Ship Operation Engineering

The oceans are the largest transport route for goods of all kinds. Through the development of the global economy, the volume of goods transported is also rapidly growing. Ocean shipping is the most efficient and most ecologically friendly means of transport for goods between countries and continents. The increased demand for transport capacity on ships goes hand-in-hand with a mounting demand for highly qualified personnel to operate the ships’ technical equipment. The growing demands placed on energy efficiency, environmental friendliness and safety, as well as the increasing complexity of the equipment, are the challenges with which ship engineers are faced. The qualification as Ship Engineer acquired in the Ship Operation Engineering course is one of the pillars of the ”maritime profile” of Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences. It is the oldest course at the University. This training has been offered in Bremerhaven for about 120 years. Close contacts to shipping companies, dockyards and the machine industry ensure that course contents always mirror current practice.

• Objectives and special features 
• Employment opportunities for graduates 
• Structure of the course 
• Practical training 
• Practical focus of the course 
• Admission conditions 
• Application procedure 
• Advice for studends 
• Webside of the study course 

 SBT__Bachelor_2008.pdf
 

 SBT_Flyer_Internet.pdf
 

Objectives and special features

The Ship Operation Engineering course is a solid and internationally recognised engineering course with a focus on industrial engineering. The parameters for the course are defined by legislation of the Federal State of Bremen as well as by the Schiffsoffizierausbildungsverordnung (SchOffzAusbVO Ship Officer Training Directive) and the Standards for Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers of 1995 (STCW 95) of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). Engineers are trained for a sector of the economy with a promising future. Practice-oriented training and sound teaching of scientific methods in natural science and engineering science modules enable students to work independently and successfully both at national and international level in all areas of ship and energy technology. Key features of the course are:

• 3 year full-time course with a high lebel of practical content (possivly with an additional two terms in practical placment)
• Qualification as Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
• 15 course places per year
• Teaching Language are German (80%) and Englisch (20%)
• It is possible for the course to be shortened to four terms for holder of the Technical Watch Officer´s Licence
• An integrated practical training of 18 month

Employment opportunities for graduates

With the Bachelor degree in Ship Operation Engineering, the graduate is qualified for the Technical Watch Officer's Licence. With this, the graduate must complete twelve months at sea before being permitted to enter service as Second Technical Officer. After two years’ duty at sea as Second Technical Officer, the graduate is qualified to sail as Chief Engineer on ships of any capacity. In addition, there is also a demand for well-trained and experienced ship engineers for technical ship management on land. The maritime supply industry and shipping authorities equally require a large number of marine engineers. Positions in the areas of energy supply and technical facility management on land are also frequently occupied by ship engineers. Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences also offers an graduates Master course ”Process Engineering and Energy Technology” for specialisation in process engineering. With ”Infrastructure Management” and ”Maritime Management”, two Master courses will be available with a law/economics
focus soon.

Structure of the course

The course begins with the first practical term spent on machine duty on board a seagoing ship in order to familiarise the student with the profession. This is followed by a Foundation Course lasting three terms in which primarily basic natural science and engineering science subjects are taught, such as Mathematics, Engineering Mechanics, Thermodynamics and Electrical Engineering. The curriculum however also includes course-specific topics such as Maritime Traffic Management, Maritime English, Personnel Management or Operating and Hazardous Materials. The Advanced Course mainly comprises those courses which concentrate on the knowledge required to operate the machinery, such as combustion engines and plants, machines, steam installations, electrical machines and the field of automation and control engineering. Instruction in Public Law and Maritime Law as well as Business Management and Occupational Health and Safety round off the Advanced Course. In addition to laboratory exercises on working machines, simulator exercises are also used to a major degree to teach and test skills. In the seventh term, students complete their second practical term which aims to prepare them for duty as Technical Watch Officer. The Bachelor thesis is embedded in the eighth and last term.
The Ship Operation Engineering course qualifies graduates for technical, operational and personnel management tasks in machine facilities on board ship and on land.

Practical training

According to the Schiffsoffizierausbildungsverordnung (SchOffzAusbVO - Ship Officer Training Directive), at least 18 months’ practical training are compulsory for the Technical Watch Officer Licence, of which at least 12 months’ must be spent on board seagoing vessels on machine duty. This requirement can be fulfilled by
- six months’ basic practical training in metals and 12 months’ practicaltraining at sea which are integrated into the course in the form of two practical terms
- an 18-month training course leading to a qualification as
Engineer Cadet
- a professional qualification as Ship’s Mechanic.
The basic practical training in metals must be completed before beginning the course. The practical training is waived for applicants holding a qualification in a recognised metal or electrical profession. Further information about the practical training can be obtained from Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences.

Practical focus of the course

The extensive practical work and exercises contained in the course ensure that students acquire targeted professional skills. Teaching takes place in small groups. The use of ship machine simulators make sure the course is as practiceoriented as possible. Students are thus given a direct insight into practical tasks and problem-solving approaches which they can consolidate at the University through their own experiments and project work. The experience gained in the practical periods as well as the Bachelor thesis, which in turn can be compiled in co-operation with a shipping company or an industrial enterprise, round off the practical training. Apart from technical and engineering principles and the deepening of students’ knowledge in their chosen areas of specialisation, key skills such as presentation techniques and personnel management are also taught. These are consolidated by special subjects in the areas of engineering software, foreign languages, business administration and law.

Admission conditions

Students wishing to be admitted to the course must generally hold a school-leaving certificate which permits admission to a university degree course. Information about the possibility of special admission conditions can be obtained from the Admissions Office of Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences. For applicants with no previous relevant education, completion of a basic training course in metals is a condition for admission to the course. European and US American school-leaving certificates are generally recognised. School-leaving certificates from other countries must be submitted to the ASSIST office for checking. Further information can be found under www.uni-assist.de.
In addition, very good knowledge of German and good knowledge of English are expected. No English language certificate is required. However, during the course individual subjects will also be offered in English and students should be prepared for this. At the end of the course by the latest, students should be able to demonstrate sufficient skills in general and technical English since the working language on board seagoing ships is English.

Application procedure

To apply for the Ship Operation Engineering course, applicants must complete in full the relevant application form and either submit it in person or send it by post together with all the necessary documents before the closing date to the Admissions Office of the University. The form can be obtained either from the Student Counselling Centre or the homepage of Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences. Closing dates for applications and other deadlines are published on the University’s homepage or can be obtained from the Student Counselling Centre. 15 course places are available per year. In addition to their application to the University, interested applicants from abroad should pay attention in good time to immigration regulations. Further information can be obtained from the German Embassy in the respective countries (www.auswaertiges-amt.de).

Advice for studends

The Central Student Information answers general enquries about the course. Contact:

The Admissions and Examination Office is responsible for questions about admission requirements. Contact:

Questions about course content should be addressed to:

Webside of the study course

Webside