What Is An Ocean Engineering Degree?
Ocean engineering is a multidisciplinary field of technology applied to the ocean environment that combines aspects of civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering with naval architecture and applied oceanography.
Students working toward an ocean engineering degree gain fundamental expertise in chemistry, math, and physics, and build in-depth knowledge of coastal processes, ocean systems, and design technologies. Whether you want to become a naval architect, or develop a new way of preventing coastal erosion, design jetties, and seawalls, an ocean engineering degree from Florida Tech develops a strong background in engineering with experience in environmental science and instrumentation.
Gain Practical Experience
Studying for an ocean engineering degree at Florida Tech gives students a unique opportunity to study in a marine environment—the university is just over the causeway from the Atlantic Ocean. Ocean engineering is field-intensive and seagoing; students often participate in research projects on board-chartered vessels in the open sea.
As a senior, you’ll complete an exciting design project in collaboration with a team of your peers. Together, you’ll conceptualize, design, construct, and present a machine or structure that fulfills a real-world need. You’ll present your project to industry leaders and employers, and may compete in international competitions. As a result, you get practical experience, an expanded professional network, and perhaps even a pre-graduation job offer.
Why Pursue An Ocean Engineering Degree At Florida Tech?
There are many reasons why Florida Tech is the perfect ocean engineering university for you. For one thing, Florida Tech is listed among the Fiske Guide’s “Engineering/Top Technical Institutes” and Parade Magazine’s “College A-List in Engineering.”
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
Educational Objectives
The ocean engineering major offers education that is unique among engineering disciplines in providing an intimate and practical knowledge of the environment in which the graduate will operate. The result is a diverse curriculum with a strong foundation in all relevant engineering fields as well as in oceanography. The educational objectives of the program are:
Academic fundamentals: Graduates will have achieved sufficient mastery of the academic fundamentals that underpin a successful career related to ocean engineering. These fundamentals include knowledge of chemistry, calculus-based physics, advanced mathematics, engineering sciences, humanities, social sciences, information technology and experimental methodologies.
Engineering practice: Graduates will have sufficient competence in the application of engineering skills for the practical solution of problems related to the ocean engineering profession. These skills include systematic problem formulations, techniques for their solutions, and methodologies for designing systems in the main stems of Florida Tech ocean engineering: coastal processes, hydrographic engineering, materials and structures, instrumentation, and naval architecture and ocean systems/underwater technologies.
Teamwork and communication: Graduates will have obtained confidence and ability to work both independently and as productive members of a team. Graduates attain a mastery of technical communication and practice the interpersonal and organizational skills required to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
Professional development: Graduates will be instilled with the desire to contribute to the profession and to society on a continuing basis. They are encouraged to pursue various options consistent with lifelong learning, maintain ethical professional conduct, have knowledge of contemporary issues, participate in professional organizations and contribute to diversity in the community.
The first two years of study are devoted to developing a foundation in mathematics, physics, chemistry, mechanics, computer programming and humanities. During the junior year, the ocean engineering major acquires knowledge of ocean science and the basics of engineering analysis. The fourth year is oriented toward the application of these basic techniques to ocean engineering problems. All ocean engineering majors are required to obtain firsthand field and sea experience during the marine field projects held during the summer between the junior and senior years. These projects encourage the student to learn to analyze, design, construct, install and operate equipment in the marine environment for a particular designated task. The university operates several small boats and charters a well-equipped vessel for offshore, estuarine and river work.
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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