2011–2012 UNIVERSITY CATALOG - Florida Institute of Technology

College of Science
Dean Hamid K. Rassoul, 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.
Elementary Science Education, M.Ed.
Environmental Education, M.S.
Interdisciplinary Science, B.S., M.S.
Mathematical Sciences, B.S.
Mathematics Education, B.S., M.S., Ed.S., Ph.D.
Middle Grades Mathematics and Science, B.S.
Operations Research, M.S., Ph.D.
Physics, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.
Science Education, B.S., M.S., Ed.S., Ph.D.
Space Sciences, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.
Teaching, M.A.T.
Undergraduate Minor Programs
Biology
Chemistry
Computational Mathematics
Education
Physics
Sustainability
Organization
Department of Biological Sciences
Department of Chemistry
Department of Mathematical Sciences
Department of Physics and Space Sciences
Department of Science and Mathematics Education
Overview
The College of Science consists of five degree-granting
departments: biological sciences, chemistry, mathematical
sciences, physics and space sciences, and science and mathematics
education. An interdisciplinary science program administered
by the physics and space sciences department 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 science education 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” 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.
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 Chemistry
Michael W. Babich, 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 in
the life sciences and physical sciences 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 and make the appropriate choice between biology and
physics. Students are urged to transfer to degree programs as early
as possible.
Degree Programs—College of Science 167