Naval Science Minor

Program Overview

The Naval Science Minor at Weber State University prepares students for a career as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy or Marine Corps. The program combines classroom instruction with hands-on training in naval science, leadership, and ethics. Graduates are eligible to be commissioned as officers upon completion of the program and have a wide range of career opportunities in the military and beyond.

Program Outline

Outline:

• Program Content: The Naval Science Minor program at Weber State University prepares students for a career as a commissioned officer in the United States Navy or Marine Corps.
The program combines classroom instruction with hands-on training to provide students with a strong foundation in naval science, leadership, and ethics.
• Program Structure: The Navy Option requires the completion of 23 credit hours, while the Marine Option requires 17 credit hours.
Both options include coursework in introduction to naval science, seapower and maritime affairs, leadership and management, naval ship systems, navigation, naval operations, and leadership and ethics.
• Introduces the principles of maneuver warfare and their application to the Marine Corps.

Assessment:

The program uses a variety of assessment methods to evaluate student learning, including:

• Exams: Students are required to take exams at the end of each course to assess their understanding of the material.
• Projects: Students are assigned projects throughout the program to demonstrate their ability to apply their knowledge and skills.
• Presentations: Students are required to give presentations on their research and projects to their classmates and instructors.
• Lab reports: Students are required to write lab reports to document their work and findings in the program's laboratory courses.

Teaching:

The program is taught by a team of experienced faculty who are dedicated to providing students with a high-quality education. The faculty includes both military officers and civilian academics, who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the classroom. The program uses a variety of teaching methods, including:

• Lectures: Lectures are used to present new material and to provide an overview of the course content.
• Discussions: Discussions are used to encourage students to engage with the material and to share their thoughts and ideas.
• Simulations: Simulations are used to provide students with hands-on experience in solving problems and making decisions.
• Field trips: Field trips are used to provide students with firsthand exposure to the naval environment.

Careers:

Graduates of the Naval Science Minor program have a wide range of career opportunities in the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Graduates are eligible to be commissioned as officers in the Navy or Marine Corps upon completion of the program. Officers can serve in a variety of roles, including:

• Line Officers: Line officers command ships and lead sailors and Marines in combat operations.
• Staff Officers: Staff officers provide support to line officers in a variety of areas, such as intelligence, planning, and logistics.
• Special Warfare Officers: Special warfare officers lead and conduct special operations missions, such as counterterrorism, hostage rescue, and reconnaissance.
• Naval Aviators: Naval aviators fly fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft in support of naval operations.
In addition to the Navy and Marine Corps, graduates of the program may also pursue careers in other areas, such as:
• Government: Graduates can work for government agencies, such as the Department of Defense and the National Security Agency.
• Business: Graduates can work for businesses that support the defense industry.
• Education: Graduates can teach naval science at high schools and colleges.
• Nonprofit organizations: Graduates can work for nonprofit organizations that support veterans and military families.