The Undergraduate Academic Program

Majors

The Academy offers the following baccalaureate degree academic majors at its Castine campus:

• Coastal and Marine Environmental Science
• Coastal and Marine Environmental Science/Small Vessel Operations
• Interdisciplinary Studies
• International Business and Logistics
• Marine Biology
• Marine Biology/Small Vessel Operations
• Marine Engineering Operations*
• Marine Engineering Technology*
• Marine Systems Engineering* (License Track)
• Marine Systems Engineering (Non-License Track)
• Marine Transportation Operations*
• Maritime Technology**
• Power Engineering Technology
• Vessel Operations and Technology

The Academy offers the following associate degree academic majors at its Castine campus:

• Small Vessel Operations

*These majors lead to a U.S. Coast Guard unlimited license and require participation in the Regiment of Midshipmen. See the catalog section entitled Student Life for information on the Regiment.

**This major is only available to alumni who demonstrate eligibility. This is not for matriculation.

Undeclared Major

This option of an undeclared major is only available for the Spring term and is designed primarily for transfer students. The following semester, students must declare a major and select courses in consultation with an advisor to meet the requirements of a declared major. Students may enroll as non-declared for one semester only.

Cooperative Programs with General Dynamics Bath Iron Works

In addition to the fifteen undergraduate majors listed above, two Associate of Science majors are offered in conjunction with Bath Iron Works (BIW).

These programs offer majors in either Ship Design or Ship Production (electrical and non-electrical track). Both majors are four years in length and are offered only at our Maritime Industrial Workforce Training Center in Brunswick, Maine. Students enrolling in these programs must be employed by Bath Iron Works and meet Maine Maritime Academy’s entrance requirements; it is possible for a a student, once in one of the programs, to continue as an MMA student after terminating employment with the company. The objective of the BIW apprenticeship is to train highly skilled, versatile, and educated mechanics and designers through both classroom instruction and hands-on experience. The program strives to develop proficiency and knowledge in:

• Engineering principles and problem-solving techniques
• Organizational, communication, and leadership skills
• Trade or discipline-based skills and safe work practices

Successful completion of this program leads to the Associate of Science degree.

Selecting a Major and Changing Majors

It is necessary to select an academic major prior to registering for the fall semester of the first year. Thereafter, it is possible to change a major after consultation with appropriate academic advisors and the respective program coordinator, as may be necessary. A change of major must be approved by the faculty coordinator of the new major and may be restricted by the student’s academic performance as well as the capacity of the new program. Students who request a change in major must meet Academy and programmatic requirements that are in place. A change of major requires careful scheduling and may necessitate attending summer classes or additional semesters to complete all required courses. If a circumstance arises which in the opinion of the student or the Vice President for Academic Affairs causes undue hardship on the student or the school in fulfilling the obligations created by a situation such as those addressed here, it may be resolved by the Vice President for Academic Affairs in consultation with the student, the student’s advisor and/or the Department Chair involved. Students changing majors are subject to the Priority for Course Registration of the Academic Procedures chapter and may not be on “track”.

During the fall semester of the first year, baccalaureate candidates in U.S. Coast Guard unlimited license programs take courses in both nautical science and marine engineering to gain insight into both fields of study. Upon the successful completion of the spring semester of the first year, these students register for the annual cruise aboard Maine Maritime Academy’s training ship or are assigned to another academy training ship.

Minor Programs and Concentrations

In addition to the academic majors offered at Maine Maritime Academy, all Departments offer opportunities for specializations in one or more areas of study. Students are encouraged to participate in one or more of these programs and decide on a minor or concentration as early as possible in order to meet the necessary requirements for their targeted graduation date. Registration materials and academic requirements for minor programs and concentrations can be obtained from the Registrar, faculty program advisors, and the Academic Procedures section of this catalog.