Welcome to the USMMA Graduate Study Program

WHY MARINE ENGINEERING GRADUATE STUDY
at the USMMA?

Success, Advancement, and Promotion. We live in a competitive environment where sophisticated higher education is necessary for achievement.  For engineers the proper education can be the decisive difference, the thing that sets you apart, moves your career ahead. 

The United States Merchant Marine Academy’s Master of Marine Engineering program is designed for you, the engineering professional seeking graduate education that is relevant to your profession.  Ending at the master’s level with the potential of continuing on for additional professional education, the MMarE program is a natural extension of undergraduate programs in Marine Engineering.  If your undergraduate program was not formally dedicated to Marine Engineering, the MMarE program can complete and enhance your education as a practicing marine engineer.

The MMarE program is designed for individuals at different stages of their career development.  There is an entrance requirement of at least two years of professional experience.  Designed to allow enrollment by working professionals throughout the world, the program uses a combination of asynchronous and synchronous distance-learning delivery.  Some courses may be enhanced by mid-semester, two-day in-residence sessions.

The 36 credit program consists of a 21 credit core addressing all the principal aspects of Marine Engineering including a course in maritime policy.  The core program is augmented by 15 credits of electives. The course offers students the opportunity to undertake independent design and research activity.  The courses are all taught by subject experts and are designed to blend theory and application in a manner that enhances learning and develops skills in creative thinking.   Information and application forms may be obtained from: 

Graduate Program Director
Marine Engineering Department
United States Merchant Marine Academy
300 Steamboat Road
Kings Point, New York 11024
(516) 773-5472
www.usmma.edu/gradcourse

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Master of Marine Engineering
Program Goals 

The goals of the United States Merchant Marine Academy’s practice oriented Marine Engineering Master’s program are to: 

·        Capitalize on the USMMA extensive, qualified and diverse marine engineering faculty

·        Capitalize on the USMMA extensive laboratories addressing all phases of marine engineering

in order to:

·        Establish in the United States a graduate level program that will focus on issues typically encountered by mid level and senior level practicing marine engineers

·        Encourage the nation’s best and brightest marine engineers to enhance their marine engineering education

·        Help the marine industry solve marine engineering problems

·        Excite the minds of the students and their mentors as they undertake marine engineering research or innovative design projects

·        Help the United States regain world leadership in the field of marine engineering

·        Encourage young marine engineers to pursue careers in marine engineering education

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General Information

The United States Merchant Marine Academy is one of five Federal Academies and is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.  Two of its three undergraduate engineering programs are accredited by the Engineering Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.

To accomplish the goals and objectives of the engineering program, the Engineering Department has 23 full-time, tenure track faculty and more then 20 engineering laboratories focusing on all aspects of marine engineering including:

                                                Diesel Prime-movers and Propulsion Systems
                                                Gas Turbine Prime-movers and Propulsion Systems
                                                Steam Turbine Prime-movers and Propulsion Systems
                                                Nuclear Energy Converters and Propulsion Systems
                                                Electrical Energy Converters and Propulsion Systems

In addition to the core courses, all students will be required to complete an online orientation course prior to starting the regular program courses.   

The Academy’s faculty is internationally recognized for their breadth and depth of marine engineering knowledge and their excellence in teaching and our laboratories cover the gamut from applied, operations and maintenance focused, to traditional test and analysis laboratories.  Whereas the laboratories have been primarily used for undergraduate teaching, they are more than capable of supporting graduate level, applied research if MMarE students elect to undertake a research project as a part of an optional thesis course.

