At Florida Tech, the oceanography program might better be called oceanology, because of our dedication to the study of the sea in all its aspects, including oceanography, geophysics, undersea exploration, economic and governmental uses, and management.

1. OCEANOGRAPHY GRADUATE PROGRAM OVERVIEW
MASTER OF SCIENCE MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE PROGRAM M.S. CURRICULUM
To earn the master of science degree, the
The master of science degree can be earned in one of five options: biological, chemical,
Options in: student must complete the following courses
geological or physical oceanography, or coastal zone management. The successful stu- or their equivalents. Equivalent course work
Biological dent is well prepared for a challenging professional career or for continuing with graduate can be substituted for required courses as
Oceanography studies. recommended by the student’s adviser and
program chair. Representative electives for each
Chemical Oceanography ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS option are available from advisers. At least six
Coastal Zone General admission requirements and the process for applying are presented in the credits of thesis or internship is required, and
an additional three credits can be granted in
Management Graduate Information and Regulations section of the University Catalog. place of the three credits of elective, subject
Geological Students may be admitted during any semester, but for optimal scheduling, the fall term to approval by the program chair. Thesis or
internship registration must be continuous from
Oceanography is recommended. Students with deficiencies in their undergraduate preparation (up to
the initial registration until graduation.
Physical Oceanography 12 credits) may take deficiencies and courses for graduate credit concurrently. Graduate OCN 5101 Principles of Biological
Record Examination General Test scores and a statement of objectives are required and Oceanography .................................3
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY should be sent to the Office of Graduate Admissions. Although not required for admis- OCN 5210 Marine and Environmental
sion, an on-campus interview is highly recommended. Chemistry........................................3
(For related degree programs see OCN 5301 Principles of Geological
Biological Sciences, Environmental Biological: The applicant should have an undergraduate major in one of the physical or Oceanography .................................3
Science and Ocean Engineering) life sciences with a background that includes computer science, mathematics through OCN 5401 Principles of Physical
Oceanography .................................3
calculus and at least one year each of college biology, chemistry and physics. The bio- OCN 5990 Oceanography Seminar ..................0
HEAD logical background should include invertebrate zoology. Elective...............................................................3
George A. Maul, Ph.D. Chemical: The applicant’s undergraduate major should be in chemistry, mathematics, Option Requirements .......................................15
TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED 30
PROGAM CHAIR physical science or engineering. The academic background should include computer
John G. Windsor Jr., Ph.D. science, mathematics through calculus, and organic, physical and analytical chemistry. Option Courses (15 credits)
Coastal Zone Management: The applicant should have an undergraduate major in one Biological
PROFESSORS OCN 5709 Numerical Analysis of
Geoffrey W.J. Swain, Ph.D. of the natural or physical sciences or engineering with course work to include computer Biological Data ................................3
John H. Trefry, Ph.D. science, mathematics through calculus, chemistry, physics and biology or geology. Two of the following three courses ....................6
Gary A. Zarillo, Ph.D. OCN 5102 Marine Phytoplankton ..............3
Geological: The applicant should have an undergraduate major in physical or natural OCN 5103 Marine Zooplankton .................3
ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS science or engineering. The background should include computer science, mathemat- OCN 5104 Marine Benthos ........................3
Brian Howell, Ph.D. ics through calculus and at least one year each of chemistry and physics. The geological Thesis ................................................................6
Charles R. Bostater Jr., Ph.D. background should include mineralogy, petrology, sedimentation and stratigraphy. Chemical
Lee E. Harris, Ph.D., P.E. Electives .............................................................9
Physical: The applicant should have an undergraduate major in physics, mathemat- Thesis ................................................................6
ASSISTANT PROFESSORS ics, physical science or engineering. The background should include computer science,
Coastal Zone Management
Elizabeth A. Irlandi, Ph.D. at least one year of chemistry, mathematics through differential equations, statistics, OCN 5801 Coastal Systems Planning ...............3
Kevin B. Johnson, Ph.D. thermodynamics and fluid mechanics. Internship...........................................................6
Eric D. Thosteson, Ph.D. Electives .............................................................6
