Air Force Science
The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program prepares men and women of character, commitment, and courage to assume leadership positions as commissioned officers in the active duty United States Air Force. On completion of the curriculum, students will have a thorough understanding of the core values, leadership, teamwork, and other requirements to be an effective officer in the world’s greatest Air Force.
For additional information regarding Air Force Science, please see the program's website.
Air Force Science is not a free-standing degree program; in addition to fulfilling the ROTC curriculum, candidates are required to successfully complete the degree program to which they have been admitted. Upon successful completion of both the Air Force Sciences curriculum and the conferral of their Rice undergraduate degree, the student will become an active duty commissioned officer in the United States Air Force.
Four-Year Program
The General Military Course (GMC) is the first half of the four-year ROTC program and is taken during the freshman and sophomore years. This program allows the student to experience Air Force ROTC without obligation (unless the student is on an Air Force ROTC scholarship).
Each semester of the GMC consists of one classroom hour of instruction as well as Leadership Laboratory each week.
During the first two years, the student will learn about the Air Force and the historical development of aerospace power.
During the summer preceding the junior year, the student will compete for the opportunity to attend a four-week Field Training Unit. Successful completion of field training is mandatory for entrance into the Professional Officer Course (POC), the junior and senior years of the four-year program.
As a junior, the student will study the core values, leadership, teamwork, and management tools required to become an effective Air Force officer.
During the senior year, students study the national security policy process and regional and cultural studies, participate in a war-game, and complete final requirements for commissioning as second lieutenants.
Leadership Laboratory
As an Air Force ROTC cadet, each student is required to attend an additional two-hour class known as Leadership Laboratory.
Although not part of the academic class requirement, it is an essential element of officer training. Leadership Laboratory is an intensive military training program in which students gain invaluable leadership and managerial experience while learning about the Air Force way of life. Students have numerous opportunities to hear guest speakers and panel discussions, participate in field trips, and experience practical leadership exercises.
AFROTC Scholarship Opportunities
In-College Scholarship Program (ICSP) is a highly competitive scholarship program aimed primarily at college freshmen and sophomores in any major (students with a bachelor’s degree can compete to earn a master’s degree).
ROTC scholarship students incur a military obligation. For additional information on AFROTC scholarship opportunities, please visit the AFROTC website at https://www.afrotc.com/ or call 1-800-4AFROTC.
Stipend
All AFROTC scholarship recipients and POC cadets receive a nontaxable monthly stipend.
Field Training (FT)
Cadets completing the General Military Course attend field training (FT) during the summer at Maxwell AFB, Alabama. This rigorous program of leadership training, physical conditioning and academics assesses the cadet’s potential to be an Air Force officer.
Cadets also receive survival and firearms training and career information.
Physical Fitness Training
Cadets meet at the University of Houston Alumni Center to perform physical fitness training. The training is mandatory and emphasizes push-ups, sit-ups, and running in order to pass the USAF physical fitness test.
Professional Development Training (PDT)
Cadets are eligible to compete to attend PDT during the summer months.
PDT consists of several programs, including:
- Tours of nearby active duty Air Force bases
- Soaring and free-fall parachuting at the United States Air Force Academy
- (USAFA)
- Cultural and Foreign Language Immersion
- Hands-on research at Air Force laboratories
- Shadowing a Air Force officer in Operation Air Force
- Internships at NASA and other government organizations
Cadets receive travel pay and daily pay for the majority of these programs.
For more information contact the Unit Admissions Officer at 713-743-4932 or visit the University of Houston Air Force website at https://www.uh.edu/class/airforce.
Summary
The mission of producing Air Force second lieutenants of character, commitment, and courage is more important than ever.
See AFSC in the Rice Course Schedule (these courses are taught at the University of Houston).
Commander and Professor
Lt. Colonel Ernesto Curiel
Associate Professors
Capt. Feyisade Bolarinwa
Capt. David Whitfield
All courses and physical training sessions take place at the University of Houston. Additional information is available through the Air Force Science Department at the University of Houston by calling 713-743-4932 or on-line at www.uh.edu/class/airforce.
