Covers fluid properties and statics, the control volume formulation of mass, momentum and energy conservation, dimensional analysis and similitude, internal and external flow, boundary layer development, and drag and lift.
Dimensional analysis is emphasized more heavily than in a general engineering treatment, because scale-model testing is central to marine engineering practice and a result from a basin trial is only transferable if the similitude argument holds.
Laboratory work includes flow visualization and drag measurement, with tests conducted in the Marine Robotics and Test Basin. Students are expected to compare measured results against their own predictions and to account for the difference.