2025-2026 Catalog
Department of Mathematics and Science
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The Department of Mathematics and Science (M&S) offers required courses in physics, chemistry and mathematics . All Midshipmen take courses in these areas, many in the Fourth Class year when M&S courses comprise approximately one-third of the academic program. The courses are designed to teach the fundamental concepts that Midshipmen will use in later courses in the Engineering and the Marine Transportation curriculums. M&S also offers elective courses in astronomy, computer programming, physics and oceanography. The department provides a strong science background required of all educated people in our world of high technology.
All Midshipmen are required to take Physics 1, Physics 2 and General Chemistry. These courses have a strong laboratory component so that Midshipmen can experience the experimental side of science. M&S maintains general science laboratories that incorporate the recent technologies of microelectronics, lasers and computers. State of the art equipment using PC-based data acquisition is used in the Nuclear, Chemistry, and Physics Laboratories. The department is also responsible for the operation of the Class of ‘81 Astronomical Observatory. M&S laboratories, offices, and observatory are located in the Fulton/Gibbs building.
The physics and chemistry courses are rigorous. The physics courses are calculus-based. Calculus 1 is a co-requisite for Physics 1 and a prerequisite for Physics 2. Midshipmen majoring in Marine Engineering, Marine Engineering Systems and Marine Engineering and Shipyard Management take Chemistry for Marine Engineers in their Second or Third Class year.
All Midshipmen take Calculus 1, Calculus 2 and Probability & Statistics. In addition, Marine Engineering students take Differential Equations 1; Marine Engineering Systems students take Differential Equations 1, Differential Equations 2 and Calculus 3; and Marine Engineering and Shipyard Management students take Differential Equations 1, Calculus 3, Operations Research 1 and Operations Research 2.
Because mathematics is so important to nearly every area of study at the Academy, all entering Midshipmen take an assessment examination administered by the department. Students who are determined to need review in algebra and precalculus are placed into Precalculus Review which provides Midshipmen with an extra hour of instruction per week.
The department also offers electives that, in addition to providing the opportunity to take courses in areas of study beyond the required curriculum, reflect some of the scholarly and research efforts of the faculty. Examples of recently offered electives are Introduction to Astronomy and the Solar System, Observational Astronomy and Techniques, Introduction to Oceanography, Modern Physics, Fundamentals of Nuclear Physics and Engineering, Introduction to JAVA Programming and Cryptography, and Introduction to Python and Artificial Intelligence. Interested students can also complete a concentration in a particular area of study by taking a three-course sequence of related electives. M&S currently offers the Science from the Ship concentration. Interdepartmental concentrations involving M&S include Cybersecurity and Nuclear Engineering.
Note: For all faculty listings in this section of the catalog, the year when a faculty member joined the Academy staff follows each name. Other information includes the individual’s faculty rank, degrees earned, where obtained, professional licenses held, and military affiliation. In a department that includes more than one discipline, the faculty member’s area of specialization is indicated.
Department of Mathematics and Science Faculty
Astronomy
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ASTR405 - Introduction to Astronomy and the Solar System
Credits: 3
Introduction to fundamental astronomy terminology, concepts and analytical problems related to Archeoastonomy, the Earth & Moon system, our Solar System, solar astronomy, stellar evolution, and an introduction to objects beyond our solar system including extra-solar planets and alien life. This course includes a laboratory component for observations of astronomical objects using the Academy’s telescope at our observatory.
Prerequisites: PHYS 110
3 class hours a week
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ASTR415 - Observational Astronomy and Techniques
Credits: 3
Geometric optics; types of astronomical telescopes and detectors; astronomical observation techniques; analysis of selected astronomical examples of data and images. Lecture time will be spent primarily on learning about equipment & techniques for making astronomical observations and interpretation & analysis of the data collected. Day and evening lab time for photography and data collection will utilize the Academy’s 16” telescope and/or remotely-accessed telescopes. This course can be taken as a stand-alone course or as one of the 3 courses for the Astronomy concentration.
