Directed Energy Certificate - Curriculum 119 (DL)
Program Officer & Academic Associate
Mary J. Sims, PhD
Spanagel Hall, Room 537A
(831) 656-3277, DSN 756-3277
mjsims@nps.edu
The Directed Energy graduate certificate provides students with a technical and operational foundation in the physics, engineering, and sensor systems that underpin modern directed‑energy technologies. By integrating coursework in electrical energy systems, sensor physics, electromagnetic detection, and renewable/expeditionary energy applications, the certificate prepares graduates to understand, analyze, and support emerging directed‑energy capabilities relevant to today’s defense environment.
Students develop interdisciplinary fluency across power generation and distribution, optical and electromagnetic sensing, space and airborne sensor systems, and energy technologies applicable to fixed installations and mobile warfighter platforms. This certificate is ideal for DoW civilians, technical professionals, and military personnel working in areas related to directed energy, sensor systems, electronic warfare, and advanced weapon technologies.
Convenes
Spring
Program Length
4 Quarters
Outcomes
1. Analyze and compare DoW‑relevant electrical energy generation, distribution, or consumption technologies, and design a basic microgrid architecture integrating an emerging technology that meets specified performance and resilience requirements. (Aligned to EC3110).
2. Evaluate the performance characteristics of space or airborne sensing modalities by applying electromagnetic radiation and atmospheric‑propagation principles, and predict performance limitations under defined environmental conditions. (Aligned to PH3052)
3. Calculate key detection metrics (e.g., signal‑to‑noise ratio, range resolution, radiometric sensitivity) for electromagnetic sensor types, and justify design tradeoffs for naval/expeditionary detection scenarios using physics‑based quantitative methods. (Aligned to PC3200)
4. Model and assess renewable energy systems as they pertain to directed energy, including a cost‑benefit and operational impact analysis that supports warfighter energy resilience. (Aligned to EC3240)
5. Synthesize technical knowledge from all certificate courses to produce a directed‑energy system assessment that identifies system vulnerabilities (e.g., power demand, sensor performance constraints, thermal limits) and proposes viable mitigation strategies grounded in course content.
6. Develop a decision‑support brief for a directed‑energy–relevant concept of operations (CONOPS) that integrates sensor physics, electromagnetic detection, and installation or expeditionary energy considerations, and provides actionable recommendations supported by quantitative evidence.
7. Communicate technical findings through a written report or oral presentation that demonstrates accurate application of physical principles, correct quantitative analysis, and mission‑relevant interpretation, meeting NPS graduate standards for clarity, rigor, and technical precision.
Certificate Requirements
Course Requirements
| EC3110 | Electrical Energy: Present and Emerging Technologies | | 3 | 2 |
| PH3052 | Physics of Space and Airborne Sensor Systems | | 4 | 0 |
| PC3200 | Survey of Electromagnetic Sensors and Detection | | 4 | 0 |
| EC3240 | Renewable Energy at Military Bases and for the Warfighter | | 3 | 2 |