What is the Difference between Nautical Science and Marine Engineering?
In order to have a successful career at sea, it is important you make the right decisions at the start. While starting off at a maritime institute, it is only natural to be confused with regards to what stream to choose for further studies, especially for those that do not have direct access to anyone from the industry.
Degrees or diplomas in nautical science or marine engineering are two ways in which one can get a job as an officer on merchant ships.
There have been instances wherein an individual has chosen one stream only to realise that it doesn’t suit their academic inclination or the prospects that they have for their career at sea, wanting to opt-out of it or into another.
It is therefore extremely important that one knows in advance what field they are going to pursue and what job they would be doing later on while on the ship.
So what is the difference between nautical science and marine engineering degrees? How would you know which one to choose and what to expect from that?
Difference Between Marine Engineering and Nautical Science Degrees
Nautical Science
Choosing one’s career in nautical science prepares a person to become a deck officer.
Nautical Science is a three years course that results in an undergraduate degree or diploma after which the student joins a ship as a trainee cadet officer (commonly referred to as a deck cadet).
After completing sufficient time at the sea (experience/sea time required as a deck cadet varies with the course pursued at the undergraduate level) and clearing required certificate of competency exams, the cadet becomes eligible to be employed as a navigating officer on board a merchant ship.
This first promotion comes with the designation of a Third Mate (or Junior Officer in some cases wherein the shipping company might require additional experience before becoming an OOW).
Theoretical and practical knowledge required for seamanship, chart work, collision prevention, navigation, bridge equipment & watchkeeping, cargo handling & stowage, ship stability, naval architecture (elementary), meteorology, marine signalling and ship maintenance and operation is imparted during the three years course among others, along with exposure to other areas that are necessary for managerial skills.
Hands-on training is extremely important as a deck officer and thus detailed procedure and maintenance techniques of importance deck machinery is an integral part of this course.
Several modular courses that are required to join a ship are also included in the syllabus of nautical science which is mandatory as per the IMO STCW Convention.
At a very basic level, these courses are Personal Survival Techniques, Fire Fighting and Fire Prevention, Elementary First Aid, Personal Safety and Social Responsibility.
An advanced version of these courses is to be completed prior to appearing for the certificate of competency examinations. These are short courses that range between 2-5 days.
Marine Engineering
Marine engineering is a field that deals with the engineering aspect of the maritime industry. Like any conventional engineering course, marine engineering is a four-year course which prepares an individual to become an engineer on ships.
Marine engineering is all about machinery on ships, boats, yachts, or any seagoing vessels. There are several other technical streams that sprout out from this field.
The curriculum of the course focuses on teaching the specialized knowledge of both theoretical and practical marine and mechanical engineering.
Greater importance is given to impart skills and competencies that are required to operate and maintain machinery onboard ships.
The subjects taught in the first and second year of the course are almost the same as those taught in conventional mechanical engineering.
The main aim is to introduce engineering sciences to the students and to make them understand the applications of those sciences in various aspects of marine engineering.
The third and fourth years are totally dedicated to imparting marine technical knowledge. Both theoretical and practical aspects of marine machinery are covered with a special focus on the ship’s operation and maintenance of marine machinery.
Practical knowledge through laboratory and workshop training is provided throughout the four years of the program so that students get hands-on knowledge of dismantling and maintenance of machines on ships.
Upon completion of the course at the Institute, the engineer cadet has to spend the requisite time at sea to gather experience which is mandatory to appear for the engineering certificate of competency examinations. Clearing these exams results in obtaining the compulsory ‘ticket’ to be a certified engineer officer on board.
Both streams have their niche subjects and require a genuine interest from the side of the candidate to successfully complete the shore-based aspect as well as to become a skilled officer in the future.
Every merchant navy aspirant must do thorough research on the stream they would wish to pursue in the future to ensure that the interest in the studies and the field never wanes.
Disclaimer: The authors’ views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of Marine Insight. Data and charts, if used, in the article have been sourced from available information and have not been authenticated by any statutory authority. The author and Marine Insight do not claim it to be accurate nor accept any responsibility for the same. The views constitute only the opinions and do not constitute any guidelines or recommendation on any course of action to be followed by the reader.
