Naval Science, BNS

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Naval Science (BNS) degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is a five-year program that can be earned concurrently with a B.S. degree in engineering. The program prepares students for careers as officers in the Navy or Marine Corps, providing them with the necessary knowledge, skills, and leadership training. Graduates may also pursue careers in related fields such as government, law enforcement, or business. The program includes required courses in Naval Science, English, American Military History or National Security Policy, calculus, physics, and World Culture and Regional Studies.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Bachelor of Naval Science (BNS) degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is not a stand-alone degree. It is offered through the College of Engineering, which recommends candidates for the degree. The BNS degree can be earned concurrently with a B.S. degree in engineering, typically requiring five years of study. Engineering students in the ROTC program may require four and a half to five years to complete both degree and commissioning requirements. Objectives:

• Understand and apply the fundamentals and principles of Naval Science
• Understand and apply Naval Science professional knowledge and core competencies
• Be prepared to perform successfully in the technical and critical reasoning requirements of their careers and pursue continuing education in a field of application within the Naval Service
• Understand and demonstrate a strong sense of personal integrity, honor, and individual responsibility and associated ethical leadership required of military officers

Outline:

Required Courses:

• Naval Laboratory (1 cr each): 8-10
• Introduction to Naval Science (2 credits)
• Seapower-Maritime Affairs (2 credits)
• Naval Leadership and Management (3 credits)
• Naval Leadership and Ethics (3 credits)
• Six credits of English (writing-intensive, focusing on grammar and composition)
• Three credits of American Military History or National Security Policy
• Navy-Option Track:
• Navigation (3 credits)
• Naval Engineering (3 credits)
• Naval Weapons (3 credits)
• Naval Operations (3 credits)
• Marine Corps-Option Track:
• Fundamentals of Maneuver Warfare (3 credits)
• Land Campaigns (3 credits)
• Six credits of calculus (first- and second-semester course)
• Six credits of calculus-based physics (first- and second-semester course)
• Three credits of World Culture and Regional Studies (must have an emphasis on regions encompassed by Sub-Sahara Africa, North Africa, Central Asia, East Asia, South Asia, Southwest Asia, Southeast Asia, Central America, Middle East, or Russia/Eastern Europe)

Sample Four Year Plans:

The four-year plans provided are designed to help students integrate their BNS degree requirements with their undergraduate College of Engineering major plan. The plans are as follows:

Navy Scholarship/College Program:

First Year:

• Fall:
• Calculus 1/Math 13-5 (3-5 credits)
• English 1 (3 credits)
• Spring:
• Calculus 2/Math 23-5 (3-5 credits)
• English 2 (3 credits)
• HISTORY 428 (3-4 credits)

Second Year:

• Fall:
• Physics 1/Physical Science 1 (3-5 credits)
• Spring:
• Physics 2/Physical Science 2 (3-5 credits)

Third Year:

• Fall:
• World Culture (3 credits)
• Spring:
• Amer Mil History/National Security Policy (3 credits)

Fourth Year:

• Fall:
• Spring:

Marine Scholarship/College Program:

First Year:

• Fall:
• English 1 (3 credits)
• HISTORY 428 (3-4 credits)
• Spring:
• English 2 (3 credits)

Second Year:

• Fall:
• Spring:

Third Year:

• Fall:
• Amer Mil History/National Security Policy (3 credits)
• Spring:

Fourth Year:

• Fall:
• Spring:

Careers:

Students who complete the BNS degree are prepared for careers as officers in the Navy or Marine Corps. The program provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and leadership training for a successful career in the military. Graduates may also pursue careers in related fields such as government, law enforcement, or business.