Florida Institute of Technology
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Programs offered at our Main Campus
Reach your full academic and professional potential at Florida Tech. Our high-tech, high energy environment allows graduate students close interaction with faculty on exciting and innovative research projects through the College of Engineering, College of Science, College of Aeronautics, College of Business, and College of Psychology and Liberal Arts.
In addition to our on-campus programs, Florida Tech also offers master's degree and graduate certificate programs through Extended Studies at 10 U.S. sites in five states, including a well-established distance learning program provided through the Virtual Campus.
Master of Science in Oceanography – Biological Oceanography Option
Admission Requirements
General Admission requirements and the process for applying are presented in the Academic Overview section of the university catalog.
Students may be admitted during any semester, but for optimal scheduling, the fall term is recommended. Students with deficiencies in their undergraduate preparation (up to 12 credit hours) may take deficiencies and courses for graduate credit concurrently. Graduate Record Examination General Test scores and a statement of objectives are required and should be sent to the Office of Graduate Admissions. Although not required for admission, an on-campus interview is highly recommended.
The applicant should have an undergraduate major in one of the physical or life sciences with a background that includes computer science, mathematics through calculus and at least one year each of college biology, chemistry and physics. The biological background should include invertebrate zoology.
Degree Requirements
The Master of Science in Oceanography is conferred on students who have successfully completed a minimum of 30 credit hours (including thesis, if required) of required and elective course work.
Curriculum
To earn the master of science degree, the student must complete the following courses or their equivalents. Equivalent course work can be substituted for required courses as recommended by the student’s adviser and program chair. Representative electives for each option are available from advisers. At least six credit hours of thesis or internship is required, and an additional three credit hours can be granted in place of the three credit hours of elective, subject to approval by the program chair. Thesis or internship registration must be continuous from the initial registration until graduation.
| CREDITS | ||
| OCN 5101 | Principles of Biological Oceanography | 3 |
| OCN 5210 | Marine and Environmental Chemistry | 3 |
| OCN 5301 | Principles of Geological Oceanography | 3 |
| OCN 5401 | Principles of Physical Oceanography | 3 |
| OCN 5990 | Oceanography Seminar (each semester) | 0 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Option Requirements | 15 | |
| TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED | 30 | |
Option Courses (15 credit hours)
| CREDITS | ||
| OCN 5709 | Numerical Analysis of Biological Data | 3 |
| Two of the following three courses: | 6 | |
| OCN 5102 | Marine Phytoplankton | |
| OCN 5103 | Marine Zooplankton | |
| OCN 5104 | Marine Benthos | |
| Thesis | 6 | |