Frequently Asked Questions

There are many similarities between the two majors - most importantly, they are both engineering majors that deal with engineering in the ocean. However, the two majors also differ from each other in content. Naval Architecture deals with the design of ships and ship systems.

Ocean Engineering deals with other structures and systems in or adjacent to the ocean, including offshore platforms, underwater submersibles, coastal structures and other ocean systems and ocean environmental engineering systems. Please feel free to discuss details about the majors with our faculty members.

Certainly not. All engineering majors here at USNA are required to take traditional fundamentals of engineering courses such as statics, dynamics, strength of materials, materials science, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, along with other applied engineering courses.

The difference that the naval architecture and ocean engineering majors bring to engineering education is that the application of the fundamentals are applied to the ocean -- and are so interesting!

You will learn more if you are interested in the subject matter. So if the ocean or the coast interests you, and you are interested in applying math, science, and physics to design solutions to some of mankind's most challenging problems, either Naval Architecture or Ocean Engineering may very well be the major for you!

The design of a structure or vehicle to withstand the harsh environment of the ocean or coast (due to waves, currents, pressures, corrosion, etc.), is usually much more complex than the design of that same structure for land application. Click here for more information about Ocean Engineering career opportunities.

Yes. Naval architecture is an engineering major incorporating as many technical skills as any other engineering major at USNA. At times through history, attempts have been made to re-name the major to "ship design engineering" or other names to incorporate "engineering" in its title.

However, those who know what naval architecture is, understand that it is a legitimate engineering major and field, and in general, most people do not wish to change the name of a field that has such a long and highly respected history.

In short, Ocean Engineering is an engineering discipline, whereas oceanography is a science. Engineers are problem-solvers; they must assimilate numerous skills (e.g. math & physics) and resources (e.g. oceanic data) in order to solve a problem through means such as the design of a structure, vehicle or system.

Oceanographers, on the other hand, are generally responsible for finding out information about the oceanic characteristics (temperatures, currents, etc.) which ocean engineers need. The two groups - oceanographers and ocean engineers - usually work very closely with each other.

"Scientists discover the world that exists; engineers create the world that never was."                                                                                                  -Theodore Von Karman

The following is a list of our EOE faculty with primary specialties listed. Each name links to the individual faculty member's home page -- where additional contact and other information is available.

• Professor Dawson - Ocean Materials, Structures,
• Professor Kriebel - Coastal Engineering, Wave Mechanics,
• Professor Mayer - Ocean Design, Environmental,
• Professor Mouring - Structures, Marine Foundations,
• Professor Schultz - Biofouling, Wave Mechanics,
• Professor Waters - Environmental Engineering, Wave Mechanics