Get A Master's In Environmental Science

The master’s in environmental science at Florida Tech prepares graduates for career opportunities and advanced academic studies in the use, control, and preservation of environmental resources. Because today’s increasingly complex technological society has placed new demands on the understanding of human interaction with the environment, the need has never been greater for highly skilled scientists to develop data and information to help decision-makers craft policies on the use and protection of our natural environment. This master's-degree program is available in both thesis-based and non-thesis options.

Florida Tech’s environmental science program provides a thorough background in the biological and chemical fundamentals of natural environmental systems with specific areas of emphasis related to:

• Water and air resources
• Water and wastewater treatment
• Hazardous and toxic materials
• Harmful algal blooms

Graduates with a master’s in environmental science are the scientists and problem-solvers who lead collaborative teams from consulting firms, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations to solve today’s environmental issues.

Experienced, Respected Faculty

Small class sizes provide students with close mentorship and support from professors. Students experience an interdisciplinary approach in the master’s in environmental science program with interaction from science, mathematics, and engineering faculty. Focused on providing students with a well-rounded background, professors prepare graduates to meet the needs of future employers. Florida Tech professors also receive high praise from the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE).

Florida Tech’s environmental science master’s program provides a thorough background in the biological and chemical fundamentals of natural environmental systems. The university’s location near diverse ecosystems, such as the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean, makes it an ideal choice to study environmental science.

Tailored Curriculum Opportunity

Graduates from Florida Tech are prepared for career opportunities, armed with knowledge of the latest body of technical information in the industry and the experience of doing a considerable amount of research. Florida Tech’s curriculum emphasizes biological, chemical, or remote sensing studies within the environmental science master’s degree program. This gives students a well-rounded background necessary to meet the needs of the numerous career opportunities available to graduates.

A Hands-On Program

Working toward an environmental science master’s degree involves getting out in the field and experiencing the environment. Students have access to numerous research labs, centers and institutes as well as a fleet of aircraft and ocean vessels for hands-on data collection and analysis. Having access to nearby natural laboratories, including the Atlantic Ocean marine ecosystem, the diverse estuarine habitats of the Indian River Lagoon, and the area’s other natural resources, gives students a unique experience of a variety of environments to develop the skills they need to become environmental scientists. With professors who bring a wealth of experience to the classroom, and a culture that empowers graduates to be future leaders, Florida Tech offers students seeking an environmental science master’s degree the perfect setting in which to prepare for the complex environmental issues they’ll face in their career.

Small Class Sizes—Personalized Learning Environment

Because of small class sizes and a close-knit academic community, students enjoy individualized attention and mentorship from their professors. Students have access to numerous research labs, centers and institutes as well as small craft and larger, sea-going vessels for hands-on study experiences. Working closely with advisors, students research and develop a master's thesis, with the expectation that it will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. There is also a non-thesis option for the Master's in Environmental Science.

Research Opportunities

Research is the foundation of every degree program at Florida Tech. As candidates for the master's in environmental science, students pursue advanced academic studies in the use, control, and preservation of environmental resources and the enhancement of the quality of life. Laboratory work and courses propel students toward developing solutions to current and future environmental problems.

Graduates of the environmental science master’s degree program leave Florida Tech ready to provide solutions to companies in the private sector, and in local, state, and federal agencies. They are ready to address problems such as offshore oil spills and drilling impacts, drinking water resources, rising sea levels, and more.

High-Tech Laboratory Facilities

A graduate program in environmental science requires state-of-the-art facilities, and Florida Tech delivers. Some of those facilities are housed in the F. W. Olin Physical Sciences Center and Instrumentation Center, and the F.W. Olin Life Sciences Building. The Center for High Resolution Microscopy and Imaging is housed in Life Sciences.  An aquarium facility in the L3Harris Center provides opportunities for small-scale experimentation under environmentally controlled conditions. The Ralph S. Evinrude Marine Operations Center gives students and faculty direct access to the Indian River Lagoon. The Center for Remote Sensing encourages excellence in the development and application of remote-sensing science and technology.

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.

Students have an opportunity to venture into Florida's diverse and fragile environments through research and internships. Students venture into the Indian River Lagoon, as well as the Atlantic Ocean and other important environments. Kayaking through the Indian River to study native and invasive species, diving into the Atlantic Ocean to study algae, or researching the effects of local weather on ecosystems are what students might do when involved in environmental science internships and research.

Other topics in the field for environmental science internships and research could include:

• Offshore oil spills and drilling impacts
• Drinking water resources
• Rising sea levels
• Natural resource management
• Water and wastewater treatment
• Air quality
• Ecological surveys
• Nuclear waste
• Effects of local weather on ecosystems

Environmental science internships at Florida Tech provides students an opportunity to work with environmental organizations including:

• US Fish and Wildlife Service
• Florida Department of Environmental Regulation
• Marine Resources Council of East Central Florida
• Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program
• Johns River Water Management District
• NASA

Center for Remote Sensing

The Center encourages excellence in the development and application of remote-sensing science and technology. Field studies are conducted from the air and sea, either through Florida Tech’s fleet of aircraft or small boats, or though offshore charters.

Core areas of research includes:

• Satellite systems and data
• Hydroacoustics
• Digital image processing
• Environmental optics for remote sensing

The center has consulted and provided services to defense contractors, NASA, the Department of Energy, water management agencies, the Department of State, and the Department of Education, among others.

Enhance Your Degree and Career with Campus Groups

The Student Organization for Sustainability Action (SOSA) is dedicated to the implementation of sustainable practices for the Florida Tech community. The organization strives to identify and apply sustainability advances not just at Florida Tech but also throughout all colleges, campus facilities and support services.

The Florida Tech Environmental Club exists to better serve environmental awareness on campus, increase environmental friendliness and create a community of like-minded individuals who share ideas and engage the Florida Tech community through service, fundraising, and events.

Environmental scientists use their expertise in support of protecting the environment and human health concerns. They analyze environmental problems and develop solutions. This could include positions such as cleaning up polluted areas, advising policy-makers, improving air and water quality, or working with industry to reduce waste.

Environmental science careers are found in government agencies at the local, state and federal level, as well as environmental consulting firms, nonprofit organizations (such as conservancies), and higher education. Environmental scientists often interact with other scientists (chemists, biologists, and oceanographers, for example), as well as engineering firms and politicians.

Career Outlook

Graduates with a master’s in environmental science work for a variety of organizations in the public, private and nonprofit sectors, including the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, state environmental and wildlife agencies, solid waste management, law firms, Greenpeace, and the National Wildlife Federation.

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.

Employment of environmental scientists and specialists is projected to grow 15% from 2012 to 2022. While one area of growth is expected to be in private consulting, an environmental resource management career can also include a position as a compliance officer, remediation manager (clean-up of contaminated environmental sites), or managerial position in land planning and conservation.

Environmental Science Careers

Although not an exhaustive list, examples of jobs in environmental science include:

• Air quality program director
• Environmental scientist
• Environmental health & safety specialist
• Land use manager
• Sustainability specialist
• Natural resources conservation manager
• Climate change analyst
• Industrial ecologist
• Environmental chemist
• Restoration planner
• Director of conservation program
• Environmental protection specialist
• Wetlands program director