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Curriculum Information
The Student Academic Affairs and Academy Registrar's curriculum office provides information on curriculum and grading, advising, major and minor programs, the Academic Working Group and the Service Academy Exchange Program.
MAJORS AND MINORS
The Academy offers 32 majors and two minors. Cadets must declare their majors no later than fall of their third-class year.
Divisional majors allow for broad exploration in one of four areas: basic sciences, general engineering, humanities and social sciences.
Disciplinary majors are focused on a specific field of study. The disciplinary majors are:
| Astronautical Engineering |
Aeronautical Engineering |
| Behavioral Sciences |
Biology |
| Chemistry |
Civil Engineering |
| Computer Engineering |
Computer Science |
| Economics |
Electrical Engineering |
| Engineering Mechanics |
English |
| Environmental Engineering |
Foreign Area Studies |
| Geospatial Science |
History |
| Legal Studies |
Management |
| Mathematics |
Mechanical Engineering |
| Meteorology |
Military Strategic Studies |
| Operations Research |
Physics |
| Political Science |
Space Operations |
| Systems Engineering |
Systems Engineering Management |
Multidisciplinary majors require an understanding of material from a variety of fields and how that material interrelates regarding the subject matter. The four interdisciplinary majors are foreign area studies, operations research, meteorology and space operations.
Minors are optional and may be earned in addition to a major. The two minors are foreign language and philosophy.
ACCREDITATION
The Air Force Academy's Bachelor of Science degree is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. All grduates will have "Bachelor of Science" printed on their diplomas. Majors in engineering fields are accredited by ABET, Inc. Chemistry, biochemistry and materials science options within the chemistry major are approved by the Committee on Professional Training of the American Chemical Society. The computer science major is accredited by the Computing Accrediting Commission of ABET, Inc. The management major is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
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The U.S. Air Force Academy curriculum is centered on officer development through four focus areas:
-- Academics
-- Professional Military Education
-- Physcial Education and Athletics
-- Character Development
In order to graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree and be commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, a cadet must complete all Academy curriculum graduation requirements. A cadet must demonstrate an aptitude for commissioned service and leadership, display acceptable conduct, maintain proficiency in physical education and the professional development program, and meet all requirements for an academic major.
Specifically, cadets must:
-- satisfactorily complete the core curriculum and an academic major. Cadets must meet minimum standards of a 2.00 cumulative grade point average, a 2.00 GPA in the academic core and a 2.00 major's GPA.
-- have at least eight semesters and 132 semester hours of course work in residence. A semester spent in an Academy-sponsored exchange program counts as a semester in residence.
-- complete the PME and leadership laboratory experience provided by being part of the Cadet Wing.
-- complete each of the core military training programs and serve in two leadership programs.
-- participate in required athletic programs and be proficient in the physical fitness test and aerobic fitness test, earning a minimum 2.0 cumulative physical education average.
-- complete the Academy Character Enrichment Seminar, Leaders in Flight Today, Respect and Responsibility, and Vital Effective Character Through Observation and Reflection character development programs. |
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The Academy's curriculum is extremely robust and filled with a variety of majors and course options. Various other mandatory and extracurricular activities also fill cadets' schedules, and the combination can quickly become overwhelming.
Two advisers are assigned to each cadet squadron for undeclared cadets, and each cadet is assigned to a new adviser once he declares a major. All advisers are part of the Dean of Faculty staff and assist with course registration, interpreting academic schedules, referring cadets for personal issues, arranging summer schedules, mentoring and providing guidance for those who become academically deficient. |
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Majors' Night provides a one-stop opportunity for undeclared cadets to learn about the academic majors and minors available at the Academy. Cadets can also learn about self-improvement through Student Academic Services. Each of the Academy's 32 majors and two minors are represented at Majors' Night.
For more information regarding majors and minors, read Chapters 9 and 10 of the Curriculum Handbook (.pdf, 1.7M). |
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The Air Force Academy grades on a four-point scale. The table below lists possible grades and associated grade point average quality points:
| Grade |
Points |
|
Grade |
Points |
| A |
4.0 |
C+ |
2.3 |
| A- |
3.7 |
C |
2.0 |
| B+ |
3.3 |
C- |
1.7 |
| B |
3.0 |
D |
1.0 |
| B- |
2.7 |
F |
0.0 |
A cadet's overall performance average determines graduation order of merit. It consists of 70 percent GPA and 30 percent military performance average.
In addition to the letter grades listed above, seven other special grades exist. These grades carry no quality points and are not used in computing any GPA.
| P |
Passing |
| N |
No Grade |
| W |
Withdrawn |
| WP |
Withdrawn Passing |
| WF |
Withdrawn Failing |
| IC |
Incomplete Controllable |
| IU |
Incomplete Uncontrollable |
Cumulative GPA includes all grades earned while at the Academy. Semester GPA includes all grades earned in a given semester. Core GPA includes the grades for all core courses. Major's GPA includes the grades for courses designated by the department head responsible for that major, regardless of whether the course satisfies a major's requirement.
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Curriculum 
