The document provides an overview of graduate biological sciences programs at Florida Institute of Technology, including Master of Science degrees in biology and biotechnology, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree. The Master’s programs include coursework and a thesis or project report requirement, while the PhD program emphasizes advanced research training. Admission requirements, degree credits, and course options are detailed for each program, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature and focus on both academic and industrial applications.

1. GRADUATE
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES PROGRAM
OVERVIEW
MASTER OF SCIENCE MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE PROGRAMS
Options in: Biology
Biotechnology The master of science degree in biology can be earned in one of three options: ecology, marine biology, or cell and molecular biology. The purpose of each
Cell and Molecular Biology option is to prepare the student either for a professional career or for further graduate study. This goal is achieved through a balance of course work and
Ecology research activities.
Marine Biology ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
General admission requirements and the process for applying are presented in the Graduate Information and Regulations section of the University Catalog.
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY For this program, Graduate Record Examination scores (General Test only), three letters of recommendation and a statement of objectives are required.
(For related degree programs, see the Admission decisions for fall semester enrollment are made by March 15, and for spring semester enrollment by October 1.
Oceanography section of the University Catalog.) DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
The master of science degree requires the successful completion of 34 credit hours, including formal course work, presentation of a graduate thesis semi-
DEPARTMENT HEAD nar, and preparation and oral defense of a thesis. The thesis involves the completion of original research of publishable quality.
G.N. Wells, Ph.D.
The student’s thesis research and program of study reflect the emphasis of the option. All thesis research is conducted under the direction of an adviser
ASSOCIATE DEPARTMENT HEADS and an advisory committee. The advisory committee is composed of at least three members: two from the department (including the adviser) and one
John G. Morris, Ph.D., from another academic unit.
Director of Graduate Programs
Richard L. Turner, Ph.D., CURRICULUM
Director of Undergraduate Programs The adviser assists the student in devising a program of study. The latter requires approval by the program of study committee and the department head.
The student must complete courses appropriate for the option. These can be chosen from the offerings of any academic unit in the College of Science,
PROFESSORS College of Engineering and College of Psychology and Liberal Arts. Students wanting to acquire special research skills should enroll in Biological Research
Mark B. Bush, Ph.D. Rotation (BIO 5998). A master’s student must elect the Biological Sciences Seminar (BIO 5990) every semester it is offered, except for the semester in
Alan C. Leonard, Ph.D. which the student presents a thesis seminar. During this semester, the student will register for both Thesis (BIO 5999) and Biological Research Seminar
Junda Lin, Ph.D. (BIO 5991). Each student must present a departmental thesis seminar before graduation.
Richard A. Tankersley, Ph.D.
Summary of Program Requirements
Gary N. Wells, Ph.D.
Formal Course Work (minimum) ................................18
Robert van Woesik, Ph.D. Biological Research Seminar ........................................1
RESEARCH PROFESSOR Biological Research or Biological Research
Shaohua Xu, Ph.D. Rotation ...............................................................0–9
Thesis (maximum) .......................................................6
ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED 34
David J. Carroll, Ph.D.
Michael S. Grace, Ph.D. Biotechnology
Julia E. Grimwade, Ph.D. The marine environment is a rich source of pharmaceuticals, polymers, diagnostic reagents and genetically diverse organisms. The biological processes
John G. Morris, Ph.D. of the majority of marine organisms are not well understood and the biotechnology industry lacks individuals trained to develop and practice bio
Charles D. Polson, Ph.D. technology using marine animals, plants and microorganisms. The master’s program in biotechnology is a nonthesis program that builds on Florida
Jonathan M. Shenker, Ph.D. Tech’s unique location on the Atlantic coast, and its established strengths in marine biology, marine ecology, natural products chemistry, molecular
Ralph G. Turingan, Ph.D. biology and biochemistry to provide a path for students who aspire to learn biotechnology and earn jobs in industry. The program is focused on those
Richard L. Turner, Ph.D. areas of biotechnology related to microbiology, natural products chemistry and molecular biology of marine organisms. Students are provided with a
Russell C. Weigel, Ph.D. diverse combination of classroom experience, field studies, chemical and molecular biological laboratory techniques and development of communication
RESEARCH SCIENTIST skills most appropriate for an industrial or academic research career.
