FAU Becomes State's First University to Host Onsite Quantum Computer | Florida Atlantic University will become the first university in Florida to publicly host a large, dedicated quantum computer on site. FAU has signed an agreement with D-Wave Quantum Inc. to acquire and install the revolutionary Advantage2 system on the university’s Boca Raton campus later this year. The deployment is expected to drive pioneering research, hands-on student training, and real-world applications in areas such as logistics, transportation, and materials discovery, solidifying Florida’s position as a leader in quantum computing. Read more. | | “Spearheaded by our Charles E. Schmidt College of Science and College of Engineering and Computer Science, our quantum computing system will serve as a powerful tool for tackling complex scientific and engineering challenges,” said Gregg Fields, Ph.D., FAU vice president for research. “Direct access to the hardware enables faster experimentation and deeper collaboration among researchers, while giving students and engineers hands-on experience with next-generation technology and helping to build a highly skilled workforce.” | | | FAU 'Shark-Repellent' Method Can Reform Fisheries by Curbing Bycatch | | Shark bycatch is a major global problem, with millions of sharks caught unintentionally each year in fisheries targeting tuna, swordfish and other species. Researchers at FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Science have developed a patent-pending zinc-and-graphite device to address the problem. The metals generate a small electric field that repels sharks from baited hooks while leaving target species unaffected. In Florida field trials, the device reduced shark bycatch by more than 60%. Read more. | | “Sharks have an incredible ability to sense even the smallest electric fields, and our tests show that this new approach can be used to keep them away from baited hooks,” said Stephen Kajiura, Ph.D., senior author, inventor and a professor in the FAU Department of Biological Sciences. “At the same time, important target species like tuna and swordfish are completely unaffected.” | | | FAU Among Top Online Undergraduate Programs | | A rising number of online programs offered at Florida Atlantic University, including through the Schmidt College of Science, are considered among the top in the nation, according to the 2026 rankings released by U.S. News and World Report. Florida Atlantic University’s online bachelor's program catapulted 46 spots to No. 77 in 2026. Read more. | | FAU Recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for Community Engagement | | Florida Atlantic University is one of 277 U.S. colleges and universities to receive the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification for 2026, which highlights an institution’s commitment to community engagement. With this recognition, Florida Atlantic is now one of only 11 universities in the United States to achieve three Carnegie Foundation designations: Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, “R1: Very High Research Spending and Doctorate Production,” and “Opportunity College and University.” Read more. | | Final Frontiers in Science 2026 Panel Discussion | Don't miss the final Frontiers in Science 2026 panel discussion on the future of Florida's coral reefs. Florida's coral reefs are invaluable natural treasures facing unprecedented threats from disease, climate change, and pollution. Join our panelists as they take you to the front lines of this crisis, sharing groundbreaking research on coral resilience, disease resistance, and innovative restoration techniques that are essential to securing the future of our oceans. | |
Saving Our Seas: On the Front Lines of Protecting Florida's Coral Reefs
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. panel discussion | 6:30-7:30 p.m. reception with refreshments
Live Oak Pavilion, Student Union, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton
| | Watch: Frontiers in Science: Unlocking the Code of Life | On Jan. 29, leading FAU and industry experts gathered to discuss the future of biotechnology and its power to revolutionize health and disease treatment by "unlocking the code of life." The panel explored the latest breakthroughs, including AI-driven drug discovery, personalized nutrition, and advanced brain and heart care. Watch to see how these innovations are rapidly translating into life-changing health solutions for our community. Watch here. | | FAU Set to Host 57th Southeastern International Conference on Combinatorics, Graph Theory and Computing | | The Department of Mathematics and Statistics, within the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, will host the 57th Southeastern International Conference on Combinatorics, Graph Theory, and Computing (SEICCGTC) from Monday, March 9 to Friday, March 13, in the Student Union on Florida Atlantic University’s Boca Raton campus. The annual event attracts leading mathematicians, researchers and enthusiasts from around the globe to discover new insights into the impact of modern applied mathematics and computer science. Read more. | | FAU Researcher Leads Pioneering NSF-Funded Study to Boost Coastal Resilience in South Florida | Assistant Professor Stephanie Wakefield, Ph.D., is overseeing the Social-Ecological Landscape Working Group as part of a $6.375 million renewal from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for the Florida Coastal Everglades Long Term Ecological Research (FCE-LTER) program. The program is one of 28 sites in the NSF’s Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) Network. FCE researchers examine how climate change and disturbances interact with shifting management of freshwater resources to determine the dynamics and fate of coastal ecosystem properties, functions and services to people. Read more. | Decoding Anxiety: Graduate Student Nicole Acosta's Developmental Psychology Research Unlocks Clues to Early Childhood Mental Health | Nicole Acosta, M.A. ’25, is an Experimental Psychology student in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. Acosta plays a key role in clinical research funded by a National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) grant, conducting psychiatric assessments of preschool-aged children and working directly with their mothers. Her research focuses on early manifestations of psychopathology in young children, with a particular emphasis on internalizing behaviors. Through her work, she hopes to better understand these early indicators and pave the way for timely interventions. Read more. | | Watch: Saving Coral Reefs: The Fish-Coral Connection | | Coral reefs worldwide are declining due to disease and climate change, but can other sea creatures help save them? Carsten Grupstra, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, is working to find solutions. His lab conducts fieldwork in locations like Palau, Panama and Southeast Florida to identify coral populations that are naturally resistant to human pressures. Watch video. | | |
AI for Science Course
Launching Spring 2026: A new 3-credit course for science undergraduate students!