Master of Marine Engineering Program

The heart of the 36-credit MMarE program is a required, 21 credits, and core consisting of the following seven courses:

                        EM610            Computational Methods
                        EM621            Advanced Marine Power Plants
                        EM622            Thermal System Design and Optimization
                        EM623            Advanced Marine Materials
                        EM631            Electrical Power Systems
                        EM650            Internal Combustion Engine Analysis and New Technologies
                        EM670            Marine Industry Policy

The student must augment this core with 15 credits of electives.
Attempt will be made to offer electives that address the needs of the marine industry and of interest to the students. 
Typical electives to be offered are:

                        EM620            Marine Propulsion Systems⁽¹⁾
                        EM624            Vibrations of Marine Machinery and Structures
                        EM625            LNG Vessel Operations and Design Considerations
                        EM632            Solid State Power Systems
                        EM633            Control Theory & PLC Applications
                        EM634            Marine Electrical Systems and Propulsion
                        EM640            Economics of Marine Engineering Systems
                        EM641            Management of Shipbuilding and Repair
                        EM642            Reliability Engineering and Operations Research
                        EM660            Hydrostatics and Basic Hydrodynamics
                        EM680            Thesis/Design Project 1 ⁽²⁾
                        EM681            Thesis/Design Project 2 ⁽²⁾

Specific elective course offerings will depend on student interest and availability of faculty.  Individual student elective course selections will be determined after the student confers with the assigned faculty advisor.  Not all electives will be available to each graduating class.

            (1) - Only for students who have not had formal education in marine engineering

        and/or naval architecture

            (2) – Faculty advisor/mentor for specific thesis/design projects will be selected

         from the Engineering Faculty at-large, depending on area of interest

Course descriptions, necessary prerequisites for the above courses and a summary of faculty credentials and experience are available at further on in this site.

Standard Six-Semester Program

Notes:    (1) – Undergraduates of non-marine engineering programs must take EM620, Marine
               Propulsion Systems prior to taking EM621, Advanced Marine Power Plants.

                         Marine Propulsion Plants may be used as an elective.

(2) – Undergraduates on non-marine engineering programs must take Hydrostatics and
               Basic Hydrodynamics as a prerequisite core course.

            Hydrodynamics may be used as an elective.

Graduate Certificate Program

The Graduate Certificate Program is intended to offer individuals with completed advanced degrees or those who want the advanced knowledge in special topics but do not want to fully commit to the full 36 credit MMarE program.  Candidates for admission to the Graduate Certificate Program will follow the same procedure as the candidates for the MMarE program and will be held to similar standards as the MMarE candidates.  Candidates with undergraduate degrees in fields different from those of their intended certificate may be required to make up additional courses.  At present, only one Graduate Certificate is offered:

                        Electrical Power Graduate Certificate

                        EM631, Electric Power Systems
                        EM632, Solid State Electronics
                        EM633, Control Theory and PLC Applications
                        EM634, Marine Electrical Systems and Propulsion

A Graduate Certificate is awarded upon satisfactory completion (minimum G.P.A. of 3.0) for the prescribed 12 credits from the MMarE program.

Admission to a Graduate Certificate Program will be on space available basis.  Applicants for the MMarE program will in most cases take precedence.

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Master of Marine Engineering Program
Degree Requirements

Students enrolled in the MMarE program are expected to enroll in core courses prescribed in the MMarE curriculum and to work with an advisor to select elective courses that will satisfy their interest and needs.  Students are expected to complete the program in five (5) years and meet the program graduation requirements.

 Graduation Requirements

 The minimum requirements for graduation are:

·        Complete the required MMarE syllabus as stated in the MMarE Program section.

·        Successfully complete the required core courses with a minimum grade of “C”. Grades of “C-” will not be
   accepted.  Students who earn a grade of less then “C” in a core course will be required to repeat the
   course.  Students who earn a grade of less then “C” in an elective course will be permitted to repeat the
   course or select a substitute elective.

·        Earn a Cumulative Quality Grade Point Average of 3.0/4.0 for all courses taken, including any courses with
   a grade less then “C-“.

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Master of Marine Engineering Program
Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements

The USMMA Master of Engineering program is intended to expand the knowledge base of experienced, practicing engineering professionals.  Accordingly, all viable candidates must have engineering work experience in addition to an undergraduate engineering education. 

Admission to the program requires two or more years of engineering experience and successful completion of an ABET/EAC accredited engineering program (Marine Engineering, Naval Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, etc.) or successful completion of non-ABET/EAC accredited, four-year Marine Engineering or Marine Engineering Technology program.  Candidate admission will be based on undergraduate academic performance, undergraduate program focus and professional experience since earning the undergraduate degree.  Selection for admission to the program will be made by the MMarE Admissions Committee after careful review of the candidate’s credentials and experience. 

