Marine Operations

Professional Options

Your academic knowledge is tested and supplemented by professional learning experiences. Marine Operations students may choose to pursue an Engine License or a Deck License. The license programs require membership in the college's Regiment of Cadets. Whichever license students choose to pursue, they will gain basic knowledge and skills by taking classes in the other license program. This will allow students to understand both sides of a ship's operations and be better prepared to succeed in their career after graduation.

Engine License

If students are interested in powering a vessel and operating and maintaining its related systems, they should pursue the Engine License program. Graduates of the Engine License program earn a U.S. Coast Guard Third Assistant Engineer's License. The engine program focuses on powering, controlling, and maintaining a ship's engine and energy systems.

Upon successful completion of the Unlimited Engine License Program, graduates will be able to:

1. Demonstrate competency needed to serve as a third assistant engineer by passing all STCW competencies and the USCG License prior to commencement.
2. Understand and safely demonstrate particular skills in the analysis and design of marine propulsion, auxiliary and cargo systems and equipment.
3. Apply these engineering skills to a variety of marine applications.
4. Demonstrate the ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.
5. Understand and demonstrate effective and appropriate problem solving and critical thinking required by a ship’s engineering officer.
6. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of engineering mechanics and thermodynamics in the context of marine vehicles.
7. Understand and demonstrate effective leadership and teamwork skills needed to serve as a ship’s engineering officer.
8. Understand and demonstrate effective oral or written communication skills needed to serve as a ship’s engineering officer.

Deck License

Students interested in navigation, cargo handling and other ship systems may pursue the Deck License program. Graduates of the Deck License program earn a U.S. Coast Guard Third Mate's License. In the deck program, you will focus on learning navigation, cargo handling and a variety of ship systems.

Upon successful completion of the Unlimited Deck License Program, graduates will be able to:

1. Demonstrate competency needed to serve as a third mate by passing all STCW competencies and the USCG License prior to commencement.
2. Understand and safely demonstrate traditional and modern seamanship and cargo handling skills.
3. Understand and correctly demonstrate the use of Terrestrial, Celestial, Electronic Navigation Skills and Navigation Law.
4. Understand the application of Information Technology needed as a ship’s deck officer or as a maritime related shore side professional.
5. Understand and demonstrate effective and appropriate problem solving and critical thinking required by a ship’s deck officer or as a maritime related shore side professional.
6. Understand the application of business, transportation or logistics concepts needed to serve as a ship’s deck officer.
7. Understand and demonstrate effective leadership and teamwork skills needed to serve as a ship’s deck officer or as a maritime related shore side professional.
8. Understand and demonstrate effective oral or written communication skills needed to serve as a ship’s deck officer or as a maritime related shore side professional.