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Geological
The Master of Science in Oceanography is conferred on students who have successfully OCN 5304 Coastal and Estuarine Processes ....3
completed a minimum of 30 credit hours (including thesis, if required) of required and Electives .............................................................6
elective course work. Thesis ................................................................6
Physical
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY DEGREE PROGRAM OCN 5403 Ocean Wave Theory ........................3
The doctor of philosophy degree is offered to students who want to carry out advanced OCN 5405 Dynamic Oceanography ..................3
research in an area of existing faculty expertise. The doctoral degree is granted in recog- OCN 5409 Geophysical Fluid Dynamics ...........3
Thesis ................................................................6
nition of high achievement in a program of study, required examinations and original
research in the field of oceanography. Students may be admitted during any semester, PH.D. CURRICULUM
but for optimal scheduling, the fall semester is recommended. A program of study must be approved by the
student’s adviser and the program chair. A wide
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS degree of latitude is allowed in course selection
An applicant who has received a bachelor’s or master’s degree in mathematics, natural and research interest within the capability
of the university and the student’s academic
science, engineering or related fields is eligible to apply for admission to the doctoral background. A student in one of the five
program. All applicants should have a high scholastic record (minimum of 3.3 GPA based concentrations available (biological, chemical,
on a 4.0 scale), three letters of recommendation and Graduate Record Examination Gen- coastal zone management, geological and
eral Test scores. Included with the application should be a short, clear statement of the physical) must also develop a general knowledge
of the various areas of oceanography.
applicant’s interests and objectives. Although nor required for admission, an on-campus
Prior to admission to doctoral candidacy,
interview is highly recommended. the student may be required to demonstrate
General admission requirements and the process for applying are presented in the proficiency in a computer language or a reading
Graduate Information and Regulations section of the University Catalog. proficiency of scientific literature in one foreign
language. The chosen language should allow
access to important literature in the student’s
area of research. This requirement is imposed at
the discretion of the doctoral committee.
College of Engineering
After admission to doctoral candidacy, a yearly
Department of Marine and seminar demonstrating progress must be
Environmental Systems presented to the graduate faculty.
150 West University Boulevard
Melbourne, Florida 32901-6975
(321) 674-8096
www.fit.edu
GA-187-405I Degrees continued on reverse

2. Degrees continued from front
RESEARCH ACTIVITIES vessels are available to students and
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS faculty for teaching and research use
AND FACILITIES
The doctoral degree is primarily a research degree and is conferred in part in recogni- in the freshwater tributaries and the
Research activities in the department
tion of research accomplishments. Each student must complete an approved program of lagoon. The 60-foot R/V Delphinus is
are diverse and vary with increased
course work; demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language or a computer language at berthed at Port Canaveral. With her
knowledge from current research,
the discretion of the doctoral committee; pass the comprehensive examinations; write an own captain and a well-developed
changes in demands in the research
acceptable research proposal and petition for admission to candidacy; complete a pro- research program, she is the focal
community and new developments
gram of significant original research; prepare and defend a dissertation concerning the point of research in the Indian River
in experimental procedures and
research; and present a seminar on the research. Each candidate is expected to publish a Lagoon and coastal areas, as well as
instrumentation. Separate labora-
tories exist for biological, chemical, major portion of the dissertation in refereed national or international journals. A minimum teaching in oceanography.
physical, geological and instrumenta- of 24 credit hours of course work and 24 credit hours of dissertation beyond a master’s Vero Beach Marine Laboratory: An
tion investigations. degree are required. oceanfront marine research facility,
General degree requirements are presented in the Graduate Information and Regulations owned and operated by Florida Tech
Biological Oceanography: The and located in Vero Beach, just 40
major emphasis in this laboratory section of the University Catalog.
minutes from campus. Laboratory and
is directed toward pelagic and office space total approximately 4,500
benthonic investigations. Available square feet. Flowing seawater allows
equipment for student and research research in such areas as aquaculture,
needs include fluorometers, collec- biofouling and corrosion.
