2008–2009 - Florida Institute of Technology

College of Science
Dean Gordon L. Nelson, Ph.D.
Degree Programs
Applied Mathematics, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.
Biochemistry, B.S.
Biological Sciences, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.
Chemistry, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.
Computer Education, M.S.
Elementary Science Education, M.Ed.
Environmental Education, M.S.
Interdisciplinary Science, B.S.
Mathematical Sciences, B.S.
Mathematics Education, B.S., M.S., Ed.S., Ed.D., Ph.D.
Middle Grades Mathematics and Science, B.S.
Operations Research, M.S., Ph.D.
Physics, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.
Science Education, B.S., M.S., Ed.S., Ed.D., Ph.D.
Space Sciences, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.
Teaching, M.A.T.
Undergraduate Minor Programs
Biology
Chemistry
Computational Mathematics
Education
Physics
Organization
Associate Dean
Hamid K. Rassoul, Ph.D.
Department of Biological Sciences
Department of Chemistry
Department of Mathematical Sciences
Department of Physics and Space Sciences
Department of Science and Mathematics Education
Overview
The College of Science consists of five degree-granting departments:
biological sciences, chemistry, mathematical sciences,
physics and space sciences, and science and mathematics education.
An interdisciplinary science program administered by the
physics and space sciences department allows students to enroll
in a wide variety of science and engineering courses, supplemented
by certain core courses and several carefully chosen
humanities electives. An undergraduate program in biochemistry
is administered jointly by the biological sciences and chemistry
departments. In addition, a graduate-only program in computer
education is offered by the science education department, in
cooperation with the computer science program in the College of
Engineering; and a graduate-only program in operations research
is offered by the mathematical sciences department.
A student who wishes to postpone the selection of a major can
enroll for up to two semesters under either a “General Science” or
“General Studies” (see the Nondegree Programs section) curriculum.
These curricula are designed to be somewhat less intense
than the normal freshman curriculum to allow students more
time for acclimation to college life.
The normal course load taken by students in the College of
Science is 16 or 17 credit hours. Students can enroll for lighter
loads and are strongly encouraged to do so if difficulty is experienced
in keeping up with all course work when a full load is
attempted, even though the duration of the program would, of
necessity, be extended from eight to nine or more semesters. A
student registered for 12 or more credit hours is considered full
time. Students with cumulative grade point averages below 2.0
are not allowed to register for more than 15 credit hours in a
semester.
Fast Track Master’s Program for College of Science
Honors Students
This program allows undergraduate students with the honor
student profile (i.e., high school GPA of 4.0, SAT score of at
least 1300 and a class rank in the top five percent) to complete
a master’s degree from any department within the College of
Science in one year by earning graduate-level credit hours during
their senior year, and applying up to six credit hours to both
the bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The program is available to
undergraduates who have completed a minimum of 35 credit
hours at Florida Tech with an earned GPA of at least 3.4, and
who have completed at least 95 credit hours toward their undergraduate
degree by the time the approved student begins taking
graduate-level courses. The credit hours are treated as transfer
credit (GPA does not apply) when applied toward the master’s
degree. Interested students should consult the dean’s office or the
department heads in the College of Science for more information
about this program.
Cooperative Education
Students in some curricula in the College of Science are encouraged
to participate in the cooperative education program,
although the availability of co-op employment opportunities varies
considerably from field to field. By alternating periods of work
experience in their chosen fields with academic semesters spent
on campus as full-time students, participants in this program are
able to earn funds needed to further their education while gaining
valuable practical experience and a knowledge base that is
useful in better defining career goals. The length of time needed
to earn the degree is extended by an amount comparable to the
number of semesters spent away from the campus. Students in
this program should pay special attention to scheduling their
courses well in advance to avoid conflicts between off-campus
periods and the semesters when required courses are offered.
Admission
General admission regulations and the process for applying are
presented in the Academic Overview section of this catalog.
Degree Programs—College of Science 117