What Is a BS in Interdisciplinary Science?

Designed to provide students with broad scientific knowledge and a variety of technical skills, Florida Tech’s interdisciplinary science degree curriculum is aligned with your personal interests and professional goals. Interdisciplinary science courses, selected from many different electives in science, engineering, and non-technical fields such as business, the arts, and the humanities, prepare you for different leadership positions, careers, and graduate courses of study.

Begin Specializing in Your Sophomore Year

The interdisciplinary science degree program is flexible, allowing you to specialize in virtually any scientific field. Interdisciplinary science graduates are found in medical, military, engineering, industrial, governmental, scientific, communication and academic fields.

With the increasing importance of science and technology in our daily lives, Florida Tech has recognized the need for an interdisciplinary program in the sciences that allows a student to enroll in a wide variety of science and engineering courses, supplemented by certain core courses and several care-fully chosen electives. The interdisciplinary science program offers options focused on military science and aeronautics.

Military Science Option—The military science option is aligned with the Panther ROTC Battalion to help students become well-rounded, well-trained US military officers. A graduate with a science degree for the military has a well-rounded appreciation of science and its place in society, and will have acquired specific tools for his or her career.

Aeronautics Option—The aeronautics option is designed for science-minded students wishing to pursue a career in the aviation industry. Graduates will gain well-rounded expertise in science, mathematics, technology, and aeronautics.

Students select their interdisciplinary science track from a variety of physical/life science and technical electives. Guided by an involved and dedicated faculty, students develop a plan and build upon their strengths as early as sophomore year.

Gain Practical Experience

An individualized program lends itself to internships and research in many fields. As an interdisciplinary science degree student, you’ll participate in advanced research studies and complete a capstone seminar for which you research, write, and present a paper focused on an important interdisciplinary topic. This gives students an enhanced job search portfolio and the perfect preparation for graduate school or employment.

The interdisciplinary science major is a broad individualized educational program. One of the very first programs of its kind in the country, Florida Tech’s interdisciplinary science degree exposes students to a wide range of science courses, giving students considerable flexibility in the design of their major.

Small Classes—Personalized Attention

Because of our small class size and close-knit academic community, interdisciplinary science students have the advantage of individualized attention with a low faculty-to-student ratio, allowing them to explore their interests and develop a personal career path. With encouragement and support from professors, Florida Tech students often publish newspaper and magazine articles, and get involved in professional and honorary organizations.

High-Tech Lab Facilities

Florida Tech’s state-of-the-art facilities and labs are available to all our interdisciplinary science students. The F.W. Olin Engineering Complex houses 26 specialized research laboratories. The F.W. Olin Life Sciences Building is a teaching and research laboratory that includes an aquaculture facility, climate change institute, eight teaching laboratories and 12 research laboratories—all equipped with 21st century technology. The Harris Center for Science and Engineering serves the research needs of our aquaculture and fish biology programs.

Located in the Heart of Florida’s High-tech Corridor

Florida Tech is the perfect place for an Interdisciplinary Science degree. 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, interdisciplinary science degree majors build leadership and professional experience through exciting internships and participation in academic organizations, student government, and over 100 other student organizations.

Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS) is a group of students who share an interest in space and the sciences. Members of SEDS meet regularly to talk about exciting scientific topics and listen to intriguing guest lectures. The student chapter of the American Chemical Society invites students from all disciplines who have an interest in chemistry, or even need tutoring in chemistry classes, to come together to learn more about the field.

Peerless Study and Internship Opportunities

Interdisciplinary science students at Florida Tech have an opportunity to participate in science internships in a wide range of fields and with a variety of companies. Because of the individualized nature of the program, students can choose a specific company that interests them. Some of the organizations that provide science internships to Florida Tech students include:

• NASA
• National Institutes of Health
• Kennedy Space Center
• Harris Corp.
• Northrop Grumman

Science internships at these and many other companies provide our students with the opportunity to utilize their skills outside the classroom and forge the connections that may lead to a career.

