Difference between Nautical Science and Marine Engineering Course

Making the right educational choices is very important if you want to build a career in naval services. From choosing science stream in +2 to taking up a suitable course at the college level, everything matters as just any other degree is not enough to make you eligible to join the Navy. That is why; many students choose a degree course either in Nautical Science or Marine Engineering, as these two courses are a sure-fire way to get the required knowledge and skills to join the Navy. If you are also considering joining either of the courses or confused between the two, then read further to get some clarity.

Nautical Science

Choosing B.sc in nautical science will prepare you to be a Deck Officer. In this three-year long course,the following topics are covered.

1. Theoretical and practical knowledge required for seamanship2. Navigation, chart work, collision prevention, watch keeping3. Handling bridge equipment, cargo, and storage4. Naval architecture, ship stability, ship maintenance, and operations5. Marine signalling and meteorology 6. Personal survival techniques which include personal safety, first aid, fire prevention and fighting

At the end of this course, the student will receive an undergraduate degree or a diploma that will enable him or her to join a ship as a deck cadet. Remember that time to be spent at sea varies from one undergraduate course to another. After gaining adequate practical experience at the sea, certificate is awarded, which makes the student eligible to join a ship as the Navigation Officer. Once promoted, the candidate will be designated as the Third Mate or a Junior Officer. If being a Merchant Navy Officer is the whole and sole purpose of your life, then this is the right course for the aspirants.

Marine Engineering

If hard-core engineering is what you love and would like to join the Navy simultaneously, then Marine engineering is the course for you. This four-year long course equips you with skills to look after the technical and mechanical requirements at the ship. In short, the students work as ship engineers after completing this course. The topics they are taught in this course include the following.

1. Theory and practical knowledge of mechanical engineering of ships, yachts, boats, vessels, sub-marines etc.2. Manufacturing, assembling, and operating parts of marine machinery3. Projects to support activities like environmental research, naval defence, resource extraction and international trade.4. Designing Propulsion systems (gas turbine, diesel engine, or nuclear reactor) or mechanical systems such as Steering or control systems.5. Chemistry of fuels along with the knowledge of laws regarding disposal of wastes6. Survival skills and social responsibility while being on-board

In the last leg of this course, students have to spend adequate time at the sea to gain practical experience, and then clear competitive examinations. After this, he is awarded a ‘ticket’ which qualifies him to be a marine engineer. They start their careers as Fifth Engineer, also called the Engineering Cadet.

Marine engineering also allows you to keep options other than joining the navy open as one can also look at joining a ship architecture firm, offshore trading etc.Please leave comments below.