More than 70 percent of our planet is covered by water. Engineering for the marine environment covers the design and production of all types of systems to operate successfully in this often harsh and demanding environment. In addition to traditional naval architecture and marine engineering, instruction is offered in offshore engineering, coastal engineering and marine environmental engineering. Recent graduates are active in design and research related to offshore oil and gas exploration and production platforms. Others are involved in overcoming waterborne pollution transport in the Great Lakes and oceans, coastal erosion predictions, and design of traditional ships, submersibles, high-speed vessels and recreational craft.
Since the design of modern marine systems encompasses many engineering fields, graduates of this department are called upon to handle diverse professional responsibilities; therefore, the program includes study in the fundamentals of the physical sciences and mathematics as well as a broad range of engineering aspects that constitute design for the marine environment. To provide the appropriate educational breadth, students are required to complete at least 16 credits of “intellectual breadth” requirements from an approved list of courses. It is recognized that the undergraduate program cannot, in the time available, treat all important aspects of engineering for the marine environment that may be desired by the student; therefore, graduate work is encouraged.
Ship and offshore platform analysis and design require knowledge of hull geometry, vessel arrangements, hydrostatic stability, structures, resistance, propulsion, maneuvering and seakeeping. Other areas of concern are the economic aspects of design and operation, production, model testing, propeller and control theory, vibration problems and piping and electrical system analysis and design.
The undergraduate degree program is arranged to give the student a broad engineering mechanics education by requiring basic courses in the areas of structural mechanics, hydrodynamics, marine power systems and marine dynamics. These courses cover engineering fundamentals and their application to the design and construction of marine vehicles and systems. Courses in marine structures deal with the design and analysis of marine vehicles and platforms including static strength, fatigue, dynamic response, safety and production. Resistance, maneuvering and seakeeping characteristics of bodies in the marine environment are the subject matter for courses in marine hydrodynamics. Marine power systems involve all the mechanical systems on a marine vehicle with particular emphasis on the selection and arrangement of the main propulsion system. In marine dynamics, the student studies the vibrations of marine structures and engines and the rigid body responses of the vessel to wind and waves. Through the use of technical and free electives, students may decide to focus their education in areas such as:
- Marine Structures
- Ship Production and Management
- Sailing Yachts
- High Speed Craft
- Marine Power Systems
An integration of the material covered in earlier courses takes place in the two-semester, final design sequence. In the first course of this sequence, the student works on a class design project using state-of-the-art, computer-aided design tools. In the second semester the students form design teams and work on projects of their choosing. Recent final design projects included a mega yacht, an offshore wind farm repair vessel, a cruise ship rescue vessel, an offshore well intervention vessel, a neo-Panamax containership, a naval vessel for high-energy weapons and an offshore racing trimaran.
The department works closely with the marine industry and is able to assist graduates in obtaining positions in the field. The department is in constant touch with the country’s marine design offices, shipyards, ship operators, government agencies and other organizations concerned with naval architecture and marine engineering. A summer internship program allows students to work in the industry.
Students who meet the academic requirements of both departments may earn an additional B.S.E. degree in another engineering program, or in combined programs with other engineering departments. The combined programs allow substantial substitution of courses required in one regular program for those required in the other, and typically can be completed in two extra terms.
Course Guide
Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Courses
Contact
Departmental Website:
https://name.engin.umich.edu/
Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Department
221 Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
2600 Draper Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2145
Email: Advising-at-NAME@umich.edu
Phone: (734) 764-6471
Fax: (734) 936-8820
Department Administration
Department Chair
David Dowling, Professor of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, Professor of Mechanical Engineering
212 Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering Building
For more specific information on contacting people — go to our contacts page.
Mission
The mission of the Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (NAME) Department is to be a world leader in the education of engineers in the application of engineering principles for the marine environment by:
- providing the leading bachelor’s program in naval architecture and marine engineering, with emphasis on the conceptual design, engineering, manufacture, and life cycle management of marine vehicles, structures, and complex systems;
- providing the leading graduate education and research program in engineering for the marine environment, one which spans a broad range of inquiry;
- providing leadership and service to the state, national, and international marine community.
