Florida Institute of Technology
High Tech with a Human Touch
Biological Sciences
Graduate Programs
The Department of Biological Sciences at Florida Institute of Technology offers programs of graduate study leading to the degrees of Masters of Science in Biology, Masters of Science in Biotechnology and Doctor of Philosophy. The major areas of study and research are Aquaculture, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Cell and Molecular Genetics, Marine Biology and Ecology, Molecular Marine Biology, Neurobiology, Plant Physiology and Plant Tissue Culture, Paleobotany, and Conservation and Ecology.
Catalog Table of Contents
| Degree Programs | Major Codes |
|---|---|
| MS - Biological Science-Biotechnology | 8024 |
| MS - Biological Science-Cell&Molecular | 8022 |
| MS - Biological Science-Ecology | 8021 |
| MS - Biological Science-Marine Biology | 8023 |
| MS - Conservation Technology | 8026 |
| Ph.D. - Biological Sciences | 9021 |
Master of Science in Biological Sciences–Biotechnology
| Major Code: | 8024 | Degree Awarded: | Master of Science |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delivery Mode(s): | Classroom | Location(s): | Main Campus - Melbourne |
| Admission Status: | Graduate | Age Restriction: | No |
The marine environment is a rich source of pharmaceuticals, polymers, diagnostic reagents and genetically diverse organisms. The biological processes of the majority of marine organisms are not well understood and the biotechnology industry lacks individuals trained to develop and practice biotechnology using marine animals, plants and microorganisms. The master’s program in biotechnology is a nonthesis program that builds on Florida Tech’s unique location on the Atlantic coast, and its established strengths in marine biology, marine ecology, natural products chemistry, molecular biology and biochemistry to provide a path for students who aspire to learn biotechnology and earn jobs in industry. The program is focused on those areas of biotechnology related to microbiology, natural products chemistry and molecular biology of marine organisms. Students are provided with a diverse combination of classroom experience, field studies, chemical and molecular biological laboratory techniques and development of communication skills most appropriate for an industrial or academic research career.
The goal of this training program is to produce individuals with a strong interdisciplinary background in biology and chemistry, who will be qualified to meet the needs of biotechnology in industrial or academic settings. To provide additional experience with state-of-the-art technology, students in this program have the opportunity to include summer internships in an industrial laboratory as part of their degree training. In most cases, these internships are related to collaboration between Florida Tech faculty and a particular laboratory in a biotechnology firm. Internship sites include Merck, Sharp and Dohme (Rahway, N.J.), Lederle Labs (Pearl River, N.Y.) and Zymogenetics (Seattle, Wash.). Those students wishing to receive internship training locally may substitute a research experience with Florida Tech faculty, subject to approval.
Admission Requirements
The applicant must have a bachelor of science degree in biology, chemistry, biochemistry or equivalent. Applicants deficient in organic chemistry, genetics, biochemistry or microbiology are required to take undergraduate courses before starting the master of science program. For this program, GRE scores (General Test only), three letters of recommendation and a statement of objectives are required. Admission decisions for fall semester enrollment are made by March 15, and for spring semester enrollment, by October 1.
Degree Requirements
The master’s degree in biotechnology is conferred on students who have successfully completed 30 credit hours that may include six credit hours of internship and/or three credit hours of research. Students are required to take Cell and Molecular Biology (BIO 5501) and Laboratory Methods (BIO 5016) in addition to at least one of the following three-credit hour courses:
| BIO 5012 | Protein Biotechnology | 3 |
| BIO 5014 | Plant Biotechnology | 3 |
| BIO 5539 | Microbial Biotechnology | 3 |
Remaining restricted electives include graduate-level biotechnology courses that may be offered by departments other than biological sciences. Coursework is selected under the direction of the student’s adviser and approved by the department head. The program concludes with a final program examination (oral).
Master of Science in Biological Sciences–Cell and Molecular Biology
| Major Code: | 8022 | Degree Awarded: | Master of Science |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delivery Mode(s): | Classroom | Location(s): | Main Campus - Melbourne |
| Admission Status: | Graduate | Age Restriction: | No |
The Master of Science in Biology – Cell and Molecular Biology prepares the student either for a professional career or for further graduate study. This goal is achieved through a balance of coursework and research activities.
Admission Requirements
General admission requirements and the process for applying are presented in the Academic Overview section. For this program, GRE scores (General Test only), three letters of recommendation and a statement of objectives are required. Admission decisions for fall semester enrollment are made by March 15, and for spring semester enrollment by October 1.
Degree Requirements
The master of science degree requires the successful completion of 30 credit hours, including formal coursework, presentation of a graduate thesis seminar, and preparation and oral defense of a thesis. The thesis involves the completion of original research of publishable quality.
The student’s thesis research and program of study reflect the emphasis of the area chosen. All thesis research is conducted under the direction of an adviser and an advisory committee. The advisory committee is composed of at least three members: two from the department (including the adviser) and one from another academic unit.
