What Is A BS In Marine Conservation?
Students interested in the long-term sustainability of populations and ecosystems are ideal candidates for an interdisciplinary marine conservation degree at Florida Tech. This field of study examines how to mitigate the pressures that development and climate change impose on natural systems.
Students build a strong foundation in biology and a well-rounded background in conservation science and ecological principles. With an emphasis on marine systems, students in the program learn how to conserve biological diversity, and protect rare, threatened, and endangered marine life.
Gain Practical Experience
In addition to biology and conservation, students in the marine conservation degree program build knowledge in chemistry, physics, and mathematics through hands-on undergraduate research activities. Florida Tech’s “fast start” approach means that first-year students get involved in research, engaging with faculty research teams in the lab and in the field.
Why Pursue A BS In Marine Conservation At Florida Tech?
There’s no better place to get a degree in marine conservation than at Florida Tech. Students spend a considerable amount of time learning outdoors in nearby natural laboratories, including mangroves, seagrass beds, creeks of the Indian River Lagoon, and the largest turtle nesting beaches in the United States. Here students learn how to conserve biological diversity and protect rare, threatened, and endangered plants and animals. At Florida Tech, marine conservation is not just something students study—it’s something they get out into the field and experience through hands-on research activities.
Application procedure
First-Year Melbourne Campus Admission
The Office of Undergraduate Admission carefully reviews all candidates for admission, using evaluation criteria to determine a student’s ability to complete several years of rigorous study. Applications are reviewed with reference to specific degree programs or for admission to first-year programs in General Engineering or General Science (College of Engineering and Science), or General Studies (College of Psychology and Liberal Arts). In addition to a completed application for admission, applicants must submit:
- Transcripts indicating a strong high school curriculum and achievement in college preparatory classes
- SAT or ACT results
- An essay
- One letter of recommendation
The required documents will be used to determine the potential for success in an applicant’s chosen field of study.
Participation in special classes, clubs or teams that involve research projects/opportunities and advanced problem-solving techniques is encouraged and should be indicated in the application process.
Although an admission interview is not required, campus visits and interviews with admission counselors are highly recommended. An interview, mid-year grades or additional testing may be requested at the discretion of the admission committee.
Florida Tech accepts applications throughout the school year. Students may submit an application any time after the end of their junior year of high school. It is recommended that applicants for the fall semester submit all application materials as soon as possible after starting their senior year in high school and completing the SAT or ACT. Each applicant will be notified of an admission decision as soon as possible after the applicant’s file is complete and evaluated.
Grant opportunities
Most of Florida Tech’s full-time Melbourne campus undergraduate students receive some type of financial assistance. The aid may be in the form of a scholarship for academic performance, need-based grants, federal grants, federal loans, work-study, on-campus employment or any combination of these awards (see Office of Student Employment in the Institution Overview section for more information on student employment opportunities).
Learning outcomes
The Bachelor of Science in Marine Conservation provides students with the skills and knowledge for immediate employment in ocean and estuarine conservation, or for graduate studies in ecology and conservation biology. Graduates are prepared to face the challenges associated with global climate change, pollution and habitat loss, as well as the growing threat of invasive species.
Coursework emphasizes ecological principles, experimental design, implementation and analysis. Access and training to in-demand technologies such as geographic information systems (GIS), R statistical software and other tools are a priority. Courses in natural resource economics and media communication gives graduates the skills necessary to serve as ocean diplomats to the public, or aid in policy debate and implementation.
Undergraduate research opportunities range from work on marine microbes and molecular marine ecology to dolphins, tarpon, invasive lionfish, reef-corals and the rich fauna of Antarctica. Fieldwork is required and is available locally in the Indian River Lagoon (one of North America’s most diverse estuaries) and through summer field courses in the Galapagos Islands, Florida Keys, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Cuba and other locations. This degree is eligible for the Fast Track program, allowing students to complete the bachelor’s degree and the master’s degree (M.S.) in conservation technology in five years.
Prerequisites
Students intending to apply for admission to study in the Department of Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences should complete at least one year each of high school biology, chemistry and physics. Prospective students should also have at least three years of high school mathematics, including second-year algebra and trigonometry.
Florida Tech has articulation agreements with many of the community colleges in Florida. Students contemplating transfer to Florida Tech should consult with the department to determine transferability of credits. If there is a question regarding specific courses needed, students should contact the associate department head for undergraduate studies.
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