Goals
In addition, the NAME program also has the following goals:
- to recruit, educate, and support exceptional, diverse students and engage them in lifelong learning and achievement while preparing them for a sustained career of engineering leadership in the marine-related industries, government service, and academia
- to maintain and enhance the leading undergraduate program in the world in naval architecture and marine engineering, one which provides a rigorous and effective preparation for a lifelong career of engineering leadership and service
Educational Objectives
The educational objectives of the NAME program are to produce graduates who in 3-5 years’ time are:
- designing and manufacturing vehicles and structures that operate in the marine environment
- working effectively in teams
- practicing professionally in the marine industries, enrolling in graduate study, and engaging in life-long learning
Student Outcomes
The student outcomes of the NAME program are:
- an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics (ABET 3.1)
- an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors (ABET 3.2)
- an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences (ABET 3.3)
- an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts (ABET 3.4)
- an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives (abet 3.5)
- an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions (ABET 3.6)
- an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies (ABET 3.7)
View NAME’s student outcomes to course mapping.
Program Objectives
The curriculum criteria of the NAME program are to provide students with:
- an ability to apply probability and statistical methods to naval architecture and marine engineering problems [Program: i]
- an ability to apply basic knowledge in fluid mechanics, dynamics, structural mechanics, material properties, hydrostatics, stochastic mechanics, and energy/propulsion systems in the context of marine vehicles, and/or ocean structures [Program: ii]
- familiarity and experience with instrumentation appropriate to naval architecture and marine engineering including experiment design, data collection, data analysis, and formal laboratory report writing [Program: iii]
Enrollment and Graduation Data
The University Registrar publishes the number of students enrolled annually in this program, and the number of degrees granted each term by this program. Additionally you can see recent degrees granted below:
| Level | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
| Bachelors Degrees | 23 | 25 | 29 |
| Masters Degrees | 31 | 24 | 27 |
| Doctoral Degrees | 4 | 12 | 6 |
Accreditation
The Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Program Criteria for Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Ocean Engineering, and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.
Undergraduate Degree Program
The undergraduate degree program is arranged to give the student a broad engineering mechanics education by requiring basic courses in the areas of structural mechanics, hydrodynamics, marine power systems, and marine dynamics. These courses cover engineering fundamentals and their application to the design and construction of marine vehicles and systems.
- Courses in marine structures deal with the design and analysis of marine vehicles and platforms including static strength, fatigue, dynamic response, safety, and production.
- Resistance, maneuvering and seakeeping characteristics of bodies in the marine environment are the subject matter for courses in marine hydrodynamics.
- Marine power systems involve all the mechanical systems on a marine vehicle with particular emphasis on the selection and arrangement of the main propulsion system.
- In marine dynamics, the student studies the vibrations of marine structures and engines and the rigid body responses of the vessel to the wind and waves.
Sample Schedule
Please visit the NAME website to view the most current information on the major in NAME. B.S.E. in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
Please see the PDF version of the sample schedule.
Focus of Study
In the fourth year, students are required to select two technical electives from an approved list. These electives allow students to focus their education in specific areas. Example focus areas and possible courses are as follows:
- Marine Structures: NA 410 and NA 440
- High-Speed Craft Design: NA 401 and NA 431 or NA 440
- Marine Power Systems: NA 431 and NA 401 or NA 410
- Marine Manufacturing: NA 410 and NA 562
- Sailing Yachts: NA 403 and NA 410, NA 431, or NA 440
These and other combinations of free and technical electives should be selected in consultation with the undergraduate program advisor.
Students are strongly encouraged to review the possible options prior to their senior year.
BSE/MSE in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
This program permits outstanding naval architecture and marine engineering students to receive the B.S.E. and M.S.E. degrees. The student benefits from the continuity of study and the inefficiencies of transferring from an undergraduate to a graduate program are eliminated. The program allows students with a 3.2 or better GPA, to apply early in the first semester of their senior year (once 85 credit hours have been completed), for a sequential undergraduate/graduate program, which allows them to double count up to nine credits and transfer up to six credits of technical or free electives. In consultation with their advisor, students select technical electives that will be relevant to the master’s program of study. Students are admitted using the normal department graduate admission process, with the admission standards required for the expected successful completion of the program. Please contact the Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Department for more complete program information.
