Transportation Modes and Nodes - Summer 26

Freight transportation is fundamental to global economic development and serves as the foundation for modern supply chains. Designed for adult learners, this 10-week online asynchronous course supports workforce preparation and future credential and credit opportunities through PSC’s Credit for Prior Learning and Prior Learning Assessment pathway.

This course introduces students to the transportation systems, modes, and infrastructure that support the movement of goods throughout the global economy. Students will examine how transportation has evolved over time and how value is created through speed, cost efficiency, capacity, flexibility, reliability, and technological adaptation. The course also explores how global transportation systems are increasingly influenced by cyberthreats, political instability, labor volatility, environmental concerns, public health crises, and changing trade patterns.

Throughout the course, students will analyze the characteristics and functions of major transportation modes, including maritime, surface, air, and pipeline transportation, as well as the nodes and logistics networks that support them such as ports, terminals, distribution centers, and intermodal systems. Students will also examine the role of third-party logistics providers, transportation planning, risk management, sustainability, workforce trends, and emerging technologies shaping the future of supply chains and transportation operations.

Emphasis is placed on practical application, strategic thinking, and understanding how transportation systems impact organizational profitability, operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and global commerce. Students will engage with case studies, multimedia learning activities, and applied exercises designed to strengthen industry knowledge and workforce readiness.

This self-paced course requires approximately 10 hours of work per week and includes formative checks for understanding throughout the term, culminating in a final applied project in which students assess transportation industry challenges, volatility, and future planning strategies within global supply chains.

A certificate of completion will be awarded to students who successfully complete the course.

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Show transportation’s role in the global economy, its history, and how transportation has driven changes in global development.
• Outline the role of transportation within logistics systems including upstream and downstream supply chain nodes.
• Assess the impact of technology to drive efficient and reliable transportation.
• Explain major impacts in transportation from changing trade lanes, security, intermodal, technology, sustainability, and labor volatility.
• Identify the changing transportation workforce.