Military Applied Sciences, Other.

Degree Overview

Military Applied Sciences, Other (CIP 29.0399) is an advanced engineering and physics frontier for specialists who design, test, and implement the high-tech hardware of national defense. While standard military science focuses on leadership and tactics, professionals in this "Other" category are "Defense Systems Engineers." They study ballistics, directed-energy weapons (lasers), autonomous vehicle dynamics, and the material science of armor and stealth. It is a path for "applied innovators" who want to turn the laws of physics into a strategic advantage on the battlefield.

This field is ideal for "technical problem-solvers"—individuals who are fascinated by how things work under extreme conditions and want to apply engineering and mathematics to weapon systems, satellite protection, or advanced robotics.

What Is an "Other" Military Applied Sciences Degree?

A degree in this category is a heavy STEM path that emphasizes applied physics, mechanical engineering, and chemical thermodynamics. You will study the "Technical Core"—calculus, electromagnetism, and fluid mechanics—but your focus will be on military-specific applications. Because this code houses niche programs, your studies might focus on Ordnance Engineering (the math of explosions), Undersea Warfare Tech (sonar and hull physics), or Hypersonic Aerodynamics (flight at 5x the speed of sound). It prepares you to be a "Defense Scientist" capable of building the tools that ensure a technological "overmatch" against any adversary.

Schools offer this degree to:

• Train "Systems Engineers" who can integrate sensors, engines, and weapons into a single functional platform like a tank or jet
• Develop experts in Ballistics and Impact Physics, focusing on how projectiles move and how armor can stop them
• Prepare professionals for Directed-Energy Research, studying the use of high-powered lasers and microwaves for defense
• Study Space Systems Engineering, exploring how to keep satellites functional while under the stress of radiation or orbital debris

What Will You Learn?

Students learn that "modern warfare is a competition of physics." You focus on the mathematical logic and material engineering required to make systems faster, stronger, and more precise.

Core Skills You’ll Build

Most students learn to:

• Master Systems Integration—ensuring that complex software and hardware work together without failing in combat
• Use "Finite Element Analysis"—using computer models to predict where a piece of armor or a bridge will break under stress
• Design Guidance and Navigation Systems—using math and sensors to keep a drone or missile on its path without GPS
• Perform Explosive Effects Analysis—calculating the pressure waves and heat generated by different chemical compounds
• Utilize Stealth Technology Principles—understanding how to shape materials to reflect or absorb radar and infrared signals
• Understand Human-Machine Teaming—designing interfaces that allow soldiers to control robots or AI seamlessly

Topics You May Explore

Coursework is a blend of intense physics, chemistry, and engineering design:

• Terminal Ballistics: The study of what happens when a projectile hits its target and how energy is transferred.
• Aerothermodynamics: How air behaves at extremely high speeds and temperatures, essential for missiles and spacecraft.
• Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering: The physics of keeping ships and submarines quiet and survivable in deep water.
• Sensors and Electronic Warfare: How "eyes" like radar and "ears" like sonar work, and how to "blind" an enemy's sensors.
• Nuclear Engineering for Defense: Understanding the science of propulsion and the physics of nuclear deterrents.
• Robotics and Autonomous Systems: Developing the algorithms and hardware for "ground bots" and "swarm drones."

What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?

Graduates find roles as lead engineers, test directors, and technical analysts in the military, government labs, and the aerospace industry.

Common job roles include:

• Defense Systems Engineer: Overseeing the design and manufacturing of new aircraft, ships, or vehicles.
• Weapons Research Scientist: Working in a laboratory to develop more efficient fuels, explosives, or laser systems.
• Test and Evaluation (T&E) Lead: Running the experiments that prove a new piece of equipment actually works before it is sent to soldiers.
• Aerospace Engineer (Defense focus): Designing drones and missiles that can survive high-G turns and extreme heat.
• Materials Scientist: Developing new "super-materials" for lighter, stronger body armor or heat-resistant engine parts.
• Technical Intelligence Analyst: Examining foreign hardware to figure out how it works and how to defeat it.

Where Can You Work?

These specialists are the "inventors" behind a nation's defense infrastructure:

• Department of Defense Labs (ARL, ONR, AFRL): Conducting the "cutting-edge" research that will be used 10 years from now.
• Major Defense Contractors (Lockheed Martin, Boeing, General Dynamics): Building the actual hardware used by the military.
• NASA and Space Agencies: Working on the physical systems that allow for space exploration and defense.
• Department of Energy (DOE): Managing the technical aspects of nuclear security and advanced power systems.
• Private Tech and Robotics Firms: Developing autonomous "utility" bots for hazardous environments.

How Much Can You Earn?

Because of the high level of engineering expertise and the necessity for security clearances, these roles are very well-compensated.

• Defense Systems / Aerospace Engineers: Median annual salary of approximately $110,000–$160,000+.
• Senior Research Scientists (Defense Labs): Salaries typically range from $120,000 to $175,000.
• Materials / Mechanical Engineers (Entry-Level): Often start between $80,000 and $105,000.
• Test and Evaluation Managers: Median annual salary of around $105,000–$150,000.

Is This Degree Hard?

The difficulty is in the mathematical and physical rigor. You must be a master of "hard" science. It requires a highly precise, curious, and "engineering-first" mindset—you must love taking things apart to see how they work and using math to make them work better. It is a major that rewards those who are "Physical Strategists" and who find purpose in building the tangible tools that protect their country.

Who Should Consider This Degree?

This degree may be a good fit if you:

• Love physics and engineering but want to apply them specifically to national security
• Are fascinated by high-tech "machines" like jets, submarines, and robots
• Enjoy the challenge of making things work under "worst-case" conditions (heat, cold, impact)
• Want a career that mixes high-level computer simulation with real-world lab and field testing
• Believe that the best way to maintain peace is to have the most advanced technology on your side

How to Prepare in High School

• Take AP Physics C (Mechanics and E&M) and AP Calculus BC; these are the foundation for all applied sciences
• Take AP Chemistry and AP Computer Science; you need to understand both the materials and the code that runs them
• Join a Robotics Team (like FIRST or VEX) or a Rocketry Club to get hands-on experience with systems engineering
• Practice CAD (Computer-Aided Design)—learning software like SolidWorks or AutoCAD early is a massive advantage
• Read about "Skunk Works" and the history of the Apollo Program to see how great engineering teams solve "impossible" problems

The ability to apply physical logic and engineering mastery to the complexities of modern defense is the hallmark of a successful professional in this field.