BSc Nautical Science Syllabus and Subjects 2024

Duration: 3 Years
Avg Fees: ₹1 - 3 LPA
Thasleen Mohideen
Thasleen Mohideen

Updated on - Oct 13, 2023

BSc Nautical Science subjects mainly focus on core areas such as Marine Engineering and Control Systems, Navigation, Seamanship, Maritime Law, Voyage Plan and Collision, etc. The students are also required to choose the elective subjects for each semester such as Oceanography, Cargo Handling, Fire Safety Measures, Meteorology, Ship Management, etc.

The BSc Nautical Science syllabus is divided into six semesters and focuses on equipping the students with theoretical and practical knowledge on navigating marine vehicles. The syllabus varies based on the institution or university however the structure remains the same which covers core topics such as navigation, seamanship, maritime operations, etc.

BSc in Nautical Science Course mainly trains students to operate and navigate marine vehicles such as ships, containers, cargo, etc. The course also prepares the students to handle shipboard tools such as Automatic Tracking Aids, Speed and Distance Log Devices, Echo Sounders, Gyro Compass, etc.

Table of Contents

BSc Nautical Science Subjects

BSc Nautical Science course subjects are focused on equipping the students with the relevant skills required for navigating marine vehicles, deck management, handling emergency situations onshore and offshore etc. The BSc in Nautical Science subjects are classified into two categories such as core and elective subjects, the list of which is given below:

Core BSc Nautical Science Subjects

B.Sc Nautical Science core subjects help students to understand the concepts and foundation of Nautical Science. These subjects are directly related to the job roles and will help the candidates land their dream job. Listed below are the BSc Nautical Science Core subjects:

  • Ship Operations Technology
  • Nautical Electronics
  • Terrestrial Navigation
  • Ship Operations Paper- I
  • Ship Operations Paper - II
  • Naval Architecture Paper -I
  • Naval Architecture Paper- II
  • Voyage Planning & Collision Prevention
  • Voyage Planning & ECDIS 
  • Bridge Equipment & Watchkeeping Paper -II 
  • Celestial Navigation Paper - II
  • Celestial Navigation Paper - I
  • Ship Stability Paper - I 
  • Ship Stability Paper - II

B.Sc Nautical Science Elective Subjects

Based on the student's area of interest, scope of Higher Education and career opportunities candidates can choose the BSc Nautical Science Elective subjects of their choice. Following is the list of elective subjects

  • Environmental Science
  • Marine Engineering Control System
  • Life Saving & Fire Fighting Appliances 
  • Meteorology
  • Shipping Management
  • Ship Manoeuvring & Collision Prevention Regulations
  • Human Resource Management, Development & Leadership 
  • IMO International Conventions
  • Marine Environmental Protection

BSc Nautical Science Subjects in Detail

BSc Nautical Science subjects are focused on training the students with all the relevant skills along with a strong domain knowledge to help them excel in the field of Nautical Science. Below listed are some of the important BSc Nautical Science subjects:

BSc Nautical Science Subjects

Topics

Naval Architecture

Marine Design, Marine Structure, Meteorology, Engineering Physics.

Ship Operations

Hydrodynamics, Cavitation, Ship Design, Emission Control, Oil Spill.

Ship Stability

Introduction to Hydrostatics and Stability of Surface Ship, Mass Displacement, Volume Displacement.

Celestial Navigation Paper

Voyage Data Recorder, Bridge Navigation Watch Alarm Systems, Ship Security Alert System, SONAR aids, Dynamic Positioning Systems, Berthing Aids.

Voyage Planning & ECDIS

IMO Performance standard for ECDIS, the Difference between ENC and SENC, Safety Contours and Safety Depth, Features of ECDIS, Limitations of ECDIS, Raster Charts, Vector Chart, Simplified Symbols.

Semester-Wise BSc in Nautical Science Syllabus

BSc in Nautical Science subjects covers all the essential topics related to marine vehicle operations, ship construction, Marine Care and crew management. B.Sc Nautical Science syllabus and subjects are designed based on industry standards. The semester-wise BSc in Nautical Science syllabus is provided below:

First-Year BSc Nautical Science Syllabus

BSc Nautical Science course subjects for the first year include Nautical Physics, Nautical Mathematics, Ship Construction etc. This will help the students understand the foundation and fundamentals of Nautical Science. Tabulated below are the BSc in Nautical Science syllabus for First Year:

Semester I

Semester II

English

Applied Mathematics

Nautical Mathematics

Applied Physics & Electricity

Nautical Physics

Ship Operations Technology

Computer Science

Nautical Electronics

Terrestrial Navigation

Ship Constructions

General Ship Knowledge

Chart Work & Collision Prevention Regulations 

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English Communication Lab

Practical Topics in BSc Nautical Science First Year Syllabus

The following are the practical topics included in the semester I and II of the B.Sc Nautical Science First Year Syllabus:

  • Nautical Physics
  • Computer Science
  • Applied Physics & Electricity
  • Nautical Electronics

