The Ocean Engineering minor at UNH is an interdisciplinary minor blending geology, physics, and chemistry to address ocean and coastal challenges. Gain hands-on experience through foundational coursework and a two-semester research project. Study ocean instrumentation, coastal engineering, and acoustics, while utilizing our advanced Jere A. Chase Ocean Engineering Laboratory and field research opportunities. Perfect for majors in environmental, electrical, or mechanical engineering, marine biology, and sustainability.
What is ocean engineering?
The ocean engineering minor will introduce you to engineering pertaining to the ocean and the coastal zone through the study of the geology, physics, chemistry, and life of the oceans. With foundational classes in math, physics, chemistry and engineering computing, you can explore ocean instrumentation, waves and tides, the design of ocean structures, coastal engineering, ocean measurements and ocean acoustics. You’ll have the opportunity to complete a two-semester research project on contemporary ocean-related problems. Combine this minor with majors such as environmental, electrical or mechanical engineering, oceanography, international affairs, sustainability,or marine biology to enhance your career or further studies.
Why study ocean engineering at UNH?
At UNH, you’ll be immersed in the exploration of the marine environment while studying an interdisciplinary field rooted in a variety of engineering and physical science disciplines. You’ll conduct hands-on research in our recently expanded Jere A. Chase Ocean Engineering Laboratory, and on vessels in our estuaries and ocean. You’ll use emerging technologies to interrogate the ocean environment, map the ocean floor, design ocean structures and address the dynamic forces that lead to coastal erosion. The program emphasizes principles for innovation throughout the entire minor.
Potential career areas
- Army Corps of Engineers
- Environmental consulting
- Marine biology research
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Navy laboratories
- Ocean mapping industry
- Ocean technology companies
- Offshore energy industry
- Policy development
- Research institutions
Curriculum & Requirements
The ocean engineering minor allows undergraduate engineering students to acquire a nucleus of knowledge about engineering pertaining to the ocean and the coastal zone.
Students wishing to take the ocean engineering minor should indicate their interest to the ocean engineering minor advisor, Tom Lippmann.
Academic policies related to Minors.
Credit toward the minor will only be given for courses passed with C- or better, and a 2.00 grade-point average must be maintained in courses for the minor.
- Courses taken on a pass/fail basis may not be used for a minor.
- No more than 8 credits used to satisfy major requirements may be used for the minor.
- No more than 2 courses or 8 credits may be from transfer coursework. Any transferred coursework must be approved by the minor coordinator.
For additional details on how to declare a minor, please visit https://www.unh.edu/registrar/academic-records/majors-minors.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Course | ||
| OE 490 | Introduction to Ocean Engineering | 4 |
| Electives | ||
| Select four courses from the following: | ||
| ESCI 501 | Introduction to Oceanography | 4 |
| ESCI 720 | Ocean Measurements Lab | 4 |
| ESCI 752 | Chemical Oceanography | 3 |
| ESCI 758 | Introductory Physical Oceanography | 3 |
| ESCI 759 | Geological Oceanography | 4 |
| OE 717 | Marine Robotics and Applications | 3 |
| OE 753 | Ocean Hydrodynamics | 3 |
| OE 754 | Ocean Waves and Tides | 4 |
| OE 757 | Coastal Engineering and Processes | 3 |
| OE 758 | Design of Ocean Structures | 3 |
| OE 765 | Underwater Acoustics | 3 |
| OE 770 | Geodesy for Ocean Mapping | 3 |
| OE 771 | Positioning for Ocean Mapping | 4 |
| OE 795 | Special Topics | 2-4 |
| CEE 722 | Introduction to Marine Pollution and Control | 4 |
| TECH 797 | Undergraduate Ocean Research Project | 2 |
Students typically take ESCI 501 Introduction to Oceanography, TECH 797 Undergraduate Ocean Research Project, and OE 490 Introduction to Ocean Engineering plus two additional engineering courses from the above list to complete the minor.
Explore Program Details
Minor Forms
Students interested in pursing a minor in ocean engineering should refer to the undergraduate course catalog and meet with the Ocean engineering minor supervisor to comple the inent to minor form.
During the final semester of the student's senior year, student's must complete a completion of minor form in order for the minor to appear on their transcripts.
For more information please visit the School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering website.
Ocean engineering student interested in pursuing a minor in another discipline should refer to the UNH undergraduate catalog for minor requirements.
