NROTC Curriculum
In addition to the coursework required by individual degree programs, NROTC battalion members are required to complete various courses in Naval Science. All of these courses are designed to provide prospective naval officers with a fundamental understanding of the roles and missions of the modern Navy/Marine Corps team.
Naval Science courses cover a wide variety of subjects from navigation to leadership and ethics. All courses are approved university courses and are considered electives in all degree programs. The Professor of Naval Science is the Commanding Officer, who is ultimately responsible for the administration of the courses. NS courses are taught by the members of the unit staff in the Armory. Midshipmen usually take one of the following courses per semester, and not all courses are required for graduation.
NS 111 -- Introduction to Naval Science
This course introduces Midshipmen to naval service through a historical overview, general discussions of the broad concepts of seapower and studies in the organizational structure of the U.S. Navy and its major components.
NS 212 -- Sea Power and Maritime Affairs
Seminar course based on the premise that the student must develop his or her knowledge and interest in seapower and maritime affairs. This course is oriented towards the general concept of seapower, the role of various warfare components of the Navy in supporting its mission, the implementation of seapower as an instrument of national policy, and a comparative study of U.S. and Soviet naval strategies.
NS 220 -- Leadership and Management
An introduction course to the basic concepts of management and organization, their application to operations and personnel management. Practical application at laboratory reinforces traditional management principles as practiced within the Department of the Navy.
NS 230 -- Navigation
Studies and practical application of theories and principles of marine navigation including tides and currents, piloting, dead reckoning, celestial and electronic navigation, and collision avoidance (Rules of the Road). Course includes practical exercises in piloting using visual and electronic means and involves and in-depth discussion of laws that govern conduct of vessels in national/international waters.
NS 320 -- Naval Ship Systems I (Engineering)
An introduction to naval engineering with emphasis on the equipment and machinery involved in the conversion of energy for propulsion and other purposes aboard the major ship types of the U.S. fleet. Basic concepts of the theory and design of steam, gas turbine, diesel, and nuclear propulsion are discussed. Introduction to ship design, stability, hydrodynamic forces, compartmentalization, electrical and auxiliary systems are discussed.
NS 321 -- Evolution of Warfare
A study of the evolution of strategy, tactics, weapons and leadership from the earliest times to present. Also examined are the development of military policy and the impact of war on the political, social and economic structures of nations.
NS 330 -- Naval Ship Systems II (Weapons Systems)
An introductory course in the theory and principles of operation of naval weapon systems including types of weapons, fire control problems and solutions, equipment and systems capabilities and limitations, theories of target acquisition, identification and tracking, trajectory principles, and basic naval ordnance.
NS 410 -- Naval Operations and Seamanship
This course introduces Midshipmen to the naval service through a historical overview, general discussions of the broad concepts of seapower and studies in the organizational structure of the U.S. Navy and its major components. Students also study tactical naval operations, command and control, leadership, and ethical issues associated with surface naval operations.
NS 412 -- Leadership and Ethics
The Naval Science Leadership and Management II course, Leadership and Ethics, is the capstone course of the NROTC academic syllabus. It is intended to establish the ethical foundation, basic leadership tools, and knowledge of the military justice system necessary to be an effective junior officer and an outstanding leader. Additionally, the course provides an overview of naval service, legal and administrative matters and of the duties, responsibilities, and expectations of a naval service junior officer.
NS 421 -- Evolution of Amphibious Warfare
A review of the history and development of amphibious warfare, the principles and techniques of amphibious warfare and the application of these principles and techniques to selected examples from recent history.
NS 440 - Senior Naval Science Seminar
Graduating seniors examine current leadership issues in the Navy which will challenge the newly commissioned officer. Students are faced with opportunities to analyze, provide solutions, and discuss actions related to a variety of real world situations.