tion nets, trawls, grabs, and photo- Harbor Branch Oceanographic
graphic and microscopic instru- Institution (HBOI): The department
ments. A controlled environmen- maintains a close working relation-
tal room is operated within this ship with HBOI, located about an hour
laboratory. from campus between Vero Beach and
Chemical Oceanography: This Fort Pierce. Scientists and engineers
laboratory is equipped to enable from HBOI interact with Florida Tech’s
both routine and research-level students and faculty and make their
analyses on open ocean and coastal facilities and expertise available in
lagoonal waters. Major and minor directing student research.
nutrients, heavy-metal contaminants Indian River Marine Science Plat-
and pollutants can be quantitatively form: A platform has been established
determined. Analytical instruments in the Indian River Lagoon for instru-
include scintillation counters, organic mentation and research.
carbon analyzers, fluorescence Midwest Research Institute, Palm
spectrometers, ultraviolet and visible Bay Laboratories: Florida Tech coop-
light spectrophotometers, an atomic erates with MRI, Florida, in the use of
absorption spectrometer and field state-of-the-art analytical instrumenta-
measurement equipment. Equipment tion. Current areas of research at this
for investigation of physical chemis- center (eight miles south of Florida
try of seawater is also available. Tech’s main campus) include induc-
Marine Geology and Geophysics tively coupled argon plasma mass
Laboratory: This laboratory contains spectrometry (ICP/MS) and scanning
state-of-the-art equipment for the electron microscopy (SEM).
compositional and textural analysis Surf Mechanics Laboratory: A 200-
of sediment and water samples, foot glass wave channel, one of the
including a rapid sediment analyzer largest built to date, supports teaching
and computer-assisted sieve sta- and research in wave mechanics,
tions. High- and low-temperature marine hydrodynamics and coastal
ovens, PC-based computer worksta- processes.
tions and suspended sediment filtra-
tion systems are also available. In
FINANCIAL AID Florida Tech is the only comprehensive, FOR MORE INFORMATION
addition, the laboratory houses vibra-
Graduate student assistantships for independent scientific and technological To obtain more detailed information
core and sediment grab sampling
instruction and research are available university in the southeast. Supported by about this Graduate Program or to
equipment.
to well-qualified master’s and doctoral both industry and the community, Florida obtain application materials, visit
Physical Oceanography: Supports degree students. Assistantships carry Tech is the recipient of many research our home page at www.fit.edu/grad
graduate research in ocean waves, stipends plus a tuition waiver. In some grants and contracts, a number of which or the University Catalog at
coastal processes, circulation and cases, a tuition waiver alone may be provide financial support for graduate www.fit.edu/catalog, or contact:
pollutant transport. In addition, cur- awarded for a limited amount of service. students. Florida Institute of Technology
rent meters, tide and wind recorders, Assistantships for master’s degree Office of Graduate Admissions
salinometers, wave height gauges, LOCATION
students are normally for an academic 150 W. University Blvd.
a side-scan sonar, CTD system and Melbourne is located on the central east
year; assistantships for doctoral stu- Melbourne, FL 32901-6975
other oceanographic instruments are coast of Florida. The area offers a delight-
dents are renewable on a yearly basis. (321) 674-8027
available. ful year-round subtropical climate and is
(321) 723-9468/Fax
THE UNIVERSITY 10 minutes from the ocean and beaches.
Ocean Engineering: Ocean engineer- (800) 944-4348
Florida Institute of Technology is a Kennedy Space Center and the massive
ing facilities support both traditional distinctive, independent university, NASA complex are just 45 minutes north
design activities and computer-aided
founded in 1958 by a group of scien- of Melbourne. The city of Orlando, Walt
design. The Engineering Test Labora-
tists and engineers to fulfill the need Disney World, EPCOT and many other
tory has facilities for structural and
for specialized, advanced educational attractions are one hour west of Florida
pressure testing and a small wave
opportunities of Florida’s Space Coast. Tech’s main campus.
tank.
Evinrude Marine Operations Center
and Research Vessels: This facility Florida Institute of Technology is an independent university located in Melbourne, Florida. Florida Tech is accredited by
houses small outboard-powered craft the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Florida Tech admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic
origin, and does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to its programs.
and medium-sized workboats. These