Naval Architecture is the engineering speciality which deals with the design, construction, repair and operation of all types of ships and boats.
The Department of Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering offers the following degree courses:
MEng Naval Architecture
BEng (Honours)/MEng Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering
BEng (Honours)/MEng Naval Architecture with Ocean Engineering
BEng (Honours)/MEng Naval Architecture with Small Craft Engineering
The degrees are accredited by the Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA) and the
Overview of Courses
The degree programmes are stimulating and challenging and provide a broadly-based engineering education. They are taught by the Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (NA-ME).
The balance of emphasis of the course material evolves as you progress through your degree, from fundamental engineering science and core Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering subjects, to increasing concentration on topics specific to your chosen course.
The flexible programme structure allows transfer between Naval Architecture degree programmes. Transfer is possible between the Naval Architecture with Small Craft Engineering, Naval Architecture with Ocean Engineering, and Naval Architecture degrees up until the end of Year 2. Transfer to and from the Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering course can take place up until the end of Year 1 (and sometimes later). Suitably qualified students may transfer between the BEng and MEng courses.
A range of realistic design projects is made possible though our strong links with the ship and offshore industries. Transferable skills developed through project work and presentations will give you a wide choice of exciting and rewarding careers.
The Courses
Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering
This degree programme is designed to develop engineers who are able to deal with engineering challenges on a wide range of marine vehicles, with additional skills and understanding in the impact and importance of Marine Engineering on their successful design, construction, repair and maintenance. Marine Engineering is the engineering speciality which addresses the design and operation of machinery and propulsion systems for ships and marine structures.
Naval Architecture with Ocean Engineering
This degree deals with other fixed and floating marine structures and systems including offshore oil and gas, renewable energy and ocean resources. The programme is designed to develop engineers who can address the engineering challenges on marine vehicles from giant cruise liners and fast ferries to tidal current turbines and oil platforms.
Naval Architecture with Small Craft Engineering
This course creates designers with all the core skills of ship design, construction, operation and maintenance, along with a particular specialism in the creative design and engineering of small leisure and commercial vessels, including sailing and power yachts, fast ferries, hydrofoils, hovercraft and fishing boats. Small Craft have developed dramatically in recent years. Lighter, faster, stronger and safer vessels are being designed and built using advanced materials and technology combined with creative design engineering.
Course Structure
The degree courses offered by the Department have a flexible credit-based structure. Some of these credits will be elective which you can choose from a wide range of subjects, not only within the Department but also from other Departments and Faculties across the University.
Year 1
You will build the foundations for your specialised skills by studying fundamental engineering science, mathematics, and computing along with introductory classes in naval architecture, marine engineering and marine transportation. You take part in a group project (typically four to five students) to design, build and test a simple container carrying ship model.
Year 2
Focus changes to the study of specialized Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering subjects, such as flotation, stability and safety of ships and marine vehicles, strength of marine structures, properties of materials used in marine structures, manufacturing techniques, and basics of marine machinery and systems. There is a group project in which you apply your engineering knowledge to design, build and test a radio-controlled sailing yacht.
Year 3
You continue to study core Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering subjects, including the resistance (drag) and propulsion of ships, properties of ocean waves, design of marine vehicles, and control of machinery, along with marine business and management. You will also study the first of the specialised modules specific to your chosen degree course. You also carry out an individual project to produce a preliminary design of a ship, using a traditional approach based on the application of established design rules. A focused series of laboratory experiments illustrate important phenomena which will help you understand laboratory techniques used in the marine industries.
Year 4
One or two modules cover core Naval Architecture subjects, with the main emphasis of the other classes being on your chosen specialism:
- Marine Engineering includes marine engineering design, marine transmission & propulsion systems, marine electrical systems, and protection of the marine environment.
- Ocean Engineering brings in subjects such as analysis of dynamics of structures subject to wind and wave loading, computer prediction of fluid flow around structures (often known as CFD) and technology and performance of renewable energy systems.
- Small Craft Engineering includes subjects such as the prediction of the performanceof sailing yachts and powerboats, design of lightweight structures, and the behaviour of high-speed craft.
You can also take part in a team to develop a preliminary design of a sailing yacht or luxury power yacht to a brief supplied by a group of clients. The remaining 30 credits are devoted to an individual project on a related subject of your choice.
Year 5 (MEng only)
MEng students can choose from an extensive list of technical and business modules. There is also a substantial and challenging group design project on a subject chosen by agreement between students and staff. Subjects chosen recently include designs of high-speed cargo ships, tidal current energy devices and Americas Cup yachts