Graduate Degrees
- Master of Science (M.S.) in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
- Master of Science in Engineering (M.S.E.) in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
- Joint Master of Science in Engineering (M.S.E.)/Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
Master’s Programs
M.S. and M.S.E. in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
Applicants for the M.S.E. or M.S. degrees normally hold a bachelor of science degree in naval architecture and marine engineering. However, the graduate program has been structured so that students with a bachelor’s degree in other engineering disciplines that require knowledge of basic mechanics such as mechanical engineering, applied mechanics, aerospace or civil engineering may also start directly on their master’s program. Students without an undergraduate degree in naval architecture and marine engineering but with a bachelor’s degree in other engineering disciplines will be required to take NA 470 (Foundation of Ship Design).
Joint M.S.E./M.B.A. in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
The Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering and the Ross School of Business offer a joint degree program for qualified persons to pursue concurrent work in business administration, and naval architecture and marine engineering studies leading to the M.B.A. and M.S.E. degrees. The program is arranged so that all requirements are completed within three years of enrollment. The degrees are awarded simultaneously. This combined degree program is not open to students who have earned either the M.B.A. or M.S.E. (NAME) degrees. Students already registered in the first year of either program may apply.
The program can begin with studies in either school. However, because of the sequential nature of the core courses in the M.B.A. program, most students will find it advantageous to start with year one in the business school. During the remainder of the program, courses might be taken in both schools. Students who wish to begin in NAME should consult a counselor in the business school to formulate an appropriate plan of study. Interested students must file separate applications and be admitted to both schools. Students admitted to this joint program must satisfy the following degree requirements:
Requirement 1) The MBA 57 credit hour degree program includes:
- 45 business administration credits, made up of:
- Roughly 30 credit hour MBA core (no credit awarded for business administration core courses successfully waived, credit must be earned with business electives)
- Roughly 15 elective hours in business administration
- MBA communication requirement
- Up to 12 credit hours of transferable electives from the Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
Requirement 2) The NAME 30 credit hour degree program includes:
- 18 total NAME credits minimum, made up of
- 15 credits of which must be at the 500-level or above, the remaining
- 3 credits can be 400-level or above
- Required Course – MATH for Naval Architects (NA 500, section 028, 3 credits)
- One (1) cognate course (level 400 and up) – engineering or another math course outside NAME
- Any remaining credits will be of approved coursework (not all students will need this if they already have earned 30 credits by fulfilling the first three requirements)
Ph.D. Programs
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
The doctoral degree is conferred in recognition of marked ability and scholarship in some relatively broad fields of knowledge. A part of the work consists of regularly scheduled graduate courses of instruction in the chosen field and in such cognate subjects as may be required by the committee. In addition, the student must conduct an independent investigation in a subdivision of the selected field and must present the results of the investigation in the form of a dissertation.
A student becomes a pre-candidate for the doctorate when admitted to the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies and accepted into a field of specialization. Candidacy is achieved when the student demonstrates competence in their broad field of knowledge through the completion of coursework, passing comprehensive exams, and successful presentation of a Ph.D. prospectus.
There is no general course requirement for the doctorate. However, during the course of a student’s graduate study, three math classes and 50 total classroom credit hours are expected as a minimum (with an approved M.S. degree earned before admission to the Ph.D. program, the total classroom credit hours could be reduced to 20). The comprehensive exam consists of a Part I qualifying requirement. To complete the Qualifying requirement, students need to take at least three 500 level or higher NAME classes and receive a grade of “A-” or better in each one of the classes. Students will need to fulfill the PART I requirement before they are able to present their prospectus presentation (PART II) describing the proposed Ph.D. dissertation. A special doctoral committee is appointed for each applicant to supervise the work of the student both in the election of courses and in the preparation of the dissertation.
A pamphlet describing the general procedure leading to the doctorate is available from the Rackham Graduate School upon request.