<p>I have been looking at MSS classes and am still confused. Could any of the cadets/grads tell me a little more about it? I am wondering what an average class day is like. Also, what kinds of things could a person do with a MSS degree?</p>
<p>MSS is pretty much for career military I think...And an average class day is busy. There's always homework. Always something to do. You'll start out most likely with five classes, 15.5 hours counting a PE class you'll have to take (boxing or wrestling, do boxing :) ) Then it'll go up to six classes the next semester, then 7 for a total of 21 hours, while all your other college friends are taking 12. :)</p>
<p>Thanks, that helps some. I was kind of wondering a little more about the course-work. (what is studied?) I read the academy catalogue, but wanted a little more detail.</p>
<p>Here are the core classes you will take (with minor differences in curriculum that may change year to year). All cadets take all of these plus their majors classes:</p>
<p>Biology, 2 semesters of chemistry, computer science, about 2 semesters of math + a stats class, 2 semesters of physics, an intro in engineering, engineering mechanics, aeronautics, astronomics, civil engineering, electrical engineering, 2 semesters of behavioral science, economics, law, management, political science, social science, 3 semesters of English, 2 semesters of military strategic studies, 2 semesters of history, operations research, philosophy, and a few semesters of language.</p>
<p>They just changed the language requirement, it will be mandatory for everyone after this year, up until now you coulc take no language classes if you were a techie major</p>
<p>I know they made that decision, but have they announced how many semesters everyone will have to take? I have a feeling my class won't get that info, seeing as it doesn't really affect us.</p>
<p><em>has a German minor</em></p>
<p>What is your opinion on the German program? (In fourth year now)</p>
<p>It is my understanding that they are requiring two full years of foreign language for all cadets. They are adding 17 instructors to the foreign language department.</p>
<p>"What is your opinion on the German program? (In fourth year now)"</p>
<p>I don't feel I can really answer that as I don't really have anything to compare the German program to.</p>
<p>However, I can give you a little insight into the language program here in general. If you come here and you're already fluent in a language (or very close to it), you may want to consider learning another language. There are not too many language classes to choose from beyond the fundamental ones, in which you learn grammar, vocabulary, and do several presentations/papers in the language. The focus of what I consider to be the upper level classes is different in that it's assumed thta you already know the language and can communicate with it. One of the advantages to getting through all the "basic" ones is that you may be able to take a core class in that language (and get double credits for it). It's possible to get a minor, however, never taking one of the "upper" classes. (I should note that when I say "basic" and "upper," it's different from how the Academy categorizes them, in that they tend to consider any courses beyond your 2nd semester or so as "upper").</p>
<p>There's a huge emphasis right now on strategic languages such as Chinese and Arabic, so don't be surprised if you end up taking one of those. On the bright side of that, if you score high enough on the proficiency test leaving here, you cn get additional pay each month for your language skills (which does not apply to some languages... such as German).</p>
<p>At the 1st Orientation, one of the Generals...I think the Academic Dean said that while it is their goal to require everyone to take 4 semesters of a language, it's simply not yet possible because they haven't got enough teachers yet, but that they're still working in that direction. The class of 2010 Tech Majors may still get out of 4 semesters...</p>
<p>If techie majors in '10 don't have to take 4 semesters of a language, I'd expect them to at least take 2 - considering the huge shift to put language into everyone's curriculum.</p>
<p>My ALO suggested taking Chinese. I would like to learn more German though. I have no doubt that Chinese is useful.<br>
What does a language minor entail?</p>
<p>You get a minor in a language if you take at least 4 classes at the 200-level or above. It's possible to get a minor only taking those 4 semesters.</p>
<p>They said tech majors in 2010 will have 2 semesters.</p>