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About Author
Shilavadra Bhattacharjee is a shipbroker with a background in commercial operations after having sailed onboard as a Third Officer. His interests primarily lie in the energy sector, books and travelling.
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Do both marine engineers and deck officer can work on ships??
Yes! Both are equally important to run a ship.
Deck officer are responsible for Navigation operation and engineer are responsible for Machinery on ship
When they reaches a port which of them are allowed to go and see the nearby places. engineers or both. and which field gets better pakage
Is there any chances that you could be a captain if you will choose the nautical science instead of seaman? Will,., just asking.for my best friend
How to get admission in bscnautical sciences.what is the criteria.
I will be completing my senior secondary school next year and am applying to the regional maritime university in Ghana to study marine engineering and I want to know if you are able to bring student from other country.
So I want to know if I can get the opportunity to study with you
both r nce…………
I’m a marine engineering student of Delta State School Of Marine Technology, Burutu. Nigeria….. I wish to further my studies in any good maritime university in the world on scholarship… if there is any, please kindly contact me on email : omzy4eva@gmail.com or mobile no : +2347082359828,+2348134448055 or on facebook : cadet omatosan odimah…….thanks
engineer base on ship engine y naticsl science base on ship generally
Please am confuse in choosen what course to study inbetween Marine engineering and Neutical science.
What is the difference between Diploma in Nautical Science and Degree in Nautical Science
And what type of job i get after diploma in nautical science…..Is there any collage in india who provide a education loan for this course diploma in nautical science
Sir,im joined nautical science.wht are the skills i need to develop to become a good deck officers.and wht are the qualities needed to select in campus interview sir.
@Saravana: Please post all your queries in our forums- https://forums.marineinsight.com
Do check these articles : https://www.marineinsight.com/search-results/?q=deck+officer
people as a marine engineer can you work in petroleum company
i will like to be a seaman
Please sir am still in scondary school as .school leaver and I will like to study with you people to be come a mariner and I will like to study as nautical science student and my quation is what kind of book do I start to read against next year and two how do I get admission to any maritime academies. School in the world especally in india or ghana or us thank you sir any my phone is +23407033319923 my emaill http://www.wisdomigwe24@yahoo.com
TO study marine engineering is tolani maritime institute is good
are shipping insdustry are in recession what is the salary structure of marine engineer in indian shipping and foreign company
Yes
For the entry level, Job crunch is very much visible in shipping. For salary structure, please check this article:
https://www.marineinsight.com/careers-2/how-much-does-an-indian-seafarer-officer-earns/
When they reaches a port which of them are allowed to go and see the nearby places. engineers or both. and which field gets better pakage
Plz reply in my mailbox
Please ask your questions in our forums: https://forums.marineinsight.com
Is there is any scope for girl in marine engineering ? Because as per my knowledge girls are not allowed in shipping.
You have a wrong information. Please check these article:
https://www.marineinsight.com/search-results/?q=women
I AM A SATELITE INSTALLER AND ELECTRICAL ELECTRONICS ENGINEER AND I WANT TO BE A NAVY MAN
Please am confuse in choosen what course to study inbetween Marine engineering and Neutical science.
What compulsory urgent senior secondary 12 stundy in physics chemistary to join a nautical science courses
@Balkar: Similar questions has already been answered here: https://forums.marineinsight.com
You can post your further doubts or que in the forums.
Where is the diploma of notical science
good day Sir @(Anish) ,
Sir i have finished my higher National diploma in Mechanical engineering and having interest in Marina engineering, Sir if I’m to go this course, how many years will it take me to have my Bsc/B.Tech in Marina engineering Sir i have gotten my higher National diploma in Mechanical engineering.
thanks in anticipation Sir
Respected sir,
Can you tell me what to choose nautical science or marine engineering. I had interest in mathematics.
@Ashara: Contact colleges which provide GME course facility.
Read more: https://www.marineinsight.com/careers-2/how-to-become-a-marine-engineer-after-doing-mechanical-engineering/
As you have a diploma, you need to undergo 2 year pre-sea training course in marine engineering for diploma engineers and after successfully completing it, you will be eligible to join the ship as trainee marine engineer.
