Maritime Construction Materials Course
This maritime construction materials course gives you a thorough understanding of the essential materials used to build and repair marine structures and vessels. You will learn about their properties, applications and durability in corrosive environments, and master material selection, protection techniques and design criteria that ensure the safety and efficiency of projects in the marine environment, from hulls and fittings to quays, breakwaters and offshore structures.
Prior knowledge check
These are the skills this program gives you. Tick the ones you already master and we will tell you which part of the syllabus is for you.
You are starting from scratch in this subject. The program is designed precisely for that.
What is the Maritime Construction Materials Course?
This short course prepares you to select, protect and inspect the materials used in shipbuilding and maritime works. You will study the demands the marine environment places on materials, their mechanical and physical properties, durability, the applicable standards and the criteria for choosing between them; shipbuilding and stainless steels, marine aluminum, copper and bronzes and the corrosion of metals; concrete in the marine environment, reinforcement and cover, rock armor and blocks, piles and the durability of port structures; timber species for boatbuilding, protective treatments, marine plywood and maintenance; and material testing, inspection, recyclable and low-emission materials and life cycle assessment.
What sets this course apart: a practical analysis of corrosion and how to identify and mitigate its effects on different materials; advanced selection criteria based on performance, cost and sustainability; protection techniques such as coatings and cathodic protection; coverage of both vessels and maritime civil works in a single course; case studies of real projects and innovative solutions in maritime construction; and a final project in which you select and justify the materials for a maritime structure or a vessel.
Program highlights
- Material fundamentals: marine environment demands, mechanical and physical properties and durability.
- Steels and metals: shipbuilding and stainless steels, marine aluminum, copper and bronzes.
- Corrosion control: mechanisms, coatings, cathodic protection and preventive maintenance.
- Marine concrete: reinforcement and cover, rock armor, blocks, piles and port structures.
- Timber: boatbuilding species, protective treatments, marine plywood and upkeep.
- Testing and sustainability: destructive and non-destructive tests, inspection and life cycle.
Syllabus of the Maritime Construction Materials Course
5 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Fundamentals of maritime materials
- 1.1. Requirements of the marine environment
- 1.2. Mechanical and physical properties
- 1.3. Durability
- 1.4. Standards and regulations
- 1.5. Material selection
Steels and metals
- 2.1. Shipbuilding steels
- 2.2. Stainless steels
- 2.3. Marine aluminum
- 2.4. Copper and bronzes
- 2.5. Corrosion of metals
Concrete and materials for maritime works
- 3.1. Concrete in the marine environment
- 3.2. Reinforcement and concrete cover
- 3.3. Rock armor and blocks
- 3.4. Piles
- 3.5. Durability of port structures
Timber
- 4.1. Species for boatbuilding
- 4.2. Protective treatments
- 4.3. Marine plywood
- 4.4. Advantages and drawbacks
- 4.5. Maintenance
Testing, sustainability and final project
- 5.1. Materials testing
- 5.2. Inspection
- 5.3. Recyclable and low-emission materials
- 5.4. Life cycle
- 5.5. Final project: selection of materials for a maritime structure or a vessel
Duration and format of the Maritime Construction Materials Course
It is 300 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.
Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Eng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Eng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Eng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Eng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives of the Maritime Construction Materials Course
Career opportunities after the Maritime Construction Materials Course
Questions about the Maritime Construction Materials Course
Resistance to corrosion and degradation in the marine environment, together with adequate strength, durability and ease of maintenance for the intended use.
Stainless steels, marine aluminum alloys, copper alloys such as bronze and well-specified marine concrete are common choices; the course explains when each is appropriate and how to protect it.
Yes. Alongside shipbuilding steels, aluminum and timber, it covers marine concrete, reinforcement, rock armor, blocks, piles and the durability of port structures.
Yes. The final module covers destructive and non-destructive testing and inspection methods, and how to interpret results against the applicable standards.
The course focuses on metals, concrete and timber, with composites considered in the comparison of options; composites and fiberglass are covered in depth in a separate Navalis course.
You choose a maritime structure or a vessel and select and justify its materials according to performance, durability, protection, cost and sustainability.
The course comprises 300 hours of study across 5 modules of about 60 hours each and ends with an applied project. It is taught fully online, so you can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enroll.
More programs in Shipyard and finishes
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.
- Profile: aimed at naval engineers and naval architects, shipbuilding and shipyard supervisors, quality inspectors, suppliers of materials for the marine industry, and engineering students specializing in maritime construction; a degree in civil engineering, architecture or naval engineering, or professional experience in shipbuilding or repair, together with basic knowledge of steel, concrete and composites, welding, strength of materials and the ability to read technical drawings, is helpful.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and software to view PDF documents.
- Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrollmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
Ask us before you enroll
Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.