2013–2014 UNIVERSITY CATALOG - Florida Institute of Technology

SARA 0.9-m Telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory and 0.6-m
Telescope at Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory: Florida Tech
is the administrative institution for the Southeastern Association for
Research in Astronomy (SARA). See “Research” in the Institution
Overview section for more information.
Geospace Physics Laboratory (GPL): This facility is a collection of
four major laboratories that host all of Florida Tech’s space physicists,
planetary scientists and their students’ research projects. These labs
are outlined below (GPL–A-D). In a joint operation with UCLA of
California, Florida Tech is hosting a 10-site meridional array of magnetometers
along the east coast of the United States (the MEASURE
array) from Florida to southern Canada. The array observations, and
particle and field measurements from various satellites are used for
studying the geospace environment during magnetic storms and substorms.
We also have joint operational custody (with the University
of Florida) of the International Center for Lightning Research and
Testing (ICLRT) that is located at Camp Blanding Army National
Guard Base near Starke, Florida, where airspace can be controlled
for rocket-triggering.
Lightning and Instrument Development Laboratory (GPL-A): A
series of recent theoretical breakthroughs and experimental detector
development by our team working at both this lab and the ICLRT
has led to the discovery of x-ray emission from lightning and its possible
central role in understanding the lightning plasma processes.
Exploring the implications of this discovery is one of the main goals of
this research lab. At the ICLRT, lightning is artificially triggered using
small rockets trailing wires; in effect telling the lightning when and
where to strike. This allows detailed observation and theoretical investigations
to help us better understand how terrestrial (and planetary)
lightning works and how to better protect lightning-vulnerable assets.
Cosmic Rays and Space Weather Laboratory (GPL-B): This lab uses
a network of workstations to study the energetic particle environment
in the solar system. Some of the particles are cosmic rays from the
galaxy, while some are produced by the sun during solar flares. By
studying these particles, we try to understand the energetic phenomena
in the galaxy or on the sun that affect the radiation environment at
Earth. Gaining such understanding is one of our main goals to protect
astronauts working in space and the electronic components on satellites.
In addition, analysis of the COSPIN experiment on Ulysses and
several other spacecraft datasets (Wind, SOHO, SAMPEX, ACE and
RHESSI) in support of investigating the energetic particles environment
with the solar system are conducted in this lab.
Visualization and MHD Simulation Laboratory (GPL-C): This
lab has state-of-the-art 3D visualization systems, video-processing
workstations and shared memory multiprocessor systems for use in
research and in the classroom. The systems use active and passive 3D
displays to illustrate a variety of 3-dimensional topics. Some of the
projects being pursued include classroom visuals such as 3D rendering
of the Solar System, our Galaxy, and the Earth–Moon–Sun system.
Scientific research in MHD modeling of space weather simulations
is also conducted using 3D rendering as an analysis tool for studying
the near-Earth space environment. Researchers are also investigating
some cognitive science topics related to how the brain processes
3D imagery and how this may affect educational techniques in the
physical sciences.
Space Exploration Research Laboratory (GPL-D): This lab supports
a research program focused on enabling sustained human space
exploration and on the origin, distribution and future of life in the universe.
The lab includes imaging systems, optics, calibration and test
equipment, a large clean room, and other hardware used to support
the development of space instrumentation. It has a high-performance
computing system for modeling and simulation, and a ground control
system to receive data and send commands to the International Space
Station. Some of the labs activities are housed in the new Space Life
Sciences Laboratory at the Kennedy Space Center, where atomic force
and laser confocal fluorescence microscopes optimized for bioimaging,
small-animal research hardware, and other equipment supports
research into the hazards associated with long-term human exposure
to the space environment, such as radiation damage, loss of bone
mass, muscle atrophy and cardiovascular de-conditioning.
Teaching and Research Assistantships
The department offers a number of teaching and research assistantships
each year. Teaching assistants participate in laboratory instruction
and/or assisting faculty in the preparation of teaching materials and
grading. Research assistants work on research projects that are often
related to their own master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation investigations.
Both types of assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis,
and provide graduate course fee remission and a stipend for living
expenses. To increase the probability of receiving an assistantship,
applicants are advised to apply as early as possible in the academic
year prior to requested admission.
2013–2014 Degree Programs—College of Science 223