Ocean Engineering
Contact Information
Institute for Distance and Distributed Learning
phone: 866 / 791-4898
fax: 540 / 231-2079
Program Site
Ocean Engineering
Program Director
Eric Paterson, Program Director

Summary

Virginia Tech offers courses toward the Master of Science degree in Ocean Engineering (Naval Engineering) concentrating on naval ship design and related topics. Courses will be offered using an internet only delivery method. There will be both synchronous (two-way, live communication between student and professor) and asynchronous (downloadable, prerecorded lectures) components. Presentation materials will be packaged into downloadable modules that you can view at your convenience. One hour each week, there will be a live internet meeting of the class where you can interact with the professor. During this session, the professor will present interactive materials, answer questions on the lectures, go over homework, etc. You will need access to an internet connection, a computer with speakers, and a microphone (a headset is a highly recommended option). The software required for this connection will be a browser plug-in that we provide. Instruction is by both faculty and practicing professionals.

Thirty credit hours are required for the M.S. degree. The coursework must include four core courses (12 cr.). These will be offered on a two year rotation, one each in the fall and spring semesters. (Some may be offered more often.) The suggested load is 1 or 2 courses per semester. A final comprehensive oral exam will be required of all students upon completion of the degree requirements. The required courses and their next offering date are:

  • AOE 5074 Advanced Ship Structural Analysis - Fall 2012
  • AOE 4404 Numerical Methods - Spring 2013
  • AOE 5104 Advanced Aero/Hydrodynamics - Fall 2013
  • AOE 5334 Advanced Ship Dynamics - Spring 2014
Students admitted to this program after 30 June 2004 will be required to follow one of two tracks:
Track A -
The student must complete a master’s thesis on a topic agreeable to both the student and an academic advisor (6-10 cr. AOE 5994 Research and Thesis). 8-12 cr. of approved electives.
Track B -
AOE 5305 Marine Engineering
AOE 5374 Rationally-Based Design of Ocean Structures
AOE 5314 Naval Ship System Design
AOE 5904 Project and Report (3-6 cr.)
6-9 cr. of approved electives
** These courses are a two course sequence to be offered each fall (5314) and spring (5904). AOE 5904 will consist of a ship design project and may be a group effort. Students having taken Submarine Design may do a submarine design project with the permission of the instructor.

Admission Deadlines

(these are different that the university's)
  • Spring September 15th
  • Fall deadline is January 15th
Additional Fees
$180.00 per enrollment for part-time students $360.00 per enrollment for full-time students

Delivery

  • Completely online