Florida Institute of Technology
BS in Oceanography
Melbourne, USA
BSc
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 21,173 / per semester
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
What is an Oceanography Degree?
Oceanography is a broad, multidisciplinary science that attempts to unlock the mysteries of the oceans that cover 70% of our planet. Students in Florida Tech’s oceanography degree program study and apply biology, chemistry, geology, meteorology, physics, and math toward a better understanding of marine ecosystem dynamics, geophysical fluid dynamics, seafloor geology, and more.
Whether you want to develop a new way to restore wetlands and shorelines, design and manage parks and sanctuaries, or solve the mystery of red tides, and oceanography degree from Florida Tech develops a strong background in oceanography, engineering, and technology.
Why Pursue an Oceanography Degree at Florida Tech?
The Florida Tech oceanography program is the only oceanography program in the country that is integrated with ocean engineering, environmental science, and meteorology programs.
Low Student-to-Faculty Ratio — Personalized Attention
Oceanography students can expect small classes and the opportunity to work with faculty addressing a variety of environmental challenges (such as beach erosion, air pollution, and the preservation of endangered species). The program’s reputation as one of the leading oceanography colleges and its proximity to a variety of scientific agencies and marine ecosystems means you can also expect to build valuable field experience off-campus.
Unlike other oceanography colleges, Florida Tech students enjoy small classes. They also benefit from working closely with faculty, students, and staff from a variety of disciplines. The department also has an outstanding reputation among employers, many of whom are alumni.
Students Learn from those Preserving, Protecting, and Enhancing Natural Resources
The Department of Ocean Engineering and Sciences has an integrated collaboration of faculty members from environmental science, oceanography, meteorology, and ocean engineering. Florida Tech’s professors have a keen interest in preserving, protecting, and enhancing natural resources, staying active in research, and sharing their current knowledge and experiences in their classrooms. Many students volunteer in faculty research labs or conduct experiments, do field sample studies, and create computer simulations with faculty guidance.
Their research areas include:
- Offshore oil spills
- Antarctic oil drilling
- Water and air quality
- Sea-level rise
- Drinking water resources in Florida
- Managing environmental resources
Located in the Heart of Florida’s High-Tech Corridor
Florida Tech is the perfect place for a BS in Oceanography. 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.
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, oceanography majors build leadership and professional experience through exciting internships and participation in academic organizations like Sigma Xi (a scientific research society), the Marine Technology Society, student government, and over 100 other campus-wide student organizations.
The newly formed Florida Tech Environmental Club helps promote “green” living and encourages environmentally-friendly practices through educational events and campus cleanups.
Gain Practical Experience
Students working toward an oceanography degree at Florida Tech may choose to concentrate on one of five unique subfields: biological oceanography, chemical oceanography, coastal zone management, marine environmental science, and physical oceanography.
A unique and memorable component of each student’s first-year experience in the oceanography degree program at Florida Tech is the Whole Earth Course. This class leads students to experience and understand our planet as a system of interacting processes. As seniors, students refine their practical skills in technical electives and specialized labs and complete a research project on a topic of their choosing.
As a result, you get practical experience, an enhanced job search portfolio, and the perfect preparation for graduate school and employment.
