The Ph.D. In Ocean Engineering

Florida Tech offers a diverse doctoral program in ocean engineering built on a multidisciplinary approach that includes many subfields in engineering.  Our program includes training in ocean engineering, naval architecture, oceanography, meteorology, environmental science, and marine biology.

Professional Mentorship from an Expert Faculty

Florida Tech's Ph.D. program in Ocean Engineering provides everything you would expect from a large university in a more intimate, focused environment, where professors mentor students, class sizes are small, and there is ample opportunity for hands-on research in some of the most diverse coastal environments in the world.

Organizations

Students seeking an ocean engineering PhD interact with experts at environment-oriented businesses and organizations that provide unique learning opportunities, research guidance, and internships. The university has close relationships with numerous organizations including:

• 45th Weather Squadron of the United States Air Force
• NASA Kennedy Space Center
• Hubbs Sea World Research Institute
• Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution
• Marine Resources Council
• National Weather Service

In-Depth Research

As a leading research university, graduate students earning an ocean engineering PhD get out in the field and conduct research in real-world scenarios. Students have a chance to work with national research organizations and institutes, including:

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• Mineral Management Service
• Army Corps of Engineers
• Federal Emergency Management Association
• United States Coast Guard
• Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers
• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
• Scripps Institution of Oceanography
• Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute

Florida Tech's coastal location is unmatched. The Atlantic Ocean and the highly diverse, estuarine environments of the Indian River Lagoon are just minutes from campus. The Florida Keys and Everglades are a few hours' drive from Florida Tech.

Laboratories and Facilities Designed for Ocean Engineers

The F.W. Olin Engineering Complex and F.W. Olin Life Sciences Building provide comprehensive research laboratories equipped with 21^st-century technology. Facilities at the Ralph S. Evinrude Marine Operations Center include docks, electrical power, and storage for nautical equipment, supplies, and scientific equipment. A fleet of small craft available for student use for accessing research sites includes pontoon boats, Robalos, Boston Whalers, skiffs, and Chris Crafts.

Other laboratories and facilities include the following:

 The Structures Laboratory supports instructional experiments such as compression and tensile testing, with research and teaching activities focused on the mechanical behavior of metallic, concrete, plastic, and composite materials and structural forms.

• The Fluid Mechanics Laboratory houses hardware used for experiments to measure fluid properties and verify the laws of conservation of fluid motion.
• The Underwater Technology Laboratory enables hands-on research using underwater robotic systems and includes equipment such as oscilloscopes, high-range power supplies, frequency generators, and voltmeters, among others.
• The Marine Materials Exposure Site at Indian River Lagoon offers a seawater exposure site for the evaluation of biofouling and corrosion characteristics of materials.

Ocean Engineering Careers

Ocean engineering is a fast-growing field with rapidly expanding opportunities as people increasingly turn to the oceans for food, transportation, and energy. Because ocean engineers study all aspects of the ocean environment, employment opportunities are global in nature and can include such positions as creating remotely operated vehicles, developing underwater structures, capturing the energy of waves and turning it into electricity, and more. When comparing ocean engineering PhD programs, Florida Tech provides the type of training and research experience a doctoral student needs to find a challenging and rewarding career in any number of industries