Nautical Science Program Classes

Nautical Science Program

Click below to learn more about the classes required to complete the Nautical Science program, or follow the Schedule of Classes for classroom locations and registration information. Look for Nautical Science (NAUT) listed under the Price School of Public Policy.

Each sailing voyage during the semester limits the number of students onboard. This ensures all students have ample opportunity to participate in the operation of the vessel and practice their skills.

NAUT 301a Introduction to Seamanship and Navigation

• No prerequisite.

NAUT 301b Advanced Seamanship and Navigation – Level II

• Prerequisite: NAUT 301a or commensurate sailing experience TBD by program administrator.

NAUT 302a  Master’s Seamanship and Navigation – Level III

• Prerequisites: NAUT 301a and 301b. (Taught in Fall Only).

NAUT 302b Masters Advanced Seamanship and Navigation – Level IV

• Prerequisites: NAUT 301a and 301b (Taught in Spring Only).

NAUT 301a

Introduction to Seamanship and Navigation Crew Level

Contact Hours:
Lectures – 15 hours, semester weeks 1-5
Laboratories – 35 hours, (3-hour Dockside Demonstration, 32 hours Sailing Voyage)

Location:
USC campus for lectures during weeks 1-5. Ports of LA and Long Beach for voyages and laboratories.

Course Description

This level one introductory nautical science class is taught in the classroom and aboard ship. The course provides an introduction to the history, technology and basics of operating and navigating sailing vessels at sea. Lectures focus on vessel construction, nomenclature, hydrodynamics, aerodynamics of sail, safety at sea, charting, geometry, and oceanography as pertinent to navigation. Students will apply the concepts and skills learned in the classroom to the safe operation and navigation of a working sail training vessel during a 2-day overnight ocean voyage. Students must demonstrate an understanding of US Coast Guard rules and admiralty laws governing piloting through commercial coastal waterways. Students also learn about 18th and 19th century wooden tallship construction, design, and rigging during a 1-day seminar conducted at the Port of Los Angeles.

Learning Objectives

Students gain knowledge and an introductory understanding of:

• Traditional and modern ship construction, design and vessel nomenclature
• Basic vessel physics, hydrodynamics, aerodynamics and performance
• Maritime history and changes in vessel design
• United States Coast Guard “Piloting Rules of the Sea Ways”, basic navigation admiralty law.
• Required safety gear and vessel equipment and their application
• Vessel piloting and seamanship skills under power and sail
• Navigation theory and at-sea chart and electronic navigation

USCG Accreditation:
This course is certificated by the United States Coast Guard for license track students pursuing a “Merchant Mariners Masters Credential” (USCG Certificate UNIVSC-155).

NAUT 301b

Advanced Seamanship and Navigation

Contact Hours:
Campus Lectures – 28 hours
Laboratories – One 8-hour Day/Night Navigation Sail
Four 5-hour 2 person boats “Handling & Racing classes” 28 hrs Total
Additional sea time available – Teaching assistant /1st mate sails- 32 hrs each

Location:
USC Campus for weekly lectures. Ports of LA and Long Beach for voyages and laboratories.

Course Description:
This advanced nautical science class is taught in the classroom and aboard ship. Using the introductory skills acquired in NAUT 301A, students learn advanced navigation and charting skills required for night time sailing and piloting. Other lectures include: ship construction, nomenclature, geometry, hydrodynamics, stability, buoyancy, aerodynamics of sail and the physics of hull construction. Meteorology, marine weather forecasting, oceanography as pertinent to charting and astronomy as related to navigation are also part of this course.

Students then apply these course skills in an experiential setting aboard a working sailing vessel at sea. Utilizing modern shipboard marine electronics and advanced charting techniques, students must navigate their vessel at night through busy commercial shipping ports and coastal waterways. Students become familiar and ready to apply coastal piloting laws and admiralty laws as applicable to ship navigation.

Students also learn to operate small 2 person sailing craft. This on-the-water laboratory consists of four separate 5-hour sailing classes, encompassing advanced sail handling, vessel maneuverability and racing skills.

Learning Objectives:
Students gain knowledge and an introductory understanding of:
• Advanced hull nomenclature, design, and measurements
• Maritime architecture, vessel stability, buoyancy, hydrodynamics of hulls, aerodynamics of sail
• Marine meteorology, atmospheric conditions, forecasting
• Maritime history and important historic sailing vessels
• Advanced United States Coast Guard “Piloting Rules of the Sea Ways” and basics of admiralty law as applied to navigation of ships at sea.
• Required safety gear and vessel equipment and their application
• Vessel piloting, seamanship and vessel maneuvering under power and sail.
• Advanced navigation and nighttime navigation using charts and marine electronics.

