Research

Ocean Engineering

Professors

Associate Professors

The nature of the ocean environment establishes ocean engineering as a unique discipline. The ocean engineer must develop solutions to problems within the boundary conditions imposed by the harsh ocean environment, which are defined only by understanding the complex relationships among its various physical, biological, chemical and geological parameters. Hence, ocean engineering is interdisciplinary in nature. Understanding the dominant processes and developing the appropriate methodology and technology for resource development in the ocean are critical to preserving this important natural resource.

The national and local attention focused on ocean related problems highlights the critical need to educate students in the broad-based technologies and science critical to ocean engineering. Education must emphasize an interdisciplinary background that provides depth as well as breadth in dealing with engineering and scientific problems and solutions demanding diverse expertise. The University of New Hampshire has taken a unique approach which seeks to tie ongoing research activities to the academic program.

The research agenda of the Ocean Engineering Center is concerned with the effective and wise utilization of the coastal ocean, which extends from the estuary out to the limits of the EEZ, for resource development, assessment and management. This requires an agenda that includes research on modeling, measurement and data collection, and information processing. This is manifested in the following research areas. Marine Pollution is one of the most visible social issues concerning the coastal ocean. Beach closures, waste dumping, floatables and dredged material disposal are important local and national issues. Coastal and Estuarine Hydrodynamic Modeling is important in oil spill response, sediment transport, port and coastal zone management. Geotechnical and Geoacoustical characterization of the seabed is critical to foundation design and stability, and remote acoustical site surveying.

The Center for Ocean Engineering (COE) is the organization responsible for the integration of the academic and research activities in Ocean Engineering. This organization enables the graduate student in ocean engineering to pursue an interdisciplinary program of study and to achieve the academic and research agenda. Access to the University's Diving Program and research vessel is an essential part of the COE.