Ocean Engineering, B.S.

What is Ocean Engineering?

Get a Master's in Ocean Engineering

The Ocean Engineering B.S.

Ocean engineering blends civil, mechanical and electrical engineering with naval architecture and applied oceanography, all tailored to the unique challenges of the ocean environment.

Ocean engineering has five key areas of focus:

Coastal engineering
Hydrographic engineering
Marine vehicles (naval architecture)
Marine materials and corrosion
Underwater technology/ocean energy

Whether you want to become a naval architect or develop a new way of preventing coastal erosion, an ocean engineering degree from Florida Tech gives you a strong background in engineering with experience in environmental science and instrumentation.

No. 2

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Why Choose Florida Tech for Ocean Engineering?

Located just over the causeway from the Atlantic Ocean, Florida Tech offers an ocean engineering program that is both hands-on and immersive, with a strong focus on fieldwork, laboratory experiments and seagoing experiences. Whether on the water or in the classroom, you'll develop a solid foundation in chemistry, math and physics, while gaining deep expertise in coastal processes, ocean systems and leading-edge design technologies.

At Florida Tech you will learn from top ocean, civil, electrical and mechanical engineers, as well as renowned oceanographers, meteorologists, marine biologists and environmental scientists. Many professors are registered professional engineers and active researchers who encourage students to join their research teams.

Because Florida Tech has small class sizes and a low student-to-faculty ratio, students develop active working relationships with professors and are often hired to assist in research and design projects. Seniors participate in research projects that have included topics in ocean energy, beach erosion, sediment transport and the design of high-speed small craft.

We’re in the heart of the Space Coast—NASA-Kennedy Space Center on Cape Canaveral is just north of us—and in a high-tech corridor. You’ll benefit from Florida Tech’s strong connections to leading technology companies and have plenty of opportunities to form valuable connections that lead to future career options.

When it’s time to relax, you’re just minutes from 72 miles of beautiful beaches and a short trip away from the Florida Keys or the Orlando theme parks.

But you won’t have to travel far for rest and relaxation: We have a rich campus life that includes intramural and collegiate sports, over 200 campus-wide student organizations and clubs, and a variety of social activities. Whether you are interested in fishing, freediving, scuba, surf or swim—or activities on dry land—there is a group for you!

Beyond the classroom, ocean engineering students build leadership and professional experience through participation in academic organizations like Tau Beta Pi (the engineering honor society), student government, and other campus-wide student organizations.

The Society of Ocean Engineers at Florida Tech (SOE) comprises student chapters of the Marine Technology Society (MTS) and the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME) and establishes networking opportunities between students and professionals in the field. These networks can help members find ocean engineering internship positions and possible career opportunities.

Ocean engineering internship opportunities provide our students with hands-on work experience to prepare them for the career world. Some of the companies and organizations providing ocean engineering internship experiences are:

Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
Triton Submarines
Center for Coastal Studies
Jacobs
Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Carderock Division
ACT Engineers Inc.
Government agencies

Employers seek out graduates with an ocean engineering degree from Florida Tech. Employers that have recruited our students for internships and careers include:

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
U.S. Navy
Norfolk Shipbuilding and Drydock Corp.
EPCOT
National Science Foundation
L3Harris Technologies Inc.
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Northrop Grumman Corp.
Boeing Co.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
SpaceX

Careers in Ocean Engineering

With a degree in ocean engineering, you can look forward to a wide range of job possibilities. As an ocean engineer, you might work to prevent coastal erosion, design jetties and seawalls or work as a naval architect, designing structures and vehicles for marine environments—from aircraft carriers and submarines to sailboats and tankers.

Students are prepared for success in the profession with a strong background in engineering and in-depth experience in experimentation and hands-on design.

Looking ahead to your future career can be exciting! Keep in mind that certain roles may entail additional prerequisites, such as an advanced degree.

Florida Tech Career Services assists students, alumni and employers in their search for careers and employee candidates. We help students develop career plans and job-search skills. Explore our Career Toolbox to learn more about our services and access additional resources.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), provides information about jobs, including median annual pay, working conditions and job outlook, among other things. Check the handbook for information on the outlook for jobs in ocean engineering.

Advanced Degree Options

After earning your ocean engineering degree, you might decide to join the workforce or to continue your studies in graduate school.

Some of the graduate programs ocean engineering graduates choose include:

Explore the Ocean Engineering, B.S., Curriculum

The Ocean Engineering, B.S., Curriculum

You'll build a strong foundation in mathematics, physics, chemistry, mechanics, computer programming and humanities early in your studies. As you progress, you'll dive into ocean science and engineering analysis.

A summer field experience offers hands-on marine field projects, where you'll analyze, design, construct, install and operate equipment in the marine environment. For those unable to participate in the summer, field projects are available during regular semesters.

In your final year, you'll apply your knowledge to ocean engineering challenges and complete a capstone project.

The courses you will take include:

Hydromechanics and Wave Theory
Protection of Marine Materials
Structural Design of Marine Vehicles
Fundamentals of Offshore Engineering

Check the catalog for a description of all courses.

Download the Ocean Engineering, B.S. Curriculum now!

An ocean engineering student working on deck on the marine field projects cruise

The Resources You Need; A Location You'll Love

Aerial view of the Mertens marine center and the inland waterway

As an ocean engineering student at Florida Tech, you will enjoy unique opportunities to study in a marine environment, and to complete an ocean engineering design project in state-of-the-art facilities.

Just a few minutes from campus, where Crane Creek meets the Indian River Lagoon, the Mertens Marine Center serves as a base of operations for research and student training.

Steps away, the Florida Tech Ralph S. Evinrude Marine Operations Center houses small outboard-powered craft and medium-sized workboats for shallow-water testing. Ocean-going vessels are chartered for larger projects.

In addition to ocean science labs, you will have access to laboratories for fluid mechanics, wave dynamics, underwater technology, corrosion and biofouling, instrumentation, materials and electronics.

The L3Harris Student Design Center, a one-of-a-kind, 12,000 square foot building featuring remarkable equipment and resources, is a focus of activity for student ocean engineering research and design projects. Here, you'll have access to machine and welding shops, fiberglass-fabrication facilities, materials testing rooms and more.

Image: The Mertens Marine Center (foreground) at the edge of the Atlantic Intercoastal Waterway. Photo credit: Pink Flamingo Photography, Jennifer Schumacher

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Learn more about Ocean Engineering at Florida Tech on the website.

Dive Deep into Real-World Ocean Engineering

Student capstone field projects allow ocean engineering majors to design and create functioning projects for a variety of applications, all tested in real-world environments. Seniors present their capstone projects to peers, faculty and industry leaders at the Northrup Grumman Engineering and Science Student Design Showcase, held on campus each spring.

Student research projects have included:

Artificial reefs in the Mexican Caribbean
Autonomous underwater vehicles
Resin 3D Printed Marine Operable ROV
Surface marine buoy to record wave data
Real-time oceanographic and meteorological data in Sebastian Inlet
Sustainable, nature based thin layer marsh restoration

Field projects like these put Florida Tech students in a very competitive position to begin their ocean engineering careers.

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