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Marine engineers play a crucial role in the construction, design and maintenance of various marine vessels and equipment, including ships, boats and other water-based structures. These engineers apply principles of physics, mechanics and engineering design to create systems that can operate safely and efficiently at sea.
Understanding the key skills and the pathway to enter this field can help you decide whether this high-responsibility career is the right fit for you.
Check out the detailed marine engineering syllabus, list of subjects, careers and scope in this blog. Also, read and find out how to become a marine engineer or what a marine engineer does.
As a marine engineer, you play a pivotal role in the design, construction, and maintenance of ships and ensure the safety and efficiency of various marine vessels. You will check and test their systems to ensure they run smoothly under real marine conditions.
Marine engineering courses are available at various levels in India. You can pursue the undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma and doctorate programmes of marine engineering.
The table below provides a quick overview of the marine engineering course details.
| Marine Engineering Courses | Details |
| Marine Engineering Eligibility Criteria | UG: Class 12, along with the entrance exams PG (MTech in Marine Engineering and Management): BTech/BE in Marine Engineering/ Mechanical Engineering/ Naval Architecture + Entrance Exam Diploma: Class 10 Doctorate: MTech + Entrance Exam |
| Marine Engineering Course Duration | UG: 4 years PG: 2 years Diploma: 3 years Doctorate: 3 to 6 years |
| Marine Engineering Admission Criteria | Merit/Entrance-Based |
| Average B Tech Marine Engineering Fees (Entire Programme) | INR 3,00,000 – 15,00,000 |
| Average B Tech Marine Engineering Salary | INR 40,000 – INR 2,00,000 per month |
If you’re planning to pursue an undergraduate course in marine engineering, such as BTech or BE, you must meet the following eligibility criteria .
Note that the exact requirement varies by institute.
If you’re planning a career in marine engineering, here are the essential steps you need to follow:
1. Complete a bachelor’s degree
Start by earning a BTech or a BE in Marine Engineering. Admissions are usually based on entrance exams that test your knowledge of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and basic English proficiency.
2. Get experience with internships
Gaining real sea-time training is essential if you want to work as a marine engineer. You can explore a range of relevant training and internship opportunities to gain practical experience and skills.
3. Take additional courses
You can also search for short online certifications in relevant areas. These certifications will strengthen your technical knowledge. They will also help you stand out to employers.
4. Apply for entry-level roles
Once you’re trained, you must apply for your CoC (Certificate of Competency), which is a government-issued license. You also need to have Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) certification and practical sea-time training to apply for junior marine engineering roles in shipping companies, naval shipyards, marine research institutes or ship-design organisations.
5. Consider higher studies
While not compulsory, a master’s degree can improve your expertise. It can open doors to senior engineering, design or research roles in the marine sector.
After understanding the essential steps of how to become a marine engineer, you should take a look at the syllabus details.
The B Tech marine engineering syllabus is divided into eight semesters. You can check the semester-wise syllabus below.
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
| English Mathematics – I Basic Thermodynamics Basic Electrical & Electronics Engineering Engineering Mechanics - I Workshop Technology Geometrical Drawing Basic Electrical & Electronics Laboratory Workshop Practical – I Communicative English Lab |
Seamanship, Elementary Navigation & Survival at Sea Mathematics – II Applied Thermodynamics – I Strength of Materials – I Computer Science Engineering Mechanics – II Engineering & Machine Drawing Applied Mechanics Laboratory Workshop Practical – II Computer Laboratory – I |
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
| Computational Mathematics Analog Electronics & Communication Applied Thermodynamics – II Strength of Materials – II Mechanics of Machines – I Electrical Machines – I Marine Engineering Drawing Electronics Laboratory Heat & Chemical Laboratory Workshop Practical – III Control Engineering Laboratory |
Marine Boilers Digital Electronics & PLC Mechanics of Machines – II Electrical Machines – II Fluids Mechanics Marine Heat Engine & Air Conditioning Applied Marine Control & Automation Heat & Boiler Chemical Laboratory Computer Microprocessor & PLC Laboratory Workshop Practical —IV |
| Semester 5 | Semester 6 |
| Material Science Ship Structure & Construction Marine Internal Combustion Engine – I Fluid Mechanics Marine Auxiliary Machines – I Naval Architecture – I Elementary Design & Drawing Material Science Laboratory Vibration Laboratory & Fluid Mechanics Laboratory Marine Power Plant Operation – I |
Ship Fire Prevention & Control Marine Internal Combustion Engine II Marine Electrical Technology Marine Auxiliary Machines – II Naval Architecture – II Management Science & Economics Marine Steam Engineering Fire Control & Life-Saving Appliances Laboratory Marine Power Plant Operation —II Electrical Machines Laboratory |
| Semester 7 | Semester 8 |
| Ship Operation & Management Advanced Marine Control Engineering & Automation IMO - Maritime Conventions & Classification Society Advanced Marine Technology Engine Room Management Elective Marine Machinery & System Design Simulator & Simulation Laboratory Technical Paper & Project |
On-Board Training & Assessment Voyage / Training Report Project on Environment & its Project Viva - Voce Elective |
You must know the main difference between the BTech marine engineering syllabus and the syllabus of MTech marine engineering. While the BTech subjects offer strong foundational knowledge of the field, the M Tech marine engineering syllabus includes more advanced topics. However, a well-thought-out study plan is essential for both courses.
