Affiliated Ph.D. Programs Focusing on Transportation Studies

Introduction

The Department of Transportation Studies is affiliated with two Ph.D. Programs. One is the Environmental Toxicology (E-Tox) Ph.D. Program focusing on transportation impacts on environmental and public health; another one is the Urban Planning and Environmental Policy (UPEP) Ph.D. Program focusing on transportation planning and environmental protection.

Both Ph.D. programs are interdisciplinary, which are designed to train outstanding students for successful careers in the fields of transportation, environment sciences, environmental toxicology, and urban planning. Through rigorous instruction, the Ph.D. students can develop analytical and problem-solving, design, planning and systems analyses as well as appropriate research skills for use in industries, agencies and organizations of relevant fields.

Research Focuses

The Ph.D. students and their faculty advisors form research partnerships based on their particular interests and the needs from professional career markets. Unique opportunities are provided to work with experts through the Innovative Transportation Research Institute (ITRI) and the Department of Transportation Studies. The Ph.D. students are provided with specialized internships and research exposure through applied and empirical research and demonstration activities, which are normally supported by the National Sciences Foundation (NSF), United States Department of Transportation (US DOT), Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), etc.

Specific research focuses include:

• Transportation Emission Testing and Modeling
• Transportation Impacts on Environment (Air Quality, Noises, and Dusts) and Public Health
• Impacts of Connected Vehicle Technologies on Environment and Public Health
• Roadway Infrastructure Impacts on Environment and Public Health
• Intelligent Transportation Planning and Operation

Graduate Research Assistantships

The Title III fellowship will be provided to E-Tox Ph.D. students. In addition, graduate research assistantship will be available to apply by the Innovative Transportation Research Institute (ITRI) and/or Department of Transportation Studies to qualified Ph.D. students with transportation focuses.

Admission, Course Studies, and Contact

For general information on transportation related Ph.D. programs, please contact Dr. Fengxiang Qiao (713-313-1915, qiao_fg@tsu.edu). For admission standard, course studies, and other information on the Environmental Toxicology Ph.D. Program, please visit the website for E-Tox program. For admission standard, course studies, and other information on the Urban Planning and Environmental Policy Ph.D. Program, please visit the website for UPEP program.