Get ready to master the essential tool of the future. AI for Science (IDS 4934) will be offered to prepare you for a world where AI proficiency is a core skill. Prerequisites: None! Designed for students with no prior programming experience. Learn more. Questions? Contact Evonne Rezler, Ph.D.
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Apply for the WLW-ECOS Undergraduate Research Fellowship
The Spring 2026 WLW-ECOS Research Fellowship Program offers College of Science undergraduates the opportunity to gain hands-on research experience by working directly with ECOS-affiliated faculty on solution-driven environmental research projects. Fellows receive paid research positions ($22/hour) while building valuable skills, exploring environmental science careers, and contributing to projects that make a real impact. Learn more.
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Pre-Health Professions Week
Registration is now open for the annual Pre-Health Professions Week and Graduate and Professional School Fair, on Monday, March 23 to Friday, March 27, 2026. This free event is open to Florida Atlantic undergraduate and graduate students to talk personally with admission representatives from various health-related graduate and professional programs. Learn more.
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HBOI Ocean Lecture Series
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute has released the schedule for its spring 2026 free community lecture series. The series runs every Wednesday through the end of March. Learn more.
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Spring 2026 Electrocardiogram (EKG-12 Leads) Technician Course
This comprehensive 30-hour EKG technician course prepares individuals to function as EKG and Monitor technicians in hospitals, clinics, doctor's offices and other health care facilities. No previous health care experience is required. After completing this course, you will be able to analyze cardiac rhythms and 12 lead EKGs. The spring session runs Monday, Feb. 2-Wednesday, March 14, 2026. Learn more.
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Smart Cities and IoT Certificate
The Charles E. Schmidt College of Science’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning, in partnership with the College of Engineering and Computer Science, offers the Smart Cities and Internet of Things (Sc-IoT) Certificate for undergraduate students. Learn more.
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Certified Nursing Assistant Test Prep
This continuing education course is a test preparation course intended for students to “challenge” the CNA exam. This exam preparation course is not affiliated with any certifying boards. The next session runs Tuesday, Feb. 10-Thursday, March 5. Learn more.
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Assisted Reproductive Technology Spring ’26
The ART certificate course is for professionals or current students seeking a career in human reproductive medicine, veterinary medicine, nursing, biomedical science and other allied life science programs. The course runs Tuesday, March 24-Thursday, April 23. Learn more.
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DNA Forensics Spring ’26
This 5-week certificate course in DNA Forensics is intended for current professionals and non-professional students contemplating a career in biotech, forensic science, criminal justice and other allied life science programs. The course runs Tuesday, March 24-Thursday, April 23. Learn more.
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Spring 2026 Grant Writing Course Open to All Ph.D. Students
Enroll in EEX 7256 Grant Writing to gain the practical skills needed to craft competitive, funded grant proposals. Open to doctoral students across all disciplines, this course is taught by Chair of the Department of Special Education, Joseph Gagnon, Ph.D., in the College of Education, who has secured over $2.5 million in funded research. Start developing your fundable proposal this spring. Learn more.
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ECOS Internship Opportunities
The Florida Atlantic School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability (ECOS) paid internships provide student stipends while they complete degree-related career experiences at local, well-established nonprofit environment-linked organizations. Students are paid through FAU’s WLW-ECOS Student Success Fund. Learn more.
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Join Florida Atlantic's School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability (ECOS)
Florida Atlantic's School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability (ECOS) invites all FAU faculty, postdocs and graduate students to become affiliate members of the school. Engage in transformational interdisciplinary research, teaching and community engagement initiatives that bring forth the collective environmental capabilities of the university. Learn more.
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'New York Times' Article Features Department of Exercise Science Postdoctoral Fellow
The New York Times featured Zac Robinson, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow in the college's Department of Exercise Science and Health Promotion, for the article, "What's the Least Amount of Exercise You Need to Stay Healthy?" Read more.
| | Partner With the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science as We Race Toward Excellence! | | Two to Tango: 2025 FAU Art of Science Student in the Field winner, Aaron Mencia, graduate student in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. While humans can struggle with cooperation, monogamous owl monkeys (Aotus nancymaae) are natural collaborators that share everything from parenting to food. Kai (left) and Winston are pictured tackling the "loose string paradigm," a puzzle requiring two individuals to pull a string simultaneously to reach a reward. | | At the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, we have an unprecedented obligation and opportunity to provide our students and community with the highest caliber of research, scientific invention, and education in the country. | | | | |