USCG Accreditation:
This course is certificated by the United States Coast Guard for license track students pursuing a “Merchant Mariners Masters Credential” (USCG Certificate UNIVSC-155).

NAUT 302a

Master’s Seamanship and Navigation, Level III
USCG Merchant Mariners Masters Credential Preparation Course

Location:
USC Campus for weekly lectures. Ports of LA and Long Beach for voyages and laboratories.

Course Description:
Maritime navigation, charting, piloting and electronic instrumentation are the primary focuses of this course. Students also learn the history of ancient navigation used by early mariners from around the world. They practice traditional navigation methods using a variety of techniques and tools to calculate positions on paper charts, many of these methods are still in use aboard ship today. The foundation of navigation is rooted in mathematics, geometry and trigonometry, students learn to apply these disciplines in a variety of ways to become proficient navigators. Successful students learn to apply other disciplines such as; astronomy, meteorology and physics in a variety of techniques. Modern day marine electronics dominate navigation aboard the bridge of a ship in the 21st century, students learn about the scientific concepts these devises are based upon and then practice the operation of these systems aboard a working sailing ship at sea. Successful students leave this course as competent navigators, able to safety operate their vessel day or night or in a variety of meteorological conditions. Students also become proficient in the application of Coast Guard rules and admiralty laws governing the piloting of vessels through busy shipping ports and among the commercial traffic of coastal waterways and harbors.

Additionally, this course covers marine safety, marlinspike seamanship, U.S. Coast Guard piloting rules and regulations, command/vessel operations, damage control, advanced marine meteorology and aspects of celestial navigation. This course is also designed and accredited by United States Coast Guard to prepare license track students for the rigors of the federal merchant mariners licensing examination.

At-Sea laboratories will include practical application of advanced sail training and handling skills, advanced vessel maneuvering skills under both power and sail, application of advanced navigation and piloting skills, operation of navigational marine electronics, advanced anchoring, docking and mooring skills.

Learning Objectives:
Students gain knowledge and understanding of the following vessel command skills:

• United States Coast Guard (USCG) licensing requirements
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security (USDHS)/USCG Navigation Rules- International
• Lights and Shapes
• Sound Signals
• Advanced navigation, charting, marine related electronics
• Boat handling, maneuvering, man-overboard recovery, safety, and CPR/1st Aid

Concurrent Enrollment: Special dispensations for concurrent enrollment may be discuss in person and are based on experience and approval by the Nautical Science Program Administrator.

USCG Accreditation:
This course is certificated by the United States Coast Guard for license track students pursuing a “Merchant Mariners Masters Credential” (USCG Certificate UNIVSC-155).

NAUT 302b

Master’s – Advanced Navigation & Seamanship, level IV
USCG Merchant Mariners Masters Credential Preparation Course

Location:
USC Campus for weekly lectures.
Ports of LA and Long Beach for voyages and laboratories.  

Course Description:
This course is the culmination of four semesters of training, classroom work and sea time laboratories and is designed for advanced level students who wish to pursue a “Merchant Mariner’s Masters Credential” issued by the United States Coast Guard (USCG). Successful students leave this accredited training course with the necessary skills and understanding to safety navigate a passenger vessel at sea under power or sail. Upon completion, students are able to apply the following concepts and skills as necessary for safe navigation: traditional navigation methods; charting and piloting knowledge; electronic navigation equipment including GPS, Radar, Sonar, AIS and VHF; marine weather meteorology; modeling and forecasting; admiralty law as applied to collision avoidance and coastal piloting; Department of Homeland Security and United States Coast Guard navigation rules for all ships operating in inland and international waters; damage control and emergency procedures for fire, sinking, grounding, injuries, CPR, AED and 1st Aid; seamanship, sail handling, sail trim, maneuvering both under power and sail; and, an understanding of environmental laws and acceptable USCG practices for discharge and stowage of all types of marine fuels, combustibles, sewage and effluents.

At-Sea laboratories will include practical application of advanced sail training and handling skills, advanced vessel maneuvering skills under both power and sail, application of advanced navigation and piloting skills, operation of navigational marine electronics, advanced anchoring docking, mooring skills, man-overboard recovery, engine maintenance course and skipper/command preparedness practical.

Learning Objectives:
Students gain knowledge and understanding of the following vessel command skills:

• USCG licensing requirements
• Department of Homeland Security Navigation Rules (Inland and International)
• Piloting rules for “Lights, Shapes and Sound Signals aboard ship”
• Advanced navigation
• Boat handling and seamanship
• Admiralty laws regarding piloting of vessels
• Damage control, emergency procedures, lifesaving skills

USCG Accreditation: This course is Certificated by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) for sea time toward a “U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariners Masters Credential”. (USCG Certificate UNIVSC-155)00