Second-Year BSc Nautical Science Syllabus

BSc in Nautical Science subjects for the second year focuses on training the students on automation and control systems of the marine engine, industry standards, cargo handling etc. The following are the second-year B.Sc Nautical Science subjects:

Semester III

Semester IV

Celestial Navigation Paper-I

Life Saving & Fire Fighting Appliances

Marine Engineering, Automation & Control Systems Paper –I

Celestial Navigation Paper-II

Ship Stability Paper - I

Ship Stability Paper - II

Environmental Studies

Cargo Handling and Storage Paper-II

Cargo Handling and Storage Paper-I

Meteorology 

Bridge Equipment & Watchkeeping Paper –I

Bridge Equipment & Watchkeeping Paper –II

Practical Topics in BSc Nautical Science Second Year Syllabus

The following are the practical topics included in semesters III and IV of the B.Sc Nautical Science Second Year Syllabus:

  • Seamanship Lab - I
  • Marine Engineering Workshop -I
  • Seamanship Lab - II
  • Marine Engineering Workshop -II

Third-Year BSc Nautical Science Syllabus

BSc Nautical Science course subjects for the third year focus on training the candidates on practical aspects such as Ship Maintenance and Emergencies, Marine Environmental Protection, Collision Prevention etc. Tabulated below are the BSc in Nautical Science subjects for the third year:

Semester-V

Semester- VI

Coastal Navigation & Collision Prevention Regulations

Voyage Planning & ECDIS 

Ship Maintenance and Emergencies

Naval Architecture Paper - II

Specialised Cargo Handling & Storage

IMO & International Conventions

Naval Architecture Paper - I

Human Resource Management, Development & Leadership

Shipping Management

Ship Manoeuvring & Collision Prevention Regulations

Bridge Equipment & Watchkeeping Paper -II 

Marine Environmental Protection

Practical Topics in BSc Nautical Science Third Year Syllabus

The following are the practical topics included in semesters V and VI of the B.Sc Nautical Science Third Year syllabus:

  • Ship Operation Technology Lab
  • Navigation Lab

College-Wise BSc Nautical Science Syllabus

BSc Nautical Science subjects and syllabus vary from one college to another depending on the curriculum and program objectives. Candidates can refer to the official website of the college or university to download the BSc Nautical Science syllabus of a particular college. Given below are the BSc in Nautical Science syllabus for top colleges:

Tolani Maritime Institute B.Sc Nautical Science Syllabus

The BSc in Nautical Science syllabus at Tolani Maritime Institute includes subjects such as celestial navigation, ship operations technology, voyage planning etc. The following tables show the semester-wise syllabus for BSc Nautical Science:

Semester-I

Semester-II

English and Communication Skills

Applied Physics & Electricity

Nautical Mathematics

Applied Mathematics

Nautical Physics

Nautical Electronics

Computer Science

Ship Construction

General Ship Knowledge

Chart Work & Collision Prevention Regulations

Terrestrial Navigation

Ship Operations Technology

Nautical Physics (Practical)

Applied Physics & Electricity (Practical)

Computer Science (Practical)

Nautical Electronics(Practical)

Semester - III

Semester -IV

Celestial Navigation Paper -I

Life Saving & Fire Fighting Appliances

Ship Stability Paper - I

Ship Stability Paper-II

Marine Engineering, Automation & Control Systems Paper – I

Cargo Handling & Stowage Paper –II

Meteorology Paper - I

Ship Maintenance & Emergencies

Cargo Handling & Stowage Paper –I

Marine Engineering, Automation & Control Systems Paper – II

Bridge Equipment & Watchkeeping Paper –I

Meteorology Paper-II

Seamanship Lab- I (Practical)

Seamanship Lab - II (Practical)

Marine Engineering Workshop - I (Practical)

Marine Engineering Workshop - II (Practical)

Semester-V

Semester-VI

Coastal Navigation & Collision Prevention Regulations

Voyage Planning & ECDIS

Naval Architecture Paper-I

Naval Architecture Paper-II

Celestial Navigation Paper –II

Ship Manoeuvring & Collision Prevention Regulations

Specialised Cargo Handling & Stowage

IMO & International Conventions

Shipping Management

Human Resource Management, Development & Leadership

Bridge Equipment & Watchkeeping Paper -II

Marine Environmental Protection

Ship Operation Technology Lab (Practical)

Ship Operation Technology Lab (Practical)

West Bengal University of Technology BSc Nautical Science Syllabus

Indian Maritime University BSc Nautical Science subjects and syllabus cover all the aspects of nautical science including cargo management, Principles of Navigation, Shipping operations and technology etc. Given below are the semester-wise BSc Nautical Science syllabus:

