2013–2014 UNIVERSITY CATALOG - Florida Institute of Technology

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 advisor. 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
website.
Curriculum
A program of study must be approved by the student’s advisor 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.
Ocean Engineering, Ph.D. _____________________
Major Code: 9084 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
Admission to doctoral study is granted to a limited number of applicants,
and normally requires a master’s degree, with a GPA of at least
3.3 out of 4.0, in a program that provides suitable preparation for
doctoral-level studies in ocean engineering. Applicants must submit
GRE General Test Scores for evaluation.
General admission requirements and the process for applying are
presented in the Academic Overview section.
Degree Requirements
The doctor of philosophy degree is awarded in recognition of scientific
accomplishment and the ability to investigate scientific problems
independently. The program consists of advanced studies to prepare
the student for engineering research, and completion of a research
project that leads to a significant contribution to the knowledge of
a particular problem. Each student must pass the preliminary written
examination, complete an approved program of study, pass the
comprehensive written and oral examinations, complete a program of
significant research, publish the results of the research, and prepare
and defend a dissertation concerning the research.
General degree requirements are presented in the Academic Overview
section.
Coursework and Dissertation Summary
Doctoral coursework minimum credit hours
beyond the master’s degree ........................................................................ 24
Doctoral dissertation minimum credit hours ............................................. 24
MINIMUM CREDITS BEYOND MASTER’S DEGREE ........................ 48
Courses must be taken in several areas to assure that all graduates
of the doctoral program possess the breadth of knowledge necessary
to work in the field of ocean engineering. A minimum of nine credit
hours of coursework must be taken in mathematics and computer
science, and 21 credit hours must be taken in engineering, as part
of the student’s graduate coursework (including master’s courses). A
minimum of 15 credit hours of coursework must be directly related
to the dissertation research.
The dissertation research is normally conducted on a topic related
to current faculty research. The ocean engineering program faculty
currently have research interests in coastal engineering, corrosion,
naval architecture, submersibles, ocean systems and instrumentation.
After admission to doctoral candidacy, a yearly seminar demonstrating
progress must be presented to the graduate faculty.
Oceanography, Ph.D. ________________________
Major Code: 9081 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
The doctor of philosophy degree is offered to students who want to
carry out advanced research in an area of existing faculty expertise.
The doctoral degree is granted in recognition of high achievement in
a program of study, required examinations and original research in the
2013–2014 Degree Programs—College of Engineering 137