Aerospace Engineering
EA486A Aerospace Thermal Systems (3-0-3).
One of the significant design challenges for all aerospace vehicles is thermal
protection of vital systems.
Thermal management systems include electronics cooling of avionics in aircraft
and spacecraft, protection of propulsion components from combustions gases and
protection of hypersonic and space vehicles from the external environment. The
course will initially emphasize heat transfer theory including modes of heat
transfer, thermal management techniques and components as well as computational
methods. Once necessary theoretical elements are introduced the course will
emphasize projects relevant to the respective disciplines and student interest.
Examples include spacecraft thermal control modeling using analytical and
numerical techniques, nozzle cooling using passive and active techniques and
avionics (spacecraft and aircraft) thermal management components such as heat
pipes, loop and pumped fluid loops. Preq: EM319 and EA305/EA332.
EA486D Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation, and Control
(3-0-3). This course introduces the students to basic estimation
techniques. The course includes a review of attitude parameterizations and
attitude kinematics/dynamics and sensor models, an overview of basic probability
concepts, the development of estimation methods including Kalman Filters, and
discussions of the relationship between estimation and control. Basic principles
in position estimation will also be introduced. Preq: EA364.
EA486G Recent Advances in the Detection of
Gravitational Radiation (3-0-3). Since 1917 it has been expected that
there are gravitational waves. Though these are not possible in Newtonian
gravitational theory, they are an essential part of most metric theories. Within
the last decade several detector systems of different types have been designed
and in many cases deployed, in the attempt at the first detection of these
waves. Analogous to electromagnetic waves, gravitational waves are changes in
spacetime that propagate at the speed of light. This course will cover the idea
of such waves as well as the experiments that have been and are being done to
find them, including updating of the most recent results. Prereq: SM212.
EA486L Advanced Wind Tunnel Techniques Laboratory
(1-4-3). This will be a semester-long,
team-based wind tunnel research effort similar to the final midshipman-conceived
projects of EA303. The focus of this course is to pursue advanced experimental
techniques in the context of an applied aerodynamics research project. Specific
technical tasks may involve flowfield mapping using stereoscopic particle image
velocimetry (PIV), near-infrared imaging of boundary layer transition lines,
flow visualization techniques, statistical data processing techniques, digital
image analysis, and uncertainty analysis. The scope of the research projects
will be suitable for presentation at student research conferences. Prereq:
EA303.
Electrical and Computer Engineering
EE486E Advanced Technology (3-0-3). This course explores the fundamental advances in science, engineering, and technology that underpin the equipment, operations, and tactics employed by the defense community. Topics to be explored include: advanced missiles, radar, sonar, lasers, optical communications, advanced materials and structures, alternate energy, and space satellites. A key component of the course is an integral seminar, featuring internal and external subject matter experts, which will introduce the student to the advances in science, technology, and applications in areas complementary to course core content. Preq: 3/c, 2/c, or 1/c standing.
EM486A Computational Fluid Mechanics (3-0-3).
An introduction to computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and computational
aerodynamics. Review of Navier-Stokes equations for incompressible and
compressible flows. Includes use of commercial and locally generated CFD codes.
Also offered as EA428. Prereq: 1/C Engineering major or approval of department
chair.
EM486H Solar Engineering (3-0-3). An
introduction to solar energy conversion and utilization. Topics covered include
solar radiation, flat plate collectors, concentrating collectors, energy
storage, active and passive solar heating, solar cooling, photovoltaic
converters and wind energy. Prereq: 1/C Engineering major or approval of
department chair.
EM486J Directed Energy: Naval Applications of Lasers
(3-0-3). Directed Energy is a potential “game changer” of modern
naval warfare that will dramatically increase U.S. capability while decreasing
the risk of collateral damage. This course will provide students an introduction
to the use and control of Directed Energy Systems. Topics covered include
Propagation of Directed Energy, Atmospheric Effects and Modeling and Simulation
of a Directed Energy Beam. In addition, an overview of the technology and
analysis needed to understand and design the beam control systems that
accomplish acquisition, tracking, and pointing will be discussed. Guest speakers
who are experts in these fields will complement the lecture series. Prereq:
SM212 and SP212.
