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Majors & Minors

Our undergraduate programs serve approximately 950 students in courses of study in engineering, management, science, and transportation. Our rigorous courses and experiential programs equip students with the practical skills, knowledge and training to launch successful careers.

Specialized laboratories — including state-of-the-art simulators — bring lessons of the classroom to life. Advanced teaching facilities include research vessels, marine science labs, power plant and navigation simulators, a 1,200 hp diesel engine, a liquid cargo system simulator, wet lab, multi-media lecture halls, and classrooms with wireless access for laptop computing.

MMA students benefit from hands-on education, international sea-time aboard the Training Ship State of Maine or the Schooner Bowdoin, cadet shipping aboard commercial vessels, and cooperative education assignments. Our students become world-class mariners and engineers, supply chain managers, logistics professionals, and scientists here in Maine and beyond.

Majors

COASTAL & MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

The new Coastal and Marine Environmental Science major lies at the intersection of biology, chemistry, earth sciences, and human-environment interactions. Students study topics such as land-air-water interactions, climate change, and resource management.

Coastal and Marine Environmental Science is housed in our Ocean Studies Department. It also allows for the opportunity to pursue a dual major in Small Vessel Operations (a 5-year program). Students in all majors in Ocean Studies complete independent research projects designed, implemented, analyzed, and disseminated by individual students. Projects are supervised by departmental faculty and utilize wet lab and waterfront facilities, including RV Friendship. As alumni they have skills and expertise in the fundamental study of chemistry, biology, physics, as well as writing, communications, mathematics, and social science.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AND LOGISTICS

International Business & Logistics (IBL) students gain a broad and solid business foundation with an international emphasis and a focus on logistics. We encourage and support innovative thinking, corporate social responsibility, and hands-on experience.

Every business relies on logistics managers to analyze and evaluate the flow of goods, customer service, finances, and information from the suppliers to the ultimate consumer. Our specialized business and logistics courses will help you learn all of the above. IBL students gain a broad and solid business foundation with an international emphasis and a focus on logistics. We encourage and support innovative thinking, corporate social responsibility, and hands-on experience. After your third year you will take part in a professional field experience to gain real-world knowledge and explore potential careers with companies across the U.S. and the world. Student who pursue a major in IBL also have the option to double major in Small Vessel Operations.

Upon graduation, alumni of our program are prepared for a career in almost any aspect of business, including:

  • Logistics and supply chain
  • Management
  • Production and operations
  • Project management
  • International trade

MARINE BIOLOGY

The Marine Biology major focuses training and experiences on the biological component of Ocean Studies. This major provides instruction in essential biology courses (biology, ecology, physiology, cell biology and genetics) as well as more specialized topics relevant to marine organisms (animal behavior and symbiosis).

Marine Biology is housed in our Ocean Studies Department. It also allows for the opportunity to pursue a dual majors in Small Vessel Operations (a 5-year program). Students in all majors in Ocean Studies complete independent research projects designed, implemented, analyzed, and disseminated by individual students. Projects are supervised by departmental faculty and utilize wet lab and waterfront facilities, including RV Friendship. As alumni they have skills and expertise in the fundamental study of chemistry, biology, physics, as well as writing, communications, mathematics, and social science.

MARINE ENGINEERING OPERATIONS

The Marine Engineering Operations (MEO) major focuses on the operation of power-generation, electrical, hydraulic, and other engineering systems of a floating vessel. The Marine Engineering majors lead to a U.S. Coast Guard Engineering License and require 180 days of training at sea which is accomplished through specialized laboratories, simulation, and three distinct training cruises at the conclusion of the first, second and third years. They also require participation in the Regiment of Midshipmen. Graduates of the MEO program are eligible to apply for a Maine Third Class Stationary Power Plant Operator’s license.

Upon graduation, alumni of our program are prepared for a career in almost any aspect of engineering, including:

  • Work in the maritime industry
  • Public utilities
  • Manufacturing
  • Shipping
  • Energy production

MARINE ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

The Marine Engineering Technology (MET) major incorporates many courses from the Marine Engineering Operations program with additional courses in science, mathematics, communications, technical science, and laboratory testing methods. Students choosing this major are interested in working at sea with the option of becoming a shore-based technologist. Graduates of the MET program are eligible to sit for the Fundamentals of Engineering exam.

The Marine Engineering majors lead to a U.S. Coast Guard Engineering License and require 180 days of training at sea which is accomplished through specialized laboratories, simulation, and three distinct training cruises at the conclusion of the first, second and third years. They also require participation in the Regiment of Midshipmen. The Marine Engineering Technology program is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.

MARINE SCIENCE

The Marine Science major prepares students in the field of oceanography, with an emphasis on problem solving and decision making in an ocean setting. This broad-based marine science curriculum encompasses the study of biology, chemistry, computer science, marine geology, marine geochemistry, mathematics, social sciences, and writing and communications.

