Vessel Operations and Technology

The Vessel Operations and Technology curriculum is designed to prepare students for positions of responsibility in the operation and management of a variety of private and commercial vessels. The program is organized in a two-plus-two format offering a two-year Associate of Science degree in Small Vessel Operations and a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in Vessel Operations and Technology. U.S. Coast Guard licenses also are available. Four academic semesters, plus a cooperative work experience during the summer following the first year, lead to an Associate of Science degree. Four additional academic semesters plus two additional cooperative work experiences and a training cruise, lead to a Bachelor of Science degree.

A student completing the A.S. degree requirements and the appropriate cooperative work experience, and meeting the applicable USCG requirements, will receive a USCG license as mate of vessels not more than 200 tons, operating in near-coastal waters, up to 200 miles offshore, and an Able Seaman Limited certification. A comprehensive license exam, administered by MMA, is a requirement for receiving this license as well as a prerequisite for the 500/1600 ton license.

A student completing the B.S. degree requisites, two additional cooperative work experiences on appropriately-sized vessels, and a training cruise, and meeting the USCG requirements, may be eligible to sit for the USCG examination for a license as mate of vessels not more than 500 tons or 1600 tons (depending on their sea service), near coastal or oceans.

Participation in the Regiment of Midshipmen is optional when enrolled in this program. However, students electing to participate in First Year Cruise on the Training Ship State of Maine are subject to the Priority for Course Registration policy, must have been in the Regiment for the year and meet the following prerequisites: 4/C Maintenance; Ship’s Orientation; Ocean Survival (PE114), Fire Training, and NS101. In addition to meeting the college requirement for graduation with at least a 2.0 grade point average for the A.S. and B.S. degrees, graduating students are required to have a minimum grade point average of 2.25 in the VOT/SVO program core courses. For the VOT program, core courses are defined as courses with the prefix CO, CR, and NS.

The following table outlines the normal sequence of courses taken by students majoring in Vessel Operations and Technology.

2023/Fall – Undergraduate/Bachelor of Science/Vessel Operations and Technology
Major Requirements

Credits : 135.00 Min  |  135.00 Max
2.250 Core GPA Minimum
2.000 Overall GPA Minimum

First Year Semester 1

Courses : 9 Min  |  9 Max Credits : 16.00 Min  |  16.00 Max
Course Name Credits
CS150 Structured Problem Solving with Computer 3.00
FY100 First Year Experience 1.00
HC111 Composition 3.00
MS101 Pre-Calculus Mathematics 4.00
NS101 Introduction to Nautical Science 2.00
NS103 Introduction to Vessel Operations 2.00
PE100 Basic Sailing 0.50
PE114 Ocean Survival 0.50
USCG1 USCG Fire Fighting 0.00
Total : 16.00

First Year Semester 2

Courses : 7 Min  |  7 Max Credits : 15.00 Min  |  15.00 Max
Course Name Credits
HC220 Humanities I 3.00
NS132 Small Craft Technology 3.00
NS135 Small Craft Construction 3.00
NS241 Seamanship 2.00
PS102 Technical Physics I 4.00
USCG2 USCG Fire Fighting Live Burn 0.00
USCG3 Lifeboat Exam 0.00
Total : 15.00

First Year Semester 3

Courses : 1 Min  |  1 Max Credits : 3.00 Min  |  3.00 Max
Course Name Credits
CO223 SVO/VOT Cooperative Work Exp I 3.00
Total : 3.00

Sophomore Semester 1

Courses : 5 Min  |  5 Max Credits : 13.00 Min  |  13.00 Max
Course Name Credits
NS122 Cargo I 3.00
NS232 Marine Systems 3.00
NS271 Terrestrial Navigation I 3.00
NS272 Terrestrial Navigation Lab 1.00
OC101 Introduction to Ocean Science 3.00
Total : 13.00

Soph Sem1 Gened Elec

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

Sophomore Semester 2

Courses : 6 Min  |  6 Max Credits : 13.00 Min  |  13.00 Max
Course Name Credits
NS221 Meteorology 3.00
NS262 Navigation Rules 3.00
NS292 Electronic Navigation 3.00
NS293 Electronic Navigation Lab 1.00
NS298 Topics in Small Vessel Operations 2.00
NS299 200 Ton License Seminar 1.00
Total : 13.00

Soph Sem2 Dept Elective

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

Sophomore Semester 3

Courses : 1 Min  |  1 Max Credits : 3.00 Min  |  3.00 Max
Course Name Credits
CO323 VOT Cooperative Work Exp II 3.00
Total : 3.00

Junior Semester 1

Courses : 4 Min  |  4 Max Credits : 12.00 Min  |  12.00 Max
Course Name Credits
HC230 Humanities II 3.00
NS301 Stability 3.00
NS332 Marine Communications 3.00
NS345 Ship Handling 3.00
Total : 12.00

Junior Sem1 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

Junior Semester 2

Courses : 5 Min  |  5 Max Credits : 15.00 Min  |  15.00 Max
Course Name Credits
EG392 Diesel Power II 3.00
NS282 Celestial Navigation I 3.00
NS342 Workboat Operations 3.00
NS381 Terrestrial Navigation II 3.00
NS493 Electronic Navigation II 3.00
Total : 15.00

Junior Semester 3

Courses : 2 Min  |  2 Max Credits : 5.00 Min  |  5.00 Max
Course Name Credits
CO423 VOT Work Experience III 3.00
CR313 VOT Training Cruise 2.00
Total : 5.00

Senior Semester 1

Courses : 2 Min  |  2 Max Credits : 6.00 Min  |  6.00 Max
Course Name Credits
NS491 Advanced Navigation 3.00
NS497 Watchkeeping Limited Tonnage 3.00
Total : 6.00

Senior Sem1 Dept Elective

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

Senior Sem1 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

Senior Sem1 Free Elective

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

Senior Semester 2

Courses : 4 Min  |  4 Max Credits : 10.00 Min  |  10.00 Max
Course Name Credits
HC232 Management Communication 3.00
MD310 Medical Care Provider 3.00
NS461 Casualty Analysis 3.00
NS499 License Seminar 1.00
Total : 10.00

Senior Sem2 Bus Elective

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