EM486K Wind and Current Energy (3-0-3). This
course will cover the basics of wind turbine technology including the design of
wind turbines, analysis of wind regimes and wind energy conversion systems.
Land-based and offshore turbines will be discussed as well as emerging turbine
systems using water currents. The course will include an experimental project
that will be tested in a wind or water tunnel. The economics and policies
involved in implementing this type of renewable energy will also be studied.
Prereq: 1/C Engineering major or approval of department chair.
Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
EN486D Marine Aquaculture Engineering (2-2-3).
This course covers the engineering and technological components of cultivating
marine organisms (fish, mollusks, crustaceans, and aquatic plants) primarily for
human consumption. An international perspective is taken. Prereq: 1/C ENA or
EOE major, or approval of department chair.
EN486M Propulsion and Ship Systems (3-0-3).
The goal of this course is to enhance the students’ understanding of how
selected shipboard machinery systems impact the ship design process and the
resulting ship. The characteristics of common machinery and distributive systems
will be discussed along with design integration. The selection of specific
shipboard components, satisfying appropriate requirements and constraints, will
be undertaken through a series of simple design and lab exercises. Prereq: 1/C
Engineering Major or approval of department chair.
Weapons and Systems Engineering
ES486F Robotic Algorithms for the Real-world (1-4-3). This lab based course is a hands-on introduction to the algorithms and representations used by mobile robots to robustly navigate in unstructured (real-world) environments. Topics include localization using landmarks, map making, obstacle avoidance, and path planning. Using iRobot Creates with mounted laser range scanners, students will teach the robots how to solve mazes, construct maps, and safely avoid obstacles. 2/C participation is encouraged. Spring 2009-2010 Prereq: ES201 or SI283 or SI204; and SM316 or equivalent exposure to probability.
Language Studies
FA486A Arabic Political Discourse (3-0-3).
This course will present an overview of the various Arab political movements in
the 20th and 21st centuries: the Muslim Brotherhood founded by Hassan al-Banna
in the early 20th century; the rise of Gamal abdel Nasser in 1954 and the Pan-Arabist
discourse inspired by social reformism in the context of Socialism; the modern
conception of Arab nationalism and its relationship with Islam (Michel Aflaq and
the founding of the Party of Resurrection (al-ba’th al-Arabi) in 1940; the
resurgence of Islamic fundamentalism beginning in the 1970s; the critical
political thinking of modern Arab thinkers in the diaspora such as Edward Said,
Elias Khoury, Adonis. Students will undertake guided research using sources in
Arabic and English. Prereq: FA302.
FA486B Arabic Folk Literature and Culture (3-0-3).
This course will sample the genres and styles of folk verbal art from across the
Arab world, including texts in both FuSHa and dialect, poetry, song, shadow
plays, oral saga, and 1001 Nights, imaginary tales, and religious anecdotes,
maqaamaat, and saints’ lives. There will be an emphasis on exploring the
cultural traditions, behaviors and moral attitudes presented in these texts, in
addition to the honing of all linguistic skills in reading, writing, listening,
and oral presentation and recitation. Prereq: FA202.
FA486E Palestinian Literature and Film (3-0-3).
This course presents modern Arabic primary materials in English translation to
make a rich Arabic cultural tradition available to a wider audience in the
Academy community. It explores modern and contemporary Palestinian literature
and film, examining experiences of Palestinians in their historical context.
These works include poetry, novels, and films, examining Palestinian experiences
before the establishment of Israel, and then those related to each of the stages
of the wars and occupation, as well as refugee experiences in surrounding Arab
lands, the literature of the larger Palestinian diaspora, and the literature and
film art of Israeli Palestinians. Some of the major figures whose work will be
included in this course are Ghasaan Kanafani, Mahmoud Darwish, Fedwa Touqan,
Sahar Khalifah, Samih al-Qasim, Emile Habibi, Anton Shammas, and Edward Said.
Several films by Palestinians will provide important content. This course counts
as an Arabic major elective or as a humanities-social science or free elective
credit for all other majors. Students who took Iraqi Literature and Film two
years ago may repeat this course for credit. Prereq: HE112.
