OBJECTIVES AND SUBJECT-SPECIFIC COMPETENCES
Main objectives of the study programme
The main objectives of the first-cycle professional degree study programme in Marine Engineering are to educate professionally competent and technically qualified experts in marine engineering, with emphasis placed on the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary for the management and maintenance of ship engineering and energy systems at the management level. This study programme is based on the standards set by the 1978/1995 International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW
), as amended, of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Graduates from this study programme will acquire the knowledge, skills, and competences set at the global and European levels for the acquisition of the certificate of Officers in Charge of an Engineering Watch on ships powered by main propulsion machinery of 750 kW or more, and Chief Engineer officers and Second Officers on ships powered by main propulsion machinery of 3000kW or more.
This study programme is principally designed for secondary school generations that would like to become highly qualified in the field of marine engineering while not being primarily interested in research and theoretical studies, typical of academic degree study programmes.
General competences acquired in the study programme of Marine Engineering
A marine engineer is an expert that requires excellent knowledge and skills in their discipline, including communication skills and knowledge of foreign languages, writing technical reports, teamwork and problem-solving skills. Through this study programme, graduates will acquire the following general competences:
- to perform tasks of Officers in Charge of an Engineering Watch on ships powered by main propulsion machinery of 750 kW or more, and Chief Engineer officers and Second Officers on ships powered by main propulsion machinery of 3000kW or more,
- to understand the standards of managing and maintaining an engineering watch in manned and unmanned engine rooms as set by the STCW Convention and Code,
- to understand and use maritime English as the working language of the maritime industry, by using argumentative and negotiating skills as a competitive advantage,
- to perform tasks related to the handling of equipment required for safe exploitation, operation, and maintenance of ship propulsion and energy systems, in emergencies and in pollution prevention procedures,
- to understand and respect cultural pluralism,
- to plan and understand strategies implemented in engineering departments of companies and organisations,
- to manage relationships with the ship’s top management and engine room personnel,
- to analyse the employees’ stances and levels of satisfaction,
- to implement policies and programmes of the shipping company related to work safety in the engine room,
- to assist in providing solutions to organisational problems onboard ship, and manage conflicts among the engine room personnel,
- to acquire interdisciplinary professional knowledge related to the management of ship propulsion subsystems, natural sciences, management, information and communication technologies, law, environmental protection, and other disciplines,
- to perform the assigned tasks in their working practice,
- to acquire the theoretical and methodological knowledge and skills required for second-cycle degree studies,
- to use theoretical knowledge to provide solutions to practical problems,
- to synthesise discipline-specific knowledge and skills and use them to provide solutions to practical problems in engineering and maritime processes,
- to develop lifelong learning skills,
- to understand the dependence between maritime technology and technical properties of the means of transport and transport infrastructure,
- to adopt and provide environmental protection measures in their work environments,
- to work in teams, develop communication skills, and develop professional ethics in the complex world of transport services.
Discipline-specific competences acquired in the study programme of Marine Engineering will enable the graduates to:
- effectively perform engineering tasks,
- manage complex ship-based and shore-based energy systems,
- develop the knowledge required for effective ship propulsion management, operation, and maintenance, including the knowledge of:
- optimal performance of energy systems, economics of shipping companies, ordering and storage of spare parts, strategic maintenance of ship propulsion components, management of engine room documentation,
- develop the knowledge of auxiliary energy systems, including:
- electrical energy generation and distribution; compression of start air for tools and machinery; control and automation; generation and efficient use of steam; storage, treatment and preparation of fuels and lubricants; cooling of energy systems through the use of different types of heat exchangers; treatment of sewage and wastewater; generation, treatment and distribution of potable water; hydraulic systems,
- develop the knowledge for the handling and maintenance of mooring, cargo handling, and deck equipmen
t and machinery: anchor and mooring winches, derricks and related equipment, ship’s cranes, pipelines, valves, and different types of pumps used for cargo handling, systems used for opening, closing, and sealing cargo holds, ventilation systems, cooling/heating and ventilation of hold and accommodation spaces, use of inert gasses; - develop the knowledge related to safety on ships: fire safety and fire management, survival at sea, search and rescue at sea, ballasting operations on ships, hull stresses and ship stability, pollution prevention from ships, and ship pollution management.
