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Master’s in Combat Ship Engineering: Hydrodynamics and Structures

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in combat ship engineering: hydrodynamics and structures. 12 modules covering hull forms, resistance and propulsion, seakeeping, manoeuvrability, naval CFD, structural loads and design, fatigue, shock and vibration, finite element analysis and the structural life cycle, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Select hull forms for state surface ships.

02

Predict resistance and propulsive power.

03

Analyse seakeeping and manoeuvrability.

04

Apply validated CFD to hydrodynamic problems.

05

Determine loads and design naval structures.

06

Assess fatigue, ultimate strength and vibration.

07

Manage construction and the structural life cycle.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Naval hydrodynamics engineers looking to move into combat ship design
  • Naval structures engineers working on hull girders and scantlings
  • Naval CFD engineers who want to apply their simulations to surface combatants
  • Naval architects seeking depth in hydrodynamics and structural analysis
  • Naval classification engineers reviewing state ship projects
  • Towing tank test engineers
  • Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter shipbuilding
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ANEP-77 (NATO Naval Ship Code)
  • ITTC Recommended Procedures (towing tank and numerical testing practice)
  • Lloyd's Register Rules for Naval Ships (classification of naval vessels)
  • DNV Rules for Naval Vessels (classification of naval vessels)
  • IMO Resolution MSC.137(76) (standards for ship manoeuvrability)
  • MIL-DTL-901E (shock testing of shipboard equipment)
  • ISO 6954 (mechanical vibration: habitability on ships)
  • Maxsurf
  • OpenFOAM
  • Star-CCM+
  • MSC Nastran
  • ShipMo3D
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Design requirements for state surface ships
  2. 1.2Hull forms: monohull, trimaran and catamaran
  3. 1.3Form coefficients
  4. 1.4Length-to-beam ratio and speed
  5. 1.5Trade-offs between speed, stability and seakeeping
  6. 1.6Patrol and maritime surveillance vessels
  7. 1.7Project references from open sources
  8. 1.8Legal and ethical framework
  9. 1.9Hull form design tools
  10. 1.10Case study: selecting hull forms for an offshore patrol vessel
  1. 2.1Components of resistance
  2. 2.2Wave-making resistance
  3. 2.3Frictional resistance and ITTC-57
  4. 2.4Statistical estimation methods
  5. 2.5Appendages and their resistance
  6. 2.6Controllable-pitch propellers
  7. 2.7Waterjet propulsors
  8. 2.8Hull-propeller interaction
  9. 2.9Self-propulsion tests
  10. 2.10Lab: power prediction with the Holtrop-Mennen method
  1. 3.1Strip theory
  2. 3.2Ship response in regular waves
  3. 3.3Wave spectra
  4. 3.4Response in irregular seas
  5. 3.5Accelerations and habitability criteria
  6. 3.6Green water and slamming
  7. 3.7Active and passive stabilisers
  8. 3.8Helicopter operations and motion criteria
  9. 3.9Seakeeping tests
  10. 3.10Practical: roll RAO with strip theory
  1. 4.1Manoeuvring equations
  2. 4.2Hydrodynamic coefficients
  3. 4.3Standard manoeuvring tests
  4. 4.4IMO manoeuvrability criteria
  5. 4.5Rudders and their design
  6. 4.6Manoeuvring thrusters
  7. 4.7Automatic course control
  8. 4.8Manoeuvring simulation
  9. 4.9Towing tank and sea trials
  10. 4.10Lab: simulation of a turning circle
  1. 5.1Potential flow methods
  2. 5.2RANS in naval hydrodynamics
  3. 5.3Free surface: VOF
  4. 5.4Hull meshing
  5. 5.5Propulsors in CFD
  6. 5.6Seakeeping in waves with CFD
  7. 5.7Validation against tests
  8. 5.8ITTC numerical uncertainty
  9. 5.9Hull form optimisation
  10. 5.10Practical: calm-water resistance with OpenFOAM
  1. 6.1Still-water loads
  2. 6.2Wave loads
  3. 6.3Vertical bending moment
  4. 6.4Slamming loads
  5. 6.5Deck impact loads
  6. 6.6Equipment and helicopter loads
  7. 6.7Spectral load analysis
  8. 6.8Extreme design values
  9. 6.9Naval classification rules
  10. 6.10Case study: design bending moment
  1. 7.1Hull structural configuration
  2. 7.2Panel scantlings
  3. 7.3Longitudinal and transverse stiffeners
  4. 7.4Aluminium superstructures
  5. 7.5Steel-aluminium joints
  6. 7.6Openings and stress concentrations
  7. 7.7Panel buckling
  8. 7.8Structural weight optimisation
  9. 7.9ANEP-77 Naval Ship Code
  10. 7.10Lab: scantling design with classification rules
  1. 8.1Fatigue in welded details
  2. 8.2S-N curves
  3. 8.3Miner cumulative damage
  4. 8.4Spectral fatigue analysis
  5. 8.5Ultimate strength of the hull girder
  6. 8.6Smith method
  7. 8.7Residual strength after damage
  8. 8.8Crack inspection
  9. 8.9Structural repairs
  10. 8.10Practical: fatigue life of a welded detail
  1. 9.1Shock requirements in state ships: principles
  2. 9.2Equipment shock testing
  3. 9.3Shock spectrum analysis
  4. 9.4Propeller-induced vibration
  5. 9.5Hull natural frequencies
  6. 9.6Local vibration
  7. 9.7Vibration and comfort criteria
  8. 9.8Structure-borne noise
  9. 9.9Mitigation measures
  10. 9.10Case study: modal analysis of a superstructure
  1. 10.1Global hull models
  2. 10.2Detailed local models
  3. 10.3Boundary conditions
  4. 10.4Coupled hydrodynamic loads
  5. 10.5Non-linear analysis
  6. 10.6Buckling analysis
  7. 10.7Validation against measurements
  8. 10.8Model management
  9. 10.9Calculation reports
  10. 10.10Lab: global ship model with Nastran
  1. 11.1Block construction
  2. 11.2Dimensional control
  3. 11.3Corrosion and protection
  4. 11.4In-service inspections
  5. 11.5Structural life extension
  6. 11.6Naval classification societies
  7. 11.7Environmental regulations
  8. 11.8Professional ethics
  9. 11.9Export control
  10. 11.10Workshop: in-service structural inspection plan
  1. 12.1Ship requirements
  2. 12.2Hull form design
  3. 12.3Hydrodynamic analysis
  4. 12.4Seakeeping
  5. 12.5Structural design
  6. 12.6Fatigue analysis
  7. 12.7Validation
  8. 12.8Conclusions
  9. 12.9Master's Thesis report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