FL286 Language Contact and Conflict (3-0-3).
This interdisciplinary course examines the process of language contact in the
modern world, assessing the role language issues play in social, political, and
military conflict. The course is divided into two parts. The first six weeks of
the course is devoted to an introduction to the interrelationship of language
and society and the dynamics of language contact. The second part of the course
will focus on language policy and planning. Introduction to policy issues will
be followed by case studies. Students will examine and critique how policy
makers in specific regions have attempted to resolve language issues in
multilingual states. Prereq: HE111.
English
HE360 Tolkien and Lewis (3-0-3). [LCDR
Crane] This course offers a survey of the fiction, poetry, and literary
theory/criticism from the early-twentieth-century British writers J.R.R. Tolkien
and C. S. Lewis, who, along with several other Oxford University academics and
writers, formed a group called the Inklings in the 1930's and 40's. We will
examine these works in the contexts of Tolkien's and Lewis's fields of expertise
(medieval and renaissance literature), the mainstream modernist literature with
which they were contemporary, and the political and cultural changes of the
early-twentieth century. The course will also examine their popularity with many
diverse readers, their rejection by many critics, their contribution to the
fantasy and science fiction genres, and some of the recent film adaptations of
their work. In addition, the course will cover the friendship between these two
writers and how various facets of their works were influenced by that friendship
and other members of the Inklings. Prereq: HE111 and HE112.
HE463 A Century of Irish Poetry (3-0-3).
[Professor Cone] W.B. Yeats famously wrote that “We make out of the quarrel with
others, rhetoric, but of the quarrel with ourselves, poetry.” Ironically, notes
critic Patrick Crotty, much of Irish writing in this century can be seen as a
“quarrel” with the “overbearing example of Yeats,” though this poetry also
reaffirms the long shadow Yeats cast. This course will examine the rich range of
Irish poetry in the 20th century, starting with Yeats, continuing with the
post-war poets Austin Clarke, Patrick Kavanagh, and Louis MacNeice, and
concluding with such contemporary poets as Seamus Heaney, Thomas Kinsella,
Michael Longley, John Montague, Paul Muldoon, Ciaran Carson, Eavan Boland, Medbh
McGuckian, Tom Paulin, Nuala Ni Dhomnaill, Paula Meehan, Vona Groarke, and Conor
O’Callaghan. Given that writing and politics have been and still are closely and
explicitly intertwined in Ireland, we will look not only at the literary and
political responses to Ireland's history of British colonial rule, but also at
the challenges to the politics of the Irish State articulated by contemporary
writers. No prior knowledge of Irish history is expected, though readings on
Irish history and society will be included in the assigned readings. Frequent
close readings of poems, as well as consideration of the literary tradition
established by these poets, will serve as an avenue into the historical contexts
of Irish cultural life. Prereq: one 300-level English course and permission of
the department chair.
HE467 Post-War American Drama (3-0-3).
[Professor Shaffer] The end of the Second World War revolutionized the American
theatre, bringing forth whole new generations of artists determined to capture
American life in all its diversity on the stage, often by giving voice to
previously overlooked groups of Americans. At the same time, American
playwrights began to break out of the cage of realism to produce plays that were
(and are) as boldly experimental as anything produced by the European avant
garde in the twentieth century. This course will begin with three major voices
of postwar realism: Eugene O’Neill, Arthur Miller, and Tennessee Williams. It
will then trace the formal and demographic evolution of postwar American drama
by examining works by playwrights such as Edward Albee, August Wilson, Tony
Kushner, and Susan-Lori Parks. Prereq: one 300-level English course and
permission of the department chair.
