Information Warfare - Curriculum 595
Program Officer
Brandon Holmes, LCDR, USN
Glasgow Hall East, Room E309
(831) 656-7980
brandon.holmes@nps.edu
Academic Associate
Dr. A. Mustafa Canan, Associate Professor
Information Sciences
Root Hall 201H
(831) 656-2433, DSN 756-2433
mustafa.canan@nps.edu
Brief Overview
Graduates of this curriculum are thoroughly knowledgeable in Information Operations (IO) and Information Warfare (IW). They receive a Master of Science in Information Warfare Systems Engineering (MSIWSE) degree that provides the services with officers who are well versed in the technical, theoretical, and operational aspects of interdisciplinary IO/IW as they relate to joint mission objectives in modern warfare. This curriculum is sponsored by the Headquarters USMC, Director of Strategy and Plans.
Requirements for Entry
A baccalaureate degree with above-average grades with courses in science and mathematics (through integral calculus) is required for entry. Additionally, applicants must have a minimum academic profile code (APC) of 324. Eligibility for TOP SECRET security clearance with access to SPECIAL COMPARTMENTED INFORMATION (SCI) is required for U.S. students. Applicants not meeting the mathematics requirements may be considered for entry via a refresher quarter.
Convenes
Spring
Program Length
The Information Warfare curriculum is an eight-quarter course of study. For further information, contact the Program Officer or Academic Associate for this curriculum.
Degree
Requirements for the MSIWSE degree are met en route to satisfying the Educational Skill Requirements of the curricular program.
Master of Science in Information Warfare Systems Engineering
The MS IWSE degree will be awarded at the completion of a multidisciplinary program in Curricula 595. The MSIWSE degree program has not been reviewed by the Engineering Accreditation Commission, ABET. The MSIWSE requires:
- Completion of a minimum of 45 quarter-hours of graduate-level work, of which at least 15 hours must represent courses at the 4000 level, and in two (or more) discrete disciplines.
- Graduate courses in at least four discrete academic specialization sequences, minimum, and in two disciplines, a course at the 4000 level must be included.
- One Systems Engineering class.
- In addition to the 45 graduate hours of course work, an acceptable thesis must be completed.
- The candidate's program must be approved by the Chairman, Information Sciences Department.
Subspecialty
Navy none.
U.S. Marine Corps officers completing this curriculum fulfill the requirements for MOS 8834, Technical IO.
Courses
Information Warfare System Engineer (IWSE) is an interdisciplinary program drawing from nine NPS departments to ensure graduates receive a broad and deep education in all aspects of information's impact on the operational environment.
Information Sciences
| IS3330 | Research Methods for Information Sciences | | 3 | 0 |
| IW3101 | Military Operations in the Information Environment | | 4 | 0 |
| IW3921 | Non-Kinetic Warfare | | 3 | 0 |
| IW4500 | Information Warfare Systems Engineering | | 3 | 2 |
| IW4960 | Advanced Information Warfare Systems | | 3 | 2 |
| IO4300 | Planning and Execution of Military Operations in the Information Environment | | 3 | 2 |
| CY3000 | Introduction to Cyber Systems and Operations | | 3 | 0 |
| CY4400 | Cyber Mission Planning | | 3 | 0 |
| CY4710 | Adversarial Cyberspace Operations | | 3 | 2 |
Computer Science
| CS3030 | Fundamentals of Computer Architecture and Operating Systems | | 4 | 0 |
| CS3600 | Introduction to Cybersecurity | | 4 | 1 |
| CS3690 | Network Security | | 4 | 1 |
Applied Mathematics
| MA1113 | Single Variable Calculus I | | 4 | 0 |
| MA1114 | Single Variable Calculus II with Matrix Algebra | | 4 | 0 |
| MA1115 | Multi Variable Calculus | | 4 | 0 |
| MA1116 | Vector Calculus | | 3 | 0 |
Space Systems
| SS3001 | Military Applications of National Space Systems | | 4 | 1 |
| SS3011 | Space Technology and Applications | | 3 | 0 |
| SS3400 | Orbital Mechanics, Launch and Space Operations | | 4 | 2 |
| SS3613 | Military Satellite Communications | | 3 | 0 |
Defense Analysis
| DA3102 | Psychological Warfare and Deception | | 4 | 0 |
Electrical and Computer Engineering
| EO3602 | Electromagnetic Waves, Transmission Lines, and Antennas | | 4 | 2 |
| EO4612 | Microwave Devices, Propagation, and Radar Systems | | 4 | 2 |
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Operations Research
| OS3105 | Statistics for Technical Management | | 4 | 1 |
Acquisition and Program Management
| MN3331 | Principles of Acquisition and Program Management | | 4 | 2 |
Approved Electives
| CY4710 | Adversarial Cyberspace Operations | | 3 | 2 |
| DA4106 | Trust, Influence and Networks | | 4 | 0 |
| IS3301 | Computer-Based Tools for Decision Support | | 3 | 2 |
| IS4300 | Project Management for Enterprise Systems | | 3 | 2 |
| DA4107 | Psychological Influence | | 4 | 0 |
| DA4108 | Deception, Denial, Surprise, and Counterdeception | | 4 | 0 |
| DA4110 | Applied Influence | | 4 | 0 |
| DA4302 | Coping with Wicked Problems | | 4 | 0 |
| CS3331 | Basics of Applied Artificial Intelligence | | 4 | 0 |
| CS4324 | Adversarial and Secure Machine Learning | | 4 | 1 |
| CS4315 | Introduction to Machine Learning and Data Mining | | 3 | 1 |
| CS3332 | Applied Machine Learning | | 4 | 0 |
| ME3720 | Introduction to Unmanned Systems | | 3 | 2 |
| EC3740 | Reverse Engineering in Electronic Systems | | 3 | 2 |
| OA4604 | Wargaming Applications | | 3 | 2 |
Educational Skill Requirements (ESR)
Information Warfare - Curriculum 595
ESR.1 Sciences, Technology, and Business Processes:
- Identify, describe, and apply concepts, theories, and practices in physics; statistics; engineering; systems engineering; systems analysis, design and testing that apply to information, systems and processes..
- Describe, explain and apply DoD acquisition regulations and processes as they apply to the information warfighting function, information joint function, and OIE related systems.
ESR.2 Information Warfighting Function, Information Joint Function, and Operations in Information Environment:
- Identify, describe, explain and apply concepts, theories theories and practices associated with the employment of space, cyberspace, EM spectrum, and human dynamics/human influence related assets and methods across the range of military operations.
- Compare existing strategies, objectives and technologies with emerging concepts in these areas. They will be able to identify and compare the advantages, disadvantages and risks associated with each area. The graduate will be able to defend their assessment in terms of operational advantage, financial risk and technological feasibility. This skill area shall provide for subject-area track options in:
- Space Operations,
- CNO/Cyberspace Operations,
- EM Spectrum, EW operations,
- Human Dynamics, Deception, Influence Operations.
ESR.3 Relate existing information warfighting technologies and theories to current and emerging military problem sets across the range of military operations (ROMO).
ESR.4 Evaluate and critique existing policies, procedures and doctrine affecting the information warfighting function.
ESR.5 Incorporate concepts learned in each of the aforementioned skill requirements by designing, developing and executing a research project resulting in the writing of a comprehensive master’s thesis.