What is Coastal Zone Management?

Coastal Zone Management integrates ocean science with planning, designing, and executing effective solutions to marine environmental problems. Accordingly, the well-educated coastal zone manager understands both the scientific nature of contemporary issues affecting the zone where the land meets the water and the socioeconomic, political, legal, and practical approaches to solving the many vexing problems facing our complex society. With over 60% of Earth's population living within 100 km of sea and lake coasts, human impact on the air, soil, and water in this narrowly concentrated corridor is immense and growing rapidly. At Florida Tech, CZM is taught in the interdisciplinary educational environment of the Department of Marine and Environmental Systems which includes oceanography, ocean engineering and environmental sciences.

Where will you use Coastal Zone Management?

Opportunities exist forCoastal Zone managers in the private, educational, corporate, and governmental sectors. Some career areas to consider are: Urban Planning, Natural Disaster Recovery, Community Planning, Environmental Protection, Sustainability, or Natural Habitat Restoration.

Why Coastal Zone Management at Florida Tech?

At Florida tech, you will have amazing opportunities to use your skills out in the field! Nearby, the 150-mile long Indian River Lagoon estuary system has mud- and sand-flats, beds of five species of sea grass, mangroves and marshes. High-energy sand beaches, sand dunes and rocky habitats of inlets occur along the barrier island of Florida's east coast. Further south, the coral patch reefs of the Florida Keys are within a days drive. Offshore, there are opportunities to study shelf and deep-sea communities, and Earth's mightiest ocean current, the Gulf Stream. Nationally ranked academic programs and outstanding faculty await the Coastal Zone Management student, including "hands-on" experience that starts in the first semester. Our major facilities include:

Our undergraduate Program:

The undergraduate curriculum in coastal zone management prepares students for an oceanographic career in science-based decision-making and management using knowledge systems. As with other specializations in oceanography, the Coastal Zone Management student first acquires a sound foundation in the underlying scientific
principles, and in parallel learns about the marine environment to which those principles apply. A capstone experience in marine field projects or an internship draws together all the classroom and laboratory knowledge, and provides the Coastal Zone Management student with a practicum involving contemporary issues.

Our Graduate Program:

The Master of Science in Coastal Zone Management requires 30 approved credits beyond the bachelors degree, which should be in one of the natural or physical sciences or engineering.  The applicant should have had undergraduate course work that includes computer science, mathematics through calculus, chemistry, physics, and biology or geology.  Students with deficiencies in their undergraduate preparation (up to 12 credits) may take deficiencies and courses for graduate credit concurrently.  Graduate Record Examination General Test and a statement of objectives are required.

The Graduate Curriculum includes at least 24 credits in approved courses plus an internship.  Internships typically are arranged with local, state or federal agencies, with corporations, or with non-profit organizations.  While unique, it is feasible for particularly well-prepared full-time students to complete the course of study in 15 months. 

A typical curriculum includes:

Look at our catalog for more information about this program.