Nautical Science
Overview
Job Growth
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Duration
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Avg. Salary
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Career Paths
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Program Description
Nautical Science explores the sea, ships, and the science used to navigate and study marine environments. Students learn navigation and chartwork, meteorology, oceanography, shipboard safety, instrumentation, and basic marine laboratory techniques. Core subjects include physics, mathematics, oceanography, chart plotting, and maritime law, combined with practical simulator sessions and fieldwork. Graduates can become deck officers and navigational officers, hydrographic or marine surveyors, marine environmental scientists, maritime researchers, or move into teaching and quality control roles in marine industries. This program suits students who enjoy science, hands-on learning, and working with the marine environment, and it prepares you for further study and professional certification.
Aims & Objectives
Develop practical navigation skills, demonstrating accurate chart plotting and use of GPS and electronic chart systems in simulated exercises.
Master core oceanography and meteorology concepts, applying them to voyage planning and weather assessment tasks.
Understand shipboard safety procedures and maritime regulations, achieving competency in basic safety modules or equivalent assessments.
Acquire marine sampling and laboratory techniques, including proper sample collection, instrument calibration, and basic data analysis using spreadsheets or statistical tools.
Why Choose This Program?
Clear career pathways at sea and ashore
Opportunities include deck officer roles, hydrographic surveying, marine research, and environmental monitoring, offering work on ships or in shore-based organisations.
Hands-on training with real equipment
Coursework combines classroom theory, bridge simulators, field sampling and laboratory work, building practical skills employers value.
Strong relevance to Ghana's blue economy
Ghana's growing maritime and offshore sectors need trained personnel for navigation, coastal management, and environmental monitoring.
Pathway to professional certification
Completing the program positions you for required maritime certificates and sea-time experience needed for officer licenses and specialist roles.
Skills & Tools
Skills You'll Develop
Use paper charts, GPS, compass, and electronic chart systems to plan and monitor courses, perform position fixing, and plot routes.
Interpret weather charts, tide tables, and wave data, and apply oceanographic knowledge to safe voyage planning and environmental assessment.
Operate and perform basic calibration and maintenance on instruments such as GPS receivers, echo sounders, and sampling sensors.
Collect and preserve water and sediment samples, carry out field tests, and record and analyse data using spreadsheets and basic statistics.
Tools & Resources
Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) simulator
QGIS for marine mapping
Spreadsheet software for data analysis
Challenges & Tips
Challenges
Difficulties with mathematics and physics applications
Understanding meteorology and complex voyage planning
Tips & Advice
Focus on applied problems, use practical examples from navigation, and join study groups or get tutoring for weak topics.
Use weather chart exercises, simulator practice, and ask instructors for real-case examples to build confidence.
Video Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
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