Applied Physics of Combat Systems - Curriculum 533

Combat Systems Web Page:

https://www.nps.edu/web/physics

Program Officer

CDR Pamela Tellado

Spanagel Hall, Room 304

(831) 656-2045, DSN 756-2045

pamela.tellado@nps.edu

Associate Chairman, Instruction and Administration

Christopher Smithtro, Ph.D.

Code PH/Sc, Spanagel Hall, Room 206A

(831) 656-3939, DSN 756-3939

cgsmitht@nps.edu

Brief Overview

This program is designed to meet the needs of the military services for an officer having a broad-based advanced technical education applicable to combat systems design, development, test and evaluation, acquisition, operation, and support. The majority of students earn a degree in Applied Physics; degrees in Engineering Acoustics and Combat Systems Technology are also available. Included in the core of the program are courses on electromagnetic radiation, applied optics, optoelectronics, explosives and warheads, fluid dynamics of weapons, combat simulation, underwater acoustics, semiconductor devices, detection and engagement elements, combat systems integration, and computing resources for advanced combat systems. The officer will also conduct thesis research on a military-relevant technical problem.

Requirements for Entry

A baccalaureate degree with mathematics through differential and integral calculus and a calculus-based basic physics sequence are required for direct input. Courses in the physical sciences and engineering are highly desirable. An APC of 323 is required.

Convenes

Winter, Summer

Program Length

24 Months

Subspecialty

The Applied Physics of Combat Systems curriculum has options ranging from an accelerated four-quarter program for students ready to commence graduate-level courses, to a standard eight-quarter course of study for students who require a review of undergraduate coursework. Completion of the full eight-quarter curriculum qualifies an officer as an Applied Physics of Combat Systems sub-specialist with a subspecialty code of 5701-5705P depending on specialization track. U.S. Navy students entering the curriculum through the one-year Immediate Graduate Education Program (IGEP) receive a sub-specialty code of 5701-5704I. The curriculum sponsor is the Program Executive Officer, Integrated Weapons Systems (PEO-IWS).

Typical Subspecialty Assignments

 

Combat Systems, Weapons, Plans and Tactics, or Operations Officer

Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Los Alamos, NM

DOE National Nuclear Security Agency, Washington, DC

Fleet and Type Commander Combat Systems Officers

Missile Defense Agency, Washington, DC

Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC

Naval Surface Warfare Center - White Sands, NM, Dahlgren, VA, or Port Hueneme, CA

Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, CA

OPNAV N95/96/97/98 - Resource Sponsor / Requirements Officer

Program Executive Officer Carriers, Washington, DC

Strategic Weapons Facility Atlantic or Pacific

Supervisor Shipbuilding - Groton, Newport News, Bath, or Pascagoula

United States Naval Academy or United States Military Academy (military faculty)

Warfare Tactics Instructor

Typical Course of Study - Applied Physics Option

Quarter 1

Course NumberTitleCreditsLecture HoursLab Hours
MA1115Multi Variable Calculus

4

0

MA1116Vector Calculus

3

0

PH2151Particle Mechanics

4

1

PH2001Research Seminar in Physics

1

0

ELECTElective

Quarter 2

Course NumberTitleCreditsLecture HoursLab Hours
PC2911Introduction to Computational Physics

3

2

PH3152Analytical Mechanics

4

0

PH3991Theoretical Physics

4

1

PH0999Physics Colloquium

0

1

ELECTElective

Quarter 3

Course NumberTitleCreditsLecture HoursLab Hours
PH2351Electromagnetism

4

1

PH2652Modern Physics

4

1

PH3782Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics

4

0

PH0999Physics Colloquium

0

1

ELECTElective

Quarter 4

Course NumberTitleCreditsLecture HoursLab Hours
PH3352Electromagnetic Waves

4

0

PH3655Semiconductor Device Physics

4

0

PH3011Thesis Proposal Preparation

1

0

Track Course

Track Course

Quarter 5

Course NumberTitleCreditsLecture HoursLab Hours
PH0810Thesis Research

0

8

PH4656Quantum Mechanics

4

1

PH0999Physics Colloquium

0

1

Track Course

Track Course

Quarter 6

Course NumberTitleCreditsLecture HoursLab Hours
PC3800Survey of Weapons and their Effects

4

0

PC4860Modern Missile Systems

4

1

PH0999Physics Colloquium

0

1

Track Course

Track Course

Quarter 7

Course NumberTitleCreditsLecture HoursLab Hours
PH0810Thesis Research

0

8

PH0810Thesis Research

0

8

PH0999Physics Colloquium

0

1

Track Course

Track Course

Quarter 8

Course NumberTitleCreditsLecture HoursLab Hours
PH0810Thesis Research

0

8

PH0810Thesis Research

0

8

PC3400Survey of Underwater Acoustics

4

0

PH4001Physics Thesis Presentation

1

0

Joint Professional Military Education (JPME):

All Unrestricted Line Naval Officers are required to take the following four courses for JPME; these courses are normally added to the matrix in the first 4 quarters:

Course NumberTitleCreditsLecture HoursLab Hours
NW3230Strategy and War

4

2

NW3275Joint Maritime Operations - part 1

4

0

NW3276Joint Maritime Operations - part 2

2

2

NW3285Theater Security Decision Making

4

0

Engineering Duty Officers and students from other services are not required to take JPME courses.

Concentration Areas

The Physics department offers three concentration areas: Acoustics, Sensors, and Weapons.  Each concentration consists of four or five "track" courses.  The approved track courses are:

U.S. Navy students pursuing the 570X subspecialty code will complete two tracks. 

Note: Final approval of a student's degree program rests with the department Chair.