One of the last days of October was very a happy day among the education professionals and students at DTU Aqua – the first two masters of science from the new master education in Ocean Engineering have graduated.
At DTU Aqua, we celebrated Natalie Phillib Gadelrab and Hannah Nicky Bruno Heutz, now both Msc in Ocean Engineering, with flags, bubbles, goodies and speeches from Head of the Institute, Friedrich Wilhelm Köster and from Head of Studies, André Visser congratulating the two graduates with a bottle and flowers.
Meet Natalie Phillib Gadelrab and Hannah Nicky Bruno Heutz when they answer our questions about why they chose Msc in Ocean Engineering, how they have experienced being students at the new master education, and what their professional dreams are now they are ready for the world.
Best parts of MSc in Ocean Engineering
In general, Natalie loved her education, she tells and finds it easy to explain why she chose this path:
“The MSc in Ocean Engineering encapsulates everything I’m passionate about, from understanding wave loads on structures to assessing the environmental impact of marine construction on the ecosystem. I have developed science-based engineering skills with a sustainability-first approach, essential for a successful career as a coastal engineer.”
Hannah stresses the attractiveness of variation in studying:
“I think the most interesting part for me is the fact that you can go so broad in the program: Courses ranging from climate change and oceanography to wave hydrodynamics and offshore wind. It´s nice to have some different courses once in a while, so that you don´t study just one thing for two years in a row.”
The interdisciplinary knowledge of marine environment and offshore construction
DTU’s MSc in Ocean Engineering draws on knowledge from two different institutes, DTU Construct and DTU Aqua.
The two-year programme includes teachings in the challenges in constructing offshore installations, developing technologies for underwater observations, modelling interactions with the natural marine environment, and in evaluating the sustainability of engineering activities – according to DTU a unique set of components that are highly sought after in various marine engineering sectors.
“During one course on renewable energy back at my BA, we discussed tidal energy, hydropower and wave energy. I was intrigued. From then on I wanted to solve the wave energy issue,” says Hannah Nicky Bruno Heutz and explains:
“In Belgium, I found no relevant master programs and started googling ´Where can I study Ocean Engineering in Europe? The only options were the UK and Denmark. The choice was thus easily made.”
Natalie emphasizes the interdisciplinary aspect:
“DTU caught my attention because of the practical applicability of the courses, and the world-renowned professors. I was especially interested in the collaboration between DTU Aqua and DTU Construct. This collaboration enabled me to understand the intricacies of engineering while considering the natural and delicate environment that I am working in,” Natalie says.
Fascinated by water
Asked about the motivation for choosing the career as an ocean engineer, Hannah says:
“I guess I am lucky in that sense that I am totally fascinated by everything governing the ocean and waves. So, whatever it will be, I know it will always be something with water.”
Natalie is in the same boat when she tells about her motivation. When she was 15, her high school was teamed up with a shipyard, Derecktor, during an annual event hosted by The Marine Industries Association of South Florida. This was the first time she was introduced to ocean engineering from renewable energy, designing yachts, studying waves and coastal protection:
“From the first moment I stepped foot on the yard I asked the question: “How do I work with the water for the rest of my life?” Natalie tells.
The interdisciplinary aspect
What did the new graduates specifically appreciate about their education?
"I really liked the fact that I could write my master thesis at the Wind energy department. The freedom of basically being able to choose the department which you want to finish with is a large advantage of the study line,” says Hannah.
“I’ve really enjoyed the balance of the diverse courses and feel well prepared for my future as a coastal engineer, says Natalie and comes up with an example:
“Among my favorite courses, I was one of the first students to take a class on dynamical oceanography with Andy, deploying a CTD in the Øresund to collect climate data, evaluating the impact on the shoreline from the construction of an artificial stone reef, and my thesis where I used OpenFOAM to generate irregular waves and determine the forces on structures.”
‘Andy’ is André Visser, Head of Studies. He appreciates that Natalie was fond of collaborating with students from diverse backgrounds and thought it provided a broader perspective on the different aspects of ocean engineering.
Applying education to real-world challenges
The promising words describing career opportunities at DTU’s website have already proved to be true for Hannah and Natalie – they both have a job now in sectors related to their education. Hannah is working at ISC consultancy as an engineer within the Floating department:
“At the moment I am modelling a floating structure and performing some analysis on it,” says Hannah and explains:
“My goal has always been to find a job where I feel like I can do something – my own tiny part – for the world.”
Natalie has landed a job at the engineering consultancy organization COWI as a Coastal Engineer consultant:
“My daily responsibilities include determining extreme wave heights, calculating forces on offshore wind farms, and designing coastal structures. My tasks allow me to apply my education to real-world challenges and contribute to sustainable development of the blue economy,” says Natalie.
Dreams for the future as an ocean engineer
“My career goal is to work in the sustainable development of the blue economy, focusing on renewable energy and coastal protection. So, MSc in Ocean Engineering at DTU was the perfect progression for me,” says Natalie and goes a bit deeper:
“I seek to design solutions that not only protect human infrastructure but also preserve the delicate marine environment. For instance, designing coastal protection that safeguards keystone species or offshore wind farms that double as a habitat for marine life. I aspire to have a career that leaves a lasting impression by combining ocean engineering with environmental stewardship.”
Hannah says:
“It sounds a bit dramatic but by working in renewables I hope to be a small piece of the large green transition.”
Both Natalie and Hannah have followed another master education before they finally switched over to Msc in Ocean Eninnering. This is the reason why only the two of them and not a complete group of master students have graduated at the same time. The students who have started right from the start will graduate in the summer of 2025.
Learn more about Msc in Ocean Engineering
