Professional Caliber

Students here are introduced to the tools used by professionals to access satellite data from around the world and taught how to view and interpret it.

Real Experience

Access to the local National Weather Service site, the 45th Weather Squadron and the Kennedy Space Center gives our students direct industry experience.

Unbeatable Location

Our subtropical locale and proximity to the coast make Florida Tech the perfect place to study tropical storm development and offshore wave development.

Very simply, meteorology is the study of the Earth’s atmosphere, a component of Earth system science, and a meteorologist is someone who predicts the weather. Meteorology students become experts in math and physics, build a comprehensive knowledge of meteorology and gain in-depth exposure to fields like oceanography, geology, space science, environmental science, climate science and atmospheric chemistry.

Why Meteorology at Florida Tech?There are many reasons the meteorology program at Florida Tech stands out among its peers at other institutions. Small classes taught by professors whose teaching is informed by their cutting-edge research makes for a supportive, engaging learning environment in which students are able to effectively pursue their passion. Additionally, our students benefit from the university’s prime location in the heart of the Space Coast. Only here can you study a short drive away from a National Weather Service site, the U.S. Air Force launch support team at Patrick Air Force Base, Kennedy Space Center and the Atlantic coast. Plus, the weather here never disappoints.

Your First-Year ExperienceA unique and memorable component of each student’s first-year experience in the meteorology program at Florida Tech is the “Whole Earth Course.” This class, which integrates biology, chemistry, physics, geology and mathematics leads students to experience and understand our planet as a system of interacting processes. Students may also enroll in “Weather Briefing,” a course that covers the key aspects of forecasting. Another signature of meteorology at Florida Tech is that first-year students are invited to work alongside faculty on weather research and often begin working on projects during their first few weeks on campus.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Alumni include Kassandra Crimi ‘08, meteorologist for WFTV/WRDQ-TV in Orlando, home of Severe Weather Center 9.

• Students may get involved in the Florida Tech Student Chapter of the American Meteorological Society (FITSCAMS).

• Melbourne, Fla. is home to a National Weather Service forecast office, which offers fieldwork and internship opportunities to students.

Programs in the College of Engineering

Aerospace Engineering

Biomedical Engineering

Chemical Engineering

Civil Engineering

Computer Engineering

Computer Science

Construction Management

Electrical Engineering

Environmental Science

Mechanical Engineering

Meteorology

Ocean Engineering

Oceanography

Software Engineering

METEOROLOGY

Signature Research Areas

Sustainability of the Environment

Intelligent Systems

Assured Information and Cyber Security

New Space Systems and Commercialization of Space

Communication Systems and Signal Processing

Biomedical Systems

AD-573-712

Office of Undergraduate Admission150 W. University Blvd.Melbourne, FL 32901-6975

Ph: (321) 674-8030Toll Free: (800) 888-4348Fax: (321) 674-8004

admission@fit.eduwww.fit.eduFollow us

Scholarships

Every year, faculty assist high-achieving meteorology students in applying for scholarships from the American Meteorological Society.

FITSCAMS

Our student chapter of the American Meteorological Association is active and plans social activities (like bowling!) and field trips to places like the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

Summer Field Projects

In the summer between their junior and senior years, students carry out capstone research projects in a wide variety of areas, from thunderstorm development along seabreeze fronts to the effects of coastal buildings and landforms on wind behavior.

What to ExpectMeteorology students may expect small classes and the opportunity to work with faculty and local organizations on vital weather-related projects. The program’s reputation and proximity to a variety of forecast teams and laboratories means you can also expect to build valuable industry experience off campus.

Specialized Labs & ResourcesHigh-tech marine and environmental systems laboratories provide facilities and instrumentation that can be used for beach surveying, the measurement and analysis of water waves and more. A dedicated meteorology lab gives students

access to a professional caliber meteorological data stream.

