2013–2014 UNIVERSITY CATALOG - Florida Institute of Technology

College of Science
Dean Hamid K. Rassoul, Ph.D.
Associate Dean
Michael S. Grace, Ph.D.
Degree Programs
Applied Mathematics, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.
Biochemistry, B.S., M.S.
Biological Sciences, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.
Biomathematics, B.S.
Chemistry, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.
Computer Education, M.S.
Conservation Technology, M.S.
Elementary Science Education, M.Ed.
Environmental Education, M.S.
Interdisciplinary Science, B.S., M.S.
Master of Education, M.Ed.
Mathematical Sciences, B.S.
Mathematics Education, M.S., Ed.S., Ph.D.
Operations Research, M.S., Ph.D.
Physics, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.
Science Education, M.S., Ed.S., Ph.D.
Space Sciences, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.
Teaching, M.A.T.
Undergraduate Minor Programs
Athletics Coaching
Biology
Chemistry
Computational Mathematics
Education
Physics
Sustainability
Organization
Department of Biological Sciences
Department of Chemistry
Department of Education and Interdisciplinary Studies
Department of Mathematical Sciences
Department of Physics and Space Sciences
Overview
The College of Science consists of five degree-granting departments:
biological sciences, chemistry, education and interdisciplinary studies,
mathematical sciences, and physics and space sciences. The
interdisciplinary science program allows students to enroll in a wide
variety of science and engineering courses, supplemented by certain
core courses and several carefully chosen humanities electives. An
undergraduate program in biochemistry is administered jointly by
the biological sciences and chemistry departments. In addition, a
graduate-only program in computer education is offered by the education
and interdisciplinary studies department in cooperation with
the computer science program in the College of Engineering; and a
graduate-only program in operations research is offered by the mathematical
sciences department.
A student who wishes to postpone the selection of a major can enroll
for up to two semesters under either a “General Science” (see this
section) or “General Studies” (see College of Psychology and Liberal
Arts section) curriculum. These curricula are designed to be somewhat
less intense than the normal freshman curriculum to allow students
more time for acclimation to college life.
180 Florida Tech 2013–2014
The normal course load taken by students in the College of Science
is 16 or 17 credit hours. Students can 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 to nine or more semesters. A student registered for 12 or more
credit hours is considered full time. Students with cumulative GPAs
below 2.0 are not allowed to register for more than 15 credit hours
in a semester.
Fast Track Master’s Program for College of Science
Honors Students
This program allows undergraduate students with the honor student
profile (i.e., high school GPA of 4.0, SAT score of at least 1300 and a
class rank in the top five percent) to complete a master’s degree from
any department within the College of Science 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 the dean’s office or the
department heads in the College of Science for more information
about this program.
Cooperative Education
Students in some curricula in the College of Science are encouraged
to participate in the cooperative education program, although the
availability of co-op employment opportunities varies considerably
from field to field. By alternating periods of work experience in their
chosen fields with academic semesters spent on campus as full-time
students, participants in this program are able to earn funds needed
to further their education while gaining valuable practical experience
and a knowledge base that is useful in better defining career goals. The
length of time needed to earn the degree is extended by an amount
comparable to the number of semesters spent away from the campus.
Students in this program should pay special attention to scheduling
their courses well in advance to avoid conflicts between off-campus
periods and the semesters when required courses are offered.
Admission
General admission regulations and the process for applying are presented
in the Academic Overview section.
NONDEGREE PROGRAM
General Science ___________________________
Department of Education and Interdisciplinary Studies
Laszlo A. Baksay, Ph.D., Head
Students who wish to postpone the selection of a major may enroll
for up to one year as a general science student, following the curriculum
described below. This curriculum is designed to allow students
more time to become familiar with programs offered by the College
of Science. Students may need to make up some credit hours later
on (eight or fewer in most cases), if they follow the general science
curriculum. Students are urged to transfer to degree programs as
early as possible.