Exploring Florida Atlantic University: A Guide to its Campuses and Features

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) stands as a public research university with a rich history and a growing presence in South Florida. From its humble beginnings as the first public university in the Miami metro area to its current status as a multi-campus institution with over 30,000 students, FAU has evolved to meet the educational demands of a diverse and expanding population. This article provides an overview of FAU's campuses, academic programs, research initiatives, and key features.

A Legacy of Growth and Adaptation

Founded on September 14, 1964, Florida Atlantic University has a unique origin story. The university was built on the grounds of the former Boca Raton Army Airfield, a World War II-era training facility. This historical connection is commemorated in the university's architecture and campus layout.

Initially offering only upper-division and graduate-level courses, FAU expanded its offerings in 1984 to include lower-division undergraduate programs. This decision reflected the rapidly increasing population of South Florida and the growing need for accessible higher education.

Today, FAU operates six campuses across Palm Beach, Broward, and St. Lucie counties, serving a region of over three million people. This multi-campus structure allows FAU to cater to the specific needs of different communities while maintaining a unified academic mission.

The Boca Raton Campus: FAU's Heart

The main campus in Boca Raton serves as the central hub for the university. More than 70 percent of FAU's students attend classes here, and the majority of the University's 170+ degree programs are based here. This 850-acre site, once an Army airbase, now houses a wide array of academic, research, and recreational facilities.

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Key Features of the Boca Raton Campus

Academic and Research Facilities: The campus boasts state-of-the-art labs, classrooms, and research centers, supporting a diverse range of academic disciplines.
Student Housing: On-campus housing options provide a convenient and engaging living environment for students.
Aquatic Research: A 6,000-gallon shark tank offers unique opportunities for aquatic research.
Cultural and Recreational Amenities: A movie theater, athletic facilities, and the student-run record label Hoot/Wisdom Recordings contribute to a vibrant campus culture.
Athletics: The Boca Raton campus is home to Florida Atlantic's Division I athletics program, where the Owls compete in the American Athletic Conference (AAC).
Burrowing Owl Sanctuary: Designated as a burrowing owl sanctuary in 1971 by the Audubon Society, the campus provides a safe haven for these unique birds.

Navigating the Boca Raton Campus: Parking and Directions

Visitors to the Boca Raton campus have several parking options:

Parking Meters: Traditional coin-operated meters and digital multispace meters are located throughout the campus.
Temporary Parking Permits: These can be purchased for a more extended stay.
Information Booth: Located on Broward Avenue near the Glades Road Entrance at NW 10th St., the Information Booth provides directions to convenient parking locations.

Directions to the Boca Raton Campus:

From I-95: Exit Glades Road heading East. Make a left into FAU's Main Entrance (NW 10th Ave.). Make your first, immediate right on Indian River St. Continue straight and make the fifth left on St. Lucie Avenue South. Follow along curve and continue straight. Make a left on Arts Ave.
From US-1: Exit on Glades Road heading west. Make a right into FAU's East entrance (NW 13th Street). Continue Straight and make your second left on Arts Ave. Continue straight through stop sign.

Expanding Horizons: FAU's Branch Campuses

In addition to the main campus, FAU operates several branch campuses, each with its own unique focus and offerings.

John D. MacArthur Campus (Jupiter)

Established in 1999, the John D. MacArthur Campus in Jupiter serves residents of central and northern Palm Beach and southern Martin counties. This 45-acre campus is home to:

The Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
Two of the world’s leading research organizations, the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience and The Scripps Research Institute
Classroom and office buildings
A library
A 500-seat auditorium
Residence halls
A dining hall
A museum building
A utility plant

The John D. MacArthur Campus presently enrolls 1,500 students and offers groundbreaking programs in research and education. Two of the world’s leading research organizations, the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience and The Scripps Research Institute, are located on the campus and offer high school, undergraduate and graduate students transformational experiences not found anywhere else in the world. The campus is home to the nationally-ranked Harriet L.

