2008–2009 - Florida Institute of Technology

Because of the great flexibility of the interdisciplinary science
program, it is important that a student plan his or her program
with an adviser as soon as possible. The adviser will be one of
the department heads in the College of Science (listed above),
the College of Psychology and Liberal Arts, or another faculty
member designated by them. The student’s committee will
be composed of those faculty deemed most appropriate to the
student’s goals and objectives. A committee normally consists of
three members, including the adviser.
The basic requirements of the degree are given below, followed
by a sample four-year program. The interdisciplinary science
courses are chosen by the student to conform to his or her program
plan. These courses must have the approval of the student’s
adviser and committee, as well as the program chair. Students
should start with a firm idea about the purpose of their degree
and plan the program accordingly. The adviser will present some
explicit four-year programs and suggest ideas about what courses
are available, but each four-year program is tailored to specific
needs, and therefore must be developed jointly by the student and
adviser. Before enrolling for more than 30 credit hours, the student
is required to file a detailed plan of study. The plan must list
the courses the student wishes to take, and explain why this set
of courses fulfills his or her objectives. If the objectives change,
modifications of the plan of study will be allowed if approved by
the student’s committee. During the final semester, as part of the
capstone experience, the student is required to write and orally
present a paper.
Degree Requirements
Communication (9 credit hours)
COM 1101 Composition and Rhetoric
COM 1102 Writing about Literature
COM 2223 Scientific and Technical Communication
Computer Science (3 credit hours)
CSE 1502 Introduction to Software Development/C++
or
CSE 1503 Introduction to Software Development/FORTRAN
Humanities (12 credit hours)
HUM 2051 Civilization 1
HUM 2052 Civilization 2
HUM 3351 History of Science and Technology 1
HUM 3352 History of Science and Technology 2
Mathematics (8 credit hours)
MTH 1001 Calculus 1
MTH 1002 Calculus 2
Interdisciplinary Science (44 credit hours)
(at least 21 credit hours must be 3000/4000-level science courses)
Liberal Arts Electives (12 credit hours)
(at least 6 credit hours must be 3000/4000-level courses, and at least 3
credit hours must be in the social sciences)
Physical or Life Science Electives (8 credit hours)
Technical Electives (Science or Engineering) (22 credit hours)
(at least 3 credit hours must be 3000/4000-level courses)
Free Electives (6 credit hours)
Capstone Seminar (1 credit hour)
(must follow at least 37 credit hours of 3000- or 4000-level courses)
136 Florida Tech
Curriculum
The interdisciplinary science curriculum is extremely flexible
since many students enter this major after several semesters at
Florida Tech. Although program plans are typically designed on
a student-by-student basis to meet individual needs and interests
while fulfilling all degree requirements listed above, the following
provides a general model that is followed by many students.
Freshman Year
FALL CREDITS
ASC 1000 University Experience ..........................................................1
COM 1101 Composition and Rhetoric ...................................................3
MTH 1001 Calculus 1 ............................................................................4
Physical/Life Science Elective .............................................4
Technical Elective ................................................................4
16
SPRING
COM 1102 Writing about Literature ......................................................3
MTH 1002 Calculus 2 ............................................................................4
Physical/Life Science Electives ............................................4
Technical Elective ................................................................4
15
Sophomore Year
FALL CREDITS
COM 2223 Scientific and Technical Communication ............................3
HUM 2051 Civilization 1 ........................................................................3
Interdisciplinary Science Courses ........................................7
Technical Elective ................................................................3
16
SPRING
HUM 2052 Civilization 2 ........................................................................3
Interdisciplinary Science Course .........................................3
Restricted Elective (CSE 15xx) ............................................3
Technical Electives ..............................................................8
17
Junior Year
FALL CREDITS
HUM 3351 History of Science and Technology 1 ...................................3
Interdisciplinary Science Courses ........................................7
Liberal Arts Elective .............................................................3
Technical Elective ................................................................3
16
SPRING
HUM 3352 History of Science and Technology 2 ...................................3
Interdisciplinary Science Courses ........................................9
Liberal Arts Elective .............................................................3
15
Senior Year
FALL CREDITS
Interdisciplinary Science Courses ........................................9
Free Elective ........................................................................3
Liberal Arts Elective .............................................................3
15
SPRING
EDS 4900 Capstone Seminar ................................................................1
Interdisciplinary Science Courses ........................................9
Free Elective ........................................................................3
Liberal Arts Elective .............................................................3
16
TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED ......................................126
Military Science Option
The military science option prepares Florida Tech ROTC cadets
to serve as commissioned officers in the United States Army,
Army Reserve and Army National Guard. Technical, scientific
and military studies are incorporated into the curriculum with
emphasis on applied leadership and problem solving skills.
Current freshmen and sophomores with no prior military service