The College of Engineering recommends candidates for the Bachelor of Naval Science degree.
Earning both the BNS degree and the BS degree in the field of engineering may require five years. Engineering students in an ROTC program may require four and one-half to five years to complete both degree and commissioning requirements.
For additional information see the Officer Education section of the Guide.
How to Get in
The Naval Science BNS is not a stand-alone degree. Students interested in pursuing this degree should consult with the Navy ROTC:
1610 University Ave, Madison, WI 53726 | 608-262-3794 | nrotc@aviation.wisc.edu
Requirements
The College of Engineering recommends candidates for the Bachelor of Naval Science degree. Requirements for the degree are:
- A total of 136 credits including no fewer than 100 credits of elected and required courses in one of the engineering curricula.
- Completion of these additional requirements as approved by the Department of Naval Science: English, two semesters; American Military Affairs/National Security Policy, one semester (see below).
- Also, to be conferred a BNS degree, the candidate must satisfy the degree requirements for any Engineering major, and the above-stated Naval Science requirements.
Earning both the BNS degree and the BS in the field of engineering may require five years. Engineering students in an ROTC program may require four and one-half to five years to complete both degree and commissioning requirements.
Required Courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Naval Laboratory (1 cr each): | 8-10 | |
| Introductory Naval Laboratory I | ||
| Introductory Naval Laboratory II | ||
| Elementary Naval Laboratory I | ||
| Elementary Naval Laboratory II | ||
| Intermediate Naval Laboratory I | ||
| Intermediate Naval Laboratory II | ||
| Advanced Naval Laboratory I | ||
| Advanced Naval Laboratory II | ||
| Professional Naval Laboratory I 1 | ||
| Professional Naval Laboratory II 1 | ||
| NAV SCI 101 | Introduction to Naval Science | 2 |
| NAV SCI 102 | Seapower-Maritime Affairs 2 | 3 |
| NAV SCI 201 | Naval Leadership and Management | 3 |
| NAV SCI 402 | Naval Leadership and Ethics | 3 |
| Six credits of English. Must be writing-intensive and focus on areas of grammar and composition. Accepted courses include those designated COM A or COM B | 6 | |
| Three credits of American Military History or National Security Policy. Accepted courses include: | 3 | |
| Introduction to American Politics and Government | ||
| Introduction to International Relations | ||
| Introduction to Political Theory | ||
| Law, Politics and Society | ||
| Terrorism | ||
| Analysis of International Relations | ||
| Principles of International Law | ||
| Nuclear Weapons and World Politics | ||
| The American Military Experience to 1902 | ||
| The American Military Experience Since 1899 | ||
| American Military History | ||
| Completion of one of the following tracks: | ||
| Navy-Option Track: | ||
| Navigation | ||
| Naval Engineering | ||
| Naval Weapons | ||
| Naval Operations | ||
Six credits of calculus to include a first- and second-semester course 3 | ||
Six credits of calculus-based physics to include a first- and second-semester course 3 | ||
Three credits of World Culture and Regional Studies. Must have an emphasis on regions encompassed by Sub-Sahara Africa, North Africa, Central Asia, East Asia, South Asia, Southwest Asia, Southeast Asia, Central America, Middle East, or Russia/Eastern Europe | ||
| Marine Corps-Option Track: | ||
| Fundamentals of Maneuver Warfare | ||
| Land Campaigns | ||
- 1
Add NAV SCI 575 Professional Naval Laboratory I if taking a 9th semester, NAV SCI 576 Professional Naval Laboratory II if taking a 10th semester.
- 2
May substitute HISTORY 428 The American Military Experience Since 1899.
- 3
AP/IB/Transfer credits accepted only for first-semester course.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand and apply the fundamentals and principles of Naval Science.
- Understand and apply Naval Science professional knowledge and core competencies.
- Be prepared to perform successfully in the technical and critical reasoning requirements of their careers and pursue continuing education in a field of application within the Naval Service.
- Understand and demonstrate a strong sense of personal integrity, honor, and individual responsibility and associated ethical leadership required of military officers.
Four-Year Plan
Sample Four-Year Plan
The Bachelor of Naval Science degree is not a stand-alone degree. The plans below must be integrated with a student's undergraduate College of Engineering major plan. See your engineering advisor and Naval ROTC program staff with questions.
Navy Scholarship/College Programmer
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| NAV SCI 175 | 1 | NAV SCI 176 | 1 |
| Calculus 1/Math 1 | 3-5 | Calculus 2/Math 2 | 3-5 |
| English 1 | 3 | English 2 | 3-5 |
| NAV SCI 101 | 2 | HISTORY 428 (in place of NAV SCI 102) | 3-4 |
| 9-11 | 10-15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| NAV SCI 275 | 1 | NAV SCI 276 | 1 |
| Physics 1/Physical Science 1 | 3-5 | Physics 2/Physical Science 2 | 3-5 |
| NAV SCI 201 | 3 | NAV SCI 202 | 3 |
| 7-9 | 7-9 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| NAV SCI 375 | 1 | NAV SCI 376 | 1 |
| World Culture | 3 | Amer Mil History/National Security Policy | 3 |
| NAV SCI 301 | 3 | NAV SCI 302 | 3 |
| 7 | 7 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| NAV SCI 475 | 1 | NAV SCI 476 | 1 |
| NAV SCI 401 | 3 | NAV SCI 402 | 3 |
| 4 | 4 | ||
| Total Credits 55-66 | |||
Marine Scholarship/College Programmer
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| NAV SCI 175 | 1 | NAV SCI 176 | 1 |
| NAV SCI 101 | 2 | HISTORY 428 (in place of NAV SCI 102) | 3-4 |
| English 1 | 3 | English 2 | 3 |
| 6 | 7-8 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| NAV SCI 275 | 1 | NAV SCI 276 | 1 |
| NAV SCI 201 | 3 | NAV SCI 350 or 351 | 3 |
| 4 | 4 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| NAV SCI 375 | 1 | NAV SCI 376 | 1 |
| Amer Mil History/National Security Policy | 3 | NAV SCI 350 or 351 | 3 |
| 4 | 4 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| NAV SCI 475 | 1 | NAV SCI 476 | 1 |
| NAV SCI 402 | 3 | ||
| 1 | 4 | ||
| Total Credits 34-35 | |||