Curriculum
Freshman Year
Fall (18 credit hours)
- BUS 1301 Basic Economics *
- CHM 1101 General Chemistry 1
- COM 1101 Composition and Rhetoric
- ENS 1001 The Whole Earth Course
- FYE 1000 University Experience
- MTH 1001 Calculus 1 or MTH 1010 Honors Calculus 1
Spring (18 credit hours)
- BIO 1020 Biological Discovery 2 and BIO 1040 Introduction to Biodiversity and Physiology
- CHM 1102 General Chemistry 2
- COM 1102 Writing About Literature
- MTH 1002 Calculus 2 or MTH 1020 Honors Calculus 2
- OCN 1010 Oceanography
Sophomore Year
Fall (14-17 credit hours)
- OCN 2602 Environmental Geology
- PHY 1001 Physics 1
- PHY 2091 Physics Laboratory 1
- Concentration Courses Credit Hours: 3-6
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 (14-15 credit hours)
- MTH 2401 Probability and Statistics
- OCN 2407 Meteorology
- PHY 2002 Physics 2
- PHY 2092 Physics Laboratory 2
- Concentration Courses Credit Hours: 6-7
- Restricted Elective (CSE 15xx) Credit Hours: 3
Junior Year
Fall (15-18 credit hours)
- COM 2223 Scientific and Technical Communication
- OCN 3201 Marine and Environmental Chemistry
- OCN 3211 Marine and Environmental Chemistry Laboratory
- OCN 3401 Physical Oceanography
- OCN 3411 Physical Oceanography Laboratory
- Concentration Courses Credit Hours: 4-7
Spring (15-17 credit hours)
- OCN 3101 Biological Oceanography
- OCN 3111 Biological Oceanography Laboratory
- OCN 3301 Geological Oceanography
- OCN 3311 Geological Oceanography Laboratory
- OCN 3911 Marine Field Projects: Proposal (Q)
- Concentration Courses Credit Hours: 6-8
Summer (6 credit hours)
- OCN 4911 Marine Field Projects 1 ** (Q)
- OCN 4912 Marine Field Projects 2 (Q)
- OCN 4913 Marine Field Projects 3 *** (Q)
Senior Year
Fall (15-16 credit hours)
- OCN 4704 Remote Sensing for Oceanography
- Concentration Courses Credit Hours: 6-7
- Restricted Elective (OCN/ENS) 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
Spring (12-15 credit hours)
- OCN 4204 Marine and Environmental Pollution
- Concentration Courses Credit Hours: 3-6
- Free Elective Credit Hours: 3
- Humanities Elective (HU) 3000-level or higher recommended Credit Hours: 3
Concentration Courses (28 credit hours)
Biological Oceanography
- CHM 2001 Organic Chemistry 1
- CHM 2002 Organic Chemistry 2
- MAR 1010 Biological Discovery 1 and MAR 1030 Introduction to Biotechnology
- MAR 3510 Invertebrate Zoology
- MAR 4710 Marine Biology
- OCN 4106 Mitigation and Restoration of Coastal Systems
- Technical Electives Credit Hours: 7
Chemical Oceanography
- CHM 2001 Organic Chemistry 1
- CHM 2011 Organic Chemistry Laboratory 1
- CHM 2002 Organic Chemistry 2
- CHM 2012 Organic Chemistry Laboratory 2
- CHM 3301 Analytical Chemistry 1
- CHM 3311 Analytical Chemistry Laboratory 1
- OCE 4518 Protection of Marine Materials
- Technical Electives Credit Hours: 10
Coastal Zone Management
- BUS 2211 Introduction to Financial Accounting
- BUS 3501 Management Principles
- ENS 4010 Geographic Information Systems
- ENS 4701 Environmental Regulation and Impact Assessment
- MAR 1500 Introduction to Aquaculture
- MAR 4620 Fish Aquaculture and Management
- OCN 4106 Mitigation and Restoration of Coastal Systems
- Restricted Electives (Science, Engineering, Business) Credit Hours: 5
- Technical Elective Credit Hours: 3
Marine Environmental Science
- ENS 4600 Radiation and Environmental Protection
- ENS 4701 Environmental Regulation and Impact Assessment
- MAR 1010 Biological Discovery 1 and MAR 1030 Introduction to Biotechnology
- OCN 4106 Mitigation and Restoration of Coastal Systems
- Restricted Elective (OCN/ENS) Credit Hours: 3
- Technical Electives Credit Hours: 12
Physical Oceanography
- MTH 2001 Calculus 3 or MTH 2010 Honors Calculus 3
- MTH 2201 Differential Equations/Linear Algebra or MTH 3200 Honors Differential Equations
- MTH 3210 Introduction to Partial Differential Equations and Applications
- OCE 3521 Hydromechanics and Wave Theory
- OCE 3522 Water Wave Lab
- OCN 3430 Fundamentals of Geophysical Fluids
- OCN 3433 Geophysical Fluids Laboratory
- OCN 4405 General Dynamic Oceanography
- Technical Electives Credit Hours: 6
Total Credits Required: 133
*or Social Science Elective.
**CZM students may take a free elective.
***CZM students may take OCN 4996 (Internship) or a Technical Elective.
Career Outlook
Oceanography jobs are organized among five areas of concentration:
- Biological oceanography
- Chemical oceanography
- Physical oceanography
- Marine environmental science
- Coastal zone management
The Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the US Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), provides information about specific jobs including median annual pay, working conditions, and job outlook, among other things.
According to the Bureau, oceanography careers (classified under geoscientists) are projected to grow by 21% through 2020. The need for energy, environmental protection, and responsible resource management will continue the demand for geoscience and oceanography careers. Many openings will come in oil and gas consulting firms, but most new jobs will be in management, scientific, and technical consulting services.