Marine Engineer and Naval Architecture Program Requirements

Sea training is a standard amongst marine engineering and naval architecture curricula.

Just over a dozen colleges in the United States offer undergraduate programs in marine engineering and naval architecture. While prerequisite and program requirements vary slightly among the college's respective programs, rigorous academic regiments, multiple sea training excursions and enforcing leadership skills are standard.

Academic Coursework Requirements

The curricula of baccalaureate programs in marine engineering and naval architecture programs all include extensive amount of coursework in the sciences. Chemistry, Physics and Calculus are all courses that are required in order to graduate, in addition to a host of engineering and technology courses. Steam Turbines, Thermodynamics and Propulsor Design are just a few of the courses common to marine engineering and naval architecture curricula. Additionally, colleges normally require some degree of general education coursework in areas like composition and ethics.

Internships and Practical Experience

Through internships and practical shipboard experience, undergraduate marine engineering and naval architecture programs normally require that students get substantial training in the field as part of degree requirements. At the California Maritime Academy, all students matriculated into a baccalaureate program at the college are required to undergo sea training and must embark on three 60-day training cruises. Students enrolled into the Maine Maritime Academy's Marine Engineering Technology Bachelor of Science degree program must similarly train aboard on cruises on the T.S. State of Maine. At the Webb Institute in New York, students take paid internships in the marine industry, ship and boatyard trades and as cadets-observers aboard ship throughout each year of undergraduate study.

U.S. Coast Guard License Examination

Many marine engineering and naval architecture programs require that students pass a federal examination administered by the U.S. Coast Guard in order to graduate. The California Maritime Academy makes attaining a 3rd Assistant Engineer's license prior to program completion a part of graduation requirements for marine engineering technology majors. Alternatively, at the Maine Maritime Academy, passing the Coast Guard 3rd Assistant Engineer's licensure examination after graduation is one of the program's goals.

Leadership Programs

Marine engineering and naval architecture programs emphasize the importance of training future ship officers and managers in leadership skills as part of the baccalaureate curriculum. Maine Maritime Academy requires that its Marine Engineering Technology majors participate in Regiment of Midshipmen, a leadership and management laboratory that incorporate observational training and practical application of personal development habits.

California Maritime Academy infuses leadership training in many of its academic courses, as well as extracurricular activities. The academy requires that students complete the mandatory four-year certification program. The Webb Institute includes similar leadership and management training skills in their required senior seminar course.

Professional Society Participation

Involvement in professional societies create important networking opportunities for students. Webb Institute requires that students participate in two of the country's premier professional groups for marine engineers and naval architects. Student participation in the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers and The American Society of Naval Engineers has allowed Webb students the chance to attend technical meetings, conferences and symposia, in addition to other related events.

References

• Webb Institute: Undergraduate Curriculum Matrix
• Webb Institute: Other Requirements
• Maine Maritime Academy: Marine Engineering Technology
• California Maritime Academy: Degree Requirements
• California Maritime Academy: Marine Engineering Technology Curriculum