Curriculum
The adviser assists the student in devising a program of study. The latter requires approval by the Graduate Academic Steering Panel and the department head. The student must complete courses appropriate for the option. These can be chosen from the offerings of any academic unit in the College of Science, College of Engineering and College of Psychology and Liberal Arts. Students may register for no more than three credit hours of thesis each semester. Each student must present a departmental thesis seminar before graduation.
Summary of Program Requirements
| Formal Coursework (minimum) | 18–24 | |
| Biological Research |
0–6 | |
| Thesis (maximum) | 6 | |
| TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED | 30 |
Master of Science in Biological Sciences–Ecology
| Major Code: | 8021 | Degree Awarded: | Master of Science |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delivery Mode(s): | Classroom | Location(s): | Main Campus - Melbourne |
| Admission Status: | Graduate | Age Restriction: | No |
The Master of Science in Biology – Ecology prepares the student either for a professional career or for further graduate study. This goal is achieved through a balance of coursework and research activities.
Admission Requirements
General admission requirements and the process for applying are presented in the Academic Overview section. For this program, GRE scores (General Test only), three letters of recommendation and a statement of objectives are required. Admission decisions for fall semester enrollment are made by March 15, and for spring semester enrollment by October 1.
Degree Requirements
The master of science degree requires the successful completion of 30 credit hours, including formal coursework, presentation of a graduate thesis seminar, and preparation and oral defense of a thesis. The thesis involves the completion of original research of publishable quality.
The student’s thesis research and program of study reflect the emphasis of the option. All thesis research is conducted under the direction of an adviser and an advisory committee. The advisory committee is composed of at least three members: two from the department (including the adviser) and one from another academic unit.
Curriculum
The adviser assists the student in devising a program of study. The latter requires approval by the Graduate Academic Steering Panel and the department head. The student must complete courses appropriate for the option. These can be chosen from the offerings of any academic unit in the College of Science, College of Engineering and College of Psychology and Liberal Arts. Students may register for no more than three credit hours of thesis each semester. Each student must present a departmental thesis seminar before graduation.
Summary of Program Requirements
| Formal Coursework | 18–24 | |
| Biological Research | 0–6 | |
| Thesis | 6 | |
| TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED | 30 |
Master of Science in Biological Sciences–Marine Biology
| Major Code: | 8023 | Degree Awarded: | Master of Science |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delivery Mode(s): | Classroom | Location(s): | Main Campus - Melbourne |
| Admission Status: | Graduate | Age Restriction: | No |
The Master of Science in Biology – Marine Biology prepares the student either for a professional career or for further graduate study. This goal is achieved through a balance of coursework and research activities.
Admission Requirements
General admission requirements and the process for applying are presented in the Academic Overview section. For this program, GRE scores (General Test only), three letters of recommendation and a statement of objectives are required. Admission decisions for fall semester enrollment are made by March 15, and for spring semester enrollment by October 1.
Degree Requirements
The master of science degree requires the successful completion of 30 credit hours, including formal coursework, presentation of a graduate thesis seminar, and preparation and oral defense of a thesis. The thesis involves the completion of original research of publishable quality.
The student’s thesis research and program of study reflect the emphasis of the option. All thesis research is conducted under the direction of an adviser and an advisory committee. The advisory committee is composed of at least three members: two from the department (including the adviser) and one from another academic unit.
Curriculum
The adviser assists the student in devising a program of study. The latter requires approval by the Graduate Academic Steering Panel and the department head. The student must complete courses appropriate for the option. These can be chosen from the offerings of any academic unit in the College of Science, College of Engineering and College of Psychology and Liberal Arts. Students may register for no more than three credit hours of thesis each semester. Each student must present a departmental thesis seminar before graduation.
Summary of Program Requirements
| Formal Coursework | 18–24 | |
| Biological Research | 0–6 | |
| Thesis | 6 | |
| TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED | 30 |
Master of Science in Conservation Technology
| Major Code: | 8026 | Degree Awarded: | Master of Science |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delivery Mode(s): | Classroom | Location(s): | Main Campus - Melbourne |
| Admission Status: | Graduate | Age Restriction: | No |
The Master of Science in Conservation Technology prepares the student either for a professional career or for further graduate study. This goal is achieved through a balance of coursework and research activities.
Admission Requirements
General admission requirements and the process for applying are presented in the Academic Overview section. For this nonthesis program, students should have an undergraduate degree that includes coursework in introductory biology, calculus, statistics, ecology and zoology, as well as three classes in each of physical science, the humanities and social science/liberal arts.
