College of Engineering and Science

Dean Marco Carvalho, Ph.D.

Degree Programs 

Nondegree Programs

General Engineering 
General Science   

Undergraduate Minor Programs

Graduate Certificate Programs

Laboratory Director
James Tryzbiak

Student Project Director
Juan C. Avendano Arbelaez, M.S.

Organization

Mission Statement and Overview

The mission of the College of Engineering and Science at Florida Tech is to educate and challenge students in the basics of rigorous engineering and scientific theory, ethics and practice, and to expand collective knowledge through novel research, discovery and entrepreneurship integrated with that education. The college is enthusiastic and proud of how faculty and students in the college engage and answer challenging questions for numerous industry partners and government agencies, which insure that both our research and educational efforts produce relevant and focused impact on society.

The College of Engineering and Science includes six departments: aerospace, physics and space sciences; biomedical and chemical engineering and sciences; computer engineering and sciences; mechanical and civil engineering; mathematical sciences; and ocean engineering and sciences. The college is also home to the Harris Institute for Assured Information and the Human-Centered Design Institute. Programs offered include aerospace engineering, applied mathematics, astrobiology, astronomy and astrophysics, biochemistry, biological oceanography, biological sciences, biomathematics, biomedical engineering, biomedical science, chemical engineering, chemical oceanography, chemistry, civil engineering, coastal zone management, computer engineering, computer information systems, computer science, conservation technology, earth remote sensing, education and interdisciplinary studies, electrical engineering, engineering management, environmental resource management, environmental science, flight test engineering, genomics and molecular genetics, geological oceanography, information assurance and cybersecurity, mathematical sciences, mechanical engineering, meteorology, ocean engineering, operations research, physical oceanography, planetary science, sustainability studies, software engineering, space sciences, systems engineering and teaching. Advanced degrees include the Specialist in Education.

Admission

General admission regulations and the process for applying are presented in the Academic Overview  section. Additional information on requirements for specific programs is present under the respective department listings.

Students who attend a community college for two years before transferring into the College of Engineering and Science should comply with articulation agreements where they exist and refer to the following list of “Recommended Courses to be Transferred.” This list is for general guidance only. The detailed curriculum plan for the desired program should be consulted for more specific guidance. If possible, the prospective student should review their community college curriculum periodically with an appropriate university faculty member. Some of the courses normally taken during the first two years of a program could be unavailable at some community colleges. As a result, it may take one or more semesters beyond the nominal two years following community college graduation to complete a specific bachelor’s degree program.

Most mathematics, physics, applied mechanics, computer programming and English courses at the first- and second-year levels are offered every semester. A transfer student can usually be registered for a full schedule of courses that are tailored to his or her immediate academic needs. Exceptions, when they occur, are usually the result of the student having completed all coursework in some disciplines, such as mathematics and the humanities, without having started coursework in other essential areas, such as physics or chemistry.

For general admission requirements for Florida Tech, see the Academic Overview  section.

Recommended Courses to be Transferred

Additional transfer credits, such as dynamics or calculus-based electric circuit theory for engineering majors, or a second semester of chemistry for oceanography, environmental science or chemical engineering majors, could reduce the time and credit hours remaining for graduation. Before applying for admission, community college students are urged to contact the appropriate academic unit for assistance in transferring to Florida Tech. The enrolled student is advised to meet with their faculty advisor to plan their program of study for degree completion.

Selection of a Major

A student typically selects a major at the same time the application for admission is submitted. A faculty advisor affiliated with the major program is assigned prior to the start of classes. A student who prefers to postpone the selection of a major may initially enroll in the first-year nondegree General Engineering  or General Science  programs. However, selection of a degree program should occur by the start of the sophomore year.

As long as the requirements for continued enrollment (see Academic Overview  section) are met, students are permitted to remain in their selected major. A change of major can be initiated by the student, but is subject to the approval of the new academic department head. Students can generally change majors between any two closely related degree programs during the sophomore year or even during the early part of the junior year without greatly increasing the time needed to complete all degree requirements.

Course Loads

The normal course load taken by students in the College of Engineering and Science is 17 credit hours. Students may enroll for lighter loads and are strongly encouraged to do so if difficulty is experienced in keeping up with all coursework when a full load is attempted, even though the duration of the program would of necessity be extended from eight semesters to nine or more semesters.

Fast Track Master’s Program for College of Engineering and Science Honors Students

This program allows undergraduate students currently enrolled in the College of Engineering and Science to complete a master’s degree program in one year by earning graduate-level credit hours during their senior year, and applying up to six credit hours to both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The program is available to undergraduates who have completed a minimum of 35 credit hours at Florida Tech with an earned GPA of at least 3.4, and who have completed at least 95 credit hours toward their undergraduate degree by the time the approved student begins taking graduate-level courses. The credit hours are treated as transfer credit (GPA does not apply) when applied toward the master’s degree. Interested students should consult their department head for more information about this program.

Interdisciplinary Programs

Nuclear Technology

With the current renaissance of nuclear power generation, and with up to 47 percent of the workforce eligible to retire in the next 10 years, the nuclear power industry faces a major challenge in engineering staffing needs to support both existing and new nuclear power plants. The nuclear industry requires highly qualified personnel who possess a sound and up-to-date understanding of the technical and professional practices that govern the safe and reliable operation of nuclear power plants and supporting facilities.

The nuclear technology area of emphasis is designed to educate engineers and scientists from a broad spectrum of disciplines offered at Florida Tech that will be needed to construct, operate, maintain and regulate nuclear power plants and associated facilities.

The nuclear technology emphasis allows undergraduate and graduate engineering and science students an opportunity to gain education in this field. Courses cover the physical principles of nuclear reactors, nuclear reactor engineering, radiological engineering and nuclear criticality and reactor safety. A course in radiation and environmental protection is offered under the ENS prefix.

Systems Engineering

Systems engineering is defined by the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) as “an interdisciplinary approach and means to enable the realization of successful systems. It focuses on defining customer needs and required functionality early in the development cycle, documenting requirements and then proceeding with design synthesis and system validation while considering the complete problem.”

This area of emphasis is designed to expose Florida Tech engineering and science students to the core aspects of systems engineering. Students interested in this area of emphasis can select from four courses listed under Department of Computer Engineering and Sciences in this catalog.

Work Experience Education Programs

The college offers its students opportunities to gain valuable work experience through the Protrack cooperative education and professional practice programs.

Protrack Cooperative Education Program

College of Engineering and Science Protrack students can participate in cooperative education experiences within their career fields that prepare them for full-time employment and typically higher starting salaries after graduation. Students participating in the program may work any combination of spring, summer and fall semesters with full-time professional work experiences related to their major or career interests.

The first opportunity is possible after completing one year of coursework and establishing a Florida Tech GPA of 2.5 or above. While at work, the student may continue to complete academic requirements online. The final year of academic study is completed on campus.

Protrack puts students ahead financially both in the short- and long-term. Cooperative education earnings serve as an additional source of income that can be used for tuition or living expenses.

Professional Practice Programs

Students in the College of Engineering and Science are encouraged to participate in other professional practice opportunities offered by Florida Tech to gain knowledge that is useful in better defining career goals. The Office of Career Management Services allows qualified undergraduate and graduate students an opportunity to participate in programs to gain valuable, practical experience in a chosen field and earn some of the funds needed to further their education. Options include full-time cooperative education opportunities, full-time summer internships and part-time internships.