Florida Institute of Technology - Ad Astra Yearbook (Melbourne, FL)

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Top Left: Dr. C. Tucker, Director Bottom Left L to R Mrs. G. Wylie, Dr. C. Tucker, Mrs. J. Strother 225

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224 ENGINEERING OCEANOGRAPHY AND OCEAN Dr. D. Norris, Head; Dr. J. Breeding, Drz S.. Costa, Dr. WW aNelsonw Dre Reichard, Dr. A. Rice, Dr. J. Sainsbury, Drr. D. Stauble, Dr. J. Trefry, Dr. J. Windsor. A Department of Oceanography was initiated in 1966 with a curriculum in physical oceanography only. Biological and chemical oceanography were added over the next five years. The ocean engineering program was established in 1972 when the department became the Department of Oceanography and Ocean Engineering. An additional curriculum, in geological oceanography, became available in 1980. Present research ef- forts by faculty, research assistants, and graduate students in the department include chemical oceanography studies in the Gulf of Mexico and biological geological studies on our own coast. A research team headed by Dr. John H. Trefry is investigating the fate of selected pollutants (e.g. lead, cadmium, and mer- cury) which are carried down the Mississippi River. The NOAA funded researchers are using “state of the art” instru- mentation to analyze sediments from the river delta to deter- mine concentrations and fate of the polluntants. To determine the impact on marine life, levels of these toxic metals in shrimp and other marine organisms are being investigated. Levels of various presticides in the delta region are also being studied. Dr. Donald K. Stauble and Dr. Walter G. Nelson are both supported by the Florida Sea Grant College to develop engi- neering and biological guidelines for future beach restoration projects in Florida. The researchers and their support person- nel are analyzing various aspects of the Brevard County beaches as well as beach restoration sites around the state. Dr. Iver W. Duedall, our new department head, adds strength to an already strong program in chemical oceanography. Thus, we are presently adding a Ph.D. program in chemical oceanog- raphy. We will continue to improve the quality of educational opportunities at both the graduate and undergraduate levels while we expand our research efforts. Also, facilities are being developed for a computer aided design laboratory and a new wave tank facility for use by o cean engineering and oceanogra- phy students.

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The Department of Biological Sciences began op- eration on January 3, 1971, with 116 students in freshman biology. The department developed rap- idly, and began offering an M.S. degee in 1972 and the Ph.D in 1974. Although research was an impor- tant part of the department’s activities from its be- ginning, research activities went into high gear around 1977, with the awarding of the first of a continuing series of large grants from the federal government for the instruments and other needs for research. The department offers a strong undergraduate pro- gram in general biology which contains 88 credits of biology courses. There is also an option for specialization in marine biology, an option in moli- cular biology genetic engineering, and an option for preparation for study in medical, dental, or veterinary school. In all of these cases, laboratory work has been designed to provide students with the latest skills for employment, based on informa- tion obtained from potential employers. Under- graduate research is also an important part of the program, and a student may earn up to 18 credits of independent research in a faculty member's re- search lab. The most recent development for under- graduates is the use of computers for individual interactive learning in different areas of biology. All of the faculty members have active research programs in progress, involving both graduate and undergraduate researchers. Almost 200 papers have been published by the faculty members in biologi- cal sciences and their students. Research areas are in cytogenetics, developmental biology, ecology, genetics, marine biology and molecular biology. Specific research ranges from genetic engineering to the ecology of coral reefs. Top Left: Head of Biological Sciences, Dr. George C. Webster Above: Back Row L. R., Dr. K. Kasweck, Dr. J. Morris, Dr. G. Cohen, Dr. C. Polson, Front Row L. R., Dr. W. Alevizon, Dr. J. Park, Dr. G. Webster, Dr. G. Wells During the next 25 years of F.I.T.’s life, the biologi- cal sciences department will grow in both size and activity. The faculty will continue to be in the fore- front of research, and extensive use of computer- assisted instruction and even newer techniques will increase greatly the efficiency of learning for stu- dents.