Applicants are required to take and submit their Graduate Record Examination results to the MMarE Admissions Committee.  The GRE requirement is waived if the candidate is a graduate of an ABET accredited undergraduate engineering program or posses a license as a Professional Engineer.  International students educated in non-English speaking countries must submit verification of their TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score.

For acceptance, students are expected to have successfully completed undergraduate mathematics courses addressing calculus through multi-variable calculus and ordinary and partial differential equations.  Candidates with deficient undergraduate mathematics coverage will be required to complete the appropriate mathematics courses prior to enrolling in the MMarE program.  Completion of necessary prerequisite courses should be completed at local institutions of higher education after course approval by the MMarE Program Director.  Candidates, who have been away from either the use of, or the study of, calculus and/or differential equations for an extended period of time are encouraged to avail themselves of a refresher course at a local college or university.

The MMarE Admissions Committee will determine admission to the MMarE program on a rolling basis commencing January until the entering class is full.   For consideration, an applicant must submit the following:

·        MMarE Program Application Form

·        Undergraduate Engineering Transcript

·        Graduate Record Examination (Engineering) results^*

·        Applicants educated in non-English speaking countries must submit verification of their TOEFL score

·        Two (2) completed personal recommendation forms including one from an undergraduate engineering
        professor and one from a supervisor or employer 

·        Application fee check ($125.00) made out to USMMA-

         GMATS

*  The GRE examination is waived if the candidate is a graduate of an ABET/EAC accredited undergraduate engineering program or possesses a license as a Professional Engineer.

Applicants will be informed of admission decisions on a rolling basis but no later than July 1, of the admission year.

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United States Merchant Marine Academy
Master of Marine Engineering Program
Admission Application Form 1 

I plan to begin the MMarE Program ____ /Certificate Program ____ in: Fall 20___        Spring 20___

(Select only one of the above)

 

Please print or type in the requested information and be certain to
sign and date the application.
Incomplete applications will not be processed.

 
Social Security Number       -     -                         Birth Date (month/day/year)      /     /____    

Name:_______________________________________________________________________
          Last (Family)                                          First                             Middle

          ________________________________________________________________________
         Former Name or Other Used Name                                                     Male __  Female __

          ________________________________________________________________________
         Mailing Address (Street Number and Apartment Number
     

         ________________________________________________________________________
         City                                          State                            Zip Code                      Country

         Home Telephone                      Business Telephone                  E-Mail
         (      )-       -                              (       )-        -  

         _______________________________________________________________________
         Permanent Address (if different from mailing address)

         _______________________________________________________________________
         City                                          State                            Zip Code                      Country

         _______________________________________________________________________
         Citizenship (Country)

 Note: The complete application package must include Admission Application Forms 1 & 2, at least two letters of recommendation and a $125.00 check to cover the application fee.

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United States Merchant Marine Academy
Master of Marine Engineering Program
Admission Application Form 2
Educational and Professional Background

Name: __________________________, __________________

                        Last (Family)                                        First

Educational History: (List all Colleges/Universities Attended)

Professional History: (List last four employers)

Licenses Possessed: 

Professional Engineer         State ___    Number _____________  Expiration Date ___/___/_____

Merchant Mariner                     Level ___________     Expiration Date ____/____/______

References:

Please list the names of at least two individuals from whom you have requested letters of recommendation.  Submit the letters of recommendation to the MMarE Program Director.

Note: Two letters of recommendation are required, including one from previous college or university faculty member.

 STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING

I understand that all information submitted on this application to the United States Merchant Marine Academy must be answered fully and correctly.  Omissions of colleges and universities previously attended or falsification of information will constitute grounds for rescinding offers of admission and/or dismissal.  I understand that all applications and supporting documents received by the USMMA in support of an application for admission becomes the property of the USMMA and will not be returned.  I understand that the application fee can not be waived or refunded.  I understand that submission of the admission application and supporting documents does not guarantee admission to the MMarE program.


