Dec 09, 2024  
2023-2024 Florida Tech Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Florida Tech Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Interdisciplinary Science, B.S.


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Major Code: 7035 Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science
Delivery Mode(s): Classroom Admission Status: Undergraduate
Location(s): Main Campus - Melbourne

Because of the increasing importance of science and technology in our daily lives, Florida Tech has recognized the need for an interdisciplinary science major in the sciences that allows a student to enroll in a wide variety of science and engineering courses, supplemented by certain core courses and carefully chosen electives. The most important characteristics of the interdisciplinary science major are it is flexible, tailored to the individual student’s needs and emphasizes broad training in science. The graduate will have well-rounded expertise in science and its place in society and will have acquired specific tools for his or her career. Because of the freedom to customize the program, most students graduate with one or more minors in addition to the bachelor’s degree.

The interdisciplinary science major is intended for students who plan graduate study in professional fields, those who are interested in a broad-based degree oriented toward the sciences or engineering, former science and engineering students who want a degree with wider scope and students seeking military careers.

Graduates normally seek employment opportunities in aerospace, environmental science, medicine and health technology, personnel administration, purchasing, development, management, the military, social work or marketing; in general, a wide variety of positions requiring an interdisciplinary background, as well as opportunities for advanced study, especially in the professional fields.

Because of the great flexibility of the interdisciplinary science major, it is important that a student plan his or her program with an advisor as soon as possible. The student’s capstone committee will be composed of those faculty deemed most appropriate to the student’s goals and objectives. A committee normally consists of three members, including the advisor.

Degree Requirements

The basic requirements of the degree are given below, followed by a sample four-year program. The interdisciplinary science courses are chosen by the student to conform to his or her program plan. These courses must have the approval of the student’s advisor. Each four-year program is tailored to the student’s specific needs and developed during the first semester. If the objectives change, modifications of the plan of study will be allowed if approved by the student’s advisor. During the final semester, as part of the capstone experience, the student is required to write and present a paper.

Curriculum


Candidates for the degree must successfully complete the following curriculum. The interdisciplinary science curriculum is extremely flexible since many students enter this major after several semesters at Florida Tech. Although program plans are designed on a student-by-student basis to meet individual needs and interests while fulfilling all degree requirements listed above, the following provides a general model that may be followed by students.

General (1 credit hour)


Interdisciplinary Science (43 credit hours)


Liberal Arts Electives (12 credit hours)


  • At least 6 credit hours must be 3000/4000-level courses, and 6 credit hours in a foreign language.

Physical or Life Science Electives (8 credit hours)


Technical Electives (20 credit hours)


  • At least 3 credit hours must be 3000/4000-level courses.

Free Electives (8 credit hours)


Capstone Seminar (1 credit hour)


  • Usually completed during the senior year.

Freshman Year


Fall (15 credit hours)


Spring (14 credit hours)


Sophomore Year


Junior Year


Fall (16 credit hours)


Spring (15 credit hours)


Senior Year


Fall (16 credit hours)


  • Interdisciplinary science courses credit hours: 9
  • Free elective credit hours: 4
  • Liberal arts elective credit hours: 3

Spring (17 credit hours)


Total Credits Required: 125


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