BSc Nautical Science is a 3-year undergraduate program. It is a professional bachelor's degree that deals with the study of the basic academic and practical devices required to safely navigate and operate marine vehicles, such as a ship.
The course is approved by the Directorate General of Shipping, which falls under the Ministry of Shipping, Government of India. BSc Nautical Science Syllabus includes subjects such as navigation and seamanship, which is the basic application of shipboard equipment and tools.
This program trains the candidates in becoming Deck Officers and Scuba divers. Also, the lessons imparted include lessons in Nautical Technology and its applications which form a vital part of Nautical Science.
The minimum eligibility to pursue the course is that the candidate must have passed 10+2 in science stream with Physics, Chemistry, and Maths as the main subjects and the minimum score of 60%. The admissions are usually based on the entrance exams.
Vels University, Indian Maritime University, AMET University, Indian Maritime University, are some of the top colleges that offer BSc Nautical Science degree in India.The average fee to pursue this course is around INR 2 to 7 lakhs per year.
The program holds a greater benefit for students, who after the successful completion of the course can set into lucrative careers in public and private sector companies, and so on, holding senior-level positions.
They can work as Deck Cadet, Second Officer, Chief Officer, Captain, besides positions such as Marine Engineer, Oceanographer, Radio Officer, Nautical Surveyors, etc.
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The average annual BSc Nautical Science salary offered to successful graduates of the course ranges between INR 6 and 8 lakhs.
The graduates after completion of this course can go for higher studies and do MSc in Nautical Science or can choose a managerial post by going for an MBA.
- BSc Nautical Science Course Highlights
- BSc Nautical Science Eligibility
- Entrance Exams
- Why Study BSc Nautical Science?
- BSc Nautical Science Top Colleges
5.1 BSc Nautical Science College Comparison
7.1 Future Scope
BSc Nautical Science Course Highlights
BSc Nautical Science is offered by limited institutes. The course may be a bit expensive but they offer guaranteed jobs. The important points about the course have been mentioned in brief in the table below:
| Course Level | Bachelors |
| Full-Form | Bachelor of Science in Nautical Science |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Eligibility | 10+ 2 from a recognized university with 60% in Physics, Chemistry and Maths |
| Admission Process | Entrance based |
| Entrance exams | IMUCET, CUSAT CAT, etc |
| Course Fee | INR 2- 8 Lakhs per annum |
| Average Salary Offered | INR 6- 8 Lakhs per annum |
| Job Positions | Deck Cadet, Second Officer, Chief Officer, Captain, besides positions such as Marine Engineer, Oceanographer, Radio Officer, Nautical Surveyors, etc |
| Top Recruiting Companies | GSI (Geological Survey of India), ONGC, SAIL, Coal India, GMDC (Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation), Government-operated Quarries, etc. |
| Future Prospects | MSc in Nautical Science, MBA |
BSc Nautical Science Eligibility
In order to pursue a BSc Nautical Science program, the candidate should meet the below-mentioned eligibility criteria:
- The students should have passed (10+2) Secondary and Higher secondary from a registered board with a minimum of 60% in Physics, Chemistry, and Maths as their compulsory subjects.
- Along with the required educational qualification, students also need to maintain some medical standards which are very important aspects of the candidates’ assessment process at the time of admission. Candidates must have 6/6 eyesight and should not be suffering from any vision impairments such as night blindness or color blindness. Also, candidates should be physically fit to apply for the course.
- The eligibility criteria for the course may vary from college to college and the candidate must meet that for getting admission to the college of his/her choice.
BSc Nautical Science Entrance Exams
There are some institutes that offer admissions on the basis of the entrance examinations. Some of the important entrance exams for admission into BSc Nautical Science course are given below:
- IMU CET: IMU CET is a national level entrance test organized once in every year by the Indian Maritime University to offer admissions into various UG and PG courses. All the students who qualify this All India common entrance test are given admission in the Marine engineering field.
- Cochin University of Science and Technology Entrance Exam: CUSAT CAT is a university-level combined entrance examination conducted by the Cochin University of Science and Technology, to provide admission to the UG and PG courses in the university.
The application date and exam date of the entrance exam is mentioned below:
| Name of the Exams | Registration Dates | Exam Dates |
|---|---|---|
| NPAT | December 01, 2022 – May 21, 2023 | January 04, 2023 – May 31, 2023 |
| CUET | April 2023 | May 21 – 31, 2023 |
| CUCET | November 28 - May 29, 2023 | November 28 - May 30, 2023 |
| SET | December 10 – April 12, 2023 | May 06, 2023 (Test 1) May 14, 2023 (Test 2) |
Why Study BSc Nautical Science?
