The Nautical Science programme option provides an advanced education tailored to provide students with the basic skills and knowledge required to cope with the technological and operational challenges at sea or in the international maritime industries. The programme is designed for students with a BSc-degree in maritime/marine transport, nautical/naval science, marine navigation or the equivalent. An additional entrance qualification requirement is relevant experienceat sea, preferably of 12 months or more.

The study is appropriate for students who have an analytical mind (a minimumof 21 ECTS in mathematics is requiered) and who are motivated by andinterested in relating theoretical knowledge and techniques to practical situations.The programme aims to provide graduates with the educational platform required to obtain interesting and challenging opportunities in international employment and also qualifies for further PhD-studies in related areas.

History
Norway has a great maritime history and long traditions as a nation of sea farers and explorers. Norwegian shipping and offshore companies and landbased maritime businesses are among the front runnersin the maritime world. Against these maritime traditions and anticipated future technological developments, a technology-based nautical science programme was established at the Department of Marine Technology in 1980 for students from Norwegian maritime Colleges and the Naval Academy. The international MSc study programme in Nautical Science at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), is a further development and improvement of this previous nautical science programme.

Objectives

The MSc programme option in Nautical Science is designed to develop knowledge and skills in the nauticalfield at a recognised international level. It takes advantage of NTNU’s cutting edge expertise in the field of marine technology. The programme concentrates on formulating, analysing and solving nautical science problems related to the planning, testing and performing of complex marine operations. Special emphasisis on the nautical safety aspects of marine operations and application of electronic navigating systems andtechnologies. A core element in the teaching programme is to utilize approximations and simplified methods for critical assessment of safe navigation at sea and evaluationof the operational efficiency of nautical operations.

The programme is designed to contribute to the development of analytical skills, a holistic view and a sense ofresponsibility and interest in the subject. Graduates from the programme should be able to utilize these skills to develop and operate new and improved technology to further enhance navigational safety and operational efficiency.

Specific skills and knowledge include:

• The ability to work with developers and users of advanced maritime IT systems
• Determining the accuracy of track keeping using different combinations of navigation tools
• Knowing how marine operations are executed and how they are influenced by environmental conditions (waves, wind, current,restrictions of operational areas)
• Participating in the development of maritime control and guidance systems, developing and applying technology and methods related to maritime operations

The MSc programme option in Nautical Science has a duration of four semesters covering a total of nine compulsory and two elective subjects in addition to a project and the master thesis.

• During the first semester (autumn)
  Students are required to take compulsory subject in basic navigation and marine hydrodynamics in addition to advanced subjects in mathematics and sea loads on marine vehicles in order to provide a solid basis of knowledge for their specialization and elective subjects in the following semesters.
  

• In the second semester (spring)
  Students take three compulsory subjects on navigation systems, nauticals cience and a basic course in marine dynamics. One additional elective subject is mandatory. (The choice of electives depends on the specialization in the third semester. Examples are: marine control systems, marine operations, oceanography or naval hydrodynamics).
  

• The third semester (autumn)
  The 3rd semester offers one elective specialization subject in addition to a compulsory course in advanced nautical science a specialisation subject which allows the student to add in-depth knowledge related to the thesis. The project work is compulsory.
  

• The fourth semester (spring)
  This final semester is dedicated to the MSc thesis. Successful completion of all subjects + project and Master thesis, result in a Master of Science degree in Marine Technology, Nautical Science, from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).

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