Shipyard Management

[joriebelle]

What are the benefits to doing Shipyard Management program versus straight Marine Engineering?

 

[KPEngineer]

Academically you will get more exposure to economics and project management.

Practically not a ton of benefit over straight engine if you go to sea first when it comes to job competition later. Two engineers, both with 5 years at sea under their belt and both have the same license are both applying for a job at a S/Y. Having gone through an s/y period as an engineer on a vessel likely would count more than some classes in college.

I was straight engine but took a couple of S/Y classes as electives. Its not a waste of time by any stretch of the imagination, it just depends on what you personally would like to spend your elective credits studying. If it interests you go for it.

 

[Mr2020]

Academically you will get more exposure to economics and project management.

Practically not a ton of benefit over straight engine if you go to sea first when it comes to job competition later. Two engineers, both with 5 years at sea under their belt and both have the same license are both applying for a job at a S/Y. Having gone through an s/y period as an engineer on a vessel likely would count more than some classes in college.

I was straight engine but took a couple of S/Y classes as electives. Its not a waste of time by any stretch of the imagination, it just depends on what you personally would like to spend your elective credits studying. If it interests you go for it.

Last time I checked the engineering economics class for shipyard kids was taught by an attorney who had no experience in engineering and didn't know much economics, his words. Going straight engine lets you take more humanities classes, which is nice. Some of the shipyard classes are taught by the marine trans faculty who have no desire to teach engineers. I would go systems even though the senior capstone for systems looked terrible.

I remember a certain '78 grad marine trans teacher who would always tell them to get out of Bowditch with their boiler suits.

 

[golfindad]

Straight engine is not accredited, shipyard management is.

Accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org

(Btw, this is different, and not the same, as than the school's accreditation as a whole)

 

[KP Eng]

Marine Engineering Systems is also ABET accredited. Between straight Marine Engineering and SY Management, I'd select SY Management for the accreditation. It makes it easier to get a Professional Engineer's license later if you chose that. I suspect it also may make graduate admission for an engineering program easier. If you are concerned about your ability to take the upper level engineering courses and are most interested in plant operations, I'd take straight Marine Engineering. Between Marine Engineering Systems and SY Management, I see benefit to both. That is a question of what career path you see for yourself down the road. As someone with a lot of shipyard experience I will share that the degree will mean little once you start working. Advancement in that industry is entirely based on your ability to get things done.

 

[deepdraft1]

Having gone through an[y] s/y period as an engineer on a vessel likely would count more than some classes in college.

Also, I would think a straight Marine Engineering degree with any time spent as a Port Engineer/Assistant Port Engineer, especially if it involved vessel drydocking would likely trump a Shipyard Management degree when it comes to hiring..