Advance Certificate in Technology – Marine Engineering

The course aims to prepare trainees to acquire theoretical and practical knowledge and skills of shipboard machinery according to Class III level of SPMC code and to demonstrate practical skills gained though the Apprenticeship program applied to shipboard maintenance, repair and operation duties.

The course comprises of core and non-core modules.  These modules are in line with the South Pacific Maritime and STCW 95 code.  Each year students will attend first half of the year (one semester) at the University and the other half of the year at sea to gain on-the-job training. On-the-job training at sea comprises of training under supervision and completing exercises included in the Sea Work Books.

Admission Requirements


  • Be not less than 18 years of age
  • Meet the requirements of medical fitness including eye sight and hearing
  • A pass in Solomon Islands School Certificate with good passes in English, Mathematics, Science, Physics and Technical Drawing.
  • Must posses Safety Certificate with a minimum of 12 months sea services
  • Completed Basic Maritime course and also suitable for those already in employment

Course Structure


Course Code:
Course Name: Advance Certificate in Technology – Marine Engineering
Duration: 4 years
Core Units: 29 Units
Total Credit Points: 160
Campus: Kukum

Advance Certificate in Technology – Marine Engineering (M1)

Unit CodeUnit NamePre-requisiteSemester OfferedCredit Points
ME411Marine Engineering Mathematics - INone5
To provide the learner with the knowledge and skills required to calculate fuel consumption and storage requirements on vessels and solve basic engineering problems.
ME412Marine Engineering Science - INone5
To provide the learner with the knowledge to identify basic units used in Thermodynamics and define thermodynamic systems and processes, and identify their states and properties.
ME413Technical Communication - INone5
To provide the learner with the knowledge and skills to safely operate and maintain the propulsion plant and auxiliary equipment on a vessel not exceeding 500 kW propulsion power.
ME414Engineering Drawing - INone5
To provide the learner with the knowledge and skills required to understand, explain and sketch the basic engineering components.
ME415Engineering Knowledge - Basic MachineryNone10
To provide the learner with the language and vocabulary skills required to work cohesively as a member of a ship’s crew and perform watchkeeping duties and operate machinery and equipment as directed.
ME416Marine Workshop Practice - INone10
This unit develops the student’s knowledge and skills to effectively maintain shipboard machinery. It enables the students to perform shipboard welding safety practices, such as grounding, heat transfer, ventilation, gas freeing and knowledge of the pertinent regulations. These practical projects incorporating diversified lathe operations and basic fitting applications.

Advance Certificate in Technology – Marine Engineering (M2)

Unit CodeUnit NamePre-requisiteSemester OfferedCredit Points
ME421Marine Engineering Mathematics - IICompletion of M1 plus 6 months sea time up to 500kW5
This unit develops the student’s knowledge and skills to effectively solve problems in the subjects; Heat and Heat Engines, Applied Mechanics, Electro technology.
ME422Marine Engineering Science - IICompletion of M1 plus 6 months sea time up to 500kW5
To provide the learner with the knowledge to identify basic units used in Thermodynamics and define thermodynamic systems and processes, and identify their states and properties.
ME423Technical Communication - IICompletion of M1 plus 6 months sea time up to 500k5
To provide the learner a more advanced approach towards technical communication.

ME424Engineering Drawing - IICompletion of M1 plus 6 months sea time up to 500kW5
To provide the learner with the knowledge and skills required to understand, explain and sketch the basic engineering components.
ME425Engineering KnowledgeCompletion of M1 plus 6 months sea time up to 500kW7
To provide the learner with the knowledge and skills to safely operate and maintain the propulsion plant and auxiliary equipment on a vessel not exceeding 500 kW propulsion power.
ME426Marine Workshop Practice [M2] - IICompletion of M1 plus 6 months sea time up to 500kW8
This unit develops the student’s knowledge and skills to effectively maintain shipboard machinery. It enables the students to perform shipboard welding safety practices, such as grounding, heat transfer, ventilation, gas freeing and knowledge of the pertinent regulations. These practical projects incorporating diversified lathe operations and basic fitting applications.
ME427Computer Application - ICompletion of M1 plus 6 months sea time up to 500kW5
To provide the learner the advanced knowledge and skills in computer applications

Advance Certificate in Technology – Marine Engineering (M3)