Marine Science is housed in our Ocean Studies Department. It also allows for the opportunity to pursue a dual major in Small Vessel Operations (a 5-year program). Students in all majors in Ocean Studies complete independent research projects designed, implemented, analyzed, and disseminated by individual students. Projects are supervised by departmental faculty and utilize wet lab and waterfront facilities, including RV Friendship

MARINE SYSTEMS ENGINEERING5-YEAR PROGRAM

5-YEAR PROGRAM

If you are interested in how the world around you works, or if you have ideas on how to improve the tools, appliances and machines we use, you already have the qualities needed to become an outstanding engineer. You will practice on real equipment, bringing theory to life. The 5-year Marine Systems Engineering Bachelor of Science program immerses students in the challenges of identifying, formulating, and solving engineering problems.

In addition to U.S. Coast Guard license preparation, graduates of the MSE 5-year program are well positioned to pursue advanced study in numerous engineering disciplines. The Marine Systems Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.

Program highlights include:
  • Participation in the Regiment of Midshipmen for first four years
  • One field experience (maritime or non-maritime)
  • Two training cruises and one cadet shipping experience

MARINE SYSTEMS ENGINEERING4-YEAR PROGRAM

The 4-year program in Marine Systems Engineering is a Bachelor of Science program including all the humanities, mathematics, science, engineering analysis and design courses of the 5-year Marine Systems Engineering program. Regimental participation is voluntary if desired. The curriculum has an emphasis on naval architecture and includes two industrial field experiences (one maritime-related). The Marine Systems Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.

Graduates of MSE 4-year program are prepared for work as design engineers, operating engineers, field service engineers, technical operators, and project engineers. A majority are employed in shoreside career options in maritime and mechanical engineering fields.

MARINE TRANSPORTATION OPERATIONS

This course of study prepares you for a career sailing as a navigation officer on any size vessel on any ocean. The Marine Transportation Operations (MTO) major leads to a Bachelor of Science degree and, if qualified, eligibility to sit for a federal examination for the U.S. Coast Guard 3rd Mate Unlimited Tonnage License. Students learn vessel operations and navigation as well as cargo operations, navigation rules, marine communications, ocean science, ship handling, ship structure, and watchkeeping.

MTO majors are required to enroll in the Regiment of Midshipmen and complete 365 days of training at sea, which is accomplished through specialized laboratories, simulation, and three distinct at-sea training experiences.

POWER ENGINEERING OPERATIONS

Power Engineering Operations (PEO) is a non-seagoing major concerned primarily with the operation and maintenance of industrial steam and gas turbine power plants and their related electrical systems. Graduates of the PEO program are eligible to sit for the State of Maine Fourth Class Engineer License (stationary plant engineer) examination.

Class work is supplemented by practical experience in laboratories, such as the small-scale operating steam plant, power plant simulator, welding and testing lab, electrical power lab, and power control electronics lab. Students also participate in two summer cooperative field experiences at power-producing facilities.

POWER ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

The Power Engineering Technology (PET) major is based on the body of knowledge inherent in the Marine Engineering Technology major, but is oriented toward shore-side power industries. It includes studies in writing and communications, mathematics, and technical sciences. Graduates are eligible to sit for the State of Maine Third Class Engineer (stationary plant engineer) license, and the Fundamentals of Engineering exam.

Class work is supplemented by practical experience in laboratories, such as the small-scale operating steam plant, power plant simulator, welding and testing lab, electrical power lab, and power control electronics lab. Students also participate in two summer cooperative field experiences at power-producing facilities. The PET program is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.

SMALL VESSEL OPERATIONS2-YEAR PROGRAM

Students in the Small Vessel Operations major pursue four academic semesters plus a field experience, leading to an Associate of Science (A.S.) degree. After year one, an off-site field experience aboard a vessel is required. A student successfully completing the program, including an appropriate field experience, meeting all the applicable U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) requirements, and passing the USCG exam will receive a USCG license as mate of vessels less than 200 gross tons, Near Coastal (200 miles offshore) or Inland Waters, depending on the type of sea service they accrue. Students normally take the USCG exam in the spring of their final semester.

For those looking for traditional sail training, we offer an Auxiliary Sail concentration. With sufficient qualifying sea time under sail, and upon successful completion of a sail addendum examination, the SVO license can be endorsed for Auxiliary Sail. SVO can be combined as a dual degree program with all majors in Ocean Studies and the International Business & Logistics major.

VESSEL OPERATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY

The Vessel Operations & Technology (VOT) major is designed to prepare students for positions of responsibility as operators and managers of a variety of private and commercial vessels. The VOT 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.

Vessel Operations & Technology majors can qualify to sit for the U.S. Coast Guard examination for a 500-ton or 1600-ton Near-Coastal or Oceans Mate’s License. Students who seek the 500- or 1,600-ton mate’s license are required to complete 240 sea days on appropriate vessels. Sea time is acquired through laboratories, simulation, field experiences and a 14-day training cruise aboard the schooner Bowdoin.

Minors

  • Business
  • Environmental Sustainability
  • Humanities And Social Science
  • Industrial Power Plant Technology
  • Marine Biology
  • Marine Engineering Operations
  • Marine Transportation Operations
  • Mathematics
  • Naval Architecture
  • Naval Science
  • Oceanography
  • Physical Science
  • Sail Training
  • Small Vessel Operations
  • Technical Science

Joint Programs

  • Small Craft Design | The Landing School
  • Small Craft Systems | The Landing School
  • Ship Design | Bath Iron Works
  • Ship Production | Bath Iron Works