- BSc Nautical Science is one of the finest and most popular courses in the field of Seamanship and for those who want to build their career in Nautical Science.
- It offers some of the finest jobs in both private and public sectors in companies like ONGC, SAIL, Coal India, GSI (Geological Survey of India), Government Operated Quarries, etc.
- After completing BSc in Nautical Science, the designations one can expect are that of Deck Cadet, Marine Engineer, Radio Officer, Nautical Surveyors, etc.
- This field is related to Maritime studies that offer an exciting and adventure-filled career.
- The scope of the subject is very wide. One can serve as a captain on the ship or can come back from the ship and work as a consultant or engineer in a reputed firm thereafter.
- The course is less crowded and saturated. Also, the pay and perks it offers are better than any other course.
BSc Nautical Science Top Colleges
Some of the top maritime institutes that offer BSc Nautical Science, along with the course fees charged by them and the average salary expected are mentioned in the table below:
| College Name | City | Annual Course Fees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai University | Mumbai | INR 6 Lakhs | INR 7 Lakhs |
| Vels University | Chennai | INR 3.08 Lakhs | INR 7 Lakhs |
| Indian Maritime University | Chennai | INR 2.25 Lakhs | INR 5 Lakhs |
| AMET University | Chennai | INR 3.25 Lakhs | INR 6 Lakhs |
| Maritime Engineering and Research Institute | Mumbai | INR 2.25 Lakhs | INR 6 Lakhs |
| Mangalore Marine College and Technology | Mangalore | INR 2.2 Lakhs | INR 7 Lakhs |
| Park Maritime Academy | Coimbatore | INR 1.77 Lakhs | INR 6 Lakhs |
| Hindustan Institute of Maritime Training | Chennai | INR 3.25 Lakhs | INR 4.5 Lakhs |
| Tolani Maritime Institute | Pune | INR 3.96 Lakhs | INR 8 Lakhs |
| B.P Marine Academy | Navi Mumbai | INR 8 Lakhs | INR 4 Lakhs |
| Coimbatore Maritime College | Coimbatore | INR 6.5 Lakhs | INR 7 Lakhs |
BSc Nautical Science College Comparison
A comparison has been done among the top maritime colleges that offer BSc Nautical Science. The comparison has been done based on the admission process, course fees, salary package, and top recruiters.
| Parameter | Indian Maritime University, Chennai | Vels University, Chennai | Hindustan Institute of Maritime Training, Chennai |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | The Institute is known for its Nautical science courses. | The Institute is known for its courses in the field of Nautical Science and Seamanship. | The Institute is known for its academics, sports, and other curricular activities. |
| Admission Process | Entrance based | Merit-based | Entrance based |
| Average Annual Fees | INR 1.25 Lakhs | INR 3.5 Lakhs | INR 3.25 Lakhs |
| Average Package Offered | INR 5 Lakhs | INR 7 Lakhs | INR 4.5 Lakhs |
| Placement Companies | Government operated Quarries, GSI (Geological Survey of India), SAIL (Steel Authority of India Ltd.) | ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation), SAIL (Steel Authority of India Ltd.) | GSI (Geological Survey of India), ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation), SAIL (Steel Authority of India Ltd.), Coal India, GMDC (Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation) |
Source: College Websites
BSc Nautical Science Syllabus
The course curriculum for a Bachelor of Science in Nautical Science is given below. The course includes theoretical as well as practical aspects of the subject. Students are required to choose from the list of electives offered to them each semester.
