Marine Systems Engineering (USCG License Track)

The Marine Systems Engineering – License Track program combines many of the technical courses of the Engineering Operations and the Engineering Technology programs with a 10-course calculus-based design and analysis sequence. In addition to the 180 days of industrial practice at sea offered by the other programs, “Systems” also includes a three-to-four month co-op term in a shoreside industrial or government engineering facility.

The complete program takes five years, with the opportunity to sit for the U.S. Coast Guard Third Assistant Engineer’s License in the fourth year and for the Fundamentals of Engineering examination at the completion of the first semester of the fifth year. Students in this program may apply for a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Engineering Operations after four years of study, with automatic eligibility to return to commence the fifth year within a three-year period after graduation. (With this four-year track, Probability and Statistics for Engineering and Science (MS251) is not required.)

Successful completion of the 5-year program leads to a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Marine Systems Engineering – License Track, and prepares the graduate for a career as a sea-going merchant marine engineering officer, or in applied or design engineering, engineering consulting, or for a management position in maritime, industrial power, or general engineering fields. Graduates of Marine Systems Engineering – License Track are also well prepared to pursue advanced study at graduate school in numerous engineering disciplines.

The program in Marine Systems Engineering – License Track is designed for students with a strong mathematical and analytical ability as well as interest in practical engineering. It is the most academically rigorous course of study at Maine Maritime Academy. Only a few engineering programs in the United States offer a comparable curriculum. The synergy of the 10-course design/analysis sequence with a strong hands-on marine component is the hallmark of the MSE license track.

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 MSE 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 Systems Engineering – License Track:

2023/Fall – Undergraduate/Bachelor of Science/Marine Systems Engineering (USCG License Track)
Major Requirements

Credits : 176.50 Min  |  178.50 Max
2.250 Core GPA Minimum
2.000 Overall GPA Minimum

First Year Semester 1

Courses : 9 Min  |  9 Max Credits : 18.00 Min  |  18.00 Max
Course Name Credits
CS151 Introduction to Engineering Programming 3.00
EG101 Fundamentals of Engineering Operations 3.00
ES180 Engineering Design I 2.00
HC111 Composition 3.00
MS150 Calculus I 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 : 18.00

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
CH152 Engineering Chemistry 4.00
EG243 Welding 2.00
ET101 Graphics 3.00
MS160 Calculus II 4.00
MT12 Maintenance – First Year 0.00
PD102 Personal Development I 0.50
PS162 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 : 17.50 Min  |  17.50 Max
Course Name Credits
EG265 Steam Generating Systems 2.00
EG292 Diesel Power I 3.00
ES201 Introduction to Thermal Fluid Science 5.00
ES205 Engineering Statics 3.00
MT21E Maintenance Sophomore Engine 0.00
PD201 Personal Development II 0.50
PS261 Physics II 4.00
Total : 17.50

Sophomore Semester 2

Courses : 7 Min  |  7 Max Credits : 19.00 Min  |  19.00 Max
Course Name Credits
EG234 Power Equipment Lab 2.00
EG252 Machine Tool Operations I 2.50
EG392 Diesel Power II 3.00
ES352 Engineering Thermodynamics II 3.00
ES371 Enhanced Electrical Power I 4.00
MS252 Engineering Math I 4.00
PD202 Personal Development II 0.50
Total : 19.00

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 : 7 Min  |  7 Max Credits : 18.00 Min  |  18.00 Max
Course Name Credits
EG321 Steam Turbines I 3.00
EG372 Electrical Power II 3.00
ES420 Engineering Dynamics 3.00
HC230 Humanities II 3.00
MS260 Differential Equations 3.00
OC101 Introduction to Ocean Science 3.00
PD301 Personal Development III 0.00
Total : 18.00

Junior Semester 2

Courses : 8 Min  |  8 Max Credits : 17.00 Min  |  17.00 Max
Course Name Credits
EG382 Steam Power Systems I 3.00
ES235 Engineering Strength of Materials 3.00
ES245 Engineering Fluid Mechanics 3.00
ES490 Numerical & Computer Methods for Enginee 3.00
ET351 Thermal/Fluids Lab 2.00
ET452 Technical Communications 3.00
MT32E Maintenance Junior Engine 0.00
PD302 Personal Development III 0.00
Total : 17.00

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 : 7 Min  |  7 Max Credits : 14.50 Min  |  14.50 Max
Course Name Credits
EG481 Marine Refrigeration & Air Conditioning 2.50
ES433 Control Systems Engineering 3.00
ET432 Power Control Electronics 3.00
MD310 Medical Care Provider 3.00
MS251 Prob & Statistics For Eng & Science 3.00
MT41E Maintenance Senior Engine 0.00
PD401 Personal Development IV 0.00
Total : 14.50

Senior Sem1 Hum Elective

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

Senior Semester 2

Courses : 5 Min  |  5 Max Credits : 12.00 Min  |  12.00 Max
Course Name Credits
EG422 Steam Power Systems II 3.00
ES380 Engineering Design II 3.00
ET377 Engineering Economics 3.00
NA372 Naval Architecture I 3.00
PD402 Personal Development IV 0.00
Total : 12.00

Senior Sem2 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
PO% Any PO Course
PY% Any PY Course

Senior Semester 3

Courses : 1 Min  |  1 Max Credits : 1.50 Min  |  1.50 Max
Course Name Credits
CO400 Cooperative Industrial Field Exp 1.50
Total : 1.50

Fifth Year Semester 1

Courses : 4 Min  |  4 Max Credits : 10.00 Min  |  10.00 Max
Course Name Credits
ES430 Machine Design 3.00
ES501 Engineering Materials 3.00
ES598 Capstone Design Preparation 1.00
MS451 Engineering Mathematics II 3.00
Total : 10.00

FifthYear Sem1 Free Elective

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

Fifth Year Semester 2

Courses : 2 Min  |  2 Max Credits : 6.00 Min  |  6.00 Max
Course Name Credits
ES599 Capstone Design Project 3.00
HC220 Humanities I 3.00
Total : 6.00

FifthYear Sem2 Free Elective

Courses : 1 Min  |  1 Max Credits : 1.00 Min  |  3.00 Max
Course Name Credits
% Any Course

FifthYear Sem2 Hum-SS Elect

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