Go to the Head of the Class
The United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), located in Kings Point, N.Y., strives to produce graduates who have the expertise, as well as the understanding of not only how a ship works, but what it takes to operate and build a ship. An ordinary preparatory program? Not so, as the Academy holds a unique spot in the maritime education and engineering world - they are known as the only learning institution to offer a fully consolidated undergraduate program geared specifically towards shipyard management. MR/EN recently spent the day with various professors involved, as well as members of the program's class of 2000, as they shared their thoughts and views on this premier curriculum. By Regina P. Step back in time to 1995 for a moment.
Letter to the Editor
The article entitled, "Go to the Head of the Class" (MR/EN, Sept. 1999) presents a refreshing example of progress in maritime education. Professors Femenia and Butman of the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) are to be commended for developing a Shipyard and Marine Management Program that is responsive to the needs of the maritime industry, and one that exemplifies the synergy of education and industry working together. I commend NASSCO and Atlantic Marine for their participation as mentors, providing internship opportunities that successfully foster the goals of the program. Their investment in the program appears to be paying off. A few years ago I was invited by Prof.
Shipyard Management Major Now Offered at USMMA
As head of the United States Merchant Marine Academy's (USMMA), engineering department, Professor Jose Femenia noted 1995 as the year in which the Academy's shipyard management program was loosely formatted. It was through his efforts the program became a reality one year later. Beginning with a focus on ship maintenance and repair, several elective courses had been developed - such as ship maintenance and repair, and shipyard design and operations - but were not yet part of a fully formalized agenda. In turn, these electives led to the birth of the Academy's shipyard management program. This blend of marine engineering, industrial engineering and engineering management…
