Working day/week of a professional Naval Architect

Yeah thanks, I've just read it. Looks like I fall into the second category of adults looking to change my occupation. Good article, made me think, good call on perseverance.
However, I'm in this not to get rich, but to do something that matters and makes every day of my work different and fulfilling unlike what I'm doing now. Plus I'm hoping to either get into a project of building sustainable boats or to start one myself at some point. I'm quite sure I'll manage to live working in the industry especially considering that I have something else to fall back on during "recession".

 

Have you heard anything about UNSW? I'm going to study NA course there.

 

Facilities are not great, there's no tank for example but there's nothing to indicate that the academic tuition is lacking. They are all fully accredited courses.

 

Just re-reading the thread to revise as I'm looking into a combined degree, do you think taking Materials Science course combined with Naval Architecture is a good idea? (http://www.handbook.unsw.edu.au/undergraduate/programs/2012/3135.html)
It's not like I want to end up being expert in everything, basically, what I want is to have a variety of directions I might take in my early years of work. Some research/experimental projects would be great, may be as volunteer work whatever, it's worth the experience and further recognition. So may be a Science degree combined with NA would do good. Not sure why I'm even asking this, but well may be someone has something to say on this point.

I've taken this a little bit into the Education direction but it came out as a valuable thread in the end for many people who come here to find out about the career in the industry. May be it should be moved to the Education forum, if any moderator is looking.

 

Yes, I heard that facilities and small classes are the benefits of AMC but I think I'll have to sacrifice that for a combined degree option together with more possible connections in the end in NSW area. But I have yet to visit AMC which I'm doing in May, so I'll see.
Speaking of facilities by the way, I've read a full layout of NA program in UNSW and it seems they take students to AMC's tank in later years, considering that you only do one project in the final year it seems enough or am I far off?

 

Personally I don’t think it is a good idea. If you wish to be a NA…then the course is packed with enough to learn as it is. It is also about 70% common, in the base parts of engineering. So if you feel it is not for you, being able to cross over into different disciplines is relatively easy, since NA is ostensibly engineering.

I’m not sure about other Uni’s, but in the UK material science is pretty well covered in the NA degree. To the extent you get a very good grounding on various metals/ceramic/plastics etc enough to be a half decent metallurgist. So unless you have a real burning desire, for whatever reason, there is no need to do a half and half with material science. You’ll get enough background in the NA degree.

You can always specialise later when working at a decent company or once you find your own special area of interest. The company can pay for your extra tuition/course/seminars etc. That’s how I did my Masters/PhD, the company paid for mine.

 

I see your point. Yes, it's silly to do Materials Science.

It's not half on half though, basically uni offers a combined degree BEng / BSc in 5 years instead of just BEng in 4. So you take a full NA course: 4 years of Engineering specializing in Naval Architecture and additionally take classes in Science and then do a year more to finish the Science degree. You end up with 2 degrees but it must be a lot of work to do.

And Science includes more than just Materials Science I just chose it as an obviously fitting subject, but I have to agree with you it's wrong. There are many other interesting things they offer under Science degree: Aviation, Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Chemistry, Computer Science, Medical Sciences, Optometry and Vision Science. There is also an option of BEng / BCommerce

The only thing I'm scared of is that extra year of Science will be wasted in terms of NA experience that is why I have doubts.

 

Yep, after being with a Metallurgical and Materials Engineering major in her last two years I can definitively say you don't want to try to double major in NA&ME along with M&ME. Better to find a major in M&ME and marry them.

Smart girls are soooooo sexy. .