The programme is delivered 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so you can combine it with your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Maxsurf, OpenFOAM, Star-CCM+, MSC Nastran and ShipMo3D, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for resistance and propulsive power prediction, seakeeping analysis, and structural and fatigue analysis of hulls. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: ANEP-77; ITTC Recommended Procedures; Lloyd's Register Rules for Naval Ships; DNV Rules for Naval Vessels; IMO Resolution MSC.137(76); MIL-DTL-901E; ISO 6954.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of ANEP-77, the ITTC Recommended Procedures and Lloyd's Register naval rules applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:Maxsurf, OpenFOAM, Star-CCM+, MSC Nastran and ShipMo3D, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:An integrated hydrodynamic and structural design of a surface ship, defended before a panel.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Requirements and hull form
Define the ship requirements and select a hull form for an offshore patrol vessel.
Power prediction
Estimate resistance and propulsive power with the Holtrop-Mennen method and CFD.
Seakeeping and manoeuvring
Compute roll RAOs and simulate a turning circle against IMO criteria.
Structural design and fatigue
Size the scantlings with classification rules and assess the fatigue life of welded details.
Master's Thesis
An integrated hydrodynamic and structural ship design, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Naval hydrodynamics engineerNaval structures engineerNaval CFD engineerNaval architectNaval classification engineerTowing tank test engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
  • An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with Maxsurf, OpenFOAM, Star-CCM+, MSC Nastran and ShipMo3D, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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