Florida Institute of Technology
BS in Ocean Engineering
Melbourne, USA
BSc
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2027
TUITION FEES
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
About: Florida Tech’s BS in Ocean Engineering combines civil, mechanical, and electrical disciplines with naval architecture and applied oceanography. Students study chemistry, math, physics, coastal processes, ocean systems, instrumentation, and design technologies. The program is ABET-accredited; faculty hold PhDs and teach hands-on field, lab, and seagoing research.
Career Outcomes: Graduates can pursue roles in coastal engineering, hydrographic engineering, naval architecture, marine materials, corrosion, and underwater technology. Work in ship and offshore design, coastal erosion mitigation, marine instrumentation, offshore operations, or research. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported growth in ocean engineers and naval architects, supporting demand for marine, environmental roles.
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.
Accreditation
The undergraduate ocean engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.
100% of Our Professors Hold Doctorates in the Field
Another benefit to choosing Florida Tech as your ocean engineering university is being able to work alongside the top ocean, civil, electrical, and mechanical engineers, as well as renowned oceanographers, meteorologists, and environmental scientists. Our faculty is a big reason we are considered a top ocean engineering university. All of them have PhDs, and they teach all the classes offered in the program. They are always available to students for advice. Many professors are also registered professional engineers and are active researchers who encourage eligible students to join their research teams.
Because Florida Tech has an intimate learning environment with small class sizes and low faculty-to-student ratios, students develop active working relationships with professors and are often hired to assist their professors in research work. Ocean engineering at Florida Tech is hands-on, field and laboratory intensive, and seagoing. Seniors also participate in faculty-led research projects that have included topics in ocean energy, beach erosion, sediment transport, and design of the high-speed small craft.
Located in the Heart of Florida’s High-Tech Corridor
Florida Tech is the perfect place for a BS in Ocean Engineering. The 130-acre campus is located on the Space Coast (so named because of the presence of NASA and the Kennedy Space Center on Cape Canaveral just north of us), minutes away from the Indian River Lagoon, the most diverse estuary in North America, and the Florida Keys and the Everglades are only a few hours’ drives away.
The area has the fifth-largest high-tech workforce in the country, with more than 5,000 high-tech corporations and government and military organizations located nearby. This workforce also provides an abundance of internship and employment opportunities.
Florida Tech is just over the causeway from the Atlantic Ocean with its 72 miles of beautiful beaches, and a short trip to the Florida Keys or the Orlando theme parks. We also have a rich campus life that includes a wide range of intramural and collegiate sports, clubs, and social activities.
Build Lasting Professional Relationships through Campus Organizations
Beyond the classroom, ocean engineering degree students build leadership and professional experience through participation in academic organizations like Tau Beta Pi (the engineering honor society), student government, and over 100 other campus-wide student organizations.
The Florida Tech chapters of the Marine Technology Society and the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers work to establish networking opportunities between students and professionals in the field. This can help members find ocean engineering internship positions and possible career opportunities.
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers is a student-run organization that participates in engineering challenges and competitions utilizing the knowledge they gain at Florida Tech.
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.