 

_____________________________________________                                                                       ____/____/____

Signature                                                                                                                      Date

Application must be signed and dated to be complete

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United States Merchant Marine Academy
Graduate Admissions Recommendation Form

This form is to be given to individuals writing recommendations for your admission to the Master of Marine Engineering program.  Please enclose the completed form with your application:

Applicant Information:                                                        Date of Birth: __/__/____ 

____________________________________________________________________________
Last (Family)                                        First                                         Middle

Expected enrollment date:                                 Fall 20___                    Spring 20___

Right to access: Public Law 93-380, the Educational Amendments Act of 1974, grants students the right to access letters of recommendation*.

I waive ______, I do not waive ______ my right to access this form and recommendation letter.

Applicant’s Signature _____________________________________  Date ___/___/______

* Applicants who do not complete this section waive their right to access this form and letter.

Recommendations must include this form attached to a recommendation letter.

 To the Recommender: The letter should include how long and in what capacity you have known the applicant.  Be as specific as possible about the applicant’s academic/professional performance and potential for advanced study.  Please keep in mind that applicant cannot be considered for admission until your recommendation is on file.  Please use official stationary, seal and sign the envelope along the seal.  Send the sealed envelop to the applicant.

Please complete the following evaluation table:

 
Signature of Recommender __________________________________       Date _______

Name (please type or print)_________________________________________________

Institution or Company ___________________________________  Title _____________

Address ________________________________________________________________

Telephone ____________________                           E-mail Address _________________

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United States Merchant Marine Academy
Master of Marine Engineering Program
Transcript Request Form

To the Applicant: Please complete this form and forward it to your previous college or university.  A transcript from EACH college or university attended must be submitted.  To insure that the transcript is returned to you in a timely manner, please be certain to send this request early.

Print your name an address.

______________________________________________________________________________________
Last (Family)                                                                         First                                    Middle

______________________________________________________________________________________
Mailing Address (Street number and Apartment)

______________________________________________________________________________________
City                                                                                         State                                  Zip Code

Dear Sir:  I request that my transcript be sent to my address in the self-addressed and stamped envelope I have provided with this form.
 

__________________________________________                                              _____/____/_____
Applicant’s Signature                                                                                                   Date

To the Registrar:  The Master of Marine Engineering program office at the United States Merchant Marine Academy appreciates your cooperation in assisting the MMarE program candidate in the application process.  Please enclose this form together with an official transcript in the provided envelope.  After sealing the envelope, please sign across the seal to ensure confidentiality and return it to the applicant so that it can be included in the application package.

Download a Fillable PDF version of this Form
Click Here
or
Download all Forms
 

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Master of Marine Engineering Course Descriptions

EM600, Effective Online Learning

Online learning is a complex undertaking that requires mastery of the remote delivery system involved, the desktop computing environment used, and certain learning strategies. This 3 week course provides participants in the MME program with the skills and knowledge needed to be effective online learners. There are three main components to the course: (1) Understanding the MME delivery system, (2) Understanding the nature of online learning, and (3) Understanding the fundaments of desktop computing.  Completion of this course is mandatory and will help to ensure the success of participants in the MME program.

Credits: 0

EM610, Computational Methods

This course introduces students to the use of computational methods in marine engineering applications with a focus on computational fluid dynamics. After completing the course students will have a basic understanding of  Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), and be able to solve simple CFD problems using a commercial CFD package.

