2013–2014 UNIVERSITY CATALOG - Florida Institute of Technology

Additional transfer credits, such as dynamics or calculus-based
electric circuit theory for engineering majors, or a second semester
of chemistry for oceanography, environmental science or chemical
engineering majors, could reduce the time and credit hours remaining
for graduation. Before applying for admission, community college
students are urged to contact the appropriate academic unit for assistance
in transferring to Florida Tech. The enrolled student is advised
to meet with their faculty advisor to plan their program of study for
degree completion.
Selection of a Major
A student typically selects a major at the same time the application
for admission is submitted. A faculty advisor affiliated with the major
program is assigned prior to the start of classes. A student who prefers
to postpone the selection of a major may initially enroll in the
first-year nondegree General Engineering program described in this
section. However, selection of a degree program should occur by the
start of the sophomore year.
As long as the requirements for continued enrollment (see Academic
Overview section) are met, students are permitted to remain in their
selected major. A change of major can be initiated by the student,
but is subject to the approval of the new academic department head.
Students can generally change majors between any two closely related
degree programs during the sophomore year or even during the early
part of the junior year without greatly increasing the time needed to
complete all degree requirements.
Course Loads
The normal course load taken by students in the College of Engineering
is 17 credit hours. Students may enroll for lighter loads and are strongly
encouraged to do so if difficulty is experienced in keeping up with all
coursework when a full load is attempted, even though the duration
of the program would of necessity be extended from eight semesters
to nine or more semesters.
Fast Track Master’s Program for College of Engineering
Honors Students
This program allows undergraduate students currently enrolled in the
College of Engineering to complete a master’s degree program 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 their department head for
more information about this program.
Interdisciplinary Programs
Nuclear Technology
With the current renaissance of nuclear power generation, and with
up to 47 percent of the workforce eligible to retire in the next 10
years, the nuclear power industry faces a major challenge in engineering
staffing needs to support both existing and new nuclear power
plants. The nuclear industry requires highly qualified personnel who
possess a sound and up-to-date understanding of the technical and
professional practices that govern the safe and reliable operation of
nuclear power plants and supporting facilities.
100 Florida Tech 2013–2014
The nuclear technology area of emphasis is designed to educate engineers
and scientists from a broad spectrum of disciplines offered at
Florida Tech that will be needed to construct, operate, maintain and
regulate nuclear power plants and associated facilities.
The nuclear technology emphasis allows undergraduate and graduate
engineering and science students an opportunity to gain education in
this field. Courses currently offered are listed under the MAE prefix
in the Course Descriptions section. These courses cover the physical
principles of nuclear reactors, nuclear reactor engineering, radiological
engineering and nuclear criticality and reactor safety. A course in
radiation and environmental protection is offered under the ENS prefix.
Systems Engineering
Systems engineering is defined by the International Council on
Systems Engineering (INCOSE) as “an interdisciplinary approach
and means to enable the realization of successful systems. It focuses
on defining customer needs and required functionality early in the
development cycle, documenting requirements and then proceeding
with design synthesis and system validation while considering the
complete problem.”
This area of emphasis is designed to expose Florida Tech engineering
and science students to the core aspects of systems engineering.
Students interested in this area of emphasis can select from four
courses listed under Department of Engineering Systems in this catalog.
Work Experience Education Programs
The College of Engineering offers its students opportunities to gain
valuable work experience through the Protrack cooperative education
and professional practice programs.
Protrack Cooperative Education Program
College of Engineering Protrack students can participate in up to
three cooperative education experiences within their career fields
that prepare them for full-time employment and typically higher starting
salaries after graduation. Students participating in the program
alternate semesters of academic study with 15-week full-time professional
work experiences related to their major or career interests. The
unique three-in-four curriculum structure of Protrack allows a student
to complete up to three paid cooperative education experiences and
graduate with a bachelor’s degree in four years.
The first opportunity is in the sophomore year after completion of a
course that prepares the student to succeed and get the most from
each cooperative education experience. The program entails alternating
each semester between work and study through the sophomore
and junior years. While at work, the student continues to complete
academic requirements online. The final year of academic study is
completed on campus.
Protrack puts students ahead financially both in the short- and longterm.
Cooperative education earnings serve as an additional source
of income that can be used for tuition or living expenses.
Professional Practice Programs
Students in the College of Engineering are encouraged to participate
in other professional practice opportunities offered by Florida Tech
to gain knowledge that is useful in better defining career goals. The
Office of Career Management Services allows qualified undergraduate
and graduate students an opportunity to participate in programs
to gain valuable, practical experience in a chosen field and earn some
of the funds needed to further their education. Options include fulltime
cooperative education opportunities, full-time summer internships
and part-time internships.