Prerequisites: MATH 101
3 class hours a week
Chemistry
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CHEM100 - General Chemistry
Credits: 4
This course provides a variety of approaches used in answering qualitative and quantitative problems in chemistry. Fundamental concepts presented in lecture and laboratory include: units of measurement; dimensional analysis; classification of matter; chemical nomenclature; the mole concept; reaction types with stoichiometry calculations; states of matter including gas properties, solution chemistry , and solids; thermochemistry; atomic/electronic structure/properties and periodicity; types of chemical bonding and molecular structures; states of matter and phase diagrams; intermolecular forces; physical properties of solutions; reaction kinetics and factors affecting reaction rates; chemical equilibrium; and LeChatelier’s Principle. General Chemistry laboratory will involve activities relevant to the course content by incorporating modern laboratory techniques and measurements as well as computer data processing.
Corequisite: MATH 101
3 class hours a week
2 laboratory hours a week -
CHEM210 - Selected Topics in Chemistry for Marine Engineers
Credits: 2
This course provides a variety of approaches used in solving qualitative and quantitative problems in chemistry. The content is an overview of some topics of a typical college General Chemistry 2 course, with additional topics relevant to marine engineering. The major topics presented in lecture and laboratory include: equilibrium, acid/base chemistry, thermochemistry, electrochemistry, organic chemistry, and selected topics in water chemistry and combustion chemistry. Laboratory activities relevant to the course content incorporate laboratory techniques and measurements as well as computer data processing.
Prerequisites: CHEM100
2 hours a week, or 1 in lab weeks
2 hours a week in the two lab weeks
Computer Science
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COMP105 - Computer Programming
Credits: 1
This course introduces students to basic concepts of computer programming. Major topics covered are data types, expressions, loops, conditional statements, files, functions, lists and dictionaries, and classes. This is a required undergraduate course designed in order to complete the Marine Engineering and Marine Transportation degrees.
2 laboratory/workshop hours a week
Cybersecurity
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CYSC435 - Introduction to JAVA Programming and Cryptography
Credits: 3
Basic programming: logical operators, control structures, loops, methods, recursion. Modular arithmetic; binary numbers. Basics of cryptography; classical and modern ciphers and their implementation; private and public key cryptography.
Prerequisites: MATH 101
3 class hours a week
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CYSC455 - Introduction to Python and Artificial Intelligence
Credits: 3
This course teaches elementary Python programming techniques and more specialized techniques that are needed for machine learning, data mining, and artificial intelligence. Once this is done, the mathematics of neural networks is developed. Finally, the math and Python are put together to build a neural network.
Prerequisites: MATH101
3 hours a week
Marine Science
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MASC430 - Introduction to Oceanography
Credits: 3
This course is designed to provide an introductory overview of the history of oceanography; earth structure and plate tectonics; ocean topography; sediments; seawater chemistry and ocean physics: atmospheric and ocean circulation: wave dynamics and tides; the marine ecosystem; productivity and marine animals; marine resources and environmental concerns.
Prerequisites: CHEM 100 ; MATH 130 or MATH 140 ; PHYS 110
3 class hours a week
Mathematics
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MATH080 - Precalculus Review
Credits: 0
This course reviews concepts of algebra and precalculus. Major topics covered are algebraic and rational expressions, linear and quadratic equations and inequalities, exponential and logarithmic equations, trigonometry and trigonometric equations, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions. Students are required to take the course concurrently with MATH101 - Calculus 1, based on the results of the Math Placement Test. Pass/Fail only.
Corequisite: MATH101
1 class hours a week
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MATH101 - Calculus 1
Credits: 3
Functions, introduction to limits, derivatives, derivative rules, applications of the derivative, antiderivatives, definite integrals, method of substitutions, application of integrals to areas.
3 class hours a week
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MATH130 - Calculus 2 Deck
Credits: 3
This course continues the study of concepts, techniques, and applications of differential and integral calculus. Major topics covered are techniques of integration; approximate integration; improper integrals; applications of integrals to volume, physics, and economics; introduction to differential equations and their applications; parametric curves; calculus in polar coordinates; sequences and geometric series.
Prerequisites: MATH 101
3 class hours a week
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MATH140 - Calculus 2 Engine
Credits: 3
This course continues the study of concepts, techniques, and applications of differential and integral calculus. Major topics covered are techniques of integration; approximate integration; improper integrals; applications of integrals to volume and physics; parametric curves; calculus in polar coordinates; sequences and series; tests for convergence; power series and Taylor series. This is a required undergraduate course designed in order to complete the Marine Engineering degree.