For Rice University degree-granting programs:
To view the list of official course offerings, please see Rice’s Course Catalog.
To view the most recent semester’s course schedule, please see Rice's Course Schedule.
Air Force Science (AFSC)
AFSC 101 - FOUNDATION OF THE USAF I
Short Title: FOUNDATION OF THE USAF I
Department: Air Force Science
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Lecture/Laboratory
Credit Hours: 2
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Lower-Level
Description: Overall roles and missions of the USAF; career fields available. Emphasis on military customs and courtesies, appearance standards, core values, written and personal communications. Introduction to American military history. Course taught on the University of Houston. This course includes a lab.
AFSC 102 - FOUNDATION OF THE USAF II
Short Title: FOUNDATION OF THE USAF II
Department: Air Force Science
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Lecture/Laboratory
Credit Hours: 2
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Lower-Level
Description: Continuation of AFSC 101. Course taught at the University of Houston.
AFSC 201 - EVOLUTION OF AIR POWER I
Short Title: EVOLUTION OF AIR POWER I
Department: Air Force Science
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Lecture/Laboratory
Credit Hours: 2
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Lower-Level
Description: Key historical events and milestones in the development of air power as a primary instrument of United States national security. Core values and competencies of leaders in the United States Air Force. Tenets of leadership and ethics. Course taught on the University of Houston campus. This course also includes a lab.
AFSC 202 - EVOLUTION OF AIR POWER II
Short Title: EVOLUTION OF AIR POWER II
Department: Air Force Science
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Lecture/Laboratory
Credit Hours: 2
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Lower-Level
Description: Continuation of AFSC 201. Course taught at the University of Houston.
AFSC 238 - SPECIAL TOPICS
Short Title: SPECIAL TOPICS
Department: Air Force Science
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Internship/Practicum, Lecture, Laboratory, Seminar
Credit Hours: 1-4
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Lower-Level
Description: Topics and credit hours may vary each semester. Contact department for current semester’s topic(s). Repeatable for Credit.
AFSC 301 - AIR FORCE LEADERSHIP STUDY I
Short Title: AIR FORCE LEADERSHIP STUDY I
Department: Air Force Science
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Seminar
Credit Hours: 3
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
Description: Leadership, management fundamentals, professional knowledge, Air Force personnel and evaluation systems, and leadership ethics. Case studies of Air Force leadership and management situations. Course taught on the University of Houston campus. This course includes a lab.
AFSC 302 - AIR FORCE LEADERSHIP STUDY II
Short Title: AIR FORCE LEADERSHIP STUDY II
Department: Air Force Science
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Seminar
Credit Hours: 3
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
Description: Continuation of AFSC 301.
AFSC 381 - FIELD TRAINING
Short Title: FIELD TRAINING
Department: Air Force Science
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Lecture/Laboratory
Credit Hours: 8
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
Description: No military obligation is associated with this course. Four-week off-campus field training practicum. Introduces students to Air Force leadership. Places students in demanding and stressful leadership positions. Course taught at military base. Department Permission Required.
AFSC 401 - NATIONAL SECURITY AFFAIRS I
Short Title: NATIONAL SECURITY AFFAIRS I
Department: Air Force Science
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Lecture/Laboratory
Credit Hours: 3
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
Description: Evolution of the role of national security in a democratic society with emphasis on policy formation, competing values, and organization. Civilian control of the military, roles of the services; functions of the Air Force Commands. Course taught on the University of Houston campus. This course includes a lab.
AFSC 402 - NATIONAL SECURITY AFFAIRS II
Short Title: NATIONAL SECURITY AFFAIRS II
Department: Air Force Science
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Lecture/Laboratory
Credit Hours: 3
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
Description: Continuation of AFSC 401. Course taught at the University of Houston.
AFSC 477 - SPECIAL TOPICS
Short Title: SPECIAL TOPICS
Department: Air Force Science
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Internship/Practicum, Lecture, Laboratory, Seminar
Credit Hours: 1-4
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
Description: Topics and credit hours may vary each semester. Contact department for current semester’s topic(s). Repeatable for Credit.