What Is Marine Engineering?

Marine engineers design watercraft of all kinds, from ships to submarines. As experts in the
challenges of transportation, marine engineers are the problem solvers we rely on. Read on to
learn more about marine engineering. Schools offering Engineering & Technology
Management degrees can also be found in these popular choices.

Field Overview
Like most other specialized branches of engineering, the field of marine engineering has a solid
foundation in mechanical engineering. Skill in advanced math and science is vital. To become a
marine engineer, you must first study physics, fluid and material mechanics, thermodynamics,
and engineering graphic programs.
Marine Specialization
After initial training in basic engineering theory, you'll learn how to apply these skills when
dealing with problems like how to design propulsion systems that will maneuver through high
seas. Hull construction is another area with its own set of issues. Hulls are designed based on
the amount of weight the ship needs to bear and the depth of water it travels through. As a
marine engineer, you'll decide what types of materials to use in ship construction based on
factors such as durability in different aquatic environments.
Underwater
Pressure stability is a marine engineering forte. To be a marine engineer, you have to
understand how to design hulls in submarine and underwater exploration vehicles that will
withstand increasing pressure at each new depth level. The underwater vehicles must maintain
interior pressure to keep the crew safe. Your challenge may be to find sturdy materials that also
provide visibility for crewmembers in underwater exploration vehicles.
Sailing
Light watercraft is another area of marine engineering expertise you can master. While a
shipwright or naval architect may design the basic layout of the boat or yacht, your engineering
skills are required for propulsion, navigation, and steering systems. Even sailing vessels are
equipped with many of these features so you won't be stranded if the wind fails.
Platforms
Being a marine engineer doesn't mean you have to work on boats. You can also design systems
for oceanic research bases and offshore drilling platforms. You can work in marine mechanics
and design and fix marine engines. Engines that might work well on land must be able to
function as well in stormy seas, and as a marine engineer, you will be the one who is best
equipped to make this happen.
Education and Licensing
Most marine engineers hold a bachelor's degree in marine engineering, marine systems
engineering or a closely related field, like mechanical engineering. As a prospective student,
seek out a program accredited by ABET. After completion of a 4-year bachelor's program,
many marine engineers pursue the U.S. Coast Guard mariner's license.
http://degreedirectory.org/articles/What_is_Marine_Engineering.html
What Does a Marine Engineer Do?
Marine engineers design the vessels that we use to navigate and explore the world's lakes and
oceans. Marine engineers' work supports key activities like naval defense, environmental
research, international trade, and resource extraction.

Career Overview
Marine engineers work closely with naval architects to design and build everything from small
yachts and fishing boats to submarines and aircraft carriers, according to the U.S. Bureau of
Labor Statistics (BLS, www.bls.gov). The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers
(SNAME, www.sname.org) says that naval architects design the basic structure of the boat,
ensuring that it will float and remain upright. Marine engineers are responsible for designing
on-board systems such as:
Steering or control systems
Propulsion systems (gas turbine, diesel engine, or nuclear reactor)
Mechanical and electrical systems
Some marine engineers also work on-board ships to maintain these systems (These people are
sometimes called ship engineers).




Education and Licensure Requirements
If you're interested in pursuing a career as a marine engineer, an ocean engineer, or a naval
architect, you'll need to earn a bachelor's degree in engineering, says the BLS. After graduation,
you'll need several years of professional experience before taking the licensure exam to become
a professional engineer. Professional engineering licensure is required for all marine engineers
who provide services to the public. In addition, many marine engineers obtain the U.S. Coast
Guard's mariner's license.
Employment Outlook and Salary Information
According to the BLS, the projected job growth for marine engineers and naval architects was
10% from 2012-2022, which is about average compared to other career fields. The BLS
reported the mean annual wage for such engineers and architects in May 2013 as $94,040.
Related Jobs
Those thinking about being marine engineers might also consider a career as a naval architect
or an ocean engineer. Naval architects are responsible for the basic seaworthiness of boats
(stability and hull structure) and ocean engineers build equipment that's used for undersea
exploration and resource extraction.
http://degreedirectory.org/articles/What_Does_a_Marine_Engineer_Do.html

Simple Sentences
Compound Sentences
Complex Sentences
Compound Complex Sentences