A proposal on the mechatronics education for marine engineering programs

The study investigates marine engineering education on ship mechatronics systems regarding the new technologies in the maritime transportation industry. A new course plan about mechatronics is proposed for maritime education which lasts 14 weeks and 3 hours per week by benchmarking the global maritime colleges and respecting the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW). Competences at the STCW amendments for the people who work on ships are considered while preparing the courses. Each course is paired with basic and advanced training competencies of the STCW amendments, compliance with the STCW is provided, the course topics are explained, and the duration of the courses is determined. The need for updating the curriculum and the training of future marine engineers is crucial for satisfying their ability to operate new ships. This study highlights the need for novel approaches and courses regarding the new future technologies for the conventional marine engineering curriculum.