Lisa K. Moore, Ph.D. SUMMER INTERNSHIPS
PROFESSORS EMERITI The goal of this training program is to produce individuals with a strong interdisciplinary background in biology and chemistry, who will be qualified to
Arvind M. Dhople, Ph.D. meet the needs of biotechnology in industrial or academic settings. To provide additional experience with state-of-the-art technology, students in this
Charles E. Helmstetter, Ph.D. program have the opportunity to include summer internships in an industrial laboratory as part of their degree training. In most cases, these internships
are related to collaboration between Florida Tech faculty and a particular laboratory in a biotechnology firm. Internship sites include Merck, Sharp and
Dohme (Rahway, N.J.), Lederle Labs (Pearl River, N.Y.) and Zymogenetics (Seattle, Wash.). Those students wishing to receive internship training locally
may substitute a research experience with Florida Tech faculty, subject to approval.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The applicant must have a bachelor of science degree in biology, chemistry, biochemistry or equivalent. Applicants deficient in organic chemistry,
genetics, biochemistry or microbiology are required to take undergraduate courses before starting the master of science program. Admission decisions
for fall semester enrollment are made by March 15, and for spring semester enrollment, admission decisions are made by October 1.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
The master’s degree in biotechnology is a nonthesis option and requires the satisfactory completion of 33 credit hours, including a maximum of 27 credit
hours formal course work (six credit hours of research may substitute for six credit hours of formal course work), seminars (BIO 5990), and up to 12 credit
hours of industrial internship (BIO 5997) and/or summer laboratory experience (BIO 5537) at Florida Tech. A project report on the research experience
College of Science is written, presented and defended before a committee. The committee, the composition of which is similar to that for the master’s degree, may ask
Department of questions relating to previous course work.
Biological Sciences
150 West University Boulevard
Melbourne, Florida 32901-6975
(321) 674-8034
http://cos.fit.edu/biology
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2. BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
FINANCIAL AID CURRICULUM
Graduate student assistantships for The adviser assists the student in devising a program of study that is approved by the Graduate Academic Steering Panel and department head. The
instruction and research are available student must complete courses appropriate for the option, chosen from any academic unit in the College of Science, College of Engineering, College of
to well-qualified master’s and doctoral
Psychology and Liberal Arts and College of Business.
degree students. Assistantships carry Summary of Program Requirements
Formal course work .............................................21–27
stipends plus a tuition waiver. In some Biological Sciences Seminar .........................................0
cases, a tuition waiver alone may be Research*................................................................0–6
awarded for a limited amount of service. Internship or summer laboratory experience ....... 6–12
Assistantships for master’s degree TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED 33
students are normally for an academic *Research may focus on biology, chemistry, computer sciences or another area approved by the student’s adviser.
year; assistantships for doctoral students
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY DEGREE PROGRAM
are renewable on a yearly basis.
The doctor of philosophy degree is offered for students who want to carry out advanced research in the biological sciences. A student’s research can
THE UNIVERSITY encompass any area represented by a faculty member. The objective is to prepare the student at the highest academic level for a productive career in
Florida Institute of Technology is a distinc- research, teaching and/or administration.
tive, independent university, founded in ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
1958 by a group of scientists and engineers A doctoral applicant must have a bachelor’s or master’s degree. For admission, a student should have a superior academic record, with a minimum of 3.0
to fulfill the need for specialized, (on a scale of 4.0) in undergraduate work or 3.2 in graduate work, three letters of recommendation and scores from the Graduate Record Examination
advanced educational opportunities (both the General Test and the Subject Test in biology).
of Florida’s Space Coast. Florida Tech is General admission requirements and the process for applying are presented in the Graduate Information and Regulations section of the University Catalog.
the only comprehensive, independent Admission decisions for fall semester enrollment are made by March 1, and for spring semester enrollment by October 1.
scientific and technological university in DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
the southeast. Supported by both industry The doctor of philosophy degree is primarily a research degree and is conferred in recognition of research accomplishments as well as completion of a
and the community, Florida Tech is the program of study. Each student must complete an approved program of study, pass a comprehensive written and/or oral examination, write an accept-
recipient of many research grants and able research proposal and file a petition for admission to candidacy, complete a program of significant original research, prepare and defend a disserta-
contracts, a number of which provide tion concerning the research and present a dissertation seminar. Each candidate is expected to publish major portions of the dissertation in refereed
financial support for graduate students. national or international journals.
