Naval Architecture is a widely job oriented area but the fact is that the number of institutions catering to this course of study is limited.. As shipping is becoming more and more commercially important , more efficiently designed ships are the need of the hour .It is here that the chances for a new comer in the area of Naval Architecture/Ship Building/Ocean Engineeringlook bright.
Ships, boats, submarines, Oil rigs, hover crafts and all structures related to ship building are to be designed.The various classifications of ships are: passenger ships, oil tankers ,cargo ships, bulk carriers, warships and aircraft carriers.

Naval Architecture is a combination of art and science. But there are a number of important factors to be considered in ship building. Long term planning, time bound schedule, and rules like critical path method are essential in this task.The services of IT and computer are also very helpful. In addition to the characteristics of the production materials and various workshop activities, the curriculum includes types of ships, materials, welding and cutting, ship structure, outfitting, design(concept, preliminary, contract),dimensions,displacement,stability,propulsive characteristics, Hull form, general arrangement, structural details, prefabrication,shell planting, framing,decks,Hatches superstructure,tanker construction, pumping, piping, painting, corrosion control, ventilation, refrigeration,testing, launching, international regulations and shipyard layout etc.

Deep knowledge about mechanical Engineering or air conditioning engineering is a must. Computer Aided Design(CAD) is an essential component.

Faculty of Technology of Cochin University offers Naval Architecture and ship building B.Tech. Duration of the course is 8 semesters. Basic qualification is plus two with at least 50% marks in Mathematics and an aggregate of not less than 50% marks in physics, chemistry and mathematics. Deserving backward categories get 5% mark relaxation. Every year a training extending up to 8 weeks is provided in shipyards, repair firms, ports and research centers.

Those who have qualified in this programme are all well placed. The students get a chance to visit and understand the internal atmosphere of the ship. The CUSAT BTech is upgraded and recognized by the Ministry of surface Transportation Govt. of India with MOT certificate. PhD research in the related topics can also be conducted here.

The services of Naval Architectects are utilized by the ship yards including those at Kochi and Vishakhapatnam , ship designing institutes, oil rig construction centers, and Naval and Oceanography centers.

In addition to CUSAT, IIT chennai & IIT Kharagpur offer B.Tech programme in Naval Architecture & Ocean Engineering. M.Tech is offered by IIT Kharagpur. IIT chennai offers M.Tech Ocean Engineering while Vollare College of Engineering Vishakhapatnam offers B.Tech in Naval Architecture. Naval architecture and Marine engineering department of Michigan University in USA is one of the well known institutions in this field. Their services are expanded in ship designing to nuclear waste disposal and deep ocean habitats.

Courtesy : Malayala Manorama