2012–2013 UNIVERSITY CATALOG - Florida Institute of Technology

OCN 5401 Principles of Physical Oceanography ..................................... 3
OCN 5990 Oceanography Seminar (each semester) ................................ 0
Elective ................................................................................... 3
Option Requirements ........................................................... 15
TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED.......................................... 30
Option Courses (15 credit hours)
OCN 5304 Coastal and Estuarine Processes ........................................... 3
Electives ................................................................................. 6
Thesis ..................................................................................... 6
Oceanography – Physical Oceanography, M.S. _______
major Code: 8083 Degree awarded: Master of Science
age restriction: N admission status: graduate
Delivery mode/s: classroom only Location/s: main campus
admission materials: 3 letters of
recommendation, résumé, objectives, GRE
Program Chair
John G. Windsor Jr., Ph.D.
The master of science degree can be earned in one of five options:
biological, chemical, geological or physical oceanography, or coastal
zone management. The successful student is well prepared for a challenging
professional career or for continuing with graduate studies.
Admission Requirements
General admission requirements and the process for applying are
presented in the Academic Overview section.
Students may be admitted during any semester, but for optimal scheduling,
the fall term is recommended. Students with deficiencies in
their undergraduate preparation (up to 12 credit hours) may take deficiencies
and courses for graduate credit concurrently. GRE General
Test scores and a statement of objectives are required and should be
sent to the Office of Graduate Admissions. Although not required for
admission, an on-campus interview is highly recommended.
The applicant should have an undergraduate major in physics,
mathematics, physical science or engineering. The background
should include computer science, at least one year of chemistry,
mathematics through differential equations, statistics, thermodynamics
and fluid mechanics.
Degree Requirements
The Master of Science in Oceanography – Physical Oceanography
is conferred on students who have successfully completed a minimum
of 30 credit hours (including thesis) of required and elective
coursework. The nonthesis track requires a minimum of 33 credit
hours and a final program examination.
Curriculum
To earn the master of science degree, the student must complete
the following courses or their equivalents. Equivalent coursework
can be substituted for required courses as recommended by the
student’s adviser and program chair. Representative electives for
each option are available from advisers. At least six credit hours of
thesis or internship is required, and an additional three credit hours
can be granted in place of the three credit hours of elective, subject
to approval by the program chair. Thesis or internship registration
must be continuous from the initial registration until graduation.
OCN 5101 Principles of Biological Oceanography ................................... 3
OCN 5210 Marine and Environmental Chemistry .................................. 3
OCN 5301 Principles of Geological Oceanography.................................. 3
OCN 5401 Principles of Physical Oceanography ..................................... 3
OCN 5990 Oceanography Seminar (each semester) ................................ 0
Elective ................................................................................... 3
Option Requirements ........................................................... 15
TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED.......................................... 30
Option Courses (15 credit hours)
OCN 5403 Ocean Wave Theory ............................................................... 3
OCN 5405 Dynamic Oceanography ......................................................... 3
OCN 5409 Geophysical Fluid Dynamics ................................................. 3
Thesis ..................................................................................... 6
Environmental Science, Ph.D. __________________
major Code: 9128 Degree awarded: Doctor of Philosophy
age restriction: N admission status: graduate
Delivery mode/s: classroom only Location/s: main campus
admission materials: 3 letters of
recommendation, résumé, objectives, GRE
Admission Requirements
An applicant for the doctoral program in environmental science
must have a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited
institution in environmental science, biology, chemistry or other
appropriate science curriculum. In some cases, certain undergraduate
courses must be taken to remediate areas of deficiency before a
student can start the doctoral program.
For admission, a student should have a superior academic record
and at least three letters of recommendation, including one from
the master’s degree thesis adviser. Preference will be given to students
with high scores on the Graduate Record Examination.
Included with the application should be a short but clear statement
of the interest and objectives of the applicant. Although not absolutely
required, an on-campus interview is highly recommended.
General admission requirements and the process for applying are
presented in the Academic Overview section.
Degree Requirements
The doctoral degree is primarily a research degree and is conferred
in part in recognition of research accomplishments. Each student
must complete an approved program of coursework; pass the
comprehensive examinations; write an acceptable research proposal
and petition for admission to candidacy; complete a program
of significant original research; prepare and defend a dissertation
concerning the research; and present a seminar on the research.
Each candidate is expected to publish a major portion of the dissertation
in refereed national or international journals. A minimum
of 24 credit hours of coursework and 24 credit hours of dissertation
beyond a master’s degree are required.
General degree requirements are presented in the Academic
Overview section of this catalog and on the Florida Tech graduate
programs Web site.
Curriculum
A program of study must be approved by the student’s adviser and
the program chair. A wide degree of latitude is allowed in course
selection and research interest within the capabilities of the university
and the student’s academic background.
Before admission to doctoral candidacy, the student may be
required to demonstrate proficiency in a computer language or a
reading 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.
After admission to doctoral candidacy, a yearly seminar demonstrating
progress must be presented to the graduate faculty.
Degree Programs—College of Engineering 137