NSI ACADEMICS

Academic Courses

Course work consists of six major areas that are equivalent to approximately 18 semester hours of college credit in Naval Science (each college/university has its own course credit policies). The academic courses at NSI will include:

(1) Introduction to Naval Science. This course is a general introduction to the military and the naval service. Instruction places particular emphasis on the officer’s perspective of the mission, organization, regulations, and warfare components of the Navy. Included is an overview of officer and enlisted rank and rating structures, career opportunities, promotion and advancement, and retirement policies. This course also covers the basic tenets of naval courtesy, customs, discipline, naval leadership, and ship nomenclature. The candidate is made cognizant of the major challenges facing today’s naval officer, including the areas of equal opportunity, fraternization, sexual harassment and drug/alcohol abuse.

(2) Sea Power and Maritime Affairs. This course
is a survey of American naval history from the American Revolution to the present. In addition, the course discusses the general concept of Sea Power, the roles of various warfare components of the U.S. Navy, and U.S. Naval Strategy.

(3) Naval Ships Systems I (Engineering). This course is designed to familiarize candidates with the types, structure, and purpose of naval ships. Ships’ propulsion systems, auxiliary power systems, interior communications, and ship control are included. Elements of ship design to achieve safe operations and ship stability characteristics are examined.

(4) Naval Ships Systems II (Weapons). This course offers an introduction to the theory and principles of the operation of naval weapons systems. The course includes coverage of types of weapons and fire control systems, radar and sonar fundamentals, theory of target acquisition, identification and tracking, trajectory principles, and basics of naval ordnance.

(5) Navigation I. This course provides an in depth study of the theory, principles, procedures and application of plotting, piloting, and navigation techniques. Students learn piloting techniques, the use of charts, visual and electronic aids, and theory of operation of magnetic/gyro compasses. Other topics include tides, currents, effects of wind/weather, voyage planning, and application and understanding of international/inland rules of navigation. The course is supplemented with review/analysis of case studies involving actual navigation.

(6) Navigation II (Seamanship and Naval Operations). Study of relative motion,vector-analysis theory, formation tactics, and ship employment. Also included is an introduction to naval operations, operations analysis, ship maneuvering characteristics, applied aspects of ship handling, communications, and command/control. This course is supplemented with a review/analysis of case studies involving moral/ethical/leadership issues pertaining to the concepts listed above.

Memorization Items. These items need to be memorized prior to your arrival at NSI Course. (Click on the links below)