HE504 Honors Seminar: Hemingway in the Twenty-First
Century (3-0-3). [Professor Nolan] The course will examine
Hemingway’s major works and themes, his considerable literary talent (with
special focus on his style—its roots and impact), and his position in modern
American literature. Readings will of course, include the famous novels—The
Sun Also Rises, A Farewell to Arms, For Whom the Bell Tolls,
The Old Man and the Sea—but students will also study the short stories,
including newly discovered ones, nonfiction prose, and other works that comprise
the Hemingway canon. In exploring the diversity of Hemingway’s art, students
will move chronologically, tracing Hemingway's development, his changing themes,
and his artistic response to social events. In addition, because it is important
to understand Hemingway the man and the milieu in which he lived, students will
also read around in the plethora of biographies (a few of the multi-volume) and
will explore some cultural history. Selected criticism will, of course, provide
a background for further literary analysis. Prereq: 1/C Honors English majors or
by permission of the department chair; Coreq: HE522.
HE522 Honors Supplement II (1-0-1).
[Professor Nolan] Focused study of a topic generated in HE504. Prereq: None;
Coreq: HE504.
Leadership, Ethics and Law
NP286 Ethics in Everyday Life (3-0-3).
[Dr. L. Lengbeyer] This course will inspire students to develop a habit of, and
skill in, examining the ethical aspects of their everyday lives. You will have
the opportunity to come up with your own theories, and to develop and articulate
careful defenses of them. Counts for 200-level HUM/SS elective. Prereq: none.
NP486 Ethics of Emerging Military Technologies (3-0-3).
[Dr. E.T. Barrett] This course will examine the potential ethical
ramifications—positive and negative—of emerging military technologies. Topics to
be explored include: normative traditions evaluating the use of force, including
recent developments within just war theory; ethically-significant technological
innovations of the past; the ethical ramifications of emerging military
technologies such as non-lethal weapons, robotics, nanotechnology,
neurological/cognitive science, genetics, and information/communications
systems; and critical frameworks for evaluating the relationship between ethics
and technology. Counts for upper level humanities-social science credit. Prereq:
1/c standing.
NL486 Change Management (3-0-3). [Dr. J.J.
Wilson] The primary goal of “Change Management” is to explore the theories,
practices, tools and techniques for managing change in any organizational
environment. Students will develop a working knowledge and a set of skills that
will assist future Navy officers to successfully implement change in a variety
of military organizational environments. Students will learn and utilize the
case study method to practice analytical and leadership skills such as:
understanding the nature of planned change, contracting with the customer,
diagnosing organizational groups and jobs, analyzing data and other relevant
diagnostic information, and leading and managing both small and large change
initiatives. Counts for upper level humanities-social science credit. Prereq:
1/C standing.
NL486A Combating Terrorism: Laws in an Asymmetrical
Fight (3-0-3). [Capt Joshua Girton, USMC] This course will explore
the origins, structure, and function of the spectrum of laws influencing
terrorism and counterterrorist operations both domestically and abroad. Topics
addressed will include a definitional understanding of terrorism and relevant
case studies, justification for anticipatory self-defense, targeting criteria on
the battlefield, detainees’ rights and criminal prosecution responses,
permissible interrogation techniques, domestic, martial and national security
law, and potential civil litigation responses to terrorism. Counts for upper
level humanities-social science credit. Prereq: 1/C standing.
Computer Science and Information Technology
IT486A Computer Forensics (3-0-3). This
course introduces the student to the field of digital forensics and focuses on
current policy issues and applied technologies. Topics covered include: legal
and regulatory issues, investigation techniques, data analysis methods, networks
as a source of evidence, live memory analysis, and incident response procedures
for the Windows and UNIX systems. Prereq: IC322 or EE464 or permission of
Department Chair.
SI286A Fundamentals of Cyber Security (3-2-4).
This is a hands-on lab course providing an introduction to the principles behind
the use, function, and operation of computers,
networks and applications in a cyber warfare environment. Topics include basic
computer programming, computer networking, database fundamentals, web
development, information assurance, network security, defense against hackers
and offensive cyber operations. This course prepares junior officers for a
leading role in cyber security within the Fleet and Marine Corps. No prior
knowledge of computer programming or networks is required. Prereq: None.
SI486H Cryptography and Network Security (2-2-3).
