Master of Arts in Transportation and Logistics Management-Capstone Option

This course is designed to provide the graduate student with a study of the major historical events in the transportation industry. Topics include agricultural, industrial, information, interstate, and transtate transportation events and precedents. The course will provide both broad analysis of the industry and specific seminal events in its history.

This course in research methods will prepare the transportation and logistics management graduate student to understand material and issues associated with but not limited to the logic of the scientific method, research design, and qualitative and statistical analysis of data. Students will be afforded to opportunity to begin to conduct research on topics within the field of transportation and logistics management. This course is intended to provide a foundation from which the student may use the knowledge and practices gained in this course throughout the rest of their graduate program.

The course provides the student with a coherent and integrated framework, based on micro and macro economic principles, for understanding aggregate transportation activity. Issues include: regulation, tariffs, interstate commercial policy, international trade, and transportation exchange rates.

This course examines the United States and worldwide commercial freight transportation systems, with an emphasis on international intermodal surface transportation. Modal/intermodal economic and operating characteristics will be surveyed, along with cost, pricing, and regulation of transportation services. In addition, students will be introduced to electronic data interchange (EDI) in commercial transportation and the use of computer software applications in transportation management—all with the goal of providing students with an in-depth understanding of the principles of intermodal transportation systems, a grasp of transportation terminology, and the interrelationship between the Defense Transportation System (DTS) and the global commercial transportation infrastructure.

This course provides an understanding of leading-edge logistics management, as well as principles and techniques available to achieve optimum operational efficiencies. Topics include: development of logistics, logistical economic significance, the importance of logistics management in transportation operations, application of supply chain management concepts, role of information systems, elements and management of global logistics, distinctions and characteristics of international versus domestic logistics, global transportation options, traffic management, global transportation decision-making, management of inventory costs, measurement and control of integrated logistics systems, and development of effective world-wide logistics strategies.

This course will survey the critical importance of ports to trade, their vulnerability to disruption and attack, and defensive measures to mitigate risk focusing on international cooperation and legislation. Special emphasis will be placed on defensive measures to protect ports from disruption or asymmetric attack, international cooperation, and national legislation.

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the current state-of-the-art in airport security. Air terminal security is covered from the aspect of physical security considerations, baggage screening, training requirements for security personnel, employee screening and awareness programs, aircraft security, ground and air security technologies, integrating security systems for maximum coverage and protection, effective local, state, and federal liaison, counter and anti-terrorism measures, narcotics and contraband - the use of working dog teams, and apron access and security considerations.

This course demonstrates the 21st century importance of strategic transportation and logistics planning in contributing to corporate profits, customer service enhancements leading to higher sales and a marketing weapon to gain sustainable competitive advantage. The importance of moving information becomes equal to the movement of goods. Managerial perspectives are offered on aligning corporate planning, technology, financial controls and logistics performance measurement. We will also gain an overview on the interaction among stakeholders in the public and private sectors in aligning public policy with global uncertainties.

This course is designed to provide students with a solid knowledge of multi-modal transportation systems, the characteristics of individual transportation modes, international differences in transportation management, and transportation economics as they apply to multi-modal transportation management. Topics include comparative analysis of the various modes (motor carriers, railroads, water carriers, air carriers and pipelines), international differences in transportation management, economics of transportation systems, and the role of transportation systems in the modern organization.

This course aligns transportation management with a comprehensive overview of intermodal transportation and logistics management. We will look at recent trends in the field and its important stakeholders. Business logistics/supply chain will be viewed from managerial perspectives impacting physical distribution, materials management, transportation management, and logistics and supply chain management. The course covers the planning, organizing, and controlling of these activities including sub-activities such as transportation basics, inventory and location strategies.

This course is designed to address the multi-billion dollar annual loss globally due to cargo theft. Topics include: asset protection in the transportation industry, analysis of freight system vulnerability, development of an effective cargo security plan, review of industry standards, and best practices in the industry.

An in-depth look at the workings of maritime port operations and intermodal transportation systems. Course topics include the governance and administration of ports and marine terminals, the role of regulatory agencies, navigation and safety, port operations and development including the process to fund and carry out dredging projects. Cargo handling for containers and dry and liquid bulk operations will be discussed along with a look at productivity of terminal operations. Comparisons will be made with other regions of the world. A review of major steamship lines, their trading patterns and future trends among the industry will be covered along with technological advances in vessels and terminal operating equipment. A strong emphasis will be placed on current issues in port policy.

This 16-week course is available to graduate students majoring in transportation and logistics management. Students may enroll in this course or take the comprehensive examination option. This course will involve a major research paper or thesis option that demonstrates understanding of the program objectives. The research paper and thesis option will demonstrate understanding of social science research methodology. A Research Manual with explicit guidance for the research paper and thesis option will be available. The student shall select their research paper or thesis option professor from designated APUS faculty. Students should confer with the professor overseeing the research paper or thesis option to determine which exit option is the best for the student’s needs. Capstone courses are NOT included in the university retake policy. All grades for any capstone attempts will appear on transcript and will be calculated in GPA