Archimede Mulas MEng Ship Science

Current student

Whether working in Boldrewood’s design studio or undertaking experiments in the new state-of-the-art towing tank, the University of Southampton motivates its students to push boundaries.

What made you choose to come and study at Southampton?

I am a very ambitious student, and have always looked for a challenge. The MEng Ship Science course taught at the University of Southampton offered the challenges of an engineering degree coupled with the theoretical and practical applications of ships and yachts.

What is it like studying here?

To study Ship Science at the University of Southampton is a significant opportunity. The course is stimulating and advanced. The material taught is not easy, but it is gratifying when you complete a project or simply understand the next step. The lecturers are leading experts in their field, ranging from fluid structures interactions, hydro-elasticity and seakeeping.

At the start of our first year we are assigned a lecturer as a personal tutor. Throughout your degree they take time to advise you on module choices, employment or day-to-day queries.

The University also provides powerful software to assess the hydro-static and hydro-dynamic particulars of a ship or a yacht, as well as computational fluid dynamic (CFD) and finite element analysis (FEA) programs to assess a vessel’s performance. These are tools which enhance your learning and understanding, and are only possible because of the University’s connections with industry.

How do you rate study facilities at the University, such as the Library? Have you found the Library, its content and the study spaces available within it useful?

Ship Science has recently moved to the new Boldrewood Innovation Campus. This new facility has set a very high standard for other universities to meet in order to create a proficient learning and research environment.

Whether working in Boldrewood’s design studio or undertaking experiments in the new state-of-the-art towing tank, the University of Southampton motivates its students to push boundaries.

What have been your Southampton ‘highlights’ (best experiences) so far?

The best highlights of my time at the University of Southampton come from experiences with the friends I have made during the four years. The Ship Science course combines students from different backgrounds, with different passions and different curiosities. I have become friends with professional sailors from different countries, and friends who have never sailed before. In addition to peers who have studied with me since first year, Erasmus and MSc students have joined us for one or two semesters.

The University of Southampton also gives space and support for societies for everyone’s taste. I have been part of sports, language and cultural societies.

What other activities have you taken advantage of while at University?

The MEng Ship Science course offered the possibility of undertaking a Semester Abroad at Webb Institute of Naval Architects in New York, USA. The Webb Institute is a private university and the oldest school devoted to naval architecture and marine engineering in the United States. The courses I undertook corresponded to what I would have studied in Southampton and it allowed me experience a different approach to naval architecture. This was an experience which I would recommend to every Ship Science student.

Have you had any exposure to employer involvement or research-led learning during your course? How did this help you grow academically or personally?

The Ship Science course has very strong relationships with industry, which are beneficial for us students and the companies. RINA (The Royal Institution of Naval Architects) and BMT Nigel Gee sponsor an award for a concept design project which we undertake in our third year. Lloyd's Register is also very present during our ship design lectures.

I have had the chance to work as a research intern with Lloyd’s Register in collaboration with the University of Southampton. The research project consisted of re-analysing the Costa Concordia incident from a design approach to assess how the human element is considered in ships. A colleague and I were then invited to present our paper at an international conference in Australia, all funded by the University.

What are you enjoying most about your course?

The thing I enjoy the most about my course is the support for research during the individual project in our third year and the group design project in our fourth year. Our professors’ availability and insights are the founding pillars for our course. My individual project has allowed me to develop a tool to model the maximum capacity of container seaports, whereas for my group project we are designing an LNG feeder vessel and developing a distribution network. Other projects undertaken by my peers have been more or less theoretical, but have allowed each student to achieve their goals and be proud of it.

Do you have the opportunity to study modules outside of your core subject area, and how do you think they are adding to your experience / will affect your future plans?

As part of the Ship Science course I have had the opportunity to learn Mandarin as an optional module. The benefits of learning an additional language are numerous. Having been given the opportunity to do this while also studying advanced resistance and propulsion and designing ships has allowed me to make the most of my time at university.

What networking, employment and work experience opportunities have you undertaken and how have they enhanced your undergraduate experience?

As part of my degree I have undertaken several work experiences in order to appreciate the value of what we have been taught and how it is applied in practice. During my second year I worked part time for a yacht shipping company based in Southampton. In addition to the summer internship with Lloyd's Register in the UK I have also undertaken an internship with an offshore ship management company in Geneva, Switzerland.

The University of Southampton also provides the chance to become a student member of RINA, which organises conferences and dinners which are valuable for networking and gaining knowledge from industry.

Do you have any idea of what you would like to do in the future? Have the opportunities you have taken up while at the University helped you have a clearer idea of what you might like to do?

It is hard to have a clear idea of what I would like to do in the future. I am very passionate about global trade and maritime logistics and will want to work for the maritime industry. I would not be dissatisfied with a career in designing ships. In the future I will most likely return to studying, either for an MBA or a PhD.

Did you stay in University accommodation? What were your halls of residence like in terms of facilities?

I lived in the Glen Eyre complex which is vibrant, with a wide range of students, its own bar and sport facilities. At first adapting to halls was hard, but you quickly get to meet fellow students who are in the same boat. I have made good friends with my flat mates and have lots of great stories.

Do you like living in Southampton? What are the benefits of Southampton as a city?

Southampton is a university city with a growing business centre and home to a major UK port. The Unilink buses easily connect the University with the city centre, the university accommodations and the international airport. I have had a foldable bike throughout my time in Southampton which has allowed me to easily get around and also cycle to Hamble to sail during the weekends.