Interdisciplinary Science, M.S.

One of the first programs of its kind in the country, Florida Tech’s M.S. in interdisciplinary science blends advanced scientific study with business and communication skills, giving you flexibility in both your coursework and career.

Select STEM courses and electives to deepen your technical expertise or expand your perspective, and gain hands-on experience through a thesis, internship or research project. You’ll also develop skills in business, systems engineering and cross-sector problem solving.

At Florida Tech, you can explore a wide range of cutting-edge research topics. Here, you'll find ongoing research in areas such as:

• Space systems and autonomous technologies
• Human cognition, behavior and developmental disorders
• Biomedical innovation and biomaterials
• Environmental conservation and climate studies
• Robotics, advanced manufacturing and infrastructure systems
• Energy systems and chemical processes
• Artificial intelligence
• Educational technology and science communication

Design your own path, combine disciplines, and pursue the research questions that inspire you most.

The M.S. in interdisciplinary science encourages a creative and visionary approach to research, giving you the freedom to explore new methods for solving complex problems.

Because the program is highly personalized, research topics vary quite widely, exposing students to cutting-edge ideas across many fields.

Past student research has included military leadership, advances in special education, industrial symbiosis, sustainable coastal management, community center design, aviation safety, educational technology and neurochemistry.

As a student in the M.S. in interdisciplinary science program, you’ll work closely with faculty from across Florida Tech.

Our professors are leaders in their fields, widely published and recognized for their research. Many have served as subject matter experts for major media outlets, including National Geographic, CNN, the Discovery Channel, NPR and news services worldwide, bringing real-world insight and expertise directly into the classroom and your projects.

The interdisciplinary science M.S. program offers internship or research nonthesis options, culminating in an oral or written final presentation that lets you showcase what you’ve accomplished. A thesis option is offered, as well—ideal for students interested in advanced research or preparing for doctoral study.

Internship Option (nonthesis)
Choose the internship path to gain hands-on experience in industry, business, academia, federal agencies, nonprofits or nongovernmental organizations.

Research Option (nonthesis)
The research path lets you work on projects in high-tech companies, national or international labs, or academic settings.

Thesis Option
The thesis path allows you to dive deeply into a STEM or interdisciplinary topic of your choice. You’ll work closely with a faculty advisor to define your research, conduct original work, and conclude with an oral presentation and defense of your thesis.

At Florida Tech, you’ll have access to facilities and resources that match the standards of a top science and engineering school.

The F.W. Olin Physical Sciences Center, topped by the Ortega Observatory, offers advanced labs including a geospace laboratory with a spacecraft instrumentation clean room. Next door, the F.W. Olin Engineering Complex features a multimedia auditorium and specialized labs in geomaterials, robotics and magnetic levitation.

Across from the engineering building, the F.W. Olin Life Sciences Building houses the High-Resolution Microscopy and Advanced Imaging Center, as well as labs for genetic engineering, cellular and molecular biology, and marine biology. Adjacent, the Bioengineering and Sciences Building provides over 20,000 square feet of classroom and lab space, with advanced tools such as atomic force microscopes and virtual dissection tables.

Students also benefit from the L3Harris Student Design Center, a 12,000-square-foot facility with remarkable equipment for research and design projects.

Florida Tech’s location in a high-tech corridor makes us a great place for an interdisciplinary science degree.

Our area has one of the largest high-tech workforces in the country, and that means numerous internship and employment opportunities for our students. Our 130-acre campus is in the heart of the Space Coast; NASA-Kennedy Space Center on Cape Canaveral is just north of us.

When it’s time to kick back and relax, you’re just minutes from 72 miles of beautiful beaches, a short trip away from the Florida Keys or the Orlando theme parks and minutes away from the Indian River Lagoon, the most biodiverse estuary in North America.

An applicant for admission should have an undergraduate degree in a STEM field. For more information, please see our graduate admission requirements or start your application now!