Curriculum
Freshman Year
Fall (15 credit hours)
- CHM 1101 General Chemistry 1
- COM 1101 Composition and Rhetoric
- FYE 1000 University Experience
- MTH 1001 Calculus 1 or MTH 1010 Honors Calculus 1
- OCN 1010 Oceanography
Spring (18 credit hours)
- BUS 1301 Basic Economics or Social Science Elective Credit Hours: 3
- COM 1102 Writing About Literature
- MTH 1002 Calculus 2 or MTH 1020 Honors Calculus 2
- OCE 1001 Introduction to Ocean Engineering
- PHY 1001 Physics 1
- PHY 2091 Physics Laboratory 1
Sophomore Year
Fall (18 credit hours)
- MEE 2081 Applied Mechanics: Statics
- MTH 2001 Calculus 3 or MTH 2010 Honors Calculus 3
- OCE 2002 Computer Applications in Ocean Engineering 1 or Restricted Elective (CSE) Credit Hours: 3
- PHY 2002 Physics 2
- PHY 2092 Physics Laboratory 2
Select the first HUM Core Course:
- HUM 2051 Civilization 1: Ancient Through Medieval
- HUM 2141 World Art History 1: Pre-History to Early Global Awareness
- HUM 2211 British Literature and Culture
- HUM 2212 British and American Literature 1
- HUM 2331 American History: Pre-Columbian to Civil War Era
- HUM 2551 Survey of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy
Spring (17 credit hours)
- MEE 2082 Applied Mechanics: Dynamics
- MTH 2201 Differential Equations/Linear Algebra or MTH 3200 Honors Differential Equations
- OCE 3011 Engineering Materials
- OCE 3012 Engineering Materials Lab
- Restricted Elective (OCE, OCN, CVE) Credit Hours: 3
Select the second HUM Core Course:
- HUM 2052 Civilization 2: Renaissance Through Modern
- HUM 2142 World Art History 2: Early Modern to Post-Colonial
- HUM 2212 British and American Literature 1 (may not be repeated for credit)
- HUM 2213 British and American Literature 2
- HUM 2332 American History: From Reconstruction to the Present
- HUM 2552 Survey of Modern and Contemporary Philosophy
Junior Year
Fall (15 credit hours)
- AEE 3083 Mechanics of Materials
- COM 2223 Scientific and Technical Communication
- OCE 3030 Fluid Mechanics
- OCE 3033 Fluid Mechanics Lab
- OCN 3401 Physical Oceanography
- Free Elective Credit Hours: 2
Spring (16 credit hours)
- ECE 4991 Electric and Electronic Circuits
- MEE 3191 Engineering Thermodynamics 1
- OCE 3521 Hydromechanics and Wave Theory
- OCE 3522 Water Wave Lab
- OCE 4541 Ocean Engineering Design (Q)
- OCE 4571 Fundamentals of Naval Architecture 1
Summer (6 credit hours)
- OCE 4911 Marine Field Projects (Q)
- OCE 4912 Marine Field Projects (Q)
- OCE 4913 Marine Field Projects (Q)
Senior Year
Fall (15 credit hours)
- CVE 3015 Structural Analysis and Design
- OCE 4518 Protection of Marine Materials
- OCE 4525 Coastal Engineering Structures
- OCE 4545 Hydroacoustics
- Restricted Elective (OCE) Credit Hours: 3*
Spring (15 credit hours)
- CVE 4000 Engineering Economy and Planning
- OCE 4561 Fundamentals of Offshore Engineering
- Humanities Elective (HU) 3000-level or higher recommended Credit Hours: 3
- Restricted Elective (OCE) Credit Hours: 3*
- Technical Elective Credit Hours: 3
Total Credits Required: 135
*At least two OCE-restricted electives must be chosen from the following:
- OCE 4522 Coastal Engineering Processes and Shoreline Design
- OCE 4531 Instrumentation Design and Measurement Analysis
- OCE 4542 Ocean Engineering Systems Design
- OCE 4563 Port and Harbor Design
- OCE 4572 Structural Design of Marine Vehicles
- OCE 4575 Design of High-Speed Small Craft
- OCE 4576 Hydrodynamics in Ship Design
Note: Lists of recommended elective courses are available from the department office.
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.”
Career Outlook
Ocean engineering jobs are organized among five areas of concentration:
- Coastal engineering
- Hydrographic engineering
- Marine vehicles (naval architecture)
- Marine materials and corrosion
- Underwater technology
Information about ocean engineering jobs can be found in the Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the US Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The handbook provides information about specific jobs including median annual pay, working conditions, and job outlook, among other things.
According to the Department of Labor, the employment of ocean engineers and naval architects is expected to grow by 17% through 2020. The need to design ships that can transport goods and energy across the globe will help spur employment growth for ocean engineering jobs.
Additionally, marine engineers are in demand for such occupations as maintaining offshore oil rigs, updating fleets to meet new federal requirements in transporting oil and gas, and designing cargo ships that better protect the environment through less pollution.