This program of study is provided for students who intend to embark on a career in the maritime industry as navigating (Deck) Officers and Masters on commercial vessels. It provides the knowledge and skills required to safely manage and operate vessels.

Course content includes navigation and vessel handling, cargo and passenger transport, vessel management, marine legislation and shipboard safety. The program is designed to integrate with professional short courses and training at sea so that successful students will not only obtain an Advanced Diploma or Bachelor Degree but also a Certificate of Competency issued by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).

The program is fully compliant with the training and educational requirements of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW Convention, as amended in 2010).

The Advanced Diploma of Applied Science (Nautical Science) is the recognised pathway to becoming an AMSA certified deck officer. This degree provides additional knowledge and skills that will be of benefit to students seeking a career ashore. The degree will also equip professional deck officers with the additional knowledge and skills that they are likely to require to take up senior shore-based professional positions such as:

• Senior position in a shipyard
• Fleet manager in a shipping company
• Crew manager / shipping agent
• Marine superintendent or safety manager in a shipping company
• Product, R&D, sales and service managers in companies supplying maritime equipment
• Surveyor in a Classification Society
• Marine Surveyor with a Port State Control authority such as AMSA
• Work in Marine insurance companies
• Mediators / Arbitrators
• Maritime Education and Training, research and teaching positions

Professional Recognition

The Advanced Diploma of Applied Science (Nautical Science) is approved by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) for eligibility towards the following Certificates of Competency: Watchkeeper Deck, Mate/Master Less than 500GT.