The B Tech marine engineering syllabus includes a variety of subjects that offer knowledge and practical skills of the field. These subjects help you develop a strong academic foundation and prepare you for the professional world. Go through the subject list outlined below . It gives you a clear sense of what you’ll study throughout the programme.
| Marine Engineering Subjects List | About the Subject |
| Engineering Mechanics | This subject introduces the mechanical principles you’ll apply across various marine systems. |
| Basic Thermodynamics | You learn the basic relationship between heat, temperature, and energy in engineering contexts. |
| Engineering & Machine Drawing | It teaches you how to read and create useful drawings in seafaring. |
| Workshop Technology | You explore workshop practices that support practical work in marine settings. |
| Geometrical Drawing | This subject focuses on geometric drafting and illustrations used in the design of marine equipment. |
| Strength of Materials | You study how different materials respond to stress and load in shipbuilding applications. |
| Seamanship, Elementary Navigation and Survival at Sea | This subject introduces key duties of seafarers, basic navigation and essential survival skills. |
| Applied Thermodynamics | You build on basic thermodynamics to understand more advanced concepts in energy and heat. |
| Electrical Machines | This subject covers the electrical systems and machinery commonly used on marine vessels. |
| Computational Mathematics | You learn computational methods used to calculate critical parameters during marine operations. |
| Marine Boilers | This course explains the construction, functioning and importance of boilers used in ships. |
| Fluid Mechanics | You study how fluids behave and how that behaviour affects marine operations and machinery. |
| Maintenance and Repair of Machinery | You learn the principles of maintaining, repairing and managing shipboard machinery and related systems. |
| Tanker Operations | This subject outlines the essential procedures and operations for marine tankers. |
| Hydraulic Machines | This subject introduces various hydraulic machines and explains how they function in marine systems. |
A BTech in marine engineering gives you access to a wide range of career opportunities. You can build your career as a marine engineer, ship operator, design engineer, maintenance engineer or marine surveyor. You must know that a significant share of global imports and exports still depends on sea routes. That’s why the demand for skilled marine engineers remains strong.
Marine engineering offers you a wide and growing scope. It gives you plenty of opportunities to explore and build a strong career. The shipping industry continues to create many stable, high-paying roles each year. This has resulted in the increased demand for skilled marine engineers not just in India but across the world. Reports also highlight that jobs in this field are expected to grow by around 12% by 2026, making it a promising career path.
Marine engineering is a demanding discipline focused on designing, constructing and maintaining ships and offshore structures. If you are someone who enjoys the pure science aspect of Marine Engineering, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), offers a BSc Marine Science that you can explore to understand the Marine ecosystem before you pursue a career in Marine Engineering.
A1: Marine engineering is an exciting branch of engineering that focuses on designing, building, operating and maintaining sea-based vessels. As a marine engineering student, you learn how ship engines, propulsion systems and onboard machinery work. You also learn how to keep these systems efficient and safe for smooth maritime operations.
A2: You must have completed 10+2 with 50% to 60% marks in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics and 50% marks in English. You should have also cleared a relevant engineering entrance exam, as most colleges accept the scores of these exams. Merit-based admissions are based on your Class 12 marks
A3: Marine engineers must have strong reasoning and problem-solving skills. They must have excellent mechanical and design skills. Most importantly, they must be medically fit and demonstrate substantial physical stamin a.
A4: Marine engineering offers a strong career scope in India and abroad. Students can explore roles in ship design, vessel maintenance, offshore operations, marine equipment manufacturing, and research.
A5: The average monthly salary of marine engineer in India is INR 40,000 – INR 2,00,000. The salary varies significantly based on job location, role and experience.
A6: Yes. You can get a job after pursuing the marine engineering course, provided you develop the right skills. If you build sound technical skills and a strong knowledge base, you can explore opportunities in shipping companies, shipyards, and more. Your chances improve further with internships, good grades, and relevant certifications.
A7: Yes. Marine engineering is in high demand. With global trade expanding and most imports and exports moving by sea, companies need skilled professionals who can design, maintain, and manage modern vessels.