Credits: 3

EM620, Marine Propulsion Systems

This is an introductory course addressing the fundamentals of marine propulsion prime-movers, propulsion systems and associated auxiliary machinery and systems.  Diesel, gas turbines and steam propulsion plants will be addressed as well as the required fluid support systems, transmission systems and basic control systems.  Students will be expected to apply knowledge of the engineering sciences (fluid dynamics, heat transfer, strength of materials and thermodynamics) to the analysis of marine power plants. (Draft)

Prerequisites: Undergraduate Thermodynamics

Credits: 3

EM621, Advanced Marine Propulsion Plants

This course will expose marine engineers to some of the practical issues and choices that influence machinery selection, operation, performance, and cost. The course will concentrate on diesel and gas turbine plants for merchant ships. Students who complete the course will have a better understanding of diesel and gas turbine plants and operating practices, of the critical roles that turbochargers, fuel properties, and adequate margins have in diesel plant performance, of diesel engine performance limits, of choices that might be made in selecting plant features including waste heat cycles and attached auxiliaries and how to objectively compare them, and of gas turbines, especially of alternatives to the simple-cycle gas turbine plant and the feasibility of their application to merchant ships.

Prerequisites: Marine Power Plants or equivalent,  Undergraduate Thermodynamics

Credits: 3

EM622, Simulation and Optimization of Thermal Systems

This course addresses the simulation and optimization of thermal systems, including gas turbines, air conditioning, and steam propulsion.  Components are simulated using various modeling techniques and combined into systems.  The systems are examined for operating characteristics and optimization within a concept.

Credits: 3

EM622, Advanced Marine Materials

The advanced materials course will focus on materials science and engineering for Marine Engineers and Naval Architects. The first portion of the course will consist of an  review of materials science concepts as well as overview of engineering materials used in the maritime industry to include, fabrication and testing of engineering materials, applicable engineering standards and rules, joining methodologies (focused on welding considerations/ metallurgy), and composites (focus on  mechanics of fiber reinforced composites).  The second portion of the course is on application specific materials engineering considerations for the maritime industry to include corrosion, fatigue, temperature considerations, failure analysis and future trends.  (Draft)

Credits: 3

EM623, Vibration of Marine Machinery and Structures

This course examines the theory of mechanical vibrations for free and forced vibration of damped single-degree-of-freedom systems as well as multi-degrees of freedom problems to include the determination of natural frequencies and critical speeds.  Vibration analysis and testing techniques, dynamic balancing and vibration isolation methods are also considered with emphasis on applications in the maritime environment.  (Draft)

Credits: 3

EM625, LNG Vessel Operational and Design Considerations

This course will examine LNG vessel and shore side operations, vessel design and construction considerations, LNG cargo tank design, LNG cargo operations, cargo handling systems, propulsion plant types and operations including traditional steam turbine plants, the introduction of diesel, diesel electric and gas turbine for LNG vessel prolusion and LNG reliquefaction systems

Credits: 3

EE631, Electrical Power Systems

After completing this course, the student will be able to analyze, operate, and design power systems in conventional and all-electric ships; size shipboard power components to meet the load requirements; learn to implement the current industry standards; and suggest improvements in a real power system he or she is familiar with.

Prerequisites: AC Circuits, Electrical Machines, and Advanced Math for Engineers (Fluency in complex algebra of R + j X and phasor diagram is presumed).

Prerequisites:  Undergraduate Electrical Engineering, Undergraduate Engineering Mathematics

Credits: 3

EE632, Control Theory and PLC Applications

This course covers the study of control systems; classical design methods; open and feedback control; Laplace transform and frequency response; Proportional, Proportional-Integral, and Proportional-Integral-Derivative modes of control; analog and digital Econtrollers; analysis of control systems; gain and phase margin; stability properties.  The course also covers Programmable Logic Controllers and their use in industrial automation and other applications.  Topics include ladder diagrams, input/output devices, counters, timers, interrupts, systems and networking, and application programming design. (Draft)

Credits: 3

EE633, Solid State Power Electronics

This graduate level Solid State Power Electronics course provides a review of the fundamentals of modern power electronics switching devices, and their uses for control of AC and DC systems. The course covers in more depth rectifiers, phase-controlled rectifiers, inverters, DC choppers, AC and DC machine controllers, and their applications, including practical converter design considerations.  (Draft)

Credits: 3

EE634, Electrical Power Distributions System Design

Design of the shipboard electrical distribution systems aboard ship.  Estimating shipboard electrical loads, sizing of conductors, sizing short-circuit calculations, overload device sizing, selection and coordination, and protection schemes for general electrical loads, motor loads, motor control centers, and transformers.  Power factor and power factor correction, harmonics and filtering, normal and emergency power systems.  Use of CFR’s, N.E.C., and IEEE codes and standards in the design process. (Draft)

