2008-2009 Catalog - United States Air Force Academy

Graduates of the Air Force Academy must be intellectually prepared to assume professional and leadership roles. The
academic curriculum offers a balanced sequence of required courses that develops future Air Force officers with innovative,
analytical, and resourceful minds. You’ll receive a broad education in the basic sciences, engineering, humanities, and the social
sciences. The Air Force Academy offers 32 majors and two minors. You’ll take elective courses that suit you and give you a
background for possible graduate education during your career.
brigadier general dana h. born
Dean of the Faculty
Brigadier General Dana H. Born is the Dean of the Faculty. A graduate of the Air Force
Academy, Class of 1983, the General has served in various support and command
positions—including speech writer for the Secretary of the Air Force in Washington,
D.C.; Executive Officer, Exchange Office with the Royal Australian Air Force in
Australia; and most recently as Professor and Department Head of the Behavioral
Sciences and Leadership Department at the United States Air Force Academy.
General Born earned a bachelor of science degree (graduating with distinction) from
the Air Force Academy, a master’s degree in Experimental Psychology from Trinity
University in Texas, a master’s degree in Research Psychology from the University
of Melbourne in Australia, and a doctoral degree in Industrial and Organizational
Psychology from Pennsylvania State University. She attended Squadron Officer
School, Air Command and Staff College, and the Air War College at Maxwell
Air Force Base, Alabama. General Born’s decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak-leaf clusters, and the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oakleaf
cluster. She assumed duties as the Dean of the Faculty in October 2004.
“The education of America’s future leaders is paramount to our mission. Our primary role as faculty is to provide
instruction and experience to all cadets so they graduate with the knowledge, character, and motivation essential
to leadership as career officers. Through challenging academic programs, the Academy provides the tools and
opportunities to develop the reasoning, communication, and problem-solving skills necessary for our future
officers. Equally important is the faculty’s responsibility to help cadets develop integrity and character as we
motivate them toward military service. Serving as professional role models, Academy instructors—the majority
of whom are Air Force officers—combine the finest academic preparation with a wide variety of Air Force skills
and specialties to enrich classroom instruction. Through highly personalized academic counseling and student
assistance, our faculty and staff are dedicated to providing each cadet with the greatest opportunity for success.
For those cadets who excel academically, the Academy offers many postgraduate scholarships to further enhance
the young officer’s professional development. The faculty is governed by three guiding principles: provide a quality
education, promote trust and responsibility, and be a community of airman-scholar-citizens. With this focus, we
are able to graduate knowledgeable and motivated cadets committed to integrity, excellence and selflessness.”
semester schedule
The fall and spring semesters contain approximately 17 weeks of instruction (40 lessons) and they extend from early August
to the week before Christmas and the first week in January through mid-May. Each semester includes five days for final
examinations. A limited number of academic courses are offered for the third, second-, and first-class cadets during the
Academy’s 10-week summer term. Early in BCT, you’ll take placement examinations offered by the academic departments. Your
individual ability, preparation, and achievement determine what classes you’ll take during your first semester.
grading
Most courses at the Academy are graded on a grade point scale, with an “A” worth four quality points per semester hour, and
an “F” worth zero. Quizzes, examinations, and class recitations determine your grades. You’ll receive a pass/fail grade in other
courses, particularly military training, and airmanship. You should normally spend two hours in outside preparation for each
hour spent in class. You receive a computerized progress report at mid-semester and a final report at the end of the semester
with your grades.
46 United States Air Force Academy Catalog