Semester-I

Semester-II

English & Communication Skills 

Applied Mathematics Paper – II 

Applied Mathematics Paper-I

Nautical Physics & Electronics Paper –II

Nautical Physics & Electronics Paper –I 

Voyage Planning & Collision Prevention

Paper – I

Principles of Navigation Paper-I

Cargo Work & Marine Communication

Paper – I

Naval Architecture Paper-I

Environmental Science Paper – I 

Ship Operation Technology Paper – I 

Marine Engineering & Control System

Paper – I

Semester-III

Semester-IV

Applied Mathematics Paper – III 

Computer Science

Nautical Physics & Electronics Paper –III 

Applied Mathematics Paper – IV

Voyage Planning & Collision Prevention

Paper – II

Nautical Physics & Electronics Paper –

IV

Bridge Procedure & Legal Knowledge 

Principles of Navigation Paper II

Environmental Science Paper-II

Ship Operation Technology Paper – II 

Marine Engineering & Control System

Paper – II 

Naval Architecture Paper-II

Semester-V

Semester-VI

Principles of Navigation Paper – III 

Principles of Navigation Paper – IV 

Ship Operation Technology Paper – II

Ship Operation Technology Paper – III

Naval Architecture Paper-III

Voyage Planning & Collision Prevention

Paper – III

Environmental Science Paper – III 

Shipping Management

Maritime Law

Marine Engineering & Control System

Paper – III

BSc Nautical Science Project Topics

BSc Nautical Science projects will help students understand the practical aspects of the syllabus. Following are some of the topics the students can choose based on their preferences:

  • Design of Marine Reverse Reduction Gearing
  • Boiler Combustion Control-Selection & Design of System for a Marine Boiler
  • The Study of Split Cycle in Diesel Engine
  • Study, Analysis and Design of Marine Engine Component
  • Investigation on Heat Transfer Performance of Particle Dispersed PCM
  • Wind Energy: The Renewable Source of Energy for Merchant Ships
  • Feasibility Study of Fuel Cells in the Maritime Industry
  • Use of  Novel Material in Shipbuilding

BSc Nautical Science Course Structure

BSc Nautical Science course structure is a blend of both theoretical and practical aspects of Nautical science based on industry standards to help the candidates understand the concepts better. The following is the BSc Nautical Science course structure, which includes:

  • Six Semester
  • Core and Elective Subjects
  • Projects
  • Workshops and Seminars
  • Pre-Sea Training

BSc Nautical Science Books

The BSc Nautical Science Course covers a wide range of topics such as navigation, ship operation, naval architecture, etc. Here are some of the top book references that cover the topics included in the BSc Nautical Science syllabus to gain a better insight.

Reference Books

Author

Topics Covered

Seamanship and Cargo Work

Cap.J.Dinger

Meteorology and Forecasting, Deck Handling, International Maritime Law and Regulatory Knowledge, etc.

Shipboard Operations

H I Lavery

Ship and Small Boat Operations, Rope Work and Line Handling, Pillars of Seafarers, etc.

A Guide to Collision Avoidance Rules

A.N. Cockcroft & J.N.F. Lameijer

Collision Avoidance Rules, Safety Operations of Ships, International Regulations for Collision Prevention at Sea, etc.

Ship Stability for Masters and Mates

Bryan Barrass

Ship Stability, Deck Management, Ship Strength, Material Stresses and Forces, Interaction and Trim, etc.

Ship Handling – Theory and Practice 

David.J.House

Ship Handling Manual, STCW Level Marine Qualifications, Ship Handling Procedures, etc.

BSc Nautical Science Fee Structure

FAQs

Is there maths in BSc nautical science?

Yes, the BSc Nautical Science syllabus includes subjects such as Nautical Mathematics, Applied Mathematics I and Applied Mathematics during the first and second years.

Is the Merchant Navy Exam difficult?

The exam is considered easier compared to other government exams as it has less competition. However, the candidate might find it difficult after the candidate joins their first vessel.

Which stream is best for the Navy?

Students must have studied in the science stream with Physics, Chemistry and Maths in class 12th. However, candidates willing to join in non-technical job roles such as Music, Sports and Education will be accepted from any stream.

What is the practical training component of the program?

The practical component in the BSc Nautical Science Syllabus includes the Ship Operation Technology Lab, Navigation Lab, Seamanship Lab, Nautical Electronics and Computer Science

How to stay updated with the advancements in maritime technology?

Students can stay updated with the latest trends in maritime technology by reading journals and magazines, attending conferences, joining professional associations and societies, pursuing online courses, participating in projects and competitions and connecting with experts in the industry.

What is the importance of meteorology in BSc Nautical Science?

Maritime meteorology serves the practical need of surface and air navigation in the ocean which enables the captain of nautical surveyors to analyse the weather.

What kind of safety training is a part of the BSc Nautical Science syllabus?

The candidates will be trained in various emergency situations such as oil spills, control of chemical and biological hazards, OSHA sampling protocols and strategies, and workplace health program elements.

Is the BSc Nautical Science syllabus tough?

Based on the course completion average, the BSc in Nautical Science syllabus is not very difficult. With a proper understanding of the concepts and fundamentals, the course can be completed successfully.

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