Prerequisites:  Electrical Power Systems

Credits: 3

EM640, Economics of Marine Engineering Systems

The course objective is building problem solving and decision making skills for the engineering environment. Topics include engineering economy theory, cost analysis and estimation, depreciation and depletion models, engineering project economics, replacement analysis, decision making under risk and uncertainty, sensitivity analysis, capital budgeting decisions. Practical applications to ship design and operations, and also to marine equipment manufacturing are presented as case studies. (Draft)

Prerequisites: Undergraduate Economics 101

Credits: 3

EM641, Management of Shipbuilding and Repair

The course is intended to provide principal theory and practical applications related to the design, planning, control, and improvement of shipyard operation. Topics include: operations strategies, manufacturing processes, new technology management, reengineering and design for production, facilities and production capacity, supply chain planning and design, work measurement and compensation, product and production quality management, production planning, scheduling, and control. (Draft)

Prerequisites: Machine Shop or Manufacturing Processes Course

Credits: 3

EE642 - Reliability Engineering and Operations Research

The course covers the fundamental theorems in reliability, parts failure modes, mean time to failure, de-rating for reliability, series and parallel reliabilities, systems design with redundancies in active and dormant modes,  part counts of reliability estimates, failure mode and effect analysis, MIL-Standard-217.  Operations Research part of the course covers linear programming, optimization under constraints, simplex method, queuing model, transportation model, and decision making analysis. (Draft)

Pre-requisites: Advance Mathematics, and Probability and Statistics.

Credits: 3

EM650, Internal Combustion Engine Analysis and New Technologies

The Internal Combustion Engines course will address marine propulsion and auxiliary diesel (compression ignition) engines.  Topics of study will include:  1 Design ratios and parameters of large and medium size marine diesel engines; 2 Improved combustion through combustion chamber design and new technology fuel injection methods; 3 Exhaust gas analysis and emissions standards; 4 Enhancements to fuel and lubricating oils; and 5 Current developments and advances in material technologies applicable to internal combustion engines.  The course will include an on-site laboratory with a formal report to be submitted after completion of the lab exercise

Credits: 3

EM660, Hydrostatics and Basic Hydrodynamics

This course is an introduction to principles of naval architecture for the non marine engineer, ship nomenclature, geometry, hydrostatics, It also explores concepts of intact and damaged stability, hull structure strength calculations and ship resistance and propulsion.

Credits: 3

EM 670, Marine Industry Policy.

To understand where the Merchant Marine is today and where it will be in the future, it is necessary to understand its origins and history.  From the earliest days of the republic, the United States government has taken an active role in creating the nation’s maritime policy.  From laws dealing with tariffs and tonnage taxes to the modern Maritime Securities Program, the history of the commercial Merchant Marine has been intertwined with that of the government.   At times it has fostered innovation and the development of technologies, at others it has hindered and stymied growth.  This course will examine the history of the United States’ maritime policy and the history of the US Merchant Marine, with a specific interest toward the rise of the Merchant Marine in the early 19th century, the decline of the Merchant Marine following the Civil War, and its attempted resurrection under the Merchant Marine Act of 1936.  We will also study how the use of new technologies, globalization, and the growth of commerce in the late twentieth century has created the merchant fleets of today.  (Draft)

Credits: 3

EM 680, Thesis/Design Project 1

The intent of this course is to allow students to investigate a relevant marine engineering topic as agreed to by the student and approved by the MMarE program director.  The student is expected to undertake significant independent research in the execution of the project..  The result of this course will be a significant design project or thesis suitable for publishing.

Prerequisite:  Formal agreement and plan by Project or Thesis Advisor,  Approval by MMarE Director   

Credits: 3

EM 681, Thesis/Design Project 2

Continuation of EM 680, Thesis/Design Project 1

Credits: 3

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SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE OF ENGINEERING FACULTY

MMarE Program Faculty