Faculty Research AreasThe department of marine and environmental systems is an integrated group of environmental scientists, oceanographers, ocean engineers and meteorologists who share a keen interest in preserving, protecting and enhancing natural resources. Their research interests are broad and often interrelated. Current research focuses on, for example:

• Tropical cyclone and hurricane wind speed probability

• Freshwater-saltwater hydrology

• Atmospheric radiative transfer

• Climate change

CareersStudents who graduate with a degree in meteorology are likely to find careers in weather forecasting. Graduates of Florida Tech’s meteorology program have gone on to work for organizations such as:

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

• National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP)

• U.S. Air Force

• Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC)

• Private weather forecasting services

Graduate StudyGraduates of the meteorology program at Florida Tech are prepared to pursue advanced degrees in atmospheric science and related fields and have gone on to study at graduate schools such as:

• Florida State University

• Texas Institute of Technology

• North Carolina State University

• Purdue University

• UCLA

• University of Florida

• University of North Dakota

• University of Utah

Meteorologists do more than TV weather reports. They play a vital role in government and private-sector aviation, communications, environmental, marine and space enterprises.

Department ContactMarine and Environmental SystemsPhone: (321) 674-8096dmes@fit.eduhttp://coe.fit.edu/dmes

Meteorology

www.fit.edu/programs/ugrad

Florida Institute of Technology is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, education specialist and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Florida Institute of Technology. Florida Institute of Technology does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, Vietnam-era veterans status or any other discrimination prohibited by law in the admission of students, administration of its educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, employment policies, and athletic or other university sponsored programs or activities.

ProTrackENGINEERING CO-OPFlorida Tech’s ProTrack Engineering Co-op program allows engineering students to complete up to three semester-long paid work experiences related to their major and career interests while still earning a bachelor’s degree in four years. With ProTrack, students graduate on time and ahead of the curve.

PROTRACK MAJORS The ProTrack Engineering Co-op is open to students admitted to a College of Engineering degree program, including:

• Aerospace engineering• Biomedical engineering• Chemical engineering• Civil engineering• Computer engineering• Computer science• Construction management

• Electrical engineering• Environmental science• Mechanical engineering• Meteorology• Oceanography• Ocean engineering• Software engineering

How ProTrack WorksProspective students applying for admission to Florida Tech’s College of Engineering and wishing to enroll in ProTrack should indicate so by checking the appropriate box on their admission application, which may be completed online at www.fit.edu/ugrad/apply.

The entire first year is spent in classes at Florida Tech, where students build a strong foundation in the knowledge and skills needed for their first co-op job. Students must earn an average GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in their academic studies their first year to continue in ProTrack.

During the first year of study, ProTrack students take ProTrack Cooperative Education Preparation, a comprehensive preparatory course focused on critical skills and strategies for success in choosing the right co-op and excelling in it. Topics include industry exploration, résumé development, the job search, interview skills and workplace professionalism.

In their second year, ProTrack students continue their engineering education to prepare them for their first co-op work experience. For the majority of the ProTrack students, this first experience occurs during the spring semester of sophomore year. A typical ProTrack schedule is show below.

ProTrack Students:• Put classroom knowledge to use in

real-world problem-solving scenarios, preparing you for advanced course work and exciting careers of the future

• Gain insight into your professional strengths, making you better able to assess personal career interests and goals, and to confidently pursue them

• Build valuable workplace experience and hone transferable professional skills, making you a hot prospect in the eyes of future employers

• Get eyes and hands on the technologies and trends of the future in industries that will set the standards for tomorrow

• Explore up to three different positions related to your major and career interests before graduation

• Expand your professional network by making important industry contacts

• Graduate with your employer’s name on your official university transcript

• Get ahead financially, both in the short and long term; co-op earnings can be used to pay for tuition or living expenses and students graduating with co-op experience typically earn higher starting salaries

• Graduate sooner than traditional co-op students and maintain any previously developed senior design groups

ProTrack Fall Spring Summer A Summer B

Freshman Class Class Class Break

Sophomore Class Co-op Experience 1(6 credits online)

Class Break

Junior Co-op Experience 2(3 credits online)

Class Co-op Experience 3(3 credits online)

Senior Class Class Senior Design Graduation

*Some students may require a modified schedule depending on their degree program and academic standing.

Chris Nagel ’13, Mechanical Engineering, worked at NASA–Johnson Space Center as part of his ProTrack experience.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE PROTRACK ENGINEERING CO-OP?The program is open to all incoming freshmen admitted into any of the outstanding degree programs offered by the College of Engineering. Students must earn a 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) their first year in order to begin their co-op rotation during their second year.

ProTrack students interested in one of our FastTrack Master’s Degree programs are able and encouraged to participate. There’s only one thing better than gaining a year of work experience while earning your bachelor’s degree in four years, and that’s earning both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years with work experience!