This course provides an introduction to the theoretical and practical facets of
cryptography and network security. Topics include symmetric transposition and
substitution ciphers, Data Encryption Standard (DES), Advanced Encryption
Standard (AES), Diffie-Hellman-Merkle key exchange, Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA)
algorithm for public key cryptography, key management, Public Key
Infrastructure, digital signature, authentication and nonrepudiation, hashing
and integrity. Applications to electronic mail, IP and web. Prereq: IC322 or
EE464 or permission of Department Chair.
Mathematics
SM286 Differential Equations with Quantum Mechanics
(4-0-4). This course is designed for chemistry majors and provides
the mathematical tools and techniques to solve differential equations with
examples drawn from quantum
mechanics. The student will be introduced to linear and simultaneous
differential equations, solution by power series, partial differential
equations, and Fourier series. Throughout the course solutions to classic
problems in quantum mechanics such as particle-in-box, the harmonic oscillator,
and the rigid rotor are explored. The course provides a thorough foundation in
differential equations while preparing chemistry majors for subsequent courses
in physical chemistry and quantum theory. The course may be taken to fulfill the
SM212 math requirement. Preq: 3/C SCH major and SM221 or SM223.
Oceanography
SO482A - Historic shipwrecks: Science, History, and Engineering (1-0-1). Web-based course showing how history, science, and engineering can be used together to search for historic ship wrecks from the Age of Sail. John Paul Jones’ ship the Bonhomme Richard serves as the case study, but the course stresses general principles and concepts with broad applicability. We will discuss ship construction and naval tactics of the era, and the historical record of the battle between Bonhomme Richard and Serapis. Those facts will be integrated to suggest how the wreck might look today. The course also introduces scientific models for the tides and ships drifting in the North Sea, as well as principles of geographical information systems, and the creation of map databases to display historic data and search results. We will consider engineering principles of sensor design and employment, and how such historic vessels might be recovered from the marine environment. Four evening guest lectures will complement the self-paced, web-based weekly lessons. Some students may be selected to participate on a spring-break trip to Europe to explore naval museums and historic ships. Prereq: None.
Physics
SP286 Introduction to Space Science (3-0-3).
A survey of current issues and applications of space science to include: A brief
history of spaceflight, principles of propulsion and orbits, the space
environment, satellites, remote sensing, astronomy from space, the Space Shuttle
and the Constellation Program, living and working in space, and the future of
mankind's presence in space. Coreq: SP211.
SP482 Science of Music & Sound (1-0-1). This
seminar will focus on the technical aspects of music and sound. Topics will
start with a review of basic definitions of waves and oscillations, followed by
an in-depth look at sound generation on strings and pipes. Modes of plates and
volumes will be discussed as a prelude to putting all the elements together to
form musical instruments. The relationship between a source, medium and detector
responses will complete the picture as to what exactly is being heard when we
perceive sound. A mathematical discussion about the nature of music and its
relationship to harmonies will lead to a closing discussion about music theory.
This course has a lab component which is held 7th period as it will involve
making loud sounds. Prereq: none.
SP482A Energy Issues in the 21st Century (1-0-1).
Fossil fuels are running out. What are we going to do about it? Students will
consider potential solutions, make appropriate calculations, discuss their
results in a weekly seminar, and write a report summarizing their findings.
Prereq: SP212.
SP482B Geometrical Math Methods: Eigenstates via Pictures (1-0-1).
The 2-level spin-1/2 system, the lowest dimension Hilbert space, has a simple
three-dimensional geometrical representation which yields considerable insight
into operators, transforms, eigenstates, and dynamics. We will draw parallels to
standard vector concepts to develop physical intuition and introduce vector
space notations. Prereq: 2/C standing in Physics, Math, or EE.
SP482D Intro to Mathematica 7 for Scientists and
Techies (1-0-1). A workshop-based introduction to Mathematica 7,
developing skills in syntax, plotting, symbolic manipulation, graphics, animated
output, and programming. Hands-on projects will draw from examples motivated by
student needs in other courses. Prereq: SP211.
SP486 Introduction to General Relativity (3-0-3).
A working knowledge of General Relativity is introduced, including the tools and
problem-solving techniques needed for competence and understanding of the
literature. The student will thereby acquire a broader physics perspective.
Prereq: SP333, SP342, and SP352.