After a long and winding road toward its creation, Florida's university dedicated almost exclusively to training students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics finally opens its doors.

Florida Polytechnic University welcomed students after nearly three years of political squabbling that culminated with the school's separation from the University of South Florida in 2012.

The school does so with a stunning piece of architecture for its Innovation, Science & Technology building.

It will open with 550 students, whittled down from about 2,500 applications received. School officials say the cutting-edge campus and facility will be compared to MIT and Stanford - eventually.

“I was really nervous coming here," said freshman Kristyn Ardrey. "I didn’t want to be late so I came about, like, an hour early and just sat outside my class."

Stephen Langenkamp said he chose to show up on the first day of class looking the part.

“It’s part of my college success plan," he said. "I figure if you dress like you’re intelligent, people will assume you are. But more so, I’m excited to be here and I want to look nice."

Aside from Langenkamp’s cool fedora hat and crisp blazer, the math and engineering major said the first day of classes at Florida Poly are already proving to be the challenge he signed up for.

“I’m really looking forward to getting back to calculus," he said. "Seeing how much I remember and how getting back to a higher level math that I can actually learn something."

That’s exactly the type of thing Florida Poly president Randy Avent said their school represents.

“It’s STEM-based, primarily what’s known as core STEM, so engineering, math and science-focused,” Avent said. “It’s an experiential learning, so much more hands-on, think-and-do with strong class fundamentals, so lots of projects and hands-on stuff.”

State and school officials said this type of learning at the school will help change the job market.

The 500 students starting classes today are getting $5,000 scholarships for each of their first three years, which is supposed to cover most of their tuition and fees. That's because the school is not accredited yet, and may not be until 2016, and students are not eligible for federal financial aid.

After accreditation, graduation rates will be closely monitored. Classes began Monday at the school, which is the state's 12th university.