PhD Degree – Transportation Systems Analysis and Planning

– Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

– Northwestern University

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The PhD program represents a significant advance beyond the training achieved in the Master of Science program, preparing students for careers in teaching, research and advanced applications in transportation by engaging them in in-depth study and research in collaboration with the faculty.

Students' programs are tailored to their individual backgrounds and interests; a typical study plan includes two years of coursework followed by at least one year of intensive research under faculty supervision. The first year of coursework is similar to that pursued by Master of Science students. In subsequent years, PhD students delve more deeply into methodological areas related to their research interests through courses in such fields as operations research, economics, quantitative psychology and computer science.

The program culminates in PhD dissertation research which advances the student's knowledge, perspective and intellectual maturity, and contributes to the state of the art in transportation.

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PhD students engage in additional seminars guided by faculty teams and specifically directed at advanced problem identification, formulation and solution. This close interaction with faculty provides the Ph.D. student with experiences similar to those faced by professors at research universities or analysts with major research firms and laboratories. Emphasis on problem formulation, quantitative skills and communications distinguishes the Northwestern Ph.D. Program from those at other universities.

Students with Master of Science degrees from relevant fields may be admitted directly to the PhD Program; others must complete the Master of Science program before entering the PhD Program, but may count the year of Master of Science study as the first year of PhD coursework.