FAU Davie

FAU's second-largest campus is located in central Broward County with Broward College as part of the South Florida Education Center. More than 5,000 students take classes at FAU's second-largest campus. Conveniently located in central Broward County with Broward College as part of the South Florida Education Center, FAU Davie offers coursework in 30 degree programs. The campus features more than 300,000 square feet of labs, classrooms, offices and a jointly administered library. The Davie Campus of Florida Atlantic University was established in 1990 on 38 acres (0.15 km2) of land in western Broward County. The campus serves approximately 3,488 students, or 13% of the FAU student body, making it the university's second largest campus by enrollment. FAU colleges offering courses at the FAU Davie campus include Social Work and Criminal Justice, Arts and Letters, Business, Education, Nursing, and Science. The campus is located on Broward College's Central Campus. Students may enter BC as freshmen and graduate from FAU with undergraduate degrees in over 14 disciplines. Other support facilities include a shared Childcare Center, a student Wellness Center and a multi-service Student Union. The campus also offers a rich and varied program of student activities provided by the Division of Student Affairs. Students have all of the services they require for career counseling, wellness, testing and evaluation, tutoring, health services, student government and financial aid, among others.

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The campus features a multi-story student union with offices for student government and student organizations, a multipurpose area and student lounge, a bookstore, and cafeteria. The union also contains a student health center that provides medical services and health counseling. Davie is also the home of "environmental research initiatives focused on Everglades restoration."

SeaTech (Dania Beach)

The Dania Beach Campus, also known as SeaTech, was founded in 1997 as a state-funded Type II research center. The institute is part of FAU's Department of Ocean Engineering which was founded in 1965 as the first ocean engineering undergraduate program in the nation. The campus is located on 8 acres (0.03 km2) of land between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. This waterfront Dania Beach facility (SeaTech) houses the Institute for Ocean and Systems Engineering and complements the academic programs of the Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering. SeaTech is situated near the Dania Beach pier to take advantage of its close proximity to the Atlantic Gulf Stream current. It is home to industry-sponsored ocean engineering research and technology development in the areas of acoustics, marine vehicles, hydrodynamics and physical oceanography, marine materials and nano-composites.

Fort Lauderdale

The university has two buildings in downtown Fort Lauderdale, both of which are considered part of one Fort Lauderdale campus. The Askew Tower (AT) and the Higher Education Complex (HEC) on Las Olas Boulevard. The Fort Lauderdale campus is strategically located at the Florida Atlantic Broward College Higher Education Complex (HEC) on Las Olas Boulevard in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The downtown campus is home to the School of Architecture; Graphic Design; and Film, Video and New Media.

Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (Fort Pierce)

FAU's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (HBOI) is dedicated to exploring the world's oceans and integrating the science and technology of the sea with the needs of humankind. In addition to the Treasure Coast Campus, FAU operates a campus in Fort Pierce at the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution.

Treasure Coast Campus (Port St. Lucie)

Florida Atlantic purchased 50 acres (0.2 km2) of land in Port St. Lucie in 1994. Treasure Coast Campus of Florida Atlantic University operated through a partnership with Indian River State College (IRSC). At the end of spring 2012 class term, Florida Atlantic University ended offering classes at the Port St.

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Academics and Research at FAU

Florida Atlantic University offers a wide range of academic programs across its ten colleges:

Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine
Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
College of Social Work and Criminal Justice
College of Business
College of Education
College of Engineering and Computer Science
Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College

The university offers over 180 different bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs. The top three undergraduate majors by enrollment are elementary education, accounting, and management, respectively.

Research Initiatives

FAU is committed to research and innovation, with several centers and institutes dedicated to advancing knowledge in key areas.

Centers of Excellence: The Center of Excellence in Biomedical and Marine Biotechnology and the Center for Ocean Energy Technology are recognized for their contributions to these fields.
Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center: Designated by the U.S. Department of Energy, this center focuses on ocean energy research and development.
Imaging Technology Center and NASA Imaging Technology Space Center: These centers specialize in digital imaging research and development for various applications.
Research Park at Florida Atlantic University: This park provides facilities for companies to collaborate with the university community and access its resources.

Student Life and Opportunities

FAU provides a diverse and engaging student experience, with opportunities for academic enrichment, extracurricular involvement, and personal growth.

Student Organizations: Over 310 student clubs and organizations cater to a wide range of interests.
Internships and Research: Students can gain valuable experience through internships and hands-on research opportunities.
Study Abroad: FAU offers study abroad programs to broaden students' perspectives and enhance their global awareness.
Lifelong Learning Society: This program serves the educational interests of senior citizens by providing classes and audit options.
Hoot/Wisdom Recordings: The university's Commercial Music Program provides students with hands-on experience in the music industry.

A Diverse and Inclusive Community

Florida Atlantic has long ranked as the most racially, ethnically, and culturally diverse institution in Florida's State University System. In 2021, the undergraduate student body consisted of 61% ethnic minorities and includes students from more than 180 countries.

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