Semester wise breakdown of the syllabus is given below:
| Semester 1 | |
|---|---|
| English- 1 | Marine Engineering & Control System – I |
| Mathematics- 1 | Navigation – I |
| Physics- 1 | Seamanship Lab I |
| Cargo work & Mar.Com | |
| Semester 2 | |
| Mathematics- II | Naval Arch - Ship Construction |
| Physics- II | Voyage Plan & Collision |
| Environmental Science –I | Ship Operation Technology – I |
| Marine Engineering & Control System – I | Engineering Workshop I |
| Semester 3 | |
| Mathematics- III | Navigation- II |
| Physics- III | Seamanship lab- II |
| Environmental Science –II | Marine Engineering & Control System – II |
| Maritime Law – I | |
| Semester 4 | |
| Engineering Chemistry | Marine Management & Maritime Commerce |
| Electronics | Ship Operation Technology – II |
| Computer science | Engineering Workshop II |
| Voyage Plan & Collision Prevention-II | |
| Semester 5 | |
| Voyage Plan | Ship Visits Boat Work |
| IMO ConvenNaval Arch - Ship Stability I | Collision Prevention – III |
| Navigation -III (Bridge Equipment) | PT, Games, Swimming |
| Ship Operation Technology - III (All Cargos) | |
| Semester 6 | |
| Marine Engineering & Control System – III | Ship Visits, Industry Visits |
| Maritime Law – II | Project. |
| Navigation IV | |
The coursework also includes seminars conducted by prominent personalities related to this field. Students are offered with the practicals and assignments from time to time.
Upon completion of the course, the candidates have to go for a year-long service. After completing the sea service and qualifying all the viva- based examinations, candidates get the second mate’s foreign going certificate of competency and receive the post of Navigation officer on navy ships. The graduates receive the first mate’s foreign going certificate of competency after completing 18 months of sea service as a navigation officer.
Candidates can obtain the master’s foreign going certificate of competency after clearing the oral and written examinations and completing 12 months as a chief mate.
BSc Nautical Science Job Prospects & Career Options
The job opportunities for graduates in the field of Nautical science are huge in technical fields. Some of the job profiles available for the graduates are Deck Cadet, Second Officer, Chief Officer, Captain, besides positions such as Marine Engineer, Oceanographer, Radio Officer, Nautical Surveyors, etc.
| Job Options | Job Description | Average Salary Offered |
|---|---|---|
| Deck Officer | The work of the deck officer mainly lies in the executive department. Deck Officers are mostly responsible for the navigation and safe handling of the ship. They are also held responsible for the communications between ship and shore, handling and delivering of cargo, and all life-saving devices. Their role is vital as an onboard merchant vessel. | INR 2 to 8 Lakhs |
| Nautical Surveyor | The work of the nautical surveyors is the inspection of the equipment that is intended for the new and existing vessels to ensure compliance with various standards and specifications. The surveys done by nautical surveyors include the structure, machinery, and equipment related to navigation, safety, radio, etc. It is also related to cargo and vessels. | INR 6 to 8 Lakhs |
| Scuba Diver | The scuba divers work below the surface of the water using the scuba gear. They use the scuba gear to inspect, repair, remove or install the equipment and structures. For this, they have to use a variety of power and hand tools such as drills, torches, sledgehammers and welding equipment, etc. | INR 6 to 8.5 Lakhs |
| Marine Superintendent | The work of the marine superintendent is to ensure the safe, economical, and efficient running of the vessels. All of this work is done under his control. The major responsibilities of a marine superintendent lie in the planning and execution of shipyard repair work. | INR 15 to 20 Lakhs |
| Marine Engineer | They usually work for private organizations. They research, design, develop, and construct new marine vessels and their component parts. They also repair and maintain the existing vehicles. | INR 2 to 6.13 Lakhs |
Source: Payscale
BSc Nautical Science Future Scope
After pursuing a BSc Nautical Science program, one has a wide range of opportunities and career options in the specified field.
- For those who have completed their studies at the graduate level can go for higher studies, i.e., M.Sc. in Nautical science. Besides this, they can opt for postgraduate diplomas and shipping courses online.
- They can do a PG diploma in courses like Marine Engineering, Nautical Science, Maritime Law, etc.
- Graduates may also get a certification course done in the latest technologies, emerging tools, and languages to stay updated with skills and knowledge. Some of them may be Certificate courses in Ship Building and repairing, General Purpose rating, etc.
- The course offers some of the finest jobs and internships in the top-notch public and private sectors like GSI (Geological Survey of India), ONGC, SAIL, Coal India, GMDC (Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation), Government-operated Quarries, etc.
