Program description

Nautical operations consist of two subject areas:

• Nautical studies: this includes navigation, maneuvering and transport of floating craft, and corresponding operations. The PhD program will focus on applied research to support, improve and develop these activities
• The operational perspective: this includes strategic, tactical and operational aspects. Strategic levels include the choice of type and size of a ship fleet. Tactical aspects concern the design of individual ships and the selection of equipment and staff. The operational aspects include planning, implementation and evaluation of nautical operations

The remaining academic content is related to each area of specialization at the four partner institutions:

• Maritime organizational safety management and fire safety and evacuation research at HVL
• Maritime technology and operations at UiT
• Maritime human factors as well as maritime logistics and port operations at USN
• Maritime design and product development at NTNU

The PhD program consists of:

• The coursework component (30 ECTS). This is composed of subjects at PhD-level divided into a compulsory part (15 ECTS) and a self-chosen part (15 ECTS). The core areas of the educational component have two compulsory and eight elective subjects based on the overall profile of the study program. The core areas build on key themes of the maritime-related bachelor and master's programs at the four institutions
• The research component (150 ECTS). The dissertation is an independent research project or research and development project that shall meet international standards regarding ethical requirements, professional level and methodology in the field of nautical operations. The dissertation shall contribute to developing new academic knowledge and be at a level that indicates that it could be published internationally or otherwise published in an appropriate format as part of the research area's knowledge-based development

The program shall normally be completed within three years of full-time work, or within four years, if one year is devoted to teaching and supervision work. A different schedule might be agreed upon admission, but with a study effort of at least 50 %.

Learning outcomes

After completing the doctoral program, the candidate shall have achieved the following overall learning outcomes:

Knowledge (K1-K5)

The candidate:

• K1 is at the knowledge forefront of national and international research on nautical operations and their importance for efficiency and safety
• K2 can contribute to theory or technology development in nautical operations and generate new knowledge, methods and/or practices relevant to nautical operations
• K3 has a thorough knowledge of scientific theory that is relevant to the candidate's field of research
• K4 can assess the appropriateness of different research methodologies and methods for data generation and analysis relevant to nautical operations
• K5 has thorough knowledge of maritime stakeholders and their interrelations

Skills (F1-F4)

The candidate can:

• F1 formulate scientific research problems based on current research in order to plan and carry out research on nautical operations at an international level
• F2 carry out research on nautical operations to generate new knowledge
• F3 generate, process and analyze empirical data and present research findings in a way that qualifies for international peer-reviewed publication
• F4 identify and analyze the need for knowledge, development and change of technology, decision making processes and operational decisions

General Competence (G1-G5)

The candidate can:

• G1 identify relevant new ethical challenges and problems in one's own research and practice research with professional integrity
• G2 disseminate research and development findings via national and international publications and conference presentations
• G3 participate in professional maritime networks with other researchers, both nationally and internationally
• G4 manage complex multidisciplinary assignments and projects
• G5 contribute to creativity and innovation within one's field of research in collaboration with other stakeholders in the maritime industry.