Oceanography, M.S.

Florida Tech offers a dynamic academic setting where oceanography students gain interdisciplinary expertise and receive personalized support.

Small class sizes foster close mentorship from faculty who are actively engaged in research, while collaborative projects with professors and peers enrich the graduate experience.

Rigorous coursework, advanced laboratory access and field-based learning prepare students to excel in competitive, real-world environments.

Our prime location on the Space Coast makes Florida Tech an ideal setting for your oceanography master’s degree.

Situated near the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River Lagoon, the most biodiverse estuary in North America, students have direct access to rich coastal and marine environments for research and fieldwork.

The university’s proximity to miles of shoreline also provides opportunities for internships and employment with government agencies, environmental consulting firms, aquaculture operations, public aquaria and private marine research organizations.

In addition, Florida Tech is positioned within one of the nation’s largest high-tech corridors, expanding opportunities for collaboration and career development.

Research is central to the M.S. in oceanography at Florida Tech.

Students work alongside faculty on pressing oceanographic challenges, from pollution and climate change to overfishing and coastal degradation, contributing to a deeper understanding of marine systems. Research spans deep-sea, coastal and estuarine environments.

Students conduct their research toward the master's in oceanography with the expectation of publishing their results in peer-reviewed journals. This focus on scientific rigor prepares graduates for impactful careers in research, academia, industry or government.

Florida Tech’s oceanography program is supported by advanced facilities designed for meaningful research and hands-on training.

Just minutes from campus, where Crane Creek meets the Indian River Lagoon, the Mertens Marine Center serves as a base for fieldwork, with on-site labs that allow samples to be processed within minutes of collection. The Ralph S. Evinrude Marine Operations Center offers direct water access and supports a wide range of research, from shallow-water studies using small boats to offshore projects via chartered vessels.

On campus, students have access to specialized laboratories in the F.W. Olin Physical Sciences and Life Sciences buildings, including the High-Resolution Microscopy and Advanced Imaging Center. The L3Harris Center for Science and Engineering houses aquaculture and marine biology labs that support small-scale experiments under controlled conditions.

Together, these resources support field-intensive research on coastal biology and ocean processes, while fostering collaboration with government agencies, nonprofits and industry partners.

Oceanography students at Florida Tech gain valuable hands-on experience through internships aligned with their area of specialization.

Opportunities span a wide range of topics, including ocean currents and waves, coastal processes, marine meteorology, hydroacoustic applications and the ecology of planktonic, nektonic and benthic organisms. Students also explore issues such as trace-metal pollution and its distribution in marine environments.

In addition to field-based internships, teaching assistantships and competitive fellowships may be awarded by the department, providing further opportunities for professional development and engagement in the academic community.

This master's-degree program is available in both thesis-based and non-thesis options.

The thesis involves the completion of original research of publishable quality. You'll develop expertise in a specialized area, giving you an edge in roles that prioritize deep knowledge and preparing you for potential doctoral studies. Additionally, working closely with faculty mentors offers personalized guidance and networking opportunities.

If you choose the nonthesis option, the final program exam demonstrates your readiness for professional challenges, ensuring you are well-prepared for careers in the field.

Applicants 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 (including invertebrate zoology), chemistry and physics.

ln special circumstances, applicants with backgrounds in other disciplines may be admitted. If your academic background is in another field, your advisor will identify any preparatory undergraduate courses that can help ensure your success before you begin the master’s program. This personalized support helps you build a strong foundation as you start your graduate studies with us.

For more information, please see our graduate admission requirements and consult the University Catalog.