already available online and students can obtain an entire masters degree in Civil Engineering via the EDGE program.
UFTI is also formalizing an online master’s degree with a concentration in transportation leadership. This initiative is targeted at working professionals who are looking for career advancement to leadership roles in the transportation profession. This degree will offer a blend of technical and leadership courses.
UFTI has already developed a gateway course to this program titled “Fundamentals of the Transportation Profession” (offered Spring and Fall semesters online). This class is focused on the past, present and future of the profession. Guest speakers address various themes such as institutions, public policy, financing, economics, public engagement, communications, leadership, management and select technical issues.
Please reach out to Dr. Srinivasan for further details about the online master’s degree programs.
Other Online Education Options
For continuing education, professional development and certification programs, please go to our Online Education Options page.