Marine Engineering Operations

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:

2023/Fall – Undergraduate/Bachelor of Science/Marine Engineering Operations
Major Requirements

Credits : 140.50 Min  |  142.50 Max
2.250 Core GPA Minimum
2.000 Overall GPA Minimum

First Year Semester 1

Courses : 8 Min  |  8 Max Credits : 16.00 Min  |  16.00 Max
Course Name Credits
EG101 Fundamentals of Engineering Operations 3.00
ET101 Graphics 3.00
HC111 Composition 3.00
MS101 Pre-Calculus Mathematics 4.00
NS101 Introduction to Nautical Science 2.00
PD101 Personal Development I 0.50
PE114 Ocean Survival 0.50
USCG1 USCG Fire Fighting 0.00
Total : 16.00

First Year Sem1 Phys Ed

Courses : 1 Min  |  1 Max Credits : 0.50 Min  |  0.50 Max
Course Name Credits
PE% Any PE Course  (Optional)

First Year Semester 2

Courses : 10 Min  |  10 Max Credits : 17.50 Min  |  17.50 Max
Course Name Credits
CS150 Structured Problem Solving with Computer 3.00
HC220 Humanities I 3.00
MS110 Technical Calculus I 4.00
MT12 Maintenance – First Year 0.00
NA152 Ship Structure & Stability 3.00
PD102 Personal Development I 0.50
PS102 Technical Physics I 4.00
USCG2 USCG Fire Fighting Live Burn 0.00
USCG3 Lifeboat Exam 0.00
VPDSD Vessel Person. w/ Desig. Security Duties 0.00
Total : 17.50

First Year Semester 3

Courses : 1 Min  |  1 Max Credits : 4.00 Min  |  4.00 Max
Course Name Credits
CR103 First Year Cruise – Engine 4.00
Total : 4.00

Sophomore Semester 1

Courses : 7 Min  |  7 Max Credits : 16.50 Min  |  16.50 Max
Course Name Credits
EG261 Steam Generators I 3.00
EG292 Diesel Power I 3.00
ET201 Fluid Power 3.00
HC230 Humanities II 3.00
MT21E Maintenance Sophomore Engine 0.00
PD201 Personal Development II 0.50
PS201 Technical Physics II 4.00
Total : 16.50

Sophomore Semester 2

Courses : 6 Min  |  6 Max Credits : 15.00 Min  |  15.00 Max
Course Name Credits
EG234 Power Equipment Lab 2.00
EG252 Machine Tool Operations I 2.50
EG392 Diesel Power II 3.00
ET211 Thermodynamics I 3.00
ET371 Electrical Power I 4.00
PD202 Personal Development II 0.50
Total : 15.00

Sophomore Semester 3

Courses : 1 Min  |  1 Max Credits : 4.00 Min  |  4.00 Max
Course Name Credits
CE203 Cadet Shipping Engine 4.00
Total : 4.00

Junior Semester 1

Courses : 5 Min  |  5 Max Credits : 10.50 Min  |  10.50 Max
Course Name Credits
EG243 Welding 2.00
EG321 Steam Turbines I 3.00
EG351 Machine Tool Operations II 2.50
EG372 Electrical Power II 3.00
PD301 Personal Development III 0.00
Total : 10.50

Junior Sem1 Free Elective

Courses : 1 Min  |  1 Max Credits : 3.00 Min  |  3.00 Max
Course Name Credits
% Any Course

Junior Sem1 Hum-SS Elective

Courses : 1 Min  |  1 Max Credits : 3.00 Min  |  3.00 Max
Course Name Credits
EC% Any EC Course
GE% Any GE Course
HC% Any HC Course
HMSS% Any Hum/SS Transfer Course
HY% Any HY Course
PO% Any PO Course
PY% Any PY Course

Junior Semester 2

Courses : 6 Min  |  6 Max Credits : 13.00 Min  |  13.00 Max
Course Name Credits
CH101 Chemical Principles 4.00
EG382 Steam Power Systems I 3.00
EG431 Gas Turbines 3.00
ET452 Technical Communications 3.00
MT32E Maintenance Junior Engine 0.00
PD302 Personal Development III 0.00
Total : 13.00

Junior Sem2 Free Elective

Courses : 1 Min  |  1 Max Credits : 3.00 Min  |  3.00 Max
Course Name Credits
% Any Course

Junior Semester 3

Courses : 1 Min  |  1 Max Credits : 4.00 Min  |  4.00 Max
Course Name Credits
CE303 Junior Cruise Engine 4.00
Total : 4.00

Senior Semester 1

Courses : 6 Min  |  6 Max Credits : 11.50 Min  |  11.50 Max
Course Name Credits
EG350 Environmental Regulation & Compliance 3.00
EG481 Marine Refrigeration & Air Conditioning 2.50
ET401 Automation and Control 3.00
ET432 Power Control Electronics 3.00
MT41E Maintenance Senior Engine 0.00
PD401 Personal Development IV 0.00
Total : 11.50

Senior Sem1 Hum-SS Elective

Courses : 1 Min  |  1 Max Credits : 3.00 Min  |  3.00 Max
Course Name Credits
EC% Any EC Course
GE% Any GE Course
HC% Any HC Course
HMSS% Any Hum/SS Transfer Course
HY% Any HY Course
PO% Any PO Course
PY% Any PY Course

Senior Semester 2

Courses : 4 Min  |  4 Max Credits : 9.00 Min  |  9.00 Max
Course Name Credits
EG422 Steam Power Systems II 3.00
ET377 Engineering Economics 3.00
MD310 Medical Care Provider 3.00
PD402 Personal Development IV 0.00
Total : 9.00

Senior Sem2 Free Elective

Courses : 1 Min  |  1 Max Credits : 3.00 Min  |  3.00 Max
Course Name Credits
% Any Course

Senior Sem2 Tech Elective

Courses : 1 Min  |  1 Max Credits : 1.00 Min  |  3.00 Max
Course Name Credits
EG% Any EG Course
ES% Any ES Course
ET% Any ET Course
NA% Any NA Course

Senior Sem2 Gened Elective

Courses : 1 Min  |  1 Max Credits : 3.00 Min  |  3.00 Max
Course Name Credits
EC% Any EC Course
GE% Any GE Course
GENED% Any GENED Course
HC% Any HC Course
HY% Any HY Course
PO% Any PO Course
PY% Any PY Course