Skip to main content
CODE 101129
ACADEMIC YEAR 2026/2027
CREDITS
SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINARY SECTOR ING-IND/02
LANGUAGE English
TEACHING LOCATION
  • GENOVA
SEMESTER 2° Semester

OVERVIEW

The teaching unit of Ship Propulsion aims to cover the topics inherent to the engineering of ship propulsion systems, their distribution on board and system performance. During the lectures, the basic principles inherent to the ship's resistance to motion, the thrusters that provide the propulsive thrust, the engines that deliver the power, and the fuels used in ship engines will be illustrated.

For the engineer and electro-technical officer curriculum, the teaching unit provides the theoretical background and skills for the 4 Functions included in Table A-III/1, Table A-III/2, Table A-III/6, and Table A-VIII/2 of the STCW Convention. For the Deck Officer curriculum, the teaching unit provides the theoretical background and skills for the 3 Functions included in Table A-II/1 and Table A-II/2 of the STCW Convention.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching unit aims at introducing the basics of ship propulsion systems. Key topics are ship resistance, engines, propulsion plants and auxiliaries, energy efficiency. Knowledge regarding management and operation of the propulsion plant is provided. At the end students will be able to plan and schedule operations, evaluate propulsive characteristics and assess propulsive performance.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching unit aims to introduce the basics of propulsion plant management for the most common types of ships, covering propulsion plant layout, performance, and crew management. The teaching thus aims to provide naval propulsion principles to engineers, seagoing crew and ship managers.

Upon completion of the teaching, students will be able to:

  • describe the operating principles, purposes and main characteristics of ship propulsion systems, their maintenance, and the safe manning and safe working operations topics;
  • evaluate operational conditions of ship propulsion systems;
  • use appropriate technical language to communicate clearly and effectively with both specialist and non-specialist interlocutors;
  • interpret and express themselves correctly by means of graphs, diagrams and technical drawings;
  • process and evaluate information both through group work and individually (critical thinking).

PREREQUISITES

There are no specific requirements

TEACHING METHODS

Teaching will include lectures, exercises, small group activities in class with debriefing and discussion, webinars, guided tours (if possible), and use of the simulator.

Students with valid certifications for Specific Learning Disorders (SLDs), disabilities or other educational needs are invited to contact the teacher and the School's contact person for disability at the beginning of teaching to agree on possible teaching arrangements that, while respecting the teaching objectives, take into account individual learning patterns. Contacts of the School's disability contact person can be found at the following link Comitato di Ateneo per l’inclusione delle studentesse e degli studenti con disabilità o con DSA | UniGe | Università di Genova

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Teaching unit general contents:

  • Ship propulsion overview
  • Ship Resistance
  • Ship Propellers
  • Required power trend
  • Engine-Propeller matching
  • Diesel-Engine characteristics; gas and steam turbines; and boilers
  • Marine Fuels
  • Regulations: MARPOL and Classification Societies

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lecture notes provided on Aulaweb.

MARINE ENGINEERING, PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY OF NAVAL ARCHITECTS AND MARINE ENGINEERS, 1992

Reeds Vol 3: Applied Heat for Marine Engineers

Reeds Vol 4: Naval Architecture for Marine Engineers

Reeds Vol 8: General Engineering Knowledge for Marine Engineers

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of a written test, an oral test and a discussion of the exercises. Access to the oral exam is only after passing the written exam.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The written exam will assess the ability to solve problems, while the oral exam will evaluate the understanding of theoretical concepts, reasoning skills, use of specialized vocabulary, and awareness of the limitations of the applied methodologies.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information not included in the course description, contact the teachers.

Agenda 2030 - Sustainable Development Goals

Agenda 2030 - Sustainable Development Goals
Quality education
Quality education
Gender equality
Gender equality
Climate action
Climate action
Life below water
Life below water
Life on land
Life on land

OpenBadge

SOFT SKILLS - Alfabetica avanzato 1 - A
SOFT SKILLS - Alfabetica avanzato 1 - A