OBT pertains to the seagoing service requirement for BSMT students to qualify for graduation and to be accepted by the Maritime Administration to take the assessment of competence required for certification as Officer In Charge of a Navigational Watch on seagoing ships of 500 gross tonnage (GT) or more under Regulation II/1 of the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention, 1978, as amended.

The course Collision Regulations provides an important introduction in maintaining a safe navigational watch through a comprehensive discussion of the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, (Colregs ’72) as amended. It delves into each rule of the Colregs with activities designed to synthesise learning towards the end of the course. Students are to be engaged into participative discussion and in simulated exercises to apply learning. By the end of the course, the student should be able to have a thorough knowledge of the content, application and intent of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, as amended.

The course Meteorology and Oceanography enables a prospective marine deck officer to plan and conduct a safe passage that considers the forecasted and observed weather conditions. It delves into the weather elements and systems from mesoscale to synoptic scale. It includes topics that are essential to the achievement of safe navigation at sea such as the atmosphere, atmospheric pressure, wind, visibility, ocean’s wind and pressure systems, structures of depressions, anti-cyclones, weather services for shipping, and recording/reporting weather observations, and the application of meteorological information.

Ship Construction deals with the principal structural members of a ship and the various parts. This is a fundamental course in order for a prospective marine deck officer to maintain the seaworthiness of the ship. Students are to be involved in interactive discussions as well as activities in practical identification of the parts. Students are also going to learn how to read the load lines and marks. At the end of the course, students are to be assessed using written and practical assessment in order to ensure the attainment of the expected outcomes.

Basic Seamanship is a fundamental course which enables a prospective marine deck officer to effectively control the operation of the ship and care the persons on board. It deals with the flag signalling, safe operation of deck machineries, marlinspike and the safe performance of deck maintenance. Students are to be engaged in interactive discussion and practical demonstrations and activities.

Terrestrial and Coastal Navigation 2 enables a prospective marine deck officer to plan and conduct a passage and determine the ship’s position. The course includes topics on sailings, position lines and positions. Students are expected to undergo chartwork exercises including the creation of a passage plan for a short voyage in application of the learned concepts.

Terrestrial and Coastal Navigation 1 is an introductory course in navigation. The course introduces the practical application of Geodesy in navigation and includes topics on nautical charts and publications and tides. Students of this course is also expected to do undergo practical activities and demonstrations as well as problem-based learning. By the end of the course, the students are assessed using written assessment and practical demonstrations to ensure the attainment of the required outcomes.

This course introduces the fundamentals of maritime ICT technologies and systems. It includes topics on the introduction to computer systems, computer hardware and storage devices, basic computer hardware and software servicing with troubleshooting, Software Productivity Tools, Data Communication and Computer Networks, Cyber Security and Emerging Technologies – Fourth Industrial Revolution. 

            Algebra and Trigonometry is a 3-unit basic core course subject offered to BA Economics students. This subject is designed to prepare students for calculus. The study covers topics such as polynomials, products, and factors; roots, rational exponents; rational expressions; degree and radian angle measure; right triangle; trigonometry and its applications; trigonometric functions and their inverses; and applied problem-solving. The students will be simplifying expressions involving polynomials, radicals, rational, and exponential terms using appropriate properties and rules, use the structure of a function to sketch graphs and verify trigonometric identities by algebraically manipulating expressions using fundamental trigonometric identities

            The students are encouraged to devise economic models using the different mathematical tools and techniques discussed based on firms' and consumers' behavior at the end of the course.