What is the curriculum like at the Annapolis Naval Academy?

I'm interested in learning more about the curriculum at the Annapolis Naval Academy. What are the core subjects students have to take, and are there any unique classes that stand out compared to other military academies?

The curriculum at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis is focused on molding midshipmen into effective officers in the U.S. Navy or the U.S. Marine Corps. Although considered one of the more challenging academic programs nationwide, this education equips students with a broad range of knowledge and skills that can be attributed to a combination of traditional liberal arts and rigorous scientific and technological study.

To maintain this balanced approach to education, every candidate must complete core coursework in various fields as part of the Academy's curriculum. These include humanities and social sciences, such as English, history, political science, language studies, economics, and leadership. You would also engage in mathematical and engineering studies that include calculus, physics, chemistry, computer science, cybersecurity, naval sciences, and more.

Interestingly, the Naval Academy is one of the few higher educational institutions to incorporate character development into its formal curriculum. Every midshipman is required to take a series of leadership and ethics courses throughout their four years at Annapolis, which helps develop ethical decision-making skills.

In comparison with other service academies, a unique aspect of the Naval Academy's curriculum is the mandatory sea internship, known as PROTRAMID (Professional Training-Midshipmen). This gives students exposure to various communities within the Navy and Marine Corps over one summer.

Also, the academy operates on a two-semester system, with an intensive term known as "ac year," during which midshipmen carry an average of 18 credit hours. The curriculum places a heavy emphasis on time management, a characteristic that distinguishes Annapolis from traditional undergraduate programs.

Please note that all midshipmen must pass a swimming test and take part in regular physical education, including courses in swimming, boxing, wrestling, and martial arts to ensure they're physically fit. Remember that these aspects are non-negotiable given the rigorous physical nature of naval operations.

Lastly, it is worth noting that everyone graduates with a Bachelor of Science degree irrespective of their major due to the vast amount of technical content in their coursework. When it comes to choosing the actual major, there are options that vary from quantitative economics to naval architecture and marine engineering, offering students a wide range of academic fields to pursue.

Hope this gives you a quick rundown on the curriculum at the Naval Academy in Annapolis!