2013–2014 UNIVERSITY CATALOG - Florida Institute of Technology

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND
INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES
Laszlo A. Baksay, Ph.D., Head
Degree Programs
Computer Education, M.S.
Elementary Science Education, M.Ed.
Environmental Education, M.S.
Interdisciplinary Science, B.S., M.S.
Aeronautics, B.S.
Military Science, B.S.
Master of Education, M.Ed.
Mathematics Education, M.S., Ed.S., Ph.D.
Science Education, M.S.
Informal Science Education, M.S.
Science Education, Ed.S., Ph.D.
Teaching, M.A.T.
Graduate Certificate—Teaching
Undergraduate Minor Programs
Athletics Coaching
Athletics Coaching Certification
Education
Sustainability
Professors
Laszlo A. Baksay, Ph.D., experimental high-energy particle and nuclear
physics at CERN and Brookhaven National Laboratory, detector
development, magnetic levitation space-launch assist, UNESCO satellite
project, international physics education.
Kenyon C. Lindeman, Ph.D., sustainable coastal policy and climate
adaptation, reef fishery, applied sustainability management and education.
Visiting Professor
Kastro Hamed, Ph.D., STEM teaching and learning.
Associate Professor
Thomas J. Marcinkowski, Ph.D., environmental education, curriculum and
instruction, research and evaluation design.
Instructor
Joseph Laub, M.S.
Professors Emeriti
Richard E. Enstice, Ph.D.; Robert H. Fronk, Ph.D.; Robert F. Richmond, Ed.S.
Teacher Preparation Programs
Florida Tech has partnered with Brevard Public Schools (BPS) to
implement a new teacher preparation program based on the national
UTeach model. One of only three universities in the state of Florida
offering UTeach teacher preparation courses, students enrolled in
UTeach at Florida Tech can earn a science, mathematics, engineering,
technology, computer science or interdisciplinary science degree and
become eligible for secondary teacher certification upon graduation.
The UTeach program is nationally recognized for its success at training
highly qualified teachers and successfully placing them in schools
around the country.
The department offers the ability for interested students to apply for
teacher certification upon graduation so they may go into schools
qualified and well prepared.
The goal of the UTeach teacher preparation program is to increase the
quantity and quality of science, technology, engineering and mathematics
(STEM) teachers in United States schools. UTeach responds
to the shortage of such teachers on local, state and national levels.
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS
Interdisciplinary Science, B.S. __________________
Major Code: 7035 Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science
Age Restriction: N Admission status: undergraduate
Delivery Mode/s: classroom only Location/s: main campus
Program Chair
Laszlo Baksay, Ph.D.
Because of the increasing importance of science and technology in
our daily lives, Florida Tech has recognized the need for an interdisciplinary
program in the sciences that allows a student to enroll in
a wide variety of science and engineering courses, supplemented by
certain core courses and carefully chosen electives. The most important
characteristics of this degree are it is flexible, tailored to the
individual student’s needs and emphasizes broad training in science.
The graduate will have a well-rounded expertise in science and its
place in society, and will have acquired specific tools for his or her
career. Because of the freedom to customize the program, most students
graduate with one or more minors in addition to the bachelor’s
degree in interdisciplinary science.
The bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary science is intended for
students who plan graduate study in professional fields, those who
are interested in a broad-based degree oriented toward the sciences
or engineering, former science and engineering students who want a
degree with wider scope and students seeking military careers.
Graduates normally seek employment opportunities in aerospace,
environmental science and managing the environment, medicine and
health technology, personnel administration, purchasing, development,
management, the military, social work or marketing; in general, a wide
variety of positions requiring an interdisciplinary background, as well as
opportunities for advanced study, especially in the professional fields.
Because of the great flexibility of the interdisciplinary science program,
it is important that a student plan his or her program with an
advisor as soon as possible. The student’s capstone committee will
be composed of those faculty deemed most appropriate to the student’s
goals and objectives. A committee normally consists of three
members, including the advisor.
The basic requirements of the degree are given below, followed by a
sample four-year program. The interdisciplinary science courses are
chosen by the student to conform to his or her program plan. These
courses must have the approval of the student’s advisor. Each fouryear
program is tailored to the student’s specific needs and developed
during the first semester. If the objectives change, modifications of
the plan of study will be allowed if approved by the student’s advisor.
During the final semester, as part of the capstone experience, the
student is required to write and present a paper.
Degree Requirements
General (1 credit hour)
ASC 1000 University Experience (transfer students may substitute
one credit of interdisciplinary science)
Communication (9 credit hours)
COM 1101 Composition and Rhetoric
COM 1102 Writing about Literature
COM 2223 Scientific and Technical Communication or
COM 2370 Speech
2013–2014 Degree Programs—College of Science 199