International students are able to enroll in ProTrack. Those choosing this program should, however, carefully manage their co-op experiences to keep their total time of employment under 52 weeks so they do not risk losing the ability to pursue post-degree practical training.

HOW MUCH CAN A PROTRACK STUDENT EARN THROUGH THE CO-OP EXPERIENCES?On average, students have earned $7,680 in Co-op Experience 1, $10,240 in Co-op Experience 2 and $12,800 in Co-op Experience 3. That’s over $30,000 over the course of the program.

WHAT IF I’M NOT AN ENGINEERING MAJOR?While the ProTrack Engineering Co-op program is specifically designed to combine co-op with engineering curricula, students in science, business, aeronautics, psychology, communication and the humanities can work with Career Management Services to find co-ops related to their major interests and career goals. Non-engineering students have completed co-ops, internships and temporary employment positions with many of our ProTrack Partners, as well as other educational and nonprofit organizations, media outlets, scientific and government agencies, and high-tech businesses. Whatever your major, you can get real-world experience related to your career goals at Florida Tech.

WHERE DO PARTICIPANTS WORK AND ARE THEY GUARANTEED CO-OP EMPLOYMENT?Students work at a variety of exciting scientific and technical organizations including Harris Corporation, Microsoft, Google, NASA, SpaceX and more. Students may also work with Career Management Services to write up a co-op proposal to the company of their choice.

Florida Tech will make every effort to find sufficient co-op employment positions for ProTrack students, but the university cannot guarantee employment. This applies especially to international students, since the U.S. government security regulations can sometimes make the employment of non-citizens difficult. The employment process is competitive. Academic performance, skills, motivation, maturity, attitude and potential will determine whether or not a student is offered a job. If a student is not employed through the interviewing process, Career Management Services will advise students on alternatives to gaining work experience through the ProTrack Co-op program. Failure to obtain work authorization status or ProTrack employment does not entitle any student to a change of academic status, refund or adjustment of tuition and fees charges.

WHO MANAGES THE PROTRACK ENGINEERING CO-OP PROGRAM?Career Management Services manages all internship and cooperative education programs, including ProTrack Co-op, working closely with students and their respective academic departments to provide top quality learning experiences. In addition, Career Management Services provides advisement and training services designed to optimize the co-op experience and maximize the value of the relationship among students, employers and the university. Career Management Services is responsible for:

• Advising employers on how to optimize their participation in Florida Tech Co-op

• Arranging for co-op on-campus recruiting interviews

• Giving co-op orientation training and professional career guidance to students

• Providing feedback on employment trends to students and faculty

“I love that my work directly affected the space program. I love that I wasn’t shoved in a corner and told to make copies, but instead I got to be a real member of a team of NASA engineers.”

Chris Nagel ’13 Mechanical EngineeringWorked at NASA–Johnson Space Center

Office of Undergraduate Admission150 W. University Blvd.Melbourne, FL 32901-6975

Ph: (321) 674-8030Toll Free: (800) 888-4348Fax: (321) 674-8004

admission@fit.eduwww.fit.edu | www.fit.edu/career/co-op

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Florida Institute of Technology is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, education specialist and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Florida Institute of Technology. Florida Institute of Technology does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, Vietnam-era veterans status or any other discrimination prohibited by law in the admission of students, administration of its educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, employment policies, and athletic or other university sponsored programs or activities.

Location AdvantageFlorida Tech’s ProTrack Engineering Co-op program benefits from the university’s prime location in the heart of the “Space Coast.” Brevard County is home to the fourth-largest high-tech workforce in the nation and thousands of scientific and technological companies, organizations and agencies, many of which are in close proximity to our Melbourne, Fla. campus—making Florida Tech the perfect place to learn, work and play.

PROTRACK PARTNERS Here are just some of the many dynamic organizations at which Florida Tech students have earned co-op experience:

• Apple, Inc.• Boeing Company• Embraer• Florida Power and Light• GE• General Dynamics• Harris

• HP• Intel• Lockheed Martin• Microsoft• NASA • National Security Agency• Northrop Grumman

• PG&E• Pratt & Whitney• Raymond James• Raytheon• Rockwell Collins• Siemens• Space X