Starfleet Academy Courses
From Star Trek: Gamma One
The following are courses taught to undergraduate cadets at Starfleet Academy. While the following list comprises the classes cadets are required to pass, it must be remembered that, except where noted, these courses are also available as extracurricular electives.
Contents |
General Courses
The classwork in this category is required study for all Starfleet Academy cadets, generally within the first two years of attendance.
- Self Defence: Cadets are given basic training in avoiding incoming personal danger, such as weapon shots or thrown objects. Some cadets will learn defensive and offensive martial arts.
- Federation Standard (Language): Although some cadets enter the Academy already fluent in Federation Standard, this course brings all future officers to a creditable standard in the language.
- Phaser Marksmanship: All cadets achieve a basic proficiency in the use of Type I and Type II phasers; unsurprisingly, those choosing to pursue a path in the Security branch are trained up to at least Marksman level.
- Shuttlecraft Operation: All cadets learn how to operate standard Starfleet shuttlecraft; Engineering students are also trained in the use of other vehicles.
- Starfleet Protocol: In this course, cadets learn the etiquette required in Starfleet officers, from the reading of rank insignia to the proper use and writing of official reports. Basically, it's the class on 'the Starfleet way of doing things'.
- Starfleet Regulations: As future leaders of their fellow officers, Command students are trained to a higher standard than the basic understanding of Starfleet regulations their peers learn.
- UFP History: This course covers not only the major events of the United Federation of Planets, but the causes and effects of such as well.
- Wilderness Survival: Cadets may choose between any number of environments for this training, from arctic to urban, or survival methods of specific planets.
Branch-Specific General Courses
The following courses are attended by all cadets; however, the specific application and type of class is determined by the cadet's chosen branch of study.
- Computer Use: Engineering students are trained in the creation of computer simulations; all other cadets choose between a number of specialties, the most popular being the use of computers to pursue research, and holosuite programming.
- Personal Equipment Use: Cadets on the Sciences path are specifically trained in the use of the tricorder; students at SACOM receive instruction on the medical tricorder. Cadets in other branches can choose to learn the use and minor repair of communicators, environmental suit, PADD, general tricorder, or universal translators. Intelligence and temporal tricorder courses are available, but only by special permission; most cadets are not even aware of their existence.
- Shipboard Systems: Science branch cadets are trained in the use of sensor technology, while those pursuing either a Medical or Counseling degree learn how to use a ship's (or starbase's) medical systems. Security cadets are trained to use a tactical console. Operations and Command path students may select from a wide variety of shipboard systems, but must learn at least one, while Science and Engineering cadets learn two.
- Physical Education: All cadets except those opting for the Sciences branch are required to participate in an athletic activity of his or her choice. These cover a wide range of sports and activities, from baseball to wall-climbing. It does not, however, cover classes in hand-to-hand combat.
Branch Courses
Command
- Starship Administration: Even as small an organization as a starship generates lots of paperwork. Lots and lots and lots of paperwork. This classes shows cadets the ins and outs of it.
- Starship Command Methodology: This course trains Command-path cadets in the subtle and not-so-subtle ways officers lead their subordinates. This involves some minor exploration of psychology as well as how to inspire officers to utmost efforts in their duties.
- Command path cadets must also choose one of the following electives:
- Planetary Tactics: Utilized both in missions and incidents on a planet's surface and within the confines of a ship or structure. Essentially, it's used in small-scale engagements. Sun Tzu's The Art of War is required reading.
- Starship Engagement Tactics: This course trains cadets in the fundamentals of battle between craft, or even between fleets.
Counseling
- First Aid: Counseling students take a basic course in first aid methods, choosing from a variety of specialties.
- Psychology: A SACOM class, this course goes beyond merely the study of psychology- it teaches the use of psychology in the treatment and therapy of troubled beings.
- Starship Administration: As Counselors often assist a ship's senior command in the administration of personnel, this is a required course for both branches.
- Therapeutic Persuasion: This course details methods of conversing and dealing with clients.
- Would-be counselors must also choose one of the following electives:
- Diplomacy: Counselors also assist Command officers in persuading foes, friends, and obstructive beings, so they have the opportunity to learn the methods used in doing so.
- Mediation: They also assist in the negotiations that senior Command often is involved in or oversees, hence learning the fine art of bringing two or more sides to an agreement amenable to all.
Engineering
- Physical Sciences: Engineers must complete one Physical Sciences course, with course work specializing in one Physical Sciences specialty.
- Engineering Courses: Engineers must complete Systems, Material and Propulsion courses, with course work specializing in related specialties.
Medical
- First Aid: Medical cadets take an advanced version of the first aid course attended by those studying to be counselors.
- Life Sciences: Medical cadets must complete one Life Sciences course, with course work specializing in one Life Sciences specialty.
Operations
- Administration: Cadets of the Operations branch may choose one of a variety of possible administrative specialties, including bureaucratic, logistical, personnel, starbase, or starship.
- Starfleet Martial Arts: Operations officers are often key members of away teams, and therefore are trained in self-defense.
- Engineering: Operations cadets must complete one Engineering course, with course work specializing in one specialty for the chosen engineering field.
Sciences
- Engineering: Science cadets must complete one Engineering course, with course work specializing in one specialty for the chosen engineering field.
- Sciences: Sciences cadets must complete Sciences courses, with course work specializing in related specialties.
Security
- Security Systems Engineering: Cadets studying for the Security branch learn some basic understanding of the inner workings of the tools they use in security facilities.
- Security Systems: In this course, cadets on the Security path learn the proper use of Starfleet security systems.
- Starfleet Martial Arts: Security cadets are highly trained in personal combat.