Prerequisites: MATH 101
3 class hours a week
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MATH200 - Probability and Statistics for Business
Credits: 3
This course introduces students to the concepts, methods, and applications of probability and statistics. Major topics covered are measures of center and variability; probability, counting, conditional probability, independence; binomial, Poisson and normal probability distributions; Central Limit Theorem; statistical inference, confidence intervals, tests of significance; bivariate regression analysis; analysis of variance. This is a required undergraduate course designed in order to complete the Marine Transportation degree.
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MATH215 - Probability and Statistics for Engineers
Credits: 3
This course introduces students to the concepts, methods, and applications of probability and statistics. Major topics covered are probability, counting, conditional probability, independence; random variables, expectation, and variance; discrete and continuous distributions; Central Limit Theorem; statistical inference, confidence intervals, tests of significance; linear regression. This is a required undergraduate course designed in order to complete the Marine Engineering degree.
Prerequisites: MATH 140
3 class hours a week
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MATH240 - Introduction to Differential Equations and Linear Algebra
Credits: 3
This course introduces differential equations and their applications and basic concepts and techniques of linear algebra. Major topics covered are first order differential equations, their solution methods and applications; linear equations with constant coefficients, equations of motion, and series circuits; Laplace transform; power series solutions; systems of differential equations; matrices, Gaussian elimination, determinants, and eigenvalue problem.
Prerequisites: MATH 140
3 class hours a week
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MATH305 - Calculus 3
Credits: 3.0
This course introduces concepts, techniques, and applications of differential and integral calculus of several variables. Major topics covered are vector algebra in two and three dimensions; functions of several variables; partial derivatives; extrema; integration of functions of several variables and its applications; vector functions; line integrals and Green’s theorem. This is a required undergraduate course designed in order to complete the Marine Engineering Shipyard Management and Marine Engineering Systems degrees.
Prerequisites: MATH 130 or MATH 140
3
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MATH310 - Operations Research 1
Credits: 3
Basic linear algebra, linear programming, simplex method, sensitivity analysis and duality, transportation and assignment problems.
Prerequisites: MATH 215 ; MATH 240
Corequisite: MATH 305
3 class hours a week
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MATH330 - Operations Research 2
Credits: 3
Integer programming, decision making under uncertainty, EQQ and related models, stochastic processes, simulation, forecasting models.
Prerequisites: MATH 305
3 class hours a week
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MATH350 - Differential Equations 2
Credits: 3
Orthogonal functions, Fourier and other series expansions, two point boundary value problems including the Sturm-Liouville problem. Boundary and initial value problems for partial differential equations including the heat equation, the wave equation, and the Laplace equation. Introduction to programming and computational methods for differential equations.
Prerequisites: MATH 240 ; MATH 305
3 class hours a week
Physics
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NUCE480 - Fundamentals of Nuclear Physics & Engineering
Credits: 3
This course begins with a review of electric and magnetic fields and forces.The bulk of the course then introduces modern concepts of the nature and properties of matter and energy. These concepts include the theory of relativity, the quantum theory of light, the wave nature of matter, quantum mechanics and wave functions, and quantum mechanics and atomic structure. (This is the first course in the Nuclear Engineering concentration.)
Prerequisites: PHYS 120 ; MATH 101 ; PHYS 230 or NUCE 460
3 hours a week, or 2 hours in a lab week
2 hours a week in the four lab weeks -
PHYS110 - Physics 1
Credits: 3
Mechanics of translational motion: particle kinematics and dynamics; systems of forces; work and energy; linear momentum; fluid mechanics.
Corequisite: MATH 101
2.5 class hours (average) a week
0.8 lab hours (average) a week -
PHYS120 - Physics 2
Credits: 3
Rotational mechanics, oscillations, waves, light, thermodynamics and electric currents: equilibrium and rotational motion; simple harmonic motion; waves and sound; geometric optics; heat and thermodynamics; DC circuits.
Prerequisites: PHYS 110 , MATH 101
2.5 class hours (average) a week
0.8 lab hours (average) a week -
PHYS230 - Physics 3
Credits: 3
Wave optics, gravitation and electromagnetism: interference and diffraction of light; gravitation; electric field; electric potential; capacitance; magnetic force; magnetic field; electromagnetic induction; and AC circuits.
Prerequisites: PHYS 120 ; MATH 140
2.5 class hours (average) a week
0.8 lab hours (average) a week
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