Degree Requirements
The Master of Science in Conservation Technology is conferred upon students who successfully complete 30 credit hours of approved curriculum as outlined below. A minimum of one course from each of the seven listed categories must be successfully completed. No more than two 4000-level courses may be used to satisfy degree requirements. The listing here is not intended to be exhaustive but to show possible coursework for each category.
| Botany | CREDITS | |
| BIO 5020 | Field Ecology | 3 |
| BIO 5039 | Plant Systematics and Biogeography | 3 |
| BIO 5060 | Biology and Ecology of Seagrasses | 3 |
| BIO 5065 | Natural History of the Indian River Lagoon | 3 |
| Communication | CREDITS | |
| BIO 5510 | Current Topics in Ecology | 3 |
| BIO 5573 | Scientific Analysis, Writing and Presentation | 3 |
| ISC 5016 | Presenting Science or COM 5xxx | 3 |
| Policy, Administration and Law | CREDITS | |
| BUS 4426 | Environemntal and Resource Economics | 3 |
| ENS 5701 | Environmental Regulation and Impact Assessment | 3 |
| ISC 4000 | Applied Sustainability | 3 |
| Quantiative Sciences | CREDITS | |
| BIO 4517 | Introduction to Modeling for Ecology and Biology | 3 |
| BIO 5028 | Design and Analysis of Ecological Studies | 4 |
| BIO 5075 | Multivariate Analysis in Biology | 3 |
| Wildlife Biology | CREDITS | |
| BIO 4641 | Biology of Marine Mammals | 3 |
| BIO 5011 | Ornithology | 3 |
| BIO 5904 | Field Biology and Evolution of the Galapagos Islands or BIO 4904 | 3 |
| Wildlife Management | CREDITS | |
| BIO 4410 | Community Ecology | 4 |
| BIO 5030 | Conservation Biology | 3 |
| Zoology | CREDITS | |
| BIO 5031 | Conservation Genetics | 3 |
Additional credit hours would be selected from an 4000- or 5000-level course in BIO, ENS, OCN or from other sources at the adviser’s discretion. Recommenced additional courses include GIS, remote sensing and biology summer field programs.
Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Sciences
| Major Code: | 9021 | Degree Awarded: | Doctor of Philosophy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delivery Mode(s): | Classroom | Location(s): | Main Campus - Melbourne |
| Admission Status: | Graduate | Age Restriction: | No |
The doctor of philosophy degree is offered for students who want to carry out advanced research in the biological sciences. A student’s research can encompass any area represented by a faculty member. The objective is to prepare the student at the highest academic level for a productive career in research, teaching and/or administration.
Admission Requirements
A doctoral applicant must have a bachelor’s or master’s degree. For admission, a student should have a superior academic record, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0) in undergraduate work or 3.2 in graduate work, three letters of recommendation and scores from the GRE (General Test).
General admission requirements and the process for applying are presented in the Academic Overview section of the university catalog. Admission decisions for fall semester enrollment are made by March 1, and for spring semester enrollment by October 1.
Degree Requirements
The doctor of philosophy degree is primarily a research degree and is conferred in recognition of research accomplishments as well as completion of a program of study. Each student must complete an approved program of study, pass a comprehensive written and/or oral examination, write an acceptable research proposal and file a petition for admission to candidacy, complete a program of significant original research, prepare and defend a dissertation concerning the research and present a dissertation seminar. Each candidate is expected to publish major portions of the dissertation in refereed national or international journals.
Each doctoral student must prepare a program of study within one year after entering the program. To assure that the student possesses a satisfactory knowledge of biological principles, the student might be required to take certain courses in biological sciences and related disciplines. The student has an advisory committee appointed by his or her adviser with the approval of the department head. The committee is composed of at least five members: four faculty members (including the adviser) from the department and one faculty member from another academic unit.
The proposal represents the research plan that the student will pursue for the dissertation. It should be written under the close supervision of the adviser, and the proposal must be presented to and approved by the advisory committee.
Doctoral research represents a significant contribution to the knowledge of a particular problem. A student must be prepared to devote considerable time and effort to research. With the adviser’s approval, the student presents the preliminary copies of the dissertation to the advisory committee for critical evaluation. Once the dissertation satisfies the advisory committee, the student then orally defends the work. If the defense is satisfactory, the advisory committee will approve the dissertation once the final revisions are completed.
Prior to graduation, the student must present a dissertation seminar to the faculty and graduate students. General degree requirements are presented in the Academic Overview section of the university catalog.
Curriculum
The adviser assists the student in devising a program of study, which requires approval by the program of study committee and the department head. The committee and department head must also approve any revision of the program of study.
In developing a program of study, considerable latitude is allowed for course selection and research interests. Appropriate courses can be selected from the offerings of any academic unit in the College of Science, College of Engineering or College of Psychology and Liberal Arts. The student may register for Biological Research Rotation (BIO 5998) to learn specific skills and techniques available from the faculty. All doctoral students must elect the Biological Sciences Seminar (BIO 5990) every semester it is offered, except for the semester the student presents a dissertation seminar (Biological Research Seminar, BIO 5991).
Summary of Program Requirements
| Formal Coursework Beyond Bachelor’s Degree (minimum) | 18–42 |
| Biological Research Seminar | 1 |
| Biological Research* | 0–24 |
| Doctoral Dissertation (maximum) | 30 |
*Inclusion of Biological Research Rotation (BIO 5998) is recommended.
A minimum of 73 credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree is required. For students entering with a master’s degree, former coursework completed for the master’s degree can fulfill a significant portion of the 18 credit hours of required doctoral coursework. Nonetheless, the student should be prepared to complete some additional coursework.