Program in Marine Biology College of Science Florida Institute of Technology

The Ecology and Marine Biology Sections of FIT's Biological Science Department Offer Master of Science and Ph.D. Degrees

The ecology and marine biology sections of the Department of Biological Sciences offer programs leading to the degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy. These programs focus on the applied and theoretical biology of the organism and its relationship to its environment. Areas of study and research include marine biology, aquaculture, conservation, climate change, community ecology and paleobiology, physiological ecology, life history analysis, taxonomy, habitat management, and population biology.

Students study the fundamental elements of marine biology, while being guided through individualized research by expert graduate faculty members. Students may choose any of five specializations for the Master of Science in the marine biology program: aquaculture, biotechnology, ecology, marine biology, and cell and molecular biology. Although the focus of the student's program and research will be on the chosen specialization, students are still encouraged to take courses outside their specialization in order to appreciate the interdisciplinary nature of marine biology, which is inherently connected with large-scale systems in the environment and the world.

The Master of Science in Marine Biology can be taken to ready a student for a career in marine biology, but more often it is used as a stepping stone for further graduate study in the topic through the Doctor of Philosophy in Marine Biology. Master's students will complete course work in the fundamentals of marine biology, as well as completing guided research towards a thesis in their chosen specialization.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Marine Biology is a research degree, awarded for accomplishment in research. For this reason, the Ph.D. program is very research-intensive. While some course work and a comprehensive examination are both required, the bulk of the doctorate program consists of original research. Candidates should be ready to create a research proposal, complete significant original research, present a dissertation seminar, and publish large portions of the dissertation in national or international journals.

Marine Biology Students at Florida Tech Participate in Hands-On Research, Both On Campus and in Special Field Research

Marine biology spans a broad range of biological investigations, including the study and experimental use of marine organisms like mammals, fish, crustaceans, corals, molluscs, seagrasses, algae, and echinoderms. After receiving a general biology background, students do specialized research that focuses on the biology and ecology of marine organisms, including invertebrate zoology, fish biology, marine biology, marine ecology, and marine mammals. Some students will take trips off-campus to do off-site research with summer field courses in Australia, Jamaica, and the Bahamas. Various research opportunities are available for marine biology and ecology graduate students, including two summer field courses.

Special off-site research options include tropical ecology of Costa Rica, tropical ecology of Peru, field biology and ecology in Africa, Australian ecosystem ecology, Smoky Mountains, Florida Barrier Islands, Bahamas reef ecology, and the Rocky Mountains. Hands-on research at various sites across the country and world gives Florida Tech students a unique opportunity to experience field research amidst the creatures they study, whether on a ship, in the field, or in a laboratory. Students receive a broad research training that ranges from formal research courses to assistant positions and even research work-study. Students get plenty of hands-on research right on campus, thanks to Florida Tech's location on the Indian River Lagoon.

Marine Biology Faculty Members at FIT Conduct Important Research and Direct Research Institutes

Florida Tech's faculty members make important contributions to the field of marine biology. In addition to instructing students and serving as research mentors and guides, Florida Tech faculty members are involved in groundbreaking original research.

Jonathan M. Shenker is an associate professor of biological sciences. His research on fisheries biology and aquaculture research has determined how oceanographic and meteorological conditions can control the annual variability of economically important fish populations. His research helps to characterize and analyze the biological and ecological factors affecting fish populations. These results assist in the development of fish and habitat management strategies. The research also includes extensive laboratory studies, spanning a range of topics that include larval development and taxonomy, molecular population genetics, the use of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to examine fish physiology in vivo, and ICP-MS analysis of fish otoliths to assess habitat utilization patterns of fishes. Dr. Shenker also serves as Director of the Sportfish Research Institute, working for habitat restoration.

Junda Lin is a professor who researches aquaculture, biology, and conservation of marine organisms. Dr. Lin's research aims to develop aquaculture technology for marine ornamental species. He has recently helped develop mass culture technology of microalgae for biofuel production. Another area of his research is the basic biological and ecological processes of marine animals, including chemical ecology, pollution, reproductive biology, and sexual selection. Dr. Lin is on the Board of Directors for the World Aquaculture Society. He also serves as Director for the Institute of Marine Research, which manages shared marine facilities at Florida Tech and encourages collaboration between the marine biology department and other disciplines as well as governmental and industrial entities.

Degree Requirements:
For Master&Apos;S, Thesis.
Degree Program Information:
Part-Time Programs Available.

Entrance Requirements:
For Master&Apos;S, GRE General Test, Minimum GPA Of 3.0.
Application Deadline:
Applications Are Processed On A Rolling Basis.

• Tuition & Fees
• In-state tuition *$19,620
• Out-of-state tuition *$19,620
• International student tuitionNot Reported
• * Tuition for full-time graduate student per academic year
• Fees
• Per-academic year feesNot Reported
• Per-term feesNot Reported
• One-time feeNot Reported
• * Fees for full-time graduate students
• Financial Support
• Financial award applicants must submitNot Reported
• Application deadlines for financial awardsNot Reported
• Types of financial support availableNot Reported

Financial Aid:
Research Assistantships With Full And Partial Tuition Reimbursements, Teaching Assistantships With Full And Partial Tuition Reimbursements, Career-Related Internships Or Fieldwork And Tuition Remissions Available. Financial Award Application Deadline: 3/1; Financial Award Applicants Required To Submit FAFSA.