Majors program descriptions may be found in the course tables (matrices) of the module called Matrices - Query Major Requirements in the Midshipman Information Database System (MIDS). Majors programs are also described on the web pages of individual departments. Below are links to one page descriptions of each of the 23 majors that midshipmen may select in their fourth class year. These discuss the nature of the discipline, the structure of the major, opportunities that may be available in upper class years at the Academy, in the Naval Service or afterward, as well as the sort of considerations that prospective majors should give to a choice of this major. Many of these majors have tracks that entail more specialized study. Some majors have honors versions. Required and elective courses for these majors may be found in MIDS

Engineering & Weapons	Mathematics & Science	Humanities & Social Sciences

Descriptions of all Naval Academy courses may be found in the Course Catalog and on-line at course descriptions.
The course requirements for all midshipmen are the same in their first (fourth class or plebe) year at the Naval Academy. All of the courses taken in this year are part of the core program.

Fourth Class (Plebe Year)

Fall Semester	Spring Semester
Chemistry One of the following is required. SC111 (3-2-4). Foundations of Chemistry I. SC151 (3-2-4). Modern Chemistry.	Chemistry One of the following sequels is required. SC111 (3-2-4). Foundations of Chemistry I. SC112 (3-2-4). Foundations of Chemistry II A course to be determined with adviser.
Mathematics One of the following is required. SM005 (4-0-4). Pre-Calculus Mathematics. SM121A (4-1-4). Calculus I. SM121 (4-0-4). Calculus I. SM131 (3-0-3). Calculus I.	Mathematics One of the following sequels is required. SM121A (4-1-4). Calculus I. SM122A (4-1-4). Calculus II. SM122 (4-0-4). Calculus II. SM122 (4-0-4). Calculus II.
Cyber Security. * The following course is required. SI110 (2-2-3). Introduction to Cyber Security.	Cyber Security. * The following course is required. SI110 (2-2-3). Introduction to Cyber Security.
English One of the following is required. HE101 (3-0-3). Practical Writing. HE111 (3-0-3). Rhetoric and Introduction to Literature I.	English One of the following sequels is required. HE111 (3-0-3). Rhetoric and Introduction to Literature I. HE112 (3-0-3). Rhetoric and Introduction to Literature II.
Government. * The following course is required. FP130 (3-0-3). U.S. Gov't and Constitutional Development.	Naval History. * The following course is required. HH104 (3-0-3). American Naval Heritage.
Leadership. * The following course is required. NL110 (2-0-2). Preparing to Lead.	Leadership. * The following course is required. NL110 (2-0-2). Preparing to Lead
Seamanship. * The following course is required. NS101 (1-2-2). Introduction to Seamanship.	Seamanship. * The following course is required. NS101 (1-2-2). Introduction to Seamanship.

(The triplet of digits following the course designator indicates recitation hours per week,
laboratory hours per week, and total course credits, respectively.)

* Half of the Class takes this course in the fall and the other half takes it in the spring.

Some midshipmen, on the basis of work done elsewhere, may qualify to validate or place out of one or more of these or other, more advanced, courses. Validation credit is awarded only after a test or interview on the subject matter administered at the Naval Academy. The Naval Academy does not transfer credits from other schools.

Selection of a major takes place at the end of the plebe year. Midshipmen begin formal course work in their majors in the second (third class or youngster) year at the Academy.

The upper class years involve a mixture of core and majors courses. The core courses comprise the common center of the academic program. They provide the basis for a sound general education and strong professional development. It is the core program that allows any midshipman, regardless of major, to prepare for any warfare community in the Naval Service.

Majors programs vary somewhat from class year to the next.

UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY
OFFICE OF THE ACADEMIC DEAN AND PROVOST
121 BLAKE ROAD
ANNAPOLIS MD 21403-5000

Point of Contact: Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Last Updated: 08/01/2011
URL: http://www.usna.edu/AcDean/majors/majors.html