The Marine Engineering Operations program is concerned primarily with the operation and maintenance of marine and industrial steam and diesel power plants and with related electrical and refrigeration plants. Classroom studies are closely coordinated with practical experience aboard ship and in laboratories. Successful completion of the program leads to the Bachelor of Science degree and, after passing a federal examination, a Third Assistant Engineer’s license. In addition to meeting the college requirement for graduation with at least a 2.0 grade point average for the B.S. degree, graduating students are required to have a minimum grade point average of 2.25 in the MEO program core courses. For the MEO program, core courses are defined as courses with the prefixes CE, CR, EG, ET, MS, NA, and PS. Students majoring in this program may enroll in any of the minor programs offered at the college. Graduates of this program are eligible to apply for a Maine Third Class Stationary Power Plant Operator’s license. Graduates are employed by shipping firms throughout the world, and by power generation and energy production companies.

The Objectives of the Marine Engineering Operations major are as follows:

1. Versatile marine operations engineers with the technical and managerial skills necessary to enter a variety of different careers in the field of marine engineering in the areas of operations, maintenance, and manufacturing.
2. Marine operations engineers with competencies in analytical thinking, problem solving, teamwork, communications, and with the ability, and hands-on experience, to apply these skills to support design applications and to solve existing and emerging problems.
3. Marine operations engineers who recognize the need for, and who have the ability to, remain current in their chosen field. This will include understanding professional ethics, knowledge of contemporary issues, potential environmental issues pertaining to power plant operations and the pursuit of lifelong learning.

The Outcomes of the Marine Engineering Operations major are as follows:
Marine Engineering Operations graduates will have these characteristics:

1. The ability to apply basic knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering principles to solve technical problems associated with marine equipment, systems, and vehicles.
2. A thorough understanding of the current technologies used in the operation, maintenance, analysis, and management of modern marine power plants and associated marine auxiliary equipment and systems.
3. The ability to identify and solve technical problems with applications in the principles of fluid mechanics, hydrostatic stability, and energy systems to marine equipment systems and vehicles.
4. The ability to use computational methods, computers, and modern technical tools in professional practice.
5. The ability to support the design of a system, component, or process appropriate to marine engineering operations.
6. The ability to function effectively on teams and within a diverse environment.
7. The ability to communicate effectively through oral, written, visual, and graphical methods, and demonstrating proficiency in the use of design manuals and material/equipment specifications.
8. Recognition of the need for self-improvement through continuing education and the ability to engage in lifelong learning.
9. Understanding of professionalism and ethics and associated responsibilities.
10. Knowledge of contemporary issues, environmental impact and industry regulations applicable to marine engineering and understanding of the impact of engineering and/or technical solutions within a global perspective.

Additional requirements for graduation:

• Complete practical training and regimental requirements as published.
• Pass both practical and written portions of USCG lifeboatman examination and the USCG Third Assistant Engineer’s examination.
• Complete sea time requirements as required for the USCG license.
• Core classes within the MEO Program have STCW competencies within the course, and students are required to achieve a minimum of 70% grade to obtain credit for these competencies.

The following table outlines the normal sequence of courses taken by students majoring in Marine Engineering Operations: