Winter Work Term
Every January and February, Webb students work in the marine industry. They’re paid for their efforts, and each student must present a technical report on their work. This makes Webb Institute the only private college of naval architecture that provides a salaried work experience during each of the four years of study.

It’s a great experience. Students see the practical side of classroom studies, handle the hardware of the profession, and apply the theory learned in class. Typically, freshmen work as helper mechanics in a shipyard; sophomores work as student/observers in the engine room of a ship; juniors and seniors work in a design office as draftsmen or junior engineers the third and fourth years. Among the jobs students have had recently: naval architect at Computer Sciences Corporation in Arlington, Va., and yacht designer at C.W. Paine Yacht Design in Camden, Maine.

The Institute helps students to secure positions, and the wages easily cover expenses. Rooms are usually located through the company employment departments.

Senior Seminar
Bringing it all together is the Senior Seminar, which is conducted during the final semester. The seminar focuses on human factors, business considerations, management techniques, and analytical concepts that they may expect to encounter after graduation. Seminar leaders are drawn from the Webb staff and from business and industry. Subjects range from labor-management relations to systems engineering. Content will vary from year to year dependent both on student interests and on developments in the area covered.

Senior Thesis
In order to graduate, every senior must write a thesis related to the field of Naval Architecture or Marine Engineering. Working under the special direction of a member of the faculty, seniors have generated theses on topics as wide ranging as "The Comprehensive Design of an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle" and "Aerodynamic Comparison of a Chinese Junk Rig and A Western Leg-of-Mutton Sail."