Detailed Information
Programs of Study
Florida Institute of Technology offers programs of study leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in civil engineering. These programs are designed to provide opportunities for students’ development of professional engineering competence and scholarly achievement.
The Master of Science in civil engineering allows for areas of construction, environmental, geoenvironmental, geotechnical, structures, and water resources specialization. The degree is conferred upon students who have successfully completed a minimum of 30 credit hours in either a thesis or a nonthesis program consisting of required and elective course work. Students in the thesis program must successfully defend their thesis, while students in the nonthesis program are required to pass a comprehensive examination.
The Doctor of Philosophy degree program in civil engineering is offered for those students who wish to conduct advanced research in environmental/water resources and structural/geotechnical engineering. The program consists of advanced studies to prepare the student for scientific engineering research and completion of a research project that leads to a significant contribution to the knowledge of a particular problem. A minimum of 24 credit hours of course work and 24 credit hours of dissertation beyond a master’s degree are required.
Research Facilities
Laboratories for research and instructional activities are available in the areas of fluids, geomaterials, interactive graphics, materials, soils, solid waste, and water quality. Other campus laboratories may be used by students conducting graduate research. Analytical capabilities are extended by means of cooperative projects with the academic programs in biology, chemical engineering, chemistry, ocean engineering, and oceanography and with the Life Sciences Research Complex.
Financial Aid
Graduate teaching and research assistantships are available to qualified students. For the 2009–10 academic year, typical stipends range from $10,000 upward for twelve months for what are approximately half-time duties. Teaching assistants who are required to be in the thesis option are granted partial or full tuition remission.
Cost of Study
For the 2009–10 academic year, tuition is $1015 per semester credit hour for all students. Tuition is waived for some graduate assistants.
Living and Housing Costs
Room and board on campus cost approximately $4500 per semester in 2009–10. On-campus housing (dormitories and apartments) is available for full-time single and married graduate students, but priority for dormitory rooms is given to undergraduate students. Many apartment complexes and rental houses are available near the campus.
Student Group
Approximately 20 students are enrolled in graduate programs in civil engineering.
Graduates of these programs have found careers with industry, consulting engineering firms, and state, regional, and local agencies, such as water management districts and highway and environmental departments. About 25 percent of graduates have continued on to the Ph.D. degree.
Student Outcomes
Graduates of the graduate programs in civil engineering are employed by numerous counties, including Brevard, Collier, and Orange; by state agencies, such as the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Department of Transportation, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and by consulting firms, such as Agnoli, Barber & Brundage, Inc.; Bechtel; Berryman & Henigan; Camp, Dresser & McKee, Inc.; Centex-Rooney; CH2M Hill; Disney; GeoSyntec Consultants; HNTB; Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.; PBS&J; Technical Solutions; and many others. Students secure employment throughout the United States and internationally.
Location
The campus is located in Melbourne, on Florida’s east coast. It is an area, located 3 miles from Atlantic Ocean beaches, with a year-round subtropical climate. The area’s economy is supported by a well-balanced mix of industries in electronics, aviation, light manufacturing, optics, communications, agriculture, and tourism. Many industries support activities at the Kennedy Space Center.
The Institute
Florida Institute of Technology, founded in 1958, has developed into a distinctive independent university that provides undergraduate and graduate education in engineering and sciences for students from throughout the United States and many other countries. Florida Tech is supported by local industry and is the recipient of many research grants and contracts.
Applying
Applicants for graduate study in civil engineering should have an undergraduate degree in civil engineering. An applicant whose degree is in another field of engineering or in the applied sciences will be reviewed; however, undergraduate course work may be required prior to starting the Master of Science program.
Forms and instructions for applying for admission and assistantships are sent upon request. Applicants are asked to submit two letters of recommendation from academic references and a statement of purpose giving their reason for graduate study. Although the GRE is not required, it is considered for students with marginal undergraduate academic performance. International students applying for assistantships must have a TOEFL score greater than 600. International students without English proficiency and with a TOEFL score less than 550 are required to enroll in English studies before beginning their graduate studies. Separate application for an assistantship should be made on forms available from the graduate school.
The Faculty and Their Research
- Paul J. Cosentino, Professor; Ph.D., Texas A&M; PE. Pavement design and evaluation; transportation planning; containment of hazardous wastes; geotechnical engineering, with emphasis on in situ testing of soils, instrumentation evaluation of pavements, and slope stability. Current funded research projects are the application of fiber-optic sensors for traffic monitoring, the development of a fiber-optic weigh-in-motion sensor, and the use of reclaimed asphalt pavement as a highway fill material.
- Howell H. Heck, Associate Professor; Ph.D., Arkansas; PE. Solid-waste management, waste composition measurements, construction and demolition waste recycling, groundwater exchange with surface water. Current funded projects include modeling construction and demolition waste composition for the state of Florida and surface water and groundwater exchange in the Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie River.
- Edward H. Kalajian, Professor; Ph.D., Massachusetts; PE. Geotechnical engineering, foundations, stabilization of waste materials for beneficial uses. Current funded research projects are the use of reclaimed asphalt pavement as a highway material.
- Ralph V. Locurcio, Professor; Ph.D. candidate, Purdue; PE. Project management, reconstruction management, mentoring and retention of young engineers.
- Ashok Pandit, Professor; Ph.D., Clemson; PE. Groundwater hydraulics and hydrology, numerical groundwater modeling, storm water management. Current research projects are modeling of saltwater intrusion in aquifers, groundwater mounding below retention/detention basins, continuous simulation nonpoint source water quality models, BMP efficiency evaluation, and rainfall/runoff relationships.
- Jean-Paul Pinelli, Associate Professor; Ph.D., Georgia Tech; PE. Structural dynamics, earthquake, and wind engineering. Current research projects are the effect of tornadic and hurricane winds and structures, the use of energy dissipative devices to dampen vibrations, and the use of structural physical models as teaching aids.
Correspondence and Information
Florida Institute of Technology
Graduate Admissions Office
150 West University Boulevard
Melbourne, Florida 32901
Telephone:
321-674-8027
800-944-4348 (toll-free in the U.S.)
Fax:
321-723-9468
Email:
grad-admissions@fit.edu
Florida Institute of Technology
Dr. Ashok Pandit, Civil Engineering
150 West University Boulevard
Melbourne, Florida 32901
Telephone:
321-674-8048
Fax:
321-674-7565
Email:
apandit@fit.edu
