Marine Engineering is an engineering degree with saltwater in it. The first two years are statics, fluid mechanics, materials and control — the same foundations any mechanical engineer needs — taught with marine examples throughout. The last two apply them to vehicles and structures that have to work in an environment that offers no second chances.
What you study
Statics and marine structures, then fluid mechanics, then naval architecture. From the third year the program splits toward two ends: underwater robotics on one side, coastal engineering design on the other. Most students take both and specialize late.
You will design, build and test an underwater vehicle. The Marine Robotics and Test Basin opened in 2026 for exactly this reason — the department spent four years arguing that it was teaching vehicle design to students who had never watched one fail somewhere recoverable. A failure in the basin costs an afternoon. The same failure offshore costs a day of ship time and leaves no evidence.
Where it leads
Offshore and subsea engineering, vehicle and instrument manufacturers, coastal protection and consulting practice, naval architecture, and graduate study. The MS in Ocean Engineering here takes a number of graduates each year.
Students often ask whether this degree limits them to marine work. It does not. The control, structures and systems training is standard engineering; the marine context is what makes it distinctive on an application.
What to expect
A heavy load in the first two years, and a lot of time in a building with a crane in it. The student competition team is optional and takes over the lives of the people who join it.