Univ of Southern California
University of Southern California
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Naval Science

Physical Education Building 101
(213) 740-2663

Administration

Alvah E. Ingersoll III, M.A., M.S. (Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps), Commanding Officer

Faculty

Professor: Alvah E. Ingersoll III, M.A., M.S. (Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps)

Associate Professor: Rommel M. Esteves, M.S.Eng. (Commander, U.S. Navy)

Assistant Professors: Scott Carr, B.S. (Lieutenant, U.S. Navy); M. Craig Palmer, B.S., M.S. (Major, U.S. Marine Corps); Tiana Tafua, B.A. (Lieutenant, U.S. Navy); Matthew Thatcher, B.S. (Lieutenant, U.S. Navy)

The Department of Naval Science provides professional training for students leading to a reserve commission, upon graduation, in the United States Navy or the United States Marine Corps. Through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Program (NROTC), scholarship students receive full tuition, fees, book stipend and $250-$400 per month subsistence allowance. The university also provides an additional automatic scholarship of $4,000 per year for each NROTC scholarship recipient. Non-scholarship students may apply to participate as members of the midshipman battalion with limited financial assistance, earning a reserve commission upon completion of the baccalaureate degree. Because of the rapid development of highly technical ship systems, aviation and other military equipment, science and engineering majors are highly desirable; however, Navy scholarships are currently available to students pursuing any major offered by the university, as long as they complete basic technical requirements. In addition to university requirements, midshipmen must complete 22 units of naval science courses, a physical fitness test and three summer cruises, each about four to eight weeks long. The department also conducts a sail training program for all midshipmen.

All naval science courses, from ship systems and management to naval operations and amphibious warfare, are open to students who are not in the program but have an interest in the Navy and related fields, such as engineering, navigation and naval operations, history and management.

Program Requirements

Scholarship Program
The majority of naval science students attend the university on Navy scholarships. Scholarships are awarded primarily on a four-year basis to high school seniors selected in nationwide competition. A two-year upper division scholarship program is also available with a similar selection process to students who have not yet begun their junior year in college. Applications for both types of scholarships are due by December 1 and March 1, respectively, each year. In addition to tuition and fees, books and uniforms, students receive subsistence allowance of $250-$400 per month. Navy Option midshipmen starting their freshman year of college in the fall of 2010 or later will be required upon graduation to serve a minimum of five years of active military service. Additional requirements may be required for specific job assignments.

College Program
College program non-scholarship students are selected by the professor of naval science at the beginning of each academic year from among applicants of the freshman and sophomore classes. These students receive uniforms, naval science textbooks, and if selected for advanced standing, subsistence pay of $150 per month in their junior and senior years. Upon graduation, a non-scholarship student receives a reserve commission in the U.S. Navy or U.S. Marine Corps, and serves on active duty for a minimum of three years. College Program students may be recommended for scholarship benefits based on superior academic performance and participation in NROTC.

Marine Corps Option
Highly motivated NROTC students may request designation as Marine Corps option students, and may also pursue any USC academic degree. Marine Corps option students are required to take NSC 135, NSC 137, NSC 343, NSC 392, NSC 453 and NSC 454. In addition, their final summer cruise involves intensive Marine training. Marine Corps option students also participate, on a limited basis, in field training exercises during the academic year. Marine Corps Option midshipmen will be required upon graduation to serve at least four years on active duty.

Requirements for Commissioning
Students must meet USC degree requirements in their chosen fields and complete the prescribed naval science courses. In addition, scholarship students must include in their programs MATH 125 Calculus I and MATH 126 Calculus II and PHYS 151L Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics and PHYS 152L Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism; two courses of English, one course in American history/national security policy and one course in world cultural regional studies. College program students may take a year of both college-level algebra and physical science in lieu of the calculus and physics requirements.