Naval Science (N S)

Naval science courses are primarily for those students in the NROTC program. However, other university students may also enroll in naval science courses.

Paul L. Ladd, Chair of Department  
Professors: Ladd  
Instructors (Adjunct): Ukeiley, Racciato, Wiederholt, Amann

The function of the Navy and Marine Corps officer education program is to provide, by a permanent system of education in essential naval science and other academic subjects at civil education institutions, a source from which qualified officers may be available for the Navy and the Marine Corps and their reserve components.

Students who enter the Navy and Marine Corps officer education program may apply for either of two programs: the NROTC scholarship program (full scholarship which includes books, tuition, laboratory fees, uniforms, and $200 per month), or the college program (nonscholarship, limited financial assistance). Applicants for the scholarship program are selected through comprehensive nationwide competitive procedures. Applicants for the college program are selected by the Professor of Naval Science from among students already in attendance at or selected for admission by the university. This program involves financial assistance of $1,500 for each of the last two academic years. NROTC students pursue their studies like other students except that they meet certain requirements that will prepare them to serve as naval officers after graduation. A scholarship program student incurs a minimum 4-year active duty military obligation as a commissioned officer after graduation; a college program student incurs a 3-year active duty obligation. If a scholarship student fails to earn a degree, or if a commission is not tendered (for other than physical reasons), the student may incur a 2-year obligation in an enlisted grade or may be required to reimburse the government for scholarship costs. This obligation is not incurred during the freshman year. Information is available from the Professor of Naval Science, Iowa State University.

While in the program, students will participate in summer at-sea training cruises with pay. Students are also exposed to regular and extracurricular activities that teach leadership principles and help them decide which field of the Navy or Marine Corps they wish to enter. These activities include a weekly leadership laboratory, three cruises for scholarship and one for nonscholarship students and several student societies.

Undergraduate Study

Naval science courses are primarily for those students in the NROTC program. However, other university students may also enroll in naval science courses.

All students enrolled in the NROTC program must fulfill the following requirements:

1. N S 111, 210, 211, 212, 311, 312, 411, 412. Marine option students will substitute N S 321 and 421 for the 300 and 400 series listed above. Hist 389 may be substituted for N S 212. Mgmt 370 may be substituted for N S 411.

2. All NROTC students must complete one course in American military history or national security policy. A computer science course is required of all Navy-option students.

3. All Navy option scholarship students must successfully complete Math 165 and 166, Math 165 and 176, or Math 181 and 182 by the end of the sophomore year; Phys 221 and 222, or Phys 111 and 112 by the end of the junior year.

4. In addition to the normal naval science courses, all NROTC students are required to participate in laboratory periods that supplement the various academic courses; emphasize human relations principles; teach basic military formations, movements, commands, courtesies, and honors; and provide practice in unit leadership.

5. Navy option scholarship students are encouraged to major in engineering and physical sciences to meet the technological requirements of the modern Navy; however Navy-option students and Marine Corps option students may pursue any major leading to a bachelor’s degree.

6. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers a minor in military studies. Requirements for the minor include taking a minimum of 15 credit hours of ROTC instruction, which may be taken from one or a number of the ROTC programs. At least 6 credit hours must be in courses numbered 300 or above.

For basic undergraduate curriculum requirements, see Liberal Arts and Sciences, Curriculum; or Engineering, Curricula.

Courses Primarily for Undergraduate Students

N S 111. Introduction to Naval Science
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Introduction to the organization, regulations, and capabilities of the Navy, with emphasis on mission and principal warfare components.

N S 210. Naval Ship Systems I (Engineering)
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. 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. Introduction to ship design, stability, hydrodynamic forces, compartmentation, electrical and auxiliary systems, damage control.

N S 211. Naval Ship Systems II (Weapons)
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Introduction to the theory and principles of operation of naval weapon systems. Includes coverage of types of weapons and fire control systems, capabilities and limitations; theory of target acquisition, identification and tracking; basics of Naval Ordnance.

N S 212. Seapower and Maritime Affairs
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Development of concept of seapower including the Merchant Marine; role of various warfare components of the Navy in supporting the Navy’s mission; implementation of seapower as an instrument of national policy; a comparative study of U.S. and Soviet naval strategies.

N S 311. Navigation and Naval Operations I
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Study of the fundamentals of marine navigation used by ships at sea; includes practical exercises in piloting using visual and electronic means. In-depth discussion of laws that govern conduct of vessels in national/international waters. Course is supplemented with review/analysis of case studies involving actual navigation incidents.

N S 312. Navigation and Naval Operations II
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Study of tactical naval operations; employs practical use of maneuvering boards together with shiphandling principles to arrive at tactical shipboard maneuvering solutions for single ship and formation operations. Study also of command and control, leadership, and ethics issues associated with surface naval operations.

N S 321. Evolution of Warfare
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2001. Evolution of warfare from 3500 B.C. to contemporary times; analysis of the impact of historical precedents on modern military thought and action; emphasis on the historical development of military tactics, strategy, and technology.

N S 411. Leadership and Management I
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Experiential approach to learning the principles of leadership and management by examining business management theories and their applications. Skills are developed in the areas of communication, counseling, control, direction, management, and leadership through active guided participation.

N S 412. Leadership and Management II
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Junior classification. Basic background concerning the duties and responsibilities of the junior naval officer and division officer in the areas of integrity and ethics, human resources management, personnel management, material management, and the administration of discipline. Preparation for responsibilities encountered immediately upon commissioning.

N S 421. Evolution of Amphibious Warfare
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2002. Defines the concept of amphibious operations, origins, development from 600 B.C.

N S 440. Senior Naval Science Seminar
(1-0) Cr. 1. F.S. Current leadership issues in the Navy which will challenge the newly commissioned officer. Opportunities to analyze, provide solutions, and discuss actions related to a variety of real world situations.

N S 490. Independent Study
Cr. 1 to 3 each time taken. Prereq: Senior classification, 6 credits in naval science. No more than 9 credits of N S 490 may be counted toward graduation.