Project-Based Coursework in a Naval Architecture Curriculum

Abstract

Studies have shown the benefits of incorporating design projects into engineering courses. These projects allow the students to directly apply the course topics in "hands-on" applications, while also providing the students opportunities to develop group project skills. In the small field of naval architecture little has been written of these projects. This paper presents the details of five courses using this approach in the Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering Department (NAOE) at the United States Naval Academy (USNA). The first course is the major's introductory course for sophomores where after seven weeks each student submits the specification, calculations, lines plan and construction drawings for a towing tank model. These plans are then turned over to another student to build and test. The second course is a junior-level structures course focusing on ship structures. The students design a full midship section. The final three courses are at the senior-level and include an elective in marine fabrication methods and two capstone design courses. In the fabrication course small student groups design, build, perform QA/QC tests and proof-test a series of components in metal, reinforced concrete and composites. This course focuses on the benefits of design-for-manufacturability and instills this approach through the actual time it takes the students to design, build and document their group projects. The capstone courses include a fall semester class that has each student prepare the preliminary design of a specific small vessel. During the spring semester student groups prepare preliminary designs of a vessel of their choice. It is the department's hope that these project-based courses provide the students with a better understanding of the complete ship design process.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2003
Accession Number
ADA575187

Entities

People

  • Paul H. Miller

Organizations

  • United States Naval Academy

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Ground and Sea Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Composite Material Fabrication
  • Composite Materials
  • Construction
  • Curriculum
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • Engineers
  • Fabrication
  • Materials
  • Materials Processing
  • Materials Science
  • Naval Architecture
  • Ship Design
  • Students
  • Systems Engineering
  • Test And Evaluation
  • United States Naval Academy

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