LOCATION Each doctoral student must prepare a program of study within one year after entering the program. To assure that the student possesses a satisfactory
Melbourne is located on the central knowledge of biological principles, the student might be required to take certain courses in biological sciences and related disciplines. The student has an
east coast of Florida. The area offers a
advisory committee appointed by his or her adviser with the approval of the department head. The committee is composed of at least five members: four
faculty members (including the adviser) from the department and one faculty member from another academic unit.
delightful year-round subtropical climate
and is 10 minutes from the ocean and The proposal represents the research plan that the student will pursue for the dissertation. It should be written under the close supervision of the
beaches. Kennedy Space Center and the
adviser, and the proposal must be presented to and approved by the advisory committee.
massive NASA complex are just 45 minutes Doctoral research represents a significant contribution to the knowledge of a particular problem. A student must be prepared to devote considerable
north of Melbourne. The city of Orlando, time and effort to research. With the adviser’s approval, the student presents the preliminary copies of the dissertation to the advisory committee for
Walt Disney World, EPCOT and many other
critical evaluation. Once the dissertation satisfies the advisory committee, the student then orally defends the work. If the defense is satisfactory, the
advisory committee will approve the dissertation once the final revisions are completed.
attractions are one hour west of Florida
Tech’s main campus. Prior to graduation, the student must present a dissertation seminar to the faculty and graduate students.
General degree requirements are presented in the Graduate Information and Regulations section of the University Catalog.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
To obtain more detailed information
CURRICULUM
The adviser assists the student in devising a program of study, which requires approval by the program of study committee and the department head.
about this Graduate Program or to obtain
The committee and department head must also approve any revision of the program of study.
application materials, visit our home page
at www.fit.edu/grad or the University
In developing a program of study, considerable latitude is allowed for course selection and research interests. Appropriate courses can be selected from
the offerings of any academic unit in the College of Science, College of Engineering or College of Psychology and Liberal Arts. The student may register for
Catalog at www.fit.edu/catalog, or
Biological Research Rotation (BIO 5998) to learn specific skills and techniques available from the faculty. All doctoral students must elect the Biologi-
contact: cal Sciences Seminar (BIO 5990) every semester it is offered, except for the semester the student presents a dissertation seminar (Biological Research
Florida Institute of Technology Seminar, BIO 5991).
Office of Graduate Admissions Summary of Program Requirements
150 W. University Blvd. Formal Course Work Beyond Bachelor’s Degree (minimum) ....................24
Melbourne, FL 32901-6975 Biological Research Seminar .....................................................................1
(321) 674-8027 Biological Research* ..........................................................................0–24
Doctoral Dissertation (maximum) ...........................................................30
(321) 723-9468/Fax
(800) 944-4348 *Inclusion of Biological Research Rotation (BIO 5998) is recommended.
A minimum of 79 credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree is required.
Florida Institute of Technology is an independent
university located in Melbourne, Florida. Florida Tech For students entering with a master’s degree, former course work completed for the master’s degree can fulfill a significant portion of the 24 credit hours
is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges of required doctoral course work. Nonetheless, the student should be prepared to complete some additional course work.
and Schools to award associate, baccalaureate,
master’s, education specialist and doctoral degrees. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AND FACILITIES
Florida Tech admits students of any race, color, The department faculty are conducting research in the following general areas:
national or ethnic origin, and does not discriminate • Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Molecular Genetics
on the basis of disability in admission or access to • Marine Biology
its programs.
• Molecular Marine Biology
• Plant Physiology and Plant Tissue Culture
• Ecology and Conservation Biology
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