Scope of Naval Architecture course

A naval architect is responsible for the economic viability, safety and values of the maritime vessels and associated units. It is of paramount importance that a naval architect is well-qualified as well as updated with the latest knowledge related to the maritime field and stays relevant to new research and developments. 

Over recent years, naval technology has become popular among students. Ships and sea-going vessels together with the shipbuilding and marine navigation technologies have seen huge progress and this has resulted in the establishment of different dedicated fields of study. Naval architecture is one such specialised field that is an essential part of the shipping sector. It is the science and engineering of designing and making of ships, powerboats, yachts, tugs, steamers, barges, fishing boats, cruise ships, warships, submarines, and icebreakers. Besides, the study of naval architecture encompasses the designing and manufacturing offshore structures of all kinds whether military and/or commercial.

To build a career in the field of naval architecture aspirants should have either bachelors, masters, or a doctoral degree in naval architecture. Very few universities offer this course including some state institutes both as distant as well as regular college. Naval architecture course aims at equipping naval architects to meet the rising demands of human capital in the industry by imparting academic as well as practical training on basic science and common engineering subjects. The course typically covers Physics, Hydrodynamics, Chemistry and Ship Design.

Skills required to be a Naval Architect

Naval architects can work with a variety of vessels comprising ships, submarines, yachts and ferries. Some of the key responsibilities of a naval architect are evaluating project necessities and researching viability; producing detailed designs of boats, ships,  and other maritime vessels utilising drawings and expert computer software; inferring and scrutinising data and test results; developing and using test procedures comprising scale models and computer modelling; carrying out relevant research; negotiating and approving project budgets; schedules and specifications with customers; planning and overseeing the building of vessels; writing reports and documentation; and supervising staffs. For this, naval architects must have the following skills:

• Meticulous attention to detail
• Commercial awareness 
• Communication skills including verbal and written skills
• Complex problem-solving, logical reasoning and critical thinking skills 
• Creativity  and innovative
• Effective technical skills 
• Enhanced learning strategies
• IT and Mathematics skills 
• Judgement and decision making
• Leadership and interpersonal skills 
• Spatial awareness and operation analysis
• System evaluation and system analysis
• Team working skills and managing self and others
• Time management skills

Eligibility Criteria to Naval Architecture

A naval architect specialises in every aspect of maritime activities such as shipment, dredging, transportation, offshore drilling, among others. This field caters to the discipline of the shipping sector right from the R&D, designing, constructing and overhauling of the aforementioned machines. Hence, the naval architect is also responsible for the economic viability, safety and values of the maritime vessels and associated units. It is of paramount importance that a naval architect is well-qualified as well as updated with the latest knowledge related to the maritime field and stays relevant to new research and developments. 

Under-Graduation: To pursue graduation in Naval Architecture, aspirants must have completed their XII examination from any recognised board with Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics as the major subjects, and minimum aggregate marks of 50 per cent.

Post-Graduation: To pursue post-graduation in Naval Architecture aspirants should have passed B.E./B.Tech (or the equivalent) in Civil/Mechanical/Electrical/Marine-Engineering/Naval-Architecture/Nautical-Science/Ship-Building/Aeronautical Engineering, and minimum aggregate marks of 50 per cent.

Admission Procedure and Fees

For admission to graduation course, aspirants must take up an entrance test for getting into the preferred college, along with that aspirants must also have certain mental and physical abilities and must take up certain physical tests for the admission.  Some of the main entrance exams are marine engineering/research institute entrance exams, IITJEE, AICET, and IMUCET. Some colleges offer the option of lateral entry and aspirants in place of a four-year graduation course can get admission straight into the second year of college. For this, aspirants must have completed a three-year diploma course post passing the 10th board examination or a one-year diploma course post passing the 12th board-examination. For admission to the post-graduation course in naval architecture, it is based on the GATE Exam score and/or personal interview and group discussion.

Fees for naval architecture course vary from college/university/institute to college/university/institute. Some of the top colleges/universities/institutes for naval architecture along with their fees are listed below.

Naval Architects desiring to be professional engineers should pass two exams undertaken by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), and gain adequate work experience. Students almost completing graduation can take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. After completion of the FE, they should work for four years before being eligible to take up the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam. The NCEES specifies that the PE is usually the last in becoming a professionally licensed engineer in the field.

Syllabus and Curriculum

Graduation in naval architecture is a four-year course and is divided into eight semesters. The semester-wise breakup of the syllabus is given below:

Post-graduation in naval architecture is a two-year course and is divided into four semesters. The semester-wise breakup of the syllabus is given below

Job and Career Prospects for Naval Architecture

Naval architects have diverse job opportunities. Upon successful completion of the course, students are placed in both the private and government organisations. Graduates must obtain a valid license whose eligibility criteria differ from state to state; therefore, they must take care to fulfil criteria specific to their respective state.