Participate in Cutting-Edge Faculty-Led Research

Florida Tech professors actively promote student involvement in technical research. Students studying interdisciplinary science at Florida Tech have internships and research experiences in fields as diverse as astrophysics, nanotechnology, international business, technical writing, nuclear engineering, sustainable building development, and air traffic control.

Because the professors come from various departments on campus, the research opportunities span the entire spectrum of science, engineering, business, psychology, aeronautics, and humanities. Students work alongside faculty on research concerning sustainability, high-energy physics, coastal management, international education, space systems, sports education, and climate change, among others.

One of the best preparations that an interdisciplinary science major can have if they want to attend graduate school is to become an author on a published paper. Our professors make this goal attainable and have an excellent track record of undergraduate publications.

Research conducted by Florida Tech interdisciplinary science students provides valuable experience with the tools and techniques necessary for science internships and research. Our international faculty has research interests that include sustainability, high-energy physics, coastal management, space systems and climate change. Some of the topics studied by interdisciplinary science students include:

• Astrophysics
• Nanotechnology
• International business
• Technical writing
• Nuclear engineering
• Critical languages

Research conducted by our students affects the real world. Students work on projects such as LEED-certifying buildings in Dubai, extending critical language studies to international business, and more.

Each year, countless university graduates embark on a science career. For many, however, it’s about more than just science—it’s about integrating science and technology.

Get Recruited Upon Graduation

Employers seek out graduates with an interdisciplinary science degree from Florida Tech. Organizations that have recruited Florida Tech students for careers include:

• General Electric
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• NASA
• Harris Corporation
• US Marine Corps

Career Outlook

In today’s integrated business environment and ever-changing world, employees need different skills to not only do their job but also stay relevant in the workplace. Engineers need to know about business. Interdisciplinary science graduates need to know how to communicate effectively. And everyone must master new tools of information technology.

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. For those who have chosen the interdisciplinary science career path, jobs might include:

• Medical Scientist:The demand for medical scientists is projected by the BLS to grow by an astounding 36% from 2010 to 2020. These scientists conduct research designed to improve human health.
• Biochemist and Biophysicist:The BLS reports that employment for these professions are projected to increase by 31% by 2020. Work in this science career involves the study of the chemical and physical principles of living things as well as biological processes, including cell development, growth, and heredity.
• Postsecondary Teacher:Projected by the BLS to experience a growth of 17% by 2020, instructing students at public and private colleges and universities, professional schools, junior/community colleges, and career and vocational schools is a popular choice among graduates.

Career Options

A science career can take many forms, and with an interdisciplinary science degree, the range of possible science career choices is even broader. Although not an exhaustive list, your science career might include one (or perhaps even more) of the following:

• Agricultural and food scientist
• Biochemist and biophysicist
• Biological technician
• Biomedical engineer
• Biomechanical engineer
• Chemical engineer
• Chemical technician
• Chemist and materials scientist
• Dentist
• Epidemiologist
• Food scientist
• Forester
• Geoscientist
• Hydrologist
• Marine biologist
• Medical and clinical laboratory technologist
• Medical scientist
• Microbiologist
• Occupational therapist
• Orthodontist
• Pharmacist
• Physical therapist
• Postsecondary teacher
• Veterinarian
• Zoologist and wildlife biologist

Graduate and Doctoral Programs

After receiving their interdisciplinary science degree, many students go on to graduate programs in science or engineering. The broad training in science that the Florida Tech Interdisciplinary Science program provides readies our graduates for any science career, either immediately upon graduation or after completing graduate studies at prestigious institutions such as:

Medical Schools

• Boston University
• Florida State University
• Howard University
• University of Maryland
• University of Miami
• Other Health Professional Schools
• Baylor University
• University of Florida College of Pharmacy
• University of Louisiana College of Veterinary Medicine

Master’s and Doctoral Degrees

• University of Florida
• University of Miami
• University of South Florida
• Nova Southeastern College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Johns Hopkins
• Boston University College of Pharmacy