2012–2013 UNIVERSITY CATALOG - Florida Institute of Technology

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The department of marine and environmental systems occupies the
first and second floors of the Link Building with laboratory, lecture,
computer facilities and office space, with additional space in the
Frueauff Building and the Surf Mechanics Laboratory.
Research activities in the department are diverse and vary with
increased knowledge from current research, changes in demands
in the research community and new developments in experimental
procedures and instrumentation. Separate laboratories exist for
biological, chemical, physical and geological oceanography, and
instrumentation investigations.
Environmental Sciences
The environmental sciences program offers specialized facilities for
instruction and research. The Marine and Environmental Chemistry
Laboratory is equipped with standard water and wastewater sampling
and analysis equipment. In addition, analytical instruments
provided for advanced study include a total organic carbon analyzer,
atomic absorption spectrophotometers and scintillation counters.
Florida Tech maintains a variety of small and large boats for fieldwork.
Analytical capabilities are extended by means of cooperative
projects with the departments of biological sciences and chemistry.
Faculty and graduate students are actively engaged in a variety of
environmental research projects, including effects of agricultural
and urban stormwater runoff on river and estuarine water quality,
measurement of quantities and quality of groundwater seepage in
Florida lakes, dissolved oxygen budgets in aquatic systems, trace
metal contamination of natural waters and sediments, acid deposition,
lake trophic state classifications, trace organic contamination
in coastal systems, hyperspectral remote sensing, decomposition
and sedimentation of aquatic macrophytes.
Ocean Engineering
The ocean engineering program includes facilities for traditional
design activities, several stations for computer-aided design techniques
and a reference data collection. Ocean engineering provides
facilities for structural testing and pressure testing and a Surf
Mechanics Laboratory. The materials and corrosion laboratory
specializes in design and testing of materials (concrete, composites
and plastics) for marine applications.
Research interests of the faculty center on coastal engineering,
corrosion and materials, ocean mineral exploitation, waste disposal,
naval architecture and shipbuilding (including small craft), fluid
dynamics, instrumentation engineering and development, and
marine positioning.
Ocean engineering facilities support both traditional design activities
and computer-aided design. The Underwater Technologies
Laboratory has facilities for the design and construction of
surface and underwater vehicles such as ROVs and AUVs. The
Instrumentation Laboratory is equipped with testing and calibration
equipment, machining and construction tools, and deployment
facilities.
A close relationship is maintained with the engineering division
of Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute of Florida Atlantic
University. Graduate students, especially those having interests
in submersibles, exploratory equipment and instrumentation, may
have the opportunity to conduct thesis research in conjunction with
the Harbor Branch staff and use facilities at the institution.
Ship and marine facilities provide an excellent base for research
activities involving all aspects of offshore and coastal ship operations,
structures, erosion, and environmental control applications.
The sheltered waters and geography of the Indian River Lagoon
allow excellent conditions for undertaking control and propulsion
research using large models or full-scale craft.
Oceanography
Biological oceanography: The major emphasis in this laboratory
is directed toward pelagic and benthonic investigations. Available
equipment for student and research needs include fluorometers,
collection nets, trawls, grabs, and photographic and microscopic
instruments. A controlled environmental room is operated within
this laboratory.
Chemical oceanography: This laboratory is equipped to enable
both routine and research-level analyses on open ocean and coastal
lagoonal waters. Major and minor nutrients, heavy-metal contaminants
and pollutants can be quantitatively determined. Analytical
instruments include scintillation counters, organic carbon analyzers,
fluorescence spectrometers, ultraviolet and visible light spectrophotometers,
an atomic absorption spectrometer and field measurement
equipment.
Marine geology and geophysics: This laboratory contains state of
the art equipment for the compositional and textural analysis of
sediment and water samples, including a rapid sediment analyzer
and computer-assisted sieve stations. High- and low-temperature
ovens, PC-based computer workstations and suspended sediment
filtration systems are also available. In addition, the laboratory
houses vibracore and sediment grab sampling equipment.
Physical oceanography: Supports graduate research in ocean waves,
coastal processes, tsunamis, climate change, circulation and pollutant
transport. In addition, current meters, tide and wind recorders,
salinometers, wave height gauges, a side-scan sonar, CTD system,
ADCP and other oceanographic instruments are available.
Evinrude Marine Operations Center and research vessels: This
facility houses small outboard-powered craft and medium-sized
workboats. These vessels are available to students and faculty for
teaching and research use in the freshwater tributaries and the
lagoon. Chartered research vessels are the focal point of research
in the Indian River Lagoon and coastal areas, as well as teaching in
oceanography and marine meteorology.
Vero Beach Marine Laboratory: An oceanfront marine research
facility, owned and operated by Florida Tech and located in Vero
Beach, just 40 minutes from campus. Laboratory and office space
total approximately 4,500 square feet. Flowing seawater allows
research in such areas as aquaculture, biofouling and corrosion. See
the Academic Overview section.
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute of Florida Atlantic
University (HBOI): The department maintains a close working
relationship with HBOI, located about an hour from campus
between Vero Beach and Fort Pierce. Scientists and engineers from
HBOI interact with Florida Tech’s students and faculty, and make
their facilities and expertise available in directing student research.
Surf Mechanics Laboratory: The wave channel in the laboratory
supports teaching and research in wave mechanics, marine hydrodynamics,
ocean instrumentation, and coastal processes.
Degree Programs—College of Engineering 139