Naval Engineering
Planning precisely how to keep a huge ocean vessel stable and safe on the high seas while transporting giant loads is just one of the many tasks of a naval engineer.
What is naval engineering about?
Naval engineers generally specialize in designing and building a particular type of ship, from giant aircraft carriers to submarines and from 15-foot sailboats to ocean tankers.
They are also responsible for a ship's internal systems, such as those related to propulsion, electricity, refrigeration, and steering.
On the other hand, and although we will not discuss that degree in depth in this article, but we mention it to distinguish between both careers, there are naval architects. They are in charge of designing the ship itself, including the shape, structure, and stability of the hulls. They also lead the teams that create new ship designs.
Naval engineers usually work in offices where they have access to computer software and other tools to analyze projects and design solutions. Sometimes they go to sea on ships to test their designs or to maintain the ships they have built.
These professionals work full-time, although overtime is not uncommon, especially when working at sea. Those who work on land usually have more regular work schedules.
Naval engineers generally need a bachelor's degree in naval engineering, marine systems engineering, or marine engineering technology.
What is the profile of a naval engineer like?
The first thing we think of when we hear the word “naval” is sea, ocean, beach, marine life, which means that a person interested in studying naval engineering must have an affinity for this world. They must like everything concerning ships, navigation, the construction of these vessels, and the life tied to this world.
A naval engineer must also be a person skilled with numbers, since their professional life will be linked to calculus, mathematics, and computing. They must also like chemistry, electronics, and even accounting.
From a personal point of view, aspiring naval engineers must be a person who knows how to solve problems and organized in order to fulfill their tasks. They must know how to work in a team, but they must also know how to work independently.
They must also be a person with drawing skills, with oral and written communication ability, entrepreneurial and demanding of others and of themselves. Frequently asked questions about the naval engineering degree
What is the duration of the degree?
The naval engineering degree requires 240 study credits completed over four years at university.
How much does it cost to study naval engineering?
At the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya the cost of the first degree in the degree program is €2,551, while at the Universidad de Cádiz it is €757. At the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid it costs €1,473 and at the Universidade da Coruña it costs €836.
What cutoff grade is needed to study naval engineering?
Based on the list above, the cutoff grades required by those same universities to enter the naval engineering degree are:
- Universidad Politécnica de Madrid - 8.464
- Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - 5.142
- Universidad de Cádiz - 5
- Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria - 5
- Universidade da Coruña - 5
General subjects in naval engineering
The most common subjects in the naval engineering degree are as follows:
- Mathematics
- Graphic expression
- Statistics
- Computer methods
- Chemistry
- Differential equations
- Electrical engineering
- Fluid mechanics
- Automation, control and electronics
- Ship auxiliary systems
- Technical thermodynamics
- Accounting, planning and cost control
- Warships
- Ship maintenance and repair
- Energy use of the marine environment
Career opportunities and salary
Once you have completed your studies and graduated, a naval engineer can start working in both private companies and public administration.
Shipping companies, those in charge of building ships, engines or turbines, and shipbuilding industries will be among your best options for finding your first job.
A naval engineer can also work in ports and in companies or organizations dedicated to the exploration of marine resources, and can also dedicate themselves to research or teaching at a university or study center.
As a freelancer, a naval engineer can work as a consultant for naval facilities or in the design of a ship.
A naval engineer earns a net monthly salary of €2,280, which translates to about €42,100 gross per year.
How do you know if this degree is for you?
As we already mentioned, if you are a person who feels an affinity for marine life, for navigation, and you care about conserving the environment and marine species, naval engineering could be a degree that suits you very well.
The naval engineer must be a creative person, with an entrepreneurial spirit, with excellent communication skills and ability to relate to others. They must also be an active and disciplined person.
If you believe you have all these characteristics, consider the naval engineering degree very carefully, as it could be your future.