Unit CodeUnit NamePre-requisiteSemester OfferedCredit Points
ME431Applied Mechanics ICompletion of M2 plus 6 months sea time up to 500kW5
To provide the learner with the knowledge and skills required to explain and calculate the basic effects of forces and displacements on machinery and structural components.
ME432Thermodynamics (Heat & Heat Engines) ICompletion of M2 plus 6 months sea time up to 500kW5
To provide the learner with the knowledge and skills required to explain elementary thermodynamic concepts, solve simple thermodynamic problems; and identify the thermodynamic principles upon which a vessel’s engine room operates.
ME433Engineering Drawing IIICompletion of M2 plus 6 months sea time up to 500kW4
To provide the learner with the knowledge and skills required to understand, explain and sketch the basic engineering components.
ME434Electro Technology ICompletion of M2 plus 6 months sea time up to 500kW4
To provide the learner with the knowledge and skills required to safely operate and maintain electrical equipment on board a vessel not exceeding 750 kW propulsion power.
ME435Naval Architecture and Ship Construction ICompletion of M2 plus 6 months sea time up to 500kW4
To provide the learner with the knowledge and skills required to recognise the common terminology, identify basic stability requirements on small vessels, calculate fuel consumption and storage requirements on vessels and operate, maintain, and repair components of the ship structure.
ME436Engineering Knowledge - General ICompletion of M2 plus 6 months sea time up to 500kW6
To provide the learner with the knowledge and skills to safely operate and maintain the auxiliary equipment on a vessel not exceeding 750 kW propulsion power.
ME437Engineering Knowledge - Motor ICompletion of M2 plus 6 months sea time up to 500kW6
This unit develops the student’s knowledge and skills to safely operate, maintain and manage a propulsion plant and other auxiliary machinery of up to 750 Kw power.
ME438Marine Workshop Practice IIICompletion of M2 plus 6 months sea time up to 500kW6
This unit develops the student’s knowledge and skills to effectively maintain shipboard machinery. It enables the students to perform shipboard welding safety practices, such as grounding, heat transfer, ventilation, gas freeing and knowledge of the pertinent regulations. These practical projects incorporating diversified lathe operations and basic fitting applications.

Advance Certificate in Technology – Marine Engineering (M4)

Unit CodeUnit NamePre-requisiteSemester OfferedCredit Points
ME441Applied Mechanics IICompletion of M3 plus 6 months sea time up to 750kW5
This unit develops the student’s knowledge and skills required to explain and calculate the basic effects of force, pressure, displacement, thermal expansion and friction on machinery and structural components.
ME442Thermodynamics (Heat & Heat Engines) IICompletion of M3 plus 6 months sea time up to 750kW5
This unit develops the student’s knowledge and skills to explain basic thermodynamic concepts, solve thermodynamic problems of basic systems, use steam tables to solve thermodynamics problems, apply thermodynamic principles to components and systems of a typical marine power plant, and solve heat transfer problems in marine plants and systems.
ME443Engineering Drawing IVCompletion of M3 plus 6 months sea time up to 750kW3
This unit prepares the students with necessary drawing, design, construction, and application skills to Class 3 Certificate of Competency level. To provide the learner with the knowledge and skills to interpret and produce engineering drawings relevant to the safe operation of vessels.
ME444Electro Technology IICompletion of M3 plus 6 months sea time up to 750kW4
To provide the learner with the knowledge and skills required to safely operate, maintain, and manage electrical equipment and more advanced methods in solving electronics problems on vessels.
ME445Naval Architecture and Ship Construction IICompletion of M3 plus 6 months sea time up to 750kW4
This unit develops the student’s knowledge and skills to define basic ship’s terms, calculate buoyancy and reserve buoyancy, do stability calculations to maintain ships stability and know and calculate ship’s resistance and propulsion.
ME446Engineering Knowledge - General IICompletion of M3 plus 6 months sea time up to 750kW5
To provide the students with the knowledge, and skills to safely operate, maintain and manage the auxiliary equipment on a vessel not exceeding 750 kW propulsion power.
ME447Engineering Knowledge - Motor IICompletion of M3 plus 6 months sea time up to 750kW5
This unit develops the student’s knowledge and skills to safely operate, maintain and manage a propulsion plant and other auxiliary machinery of up to 750 Kw power.
ME448Vessel AdministrationCompletion of M3 plus 6 months sea time up to 750kW4
This unit provides the student with the knowledge to understand international laws and shipping regulations know the role of the Maritime Administration (Marine Department) and understand vessel operations to manage ships efficiently.
ME449Marine Workshop Practice IVCompletion of M3 plus 6 months sea time up to 750kW5
This unit develops the student’s knowledge and skills to effectively maintain shipboard machinery. It enables the students to perform shipboard welding safety practices, such as grounding, heat transfer, ventilation, gas freeing and knowledge of the pertinent regulations. These practical projects incorporating diversified lathe operations and basic fitting applications.