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Marine engineering is the branch of engineering concerned with the design and maintenance of ships and other sailing boats. It is a brand-new field with a lot of room for research and progress. According to a recent report, the employment rate for marine engineers would expand by 12% through 2026.
Becoming a graduate in Marine Engineering may land you lucrative jobs at various giants, such as shipping firms, navies, engine manufacturing companies, ship design firms, research institutes, and others. It is undeniable that it is an interesting branch of science to study.
We will examine at all of the important components of Marine Engineering in this guide, including its scope, salary, job descriptions, prospects for advancement, course eligibility, and much more. Without further ado, let’s delve right into it!
What can I do as a graduate in Marine Engineering?
You might work as a marine engineer in a range of jobs linked to your degree. You could:
- Build and repair ships and boats.
- Work on recreational boats.
- Repair and install onboard systems.
- Design, build, and operate offshore gas and oil platforms.
- Conduct a marine survey.
- Make sure that the engines, instruments, and systems are all in good working order.
- Keep current with the latest safety and environmental regulations.
You might work in a shipyard, an office, on a ship, in a port, or even underwater. Your job may require you to labor outside in all weather conditions, be physically demanding, and need you to spend nights away from home. It is possible that you will need to put on protective gear and wear protective clothing.
After that, you could specialize in project management, research and development, or consulting, depending on your experience. Experienced marine engineers can also operate in shore-based professions where they are responsible for vessel refits, legal work in maritime engineering safety, and shipping fleet management.
Is Marine Engineering a good career?
Yes.
Marine Engineering can make a good career for you. As a matter of fact, it plays a significant role in the global market. As a graduate in Marine Engineering, you have the opportunity to reap the following career benefits if you happen to enter the industry later:
- Experimentation possibilities
- Lots of demand on the global market
- A financially rewarding job alternative
- Numerous destinations to choose from
- Global exposure to various cultures
- Professionalism and adaptability
- An adventurous way of life
Thus, if you are adventurous, want to work abroad, love the oceans, and are looking for a variety of employment options, this job may be the ideal fit for you. The breadth of this discipline continues to expand, especially as global trade grows.
Are marine engineers rich?
A marine engineer can expect to make roughly $76,502 per year on average. If the candidate has engineering design experience and a background, the typical salary can substantially go higher.
Around 10% of marine engineers earn less than $44,000 per year, and 10% earn more than $144,000 per year. The majority of marine engineers work for private enterprises, but some work for government agencies.
What are the eligibility for Marine Engineering?
A marine mechanic and technician program is a good place to start for aspiring marine engineers. However, a bachelor’s degree in marine engineering technology is normally required for employment as a marine engineer, while higher degrees are possible.
There are two types of programs: those that allow you to become licensed for shipboard job and those that do not. While maritime engineering colleges are not popular, they can be located around the coast and may include experience working on ships.
Students will be prepared for careers on land and at sea in the majority of programs. Coursework in marine engineering schools may encompass the following topics:
- Fluid mechanics
- Fundamentals of naval architecture
- Marine engineering fundamentals
- Steam/diesel/gas propulsion systems
- Thermodynamics
Because marine engineering programs normally place a strong emphasis on physics, engineering, and mathematics, taking online math or other relevant courses can help you get a strong foothold. Many programs, especially those that incorporate maritime experience, offer lessons on ship safety and protocols.
It is critical for anyone planning to work on ships to enroll in a program that includes a licensure option, such as the Merchant Marine Academy. Another alternative is to obtain a Professional Engineer (PE) license from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying, which is relevant to people who plan to work on land.
Is swimming compulsory for Marine Engineering?
Yes.
In the past, it was simply a school requirement. Now, it is part of Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) Basic Safety Training that is required to obtain the license and certification. In short, swimming is a required class for all degrees in Marine Engineering.
Is Marine Engineering a hard course?
Yes.
The road to become a marine engineer, like many other things in life, is not easy. Marine engineering is a challenging field when compared to other research areas.
To pass those exams and all subsequent training during your studies and become a graduate in Marine Engineering, you will need discipline, hard work, dedication, and commitment.
“I am not frightened of storms, because I am learning how to sail my ship,” as they say in Marine Engineering, and you certainly are. So go ahead and take a look around.
How many years does it take to be a marine engineer?
To become a graduate in Marine Engineering, you will need to earn at least an undergraduate degree, which takes roughly four years of full-time study. Marine engineers, like engineers in other fields, frequently receive the Professional Engineering (PE) license. Additional duties, such as directing the work of other Engineers, are available with the PE license.
Most candidates require at least four years of experience; therefore, you should start working before applying for this license. You also need to have finished an ABET-accredited Engineering program and pass two tests.
During their first few years of employment, most engineers pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) test. You will be promoted to Engineer in Training after clearing this exam (EIT). You can take the final PE exam to receive your professional license if you have completed the work experience requirements.
Which is the best course for Graduate in Marine Engineering?
Various subjects are covered in a marine engineering course, from theory to practical subjects and topics while pursuing undergraduate and graduate degree courses.
Here are the best undergraduate courses for you to take to become a graduate in Marine Engineering:
- Engine watchkeeping
- Analytic and solid geometry
- Marine pollution and prevention
- Ship construction and suitability
- Fuel oils and lubricant
- Marine power plant
- Electro engineering
- Machine shop
- Auxiliary machinery
- Integral calculus
Following are the postgraduate courses commonly taken to advance in Marine Engineering:
- Advanced engineering mathematics
- Principles of material handling devices
- Advanced solid mechanics
- Marine engineering
- Marine instrumentation and analysis
- Naval architect
- Wave engineering
- Mechanic engineering and management
- Computer science
- Geometrical drawing
Where can I study Marine Engineering?
Indeed, it is useful if you are in a college or university that stands out in marine engineering and can make the whole process more interesting. There are a good number of Marine Engineering schools in the world, but knowing the best is what really matters.
Here is a list of the best colleges and universities in the world that offer Marine Engineering courses:
- Florida Institute of Technology (U.S.)
- Qatar University (Qatar)
- University of Oviedo (Spain)
- University of Hawaii, Hilo (U.S.)
- International Maritime College (Oman)
- University of Zadar (Croatia)
- University of New Orleans (U.S.)
- Gdynia Maritime University (Poland)
- Yildiz Technical University (Turkey)
- University of Veracruz (Mexico)
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University (China)
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology (Norway)
- Dalian University of Technology (China)
- University of Lisbon (Portugal)
- Plymouth University (UK)
- National University of Singapore (Singapore)
- Griffith University (Australia)
Can you become a graduate in Marine Engineering without a degree?
No.
Most entry-level roles in marine engineering require a bachelor’s degree, although certain advanced research jobs may require a master’s or PhD. According to the website of the U.S. Coast Guard in 2021, 80% of naval architecture and marine engineering students seek graduate degrees.
A capstone project is usually required of marine engineering students before they may graduate with a bachelor’s degree in the field. Students at the U.S. Coast Guard’s marine engineering school, for example, must design a new Coast Guard vessel within a set of mission parameters in order to obtain their degree.
