Program Overview

Environmental Science, Ph.D.

The Ph.D. in Environmental Science at Florida Tech is a multidisciplinary program that creates graduates who are experts in the biological and chemical fundamentals of natural environmental systems. The program provides technical knowledge in the industry, as well as field experience in a wealth of research opportunities, emphasizing biological, chemical, and remote-sensing studies.

Multidisciplinary Curriculum

The curriculum provides students with a strong background in the biological, chemical, and physical sciences, preparing them to meet the needs of numerous career opportunities in academics, government agencies, private consulting, and nonprofit organizations. The program's location near diverse ecosystems, such as the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean, makes it an ideal choice to study environmental science.

A Hands-On Program

The Ph.D. in Environmental Science involves fieldwork that puts students in the environments in which they plan to work in the future. Students have access to numerous research labs, centers, and institutes, as well as small boats and ocean-going vessels for data collection and analysis. The program's faculty brings a wealth of experience to the classroom, and the culture empowers graduates to be future leaders.

Personalized Learning Environment

Class sizes are small, promoting a close-knit academic community where students enjoy individualized attention and mentorship from their professors. Students work closely with advisors to research and develop their dissertation, with the expectation that their results will be published in peer-reviewed journals.

Research Opportunities

Research is a top priority for students seeking a Ph.D. in Environmental Science. As a doctoral candidate, students pursue advanced academic studies in the use, control, and preservation of environmental resources and the enhancement of the quality of life. The capstone research project can involve many topics in the field, including offshore oil spills and drilling impacts, ecological surveys, rising sea levels, and more.

High-Tech Laboratory Facilities

The program requires state-of-the-art facilities, and Florida Tech delivers. Facilities include the F. W. Olin Physical Sciences Center and Instrumentation Center, the F.W. Olin Life Sciences Building, the Center for High Resolution Microscopy and Imaging, and the Ralph S. Evinrude Marine Operations Center.

Great Florida Location

The university's location attracts students from around the world for access to Florida's subtropical climate, offering year-round warm weather and proximity to many diverse ecosystems.

Careers

Graduates with a Ph.D. in Environmental Science are well-prepared for rewarding careers as academics, consultants, and managers. They work for public, private, and nonprofit agencies, such as the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, state environmental agencies, solid waste management, law firms, Greenpeace, and the National Wildlife Federation.

• Some potential career paths include:
  • Academics
  • Consultants
  • Managers
  • US Fish and Wildlife Service
  • Environmental Protection Agency
  • State environmental agencies
  • Solid waste management
  • Law firms
  • Greenpeace
  • National Wildlife Federation