COURSE CURRICULUM

The Ocean Engineering program at the UNH Ocean Engineering Program is a rigorous interdisciplinary engineering curriculum designed to prepare students for solving technical and environmental challenges related to oceans, coastal systems, and marine technology. The program combines engineering fundamentals with ocean science, mathematics, physics, and specialized marine applications. Students complete required coursework in chemistry, physics, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, statics, mechanics of materials, electrical engineering, dynamics, and engineering computing, along with advanced ocean-focused subjects such as oceanography, ocean instrumentation, ocean waves and tides, coastal engineering, underwater acoustics, and the design of ocean structures. A strong mathematics sequence including calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, and multidimensional calculus provides the analytical foundation necessary for advanced engineering problem-solving. Students also gain practical laboratory and research experience through courses like Ocean Measurements Lab, Ocean Instrumentation Lab, and the Undergraduate Ocean Research Project, which serves as the senior capstone experience. The curriculum includes technical electives at the 600 level or higher, allowing students to specialize in areas related to marine policy, fisheries, biological oceanography, aquaculture, scientific programming, statistics, or intellectual property and technology management. At least one technical elective must be a statistics-related course, emphasizing the importance of data analysis and modeling in ocean engineering applications. The program maintains clear academic standards, requiring students to achieve minimum GPA requirements in engineering and science courses and demonstrate competency in key predictor courses such as calculus, physics, statics, and mechanics of materials before progressing beyond the junior year. Students are also encouraged to gain interdisciplinary knowledge through economics or environmental policy coursework. Overall, the program integrates engineering design, scientific research, environmental understanding, and technical innovation to prepare graduates for careers in marine industries, government agencies, offshore energy, coastal infrastructure, ocean technology development, and advanced graduate study in engineering or marine science fields.