Why get an advanced degree in ocean engineering?

Ocean engineering is an interdisciplinary program that prepares students to interact with professionals in diverse disciplines within the ocean science community to develop responsible solutions leading to sustainable activity and life in the ocean. It is a path toward developing practical, real-world ways to address the many urgent problems threatening the health of our oceans and, indeed, our entire planet. Rising sea levels, increasing populations close to the coast, and more frequent and severe storms are all issues that ocean engineers are addressing. An increasing number of positions for marine engineers coupled with a low number of ocean engineering programs nationwide means a very favorable job outlook.

Why choose UNH’s ocean engineering program?

UNH’s ocean engineering program provides hands-on research in ocean renewable energy, ROVs, ocean mapping, ocean acoustics and coastal processes that gives students practical experience in their chosen field. Collaboration with outstanding faculty and researchers, working in state-of-the-art engineering facilities, along with strong partnerships with the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration and private partners, give students great advantages in securing jobs when they graduate.

Potential Careers

Aquaculture
Coastal engineering (structures, erosion)
Environmental consulting
Government agencies such as NOAA, local, state and federal agencies
Marine robotics
Ocean acoustics
Ocean equipment and instrumentation manufacture
Ocean instrumentation
Ocean mapping
Oceanographic research
Offshore structures
Renewable energy (wave and tidal)

Curriculum & Requirements

Program Description

Programs in Ocean Engineering are by definition interdisciplinary and require students to interact with the ocean science community as well as the traditional engineering disciplines. In this context, students are exposed to the broad-based issues of working engineering problems in the ocean environment. They are trained to develop responsible solutions to problems that will lead to sustainable activity and life in the ocean. The Ocean Engineering M.Eng. degree includes both coursework and a M.Eng. project as a capstone experience.

Requirements for the Program

Degree Requirements

The Master of Engineering in Ocean Engineering requires the completion of at least 30 graduate credits.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Core Courses
OE 990 & OE 991	Ocean Seminars I and Ocean Seminars II	2
Select one of the following:		3-4
BIOL 855	Biological Oceanography
ESCI 852	Chemical Oceanography
ESCI 858	Introduction to Physical Oceanography
ESCI 859	Geological Oceanography
Select four courses from the following:		13-16
ESCI 820	Ocean Measurements Lab
OE 854	Ocean Waves and Tides
OE 857	Coastal Engineering and Processes
OE 858	Design of Ocean Structures
ESCI 864	Spectral Analysis of Geophysical Time Series Data
OE 865	Underwater Acoustics
OE 874	Integrated Seabed Mapping Systems
Select three additional 800-900 level CEPS Courses		9-12
Complete Master's Project
OE 892	Master's Project	3
Total Credits		30-37

Accelerated Master's

Accelerated Master's Overview

Accelerated Master’s programs offer qualified University of New Hampshire undergraduate students the opportunity to begin graduate coursework in select graduate programs while completing a bachelor’s degree. Accelerated master's programs are designed to provide students with an efficient and cost-effective pathway to earn both a bachelor's and master's degree or graduate certificate, enhancing career opportunities and long-term earning potential.

Accelerated Master's Highlights

Begin studying advanced topics while an undergraduate student with the opportunity to complete a master’s degree or graduate certificate early.
Master’s degree program students: Earn up to 12* graduate (800-level) course credits while completing a bachelor’s degree. This coursework will count as dual-credit toward both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Graduate certificate program students: Earn up to 8* graduate (800-level) course credits while completing a bachelor’s degree. This coursework will count as dual-credit toward both the bachelor’s degree and the graduate certificate.
Students complete the bachelor’s degree, and then officially matriculate into the master’s or graduate certificate program to complete the remaining required graduate-level coursework.

*Some exceptions apply.

Accelerated Master's Admission Requirements

A minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA is required.*
A minimum of 90 undergraduate credits must be completed prior to enrolling in graduate (800-level) courses.
Streamlined Graduate School Application (two letters of recommendation; most standardized tests and application fee are waived).*

*Some exceptions apply.

Accelerated Master's Requirements

Students must attend a mandatory orientation session.
Students must submit a special registration form each semester for dual-credit courses and note any DegreeWorks exceptions.
Students may defer graduate matriculation for up to one year after earning their bachelor’s degree in most programs.
See the Accelerated Master’s Catalog Policy and Accelerated Master’s Website for additional information and a list of programs. Note that some programs have additional requirements (e.g. higher-grade expectations) compared to the general policy.

Ocean Engineering (M.Eng.) Accelerated Option

This graduate degree program is approved to be taken on an accelerated basis in articulation with the following undergraduate program(s):

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Ocean Engineering (B.S.)
Students select from the following approved 800-level courses that can be completed in the undergraduate senior year for dual credit:
ESCI 820	Ocean Measurements Lab	4
ESCI 852	Chemical Oceanography	3
ESCI 858	Introduction to Physical Oceanography	3
ESCI 859	Geological Oceanography	4
ESCI 864	Spectral Analysis of Geophysical Time Series Data	4
ECE 814	Introduction to Digital Signal Processing	4
BIOL 855	Biological Oceanography	3

Student Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with a MS or MEng in Ocean Engineering should be able to:

Use their ocean engineering graduate education for success in technical careers in industry, academia, government, or for advanced ocean-related research in engineering and the physical sciences.
Rigorously apply fundamentals of science and engineering to professional practice that enhances our understanding of and/or contributes to the sustainable development of the oceans.
Contribute their ocean engineering problem solving skills to society through participation and leadership in groups dedicated to serving both professional associations and the public interest.

Application Requirements & Deadlines

Apply now

Deadlines

Applications must be completed by the following deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission:

Fall: July 1
Spring: Dec. 1
Summer: N/A
Special: N/A

Application fee: $65

Campus: Durham

New England Regional: CT ME MA VT

Accelerated Masters: Yes (for more details see the accelerated masters information page)

New Hampshire Residents

Students claiming in-state residency must also submit a Proof of Residence Form. This form is not required to complete your application, but you will need to submit it after you are offered admission, or you will not be able to register for classes.

Transcripts

If you attended UNH or Granite State College (GSC) after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally; this includes UNH-Durham, UNH-Manchester, UNH Non-Degree work and GSC.

If you did not attend UNH, or attended prior to September 1, 1991, then you must upload a copy (PDF) of your transcript in the application form. International transcripts must be translated into English.

If admitted, you must then request an official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of each college/university attended. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:

Electronic Transcripts: Please have your institution send the transcript directly to grad.school@unh.edu. Please note that we can only accept copies sent directly from the institution.
Paper Transcripts: Please send hard copies of transcripts to: UNH Graduate School, Thompson Hall- 105 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824. You may request transcripts be sent to us directly from the institution or you may send them yourself as long as they remain sealed in the original university envelope.

Transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions must be submitted and applicants must disclose any previous academic or disciplinary sanctions that resulted in their temporary or permanent separation from a previous post-secondary institution. If it is found that previous academic or disciplinary separations were not disclosed, applicants may face denial and admitted students may face dismissal from their academic program.

Letters of recommendation: 3 required

Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.

Resume

Resume is optional but recommended.

Personal Statement/Essay Questions

Prepare a brief but careful statement regarding:

Reasons you wish to do graduate work in this field, including your immediate and long-range objectives.
Your specific research or professional interest and experiences in this field.

Important Notes

All applicants are encouraged to contact programs directly to discuss program-specific application questions.

International Applicants

Prospective international students are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. English Language Exams may be waived if English is your first language. If you wish to request a waiver, then please visit our Test Scores webpage for more information.