What it’s about:
Marine engineers and naval architects design, build, operate, and maintain a wide variety of oceangoing vehicles, from recreational boats to ships at sea. Marine engineering concentrates on ship machinery, including propulsion, electrical, mechanical, and control systems. Naval, architecture focuses on ship design, including hull shape, structure, power requirements, and performance.
What the study of this major is like:
Marine engineering and naval architecture has wide-ranging applications to ships and boats, from tankers to trawlers, submarines to sailboats, military ships to personal watercraft. It encompasses a variety of engineering challenges, including stability, sea-keeping, engine selection, space utilization, structural design, model testing, propeller design, high-speed submarine dynamics, and historical ship performance.
The major usually stresses general technical content and design. Programs tend to be more applied than theoretical, although both facets are covered. Hands-on lab experiences are essential. As part of a long tradition, you take capstone courses in ship design. Field trips and practical work experience are also highly useful and instructive.
As a major, you will face challenges typical of any engineering program. Some students have a hard time with the spatial visualization of complex three-dimensional shapes. In addition, you may have to develop the ingenuity and patience needed in tacking the open-ended engineering problems that are often solved through repetitive trials. You should be prepared to spend plenty of time on your course work, especially on design courses. At the end of the program, you will be rewarded with comprehensive knowledge and a confidence in your ability to do the work. You will understand “the big picture” of the engineering and design of ships.
Although entry requirements are uniform, the various marine engineering and naval architecture programs reflect the expertise and interests of the teaching faculty. Some programs emphasize the analysis of marine vehicles; some, the design of marine vehicles; other, a particular category of ships or boats; and still others, a combination of these fields. In some programs, industry experience is incorporated into the curriculum. Also, some institutions consider their marine engineering and naval architecture programs to be subsets of larger engineering programs.
Career options and trends:
Naval architect*; marine engineer*; yacht designer; naval officer; ship’s officer (Merchant Marine); shipyard engineer.
Majors in marine engineering and naval architecture also pursue careers in ship operations and marine commerce. After additional professional or graduate study, you may find work in admiralty law or research. It is not necessary to be registered as a professional engineer (PE) to obtain employment, but it is a respected credential. Registration requirements vary, but they generally involve two examinations and a period of work experience.
For the near future, the job market in the marine transportation industry is projected to be tight. Ship design, building, and operations have become an increasingly international business. However, as a result of global events and technological advances, significant changes are occurring in military ship design; therefor strong demand for naval vessels should offset declining domestic construction of commercial vessels. Good job prospects for marine engineers are also expected because of the need to replace workers and the limited number of students pursuing this field.
Source: CollegeBoard 2012 Book of Majors
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