Detailed Information
Programs of Study
The Florida Institute of Technology Department of Marine and Environmental Systems offers graduate courses and research opportunities that lead to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in ocean engineering. The ocean engineering degree offers specialization in coastal processes, coastal engineering, hydrographic engineering, marine vehicles and ocean systems, materials and structures, naval architecture, and underwater technology. The Department also offers graduate programs in oceanography, with options in chemical, biological, physical, and geological oceanography; and in coastal zone management. The master’s degree in oceanography is offered in thesis and nonthesis options.
Research Facilities
Florida Institute of Technology is conveniently located on the Atlantic coast in central Florida and has marine laboratories and field research sites both on the Indian River Lagoon and at an oceanfront marine research facility. The Evinrude Marine Operations Center, just 5 minutes from campus, houses a fleet of small outboard-powered craft and medium-sized work boats. These boats are available to students and faculty members for teaching and research in the freshwater tributaries and the Indian River Lagoon.
The university regularly charters UNOLS vessels for offshore teaching and research.
Florida Tech’s oceanfront marine research facility, the Vero Beach Marine Laboratory, located just 40 minutes from campus, provides facilities that include flowing seawater from the Atlantic Ocean and supports research in such areas as aquaculture, biofouling, and corrosion.
On campus, Departmental teaching and research facilities include a computer-aided design center and graduate research computer facilities for design, data analysis, numerical modeling, and other teaching and research activities. The ocean engineering program provides facilities for structural and pressure testing and a laboratory for biofouling and corrosion research. The marine geology laboratory provides facilities for core boring and sediment analysis, beach and hydrographic surveying, and oceanographic instrumentation for coastal research activities. In the past few years, developments in the coastal engineering area include a wave channel and an ROV construction and test facility. Separate laboratories are available for biological, chemical, physical, geological, and instrumentation investigations. In addition, high-pressure, hydroacoustics, fluid dynamics, and optical facilities are available in the Department. An electron microscope is also available for research work.
About 1 hour from campus is the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute of Florida Atlantic University; scientists and engineers there pursue their own research and development activities and interact with Florida Tech’s students and faculty members on projects of mutual interest. Graduate students, especially those having an interest in submersibles, exploratory equipment, and instrumentation, frequently have the opportunity to conduct research with the HBOI staff and to utilize facilities at the institution.
Financial Aid
Graduate teaching and research assistantships and endowed fellowships are available to qualified students. Typical stipends range from $13,000 upward for twelve months for approximately half-time duties; most assistantships include tuition.
Cost of Study
For 2009–10, tuition is $1015 per semester credit hour. Tuition is paid for some graduate students.
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
The College of Engineering has 450 graduate students. The Department of Marine and Environmental Systems has 250 students of which one third are graduate students.
Student Outcomes
Graduates of the Ocean Engineering Program are employed by such facilities as the Naval Sea Systems Command, the Naval Surface Warfare Center, the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, the Naval Research Lab, Newport News Shipbuilding, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the American Bureau of Shipping, Digicon, LCT, NOAA, Autec, Tracor Marine, G. M. Selby & Associates, the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Coast Guard, Quantic Engineering & Logistics, Underwater Engineering Services, Biospherical Instruments Inc., Oceaneering International Inc., and EG&G.
Location
The campus is located in Melbourne, on Florida’s east coast. The area, located 4 miles from Atlantic Ocean beaches, has a year-round subtropical climate. The area’s economy is supported by a well-balanced mix of industries in electronics, aviation, light manufacturing, optics, maritime communications, agriculture, meteorology, and tourism. Many industries support activities at the Kennedy Space Center.
The Institute
Florida Institute of Technology is a distinctive, independent university founded in 1958 by a group of scientists and engineers to fulfill a need for specialized advanced educational opportunities on the Space Coast of Florida. Florida Tech is the only independent technological university in the Southeast. Supported by both industry and the community, Florida Tech is the recipient of many research grants and contracts, a number of which provide financial support for graduate students.
Applying
Forms and instructions for applying for admission and assistantships are sent on request. Admission is possible at the beginning of any semester, but admission in the fall semester is recommended. It is advantageous to apply early.
The Faculty and Their Research
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Lee Harris, Associate Professor and Acting Program Chair; Ph.D., Florida; PE. Coastal engineering, coastal structures, hydrographic surveying, beach erosion and control, physical oceanography, ports, harbors, marinas.
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Steven M. Jachee, Assistant Professor; Ph.D., Stanford; PE. Environmental fluid mechanics, coastal engineering, turbulence modeling.
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Prasanta Sahoo, Associate Professor; Ph.D., Rostock (Germany). Hydrodynamics, numerical modeling of hull designs, naval architecture.
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Geoffrey W. J. Swain, Professor; Ph.D., Southampton. Materials corrosion, biofouling, offshore technology, ship operations.
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Stephen L. Wood, Assistant Professor; Ph.D., Oregon State; PE. Design of underwater vehicles, robotic systems development, navigation and control.
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Andrew Zborowski, Professor and Chair (Emeritus); Ph.D., Gdansk (Poland). Ship hydrodynamics, marine structures, ship model tank studies, ship propulsion, dynamics of marine vehicles, high-speed craft design.
- Adjunct Faculty
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A. M. Clark, Ph.D.; CSnetNTL.com.
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D. P. Reichard, Ph.D.; Structural Composites, Inc.
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Eric D. Thosteson, Assistant Professor; Ph.D., Florida; PE. Coastal and nearshore engineering.
Correspondence and Information
Florida Institute of Technology
Dr. George A. Maul, Department Head
Ocean Engineering Program
Melbourne, Florida 32901-6975
Telephone:
321-674-8096
Fax:
321-674-7212
Email:
dmes@fit.edu
Florida Institute of Technology
Graduate Admissions Office
Melbourne, Florida 32901-6988
Telephone:
321-674-8027
800-944-4348 (toll-free)
Fax:
321-723-9468
Email:
grad-admissions@fit.edu