BSc Nautical Science Course Comparison
Check the course comparison of Bsc Nautical science with other related subjects below:
BSc Nautical Science vs BTech in Marine Engineering
Below are given some of the key differences between BSc Nautical Science and BTech in Marine Engineering.
| Parameters | BSc Nautical Science | BTech Marine Engineering |
|---|---|---|
| Full-Form | Bachelors of Science in Nautical Engineering | Bachelor of Technology in Marine Engineering |
| Overview | BSc Nautical Science is a course that includes theory and practical knowledge of seamanship. | B.Tech Marine Engineering is a course that includes theory and practical knowledge of the manufacturing of ships, boats, yachts, etc. |
| Area of study | Nautical Science is the study of the basic academic and practical devices required to safely navigate and operate marine vehicles, such as a ship. | Marine engineering is a field that involves knowledge of every machinery of ship boards and their operation. |
| Course Duration | 3 years. | 4 years. |
| Eligibility | 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. | 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. |
| Admission Process | Entrance Exam | Entrance Exam |
| Average Course Fees | INR 2 to 8 Lakhs | INR 5 to 10 Lakhs |
| Average Salary | INR 6 to 8 Lakhs | INR 5 to 7 Lakhs |
| Job Options | Deck Cadet, Second Officer, Chief Officer, Captain, besides positions such as Marine Engineer, Oceanographer, Radio Officer, Nautical Surveyors, etc | Trainee Engineering Cadet |
Source: College Websites & Payscale
BSc Nautical Science FAQs
Ques. What are some of the subjects in BSc Nautical Science?
Ans. The subjects taught under the degree that form part of the course curriculum are navigation and seamanship, which is the basic science of the application of shipboard equipment and tools. The program trains candidates in becoming Deck Officers and Scuba divers. Also, the lessons imparted include lessons in Nautical Technology and its applications which form a vital part of Nautical Science.
Ques. What are the job prospects after BSc Nautical Science?
Ans. The job opportunities for graduates in the field of Nautical science are huge in technical fields. They can work as Deck Cadet, Second Officer, Chief Officer, Captain, besides positions such as Marine Engineer, Oceanographer, Radio Officer, Nautical Surveyors, etc.
Ques. What are the eligibility criteria to pursue BSc Nautical Science?
Ans. The students should have passed (10+2) Secondary and Higher secondary from a registered board with a minimum of 60% and Physics, Chemistry, and Maths as their compulsory subjects. Along with educational qualifications, medical standards are also relevant and important in candidates’ assessment. Candidates must have 6/6 eyesight and should not be suffering from any vision impairments such as night blindness or color blindness. Also, candidates should be physically fit to apply for the course.
Ques. What are the average fees required to pursue BSc Nautical Science?
Ans. The average course fees in India ranges between INR 2 and 8 lakhs for the total duration.
Ques. What are some of the posts offered to the students of BSc Nautical Science?
Ans. Many job offers are made and the profiles offered are Deck Cadet, Second Officer, Chief Officer, Captain, besides positions such as Marine Engineer, Oceanographer, Radio Officer, Nautical Surveyors, etc.
Ques. What is the duration of the course and how many semesters are there?
Ans. The duration of the course is 3 years and the entire syllabus is divided into 6 semesters.
Ques. What are the further study options after BSc Nautical Science?
Ans. Those who have finished their studies in the graduate-level field in nautical science can go for the higher-level courses, namely the M.Sc in Nautical science. Besides this, they can also opt for the Post Graduate Diploma in Logistics and Shipping course.
Other than this, they can get a certification in the latest technologies, emerging tools, and languages to stay updated with their skills and knowledge, which will help them in their career growth and better salary.
Ques. Are there any certification programs available for the students of Nautical Science?
Ans. Yes, there are certification programs available for the students of Nautical Science. Some of the certificate courses are
- ShipWright (shipbuilding and ship repairing)
- Chemical Tanker Familiarization (CTF)
- Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FPFF)
- General Purpose Rating (GP Rating)
- Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
- Graduate Marine Engineering
- Oil Tanker Familiarization (OTF)
- Post Graduate Diploma in Marine Engineering
- Post Graduate Programme in Maritime Law
- Pre - sea Training for Graduates (GME)
- ShipMasters Medicare etc.
Ques. What is the work of a Deck Officer?
Ans. The work of a deck officer is mostly in an executive department. They are responsible for the manufacturing and safe handling of a ship, they also look at the handling and delivery of cargo and the operation of all the lifesaving devices.
Ques. Name some of the entrance tests for admission to BSc Nautical Science?
Ans. Some of the entrance tests for admission to BSc Nautical Science:
- Cochin University of Science and Technology Entrance Exam
- Coimbatore Marine College Entrance Exam,
- Central Institute of fisheries nautical and engineering entrance exam
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