Am i eligible to join Indian Navy too or this is only upto merchant navy ?
Respected sir
Iam studying naval architecture and marine engineering in Andhra University Visakhapatnam. Iam interested in joining MOT so please give me some suggestions regarding to the course.Thak you sir.
Is knowledge in IT (computer) is important in this field (nautical science).I am interested to join in this field but I haven’t selected IT as my main subjects in +2.My main subjects are Physics,Chemistry,maths&Biology.Then, is I am eligible for this?
@Shahin: Basic Knowledge of computer operation is enough.
i have diploma in mechanical engineering. Can i turn my career in to marine feeld.? How?
Good afternoon sir, I am a junior Student at AME Zion university reading Economics Education /Public administration but I want to go for a study in marine engineering at Ghana regional marine school, does I have to go through the four years still?
Respected sir,
Sir once i leave the ship after 6 monts duration . Can i get the job in next ship please tell mi sir .
Good day sir, how are you doing?
I am an undergraduate who’s currently seeking for admission into a higher institution but i only and always have desire and passion for marine courses.
I would really love to ask, is there any course like “Marine Safety” please?
If not I will prefer Nautical Science to Marine Engineering.
What are the basics requirements please but my best subjects are Mathematics, Physics, Biology and English Language.
Thank you as I await your swift response.
Regards,
Ekom-Obong
Sir,
i had completed my 12 in central board secondary examination and i am little bit confused of taking marine enginering ,naval archtecture, diploma in nautical science..which onee should i take…..plss..its urgennt …pls reply mee
@Alvin: It will entirely depend on your inclination towards a particular subject/ stream. Diploma in Nautical science and Marine engineering will help you work onboard ship and Naval Architecture is a land-based job.
sir I am in 12 th std after 12th i want to do marine engineering i Just want more information about it
@Shruti: Please check this article for more information – https://www.marineinsight.com/careers-2/joining-merchant-navy-class-12th-india/
Good morning sir,
I am very much enthusiast and have great interest in becoming a sailor, but I don’t really know how to go about it, the requirements and processes to undergo before achieving that.
am interested in becoming a nautical scientist pls sir help me out.
thanks.
Please l have a first degree in Mathematics. I want to be an officer in the ship.what should l do?
@Ben: Please check the details here- https://www.marineinsight.com/a-guide-to-join-merchant-navy/
@Nweke: Please check the details here- https://www.marineinsight.com/a-guide-to-join-merchant-navy/
Am Marcus moon from Nigeria,
and here JAMB.exam is necessary, so apart from Physics chemistry and Mathematics, which other subjects do I need for Nautical science, can i use biology in JAMB.exam?
@Marcus: I am not familiar with the JAMB exam system, however, biology is not a related subject for nautical studies.
Hello, am from Nigeria and I have completed my OND in marine engineering. Is it advisable to go for nautical for HND,
@Adeoluwa: My Personal though on this, you should stick to a single stream rather than dangling in two boats.
Hii sir ,
I am rahul,i studied 12th (SCIENCE) then what courses i have to join
merchants navy ?
What’s is eligible criteria? and what is the fees structure?
What is the course fees for diploma in nautical science & B sc in nautical science for 3 years, also B.tech in Marine Engineering for 4 years.
If you want to earn more money which is the best field in merchant navy. Which field should I choose.
Nautical science or Marine engineering . Please reply fast
@Abhinav: Both the stream will have almost similar salaries as you progress up.
Awesome article, strike to the point, thanks for sharing
My sister just finished secondary school and she did art subject, and she is interested in nautical science, hope the art subject won’t affect her if she wants to divert to that course. Or must it be science course
I want to sit for an exam, the subject combination for Nautical Science is confusing : Math, English, Physics and Geography or Math, physics, Geography and computer. Which is the best combination. Thanks
You need to have Physics, Chemistry and Maths as a combination along with English.
@Naza: Usually, Physics chemistry and Mather along with English are the basic eligibility requirement subjects.
I am an o-levels student I want to study marine engineering,I have good experience in mechanical engineering (automobile),I have passion and dreams to explore this area as I hope to give the best of my ability back to the company,pls help me,