University Catalog > School of Computational Sciences

School of Computational Sciences

Graduate Programs

Phone: 703-993-1990
Web: scs.gmu.edu

Graduate Programs

The School of Computational Sciences (SCS) offers the following academic programs:

PhD in Bioinformatics
PhD in Climate Dynamics
PhD in Computational Sciences and Informatics
PhD in Earth Systems and Geoinformation Sciences
PhD in Neuroscience (with the College of Arts and Sciences and the Krasnow Institute)
PhD in Physical Sciences (with the College of Arts and Sciences)
MS in Bioinformatics
MS in Computational Science
MS in Earth Systems Science (with the College of Arts and Sciences)
Certificate in Computational Techniques and Applications
Certificate in Nanotechnology and Nanoscience
Certificate in Remote Sensing and Earth Image Processing

Administration

Menas Kafatos, Dean
George E. Taylor Jr., Associate Dean
Peter A. Becker, Associate Dean for Graduate Studies
James E. Gentle, Assistant Dean for Faculty
Paul S. Schopf, Assistant Dean for Research
John J. Grefenstette, Assistant Dean for Prince William Operations

Introduction

The School of Computational Sciences (SCS) results from the merger of the Institute for Computational Sciences and Informatics and the Institute for Biosciences, Bio-informatics, and Biotechnology. SCS serves as the primary academic unit providing scientific and applications content to Mason's information technology focus. This content includes applications in the biological, physical, mathematical, and data sciences. Along with other units, SCS also contributes to the university's focus on educational and research programs related to the environment.

Through its interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary activities, SCS seeks to integrate computation in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering to advance human knowledge and develop new approaches to the solution of complex problems. SCS maintains extensive facilities on both the Fairfax and Prince William Campuses.

Faculty

Aharonov, Ascoli, Beach, Beall, Becker, Black, Blackwell, Blaisten-Barojas, Borne, Boybeyi, Buot, Carr, Cebral, Chiu, Cioffi-Revilla, De Jong, DelSole, Di, Ermler, Gentle, Gillevet, Gomez, Grefenstette, Guillory, Houser, Huang, Jafri, Jamison, Ji, Kafatos, Kerschberg, Kinser, Kinter, Kirtman, Klimov, Klinger, Krishnamurthy, Kwiatkowski, Lieb, Lin, Löhner, McCabe, Michalski, Mishin, Morowitz, Olds, Olson, Papaconstantopoulos, Poland, Polyak, Porter, Pribram, Qu, Rassenti, Roper, M. Roy, S. Roy, Sambruna, Sauer, Satyapal, Schiff, Schneider, Schopf, Schum, Seto, Shukla, Singh, Smith, Solka, Straus, Summers, Sutton, Taylor, Titarchuk, Tollaksen, Vaisman, Wallin, Wang, Wegman, Weller, Weingartner, Willett, Wilson, Withbroe, Wong, Wood, C. Yang, P. Yang, R. Yang, W. Yang, Zhang, Zoltek

Academic Units

The academic and research activities of the SCS are organized into several units, termed programs. The programs are semiautonomous, with their own faculty and chairs. The programs are listed below, along with the respective program chairs. The development of new programs is anticipated as the school continues to evolve in response to faculty members' academic and research activities.

Astrophysical, Planetary, and Space Sciences: J. Wallin, chair
Bioinformatics and Computational Biology: J. Grefenstette, chair
Climate Dynamics: J. Shukla, chair
Computational Neuroscience: J. Olds, chair
Data Sciences: J. Gentle, chair
Earth Systems and Geoinformation Sciences: D. Wong, chair
Fluids and Materials: R. Löhner, chair

Course Work

SCS offers all course work designated Bioinformatics (BINF), Climate Dynamics (CLIM), Computational Sciences and Informatics (CSI), Earth Observing and Systems (EOS), Nanotechnology (NANO), Neuroscience (NEUR), and Physical Sciences (PSCI) in the "Course Descriptions" chapter of this catalog.

Fellowships and assistantships are generally available beginning in the fall semester. Students must submit completed applications by February 1 for fall admission; all other applications for fall admission are due by March 1. Applications for spring admission should be received by November 1 of the preceding year. Applications from local students may be accepted beyond the dates stated above. These are general guidelines; for complete information, go to www.scs.gmu.edu.

Computational Sciences and Informatics, PhD

The computational sciences and informatics (CSI) doctoral program addresses the role of computation in science, mathematics, and engineering, and is designed around a core of advanced computer technology courses. "Computational sciences" is defined as the systematic development and application of computing systems and computational solution techniques to models of scientific and engineering phenomena. "Informatics" is defined as the systematic development and application of computing systems and computational solution techniques for analyzing data obtained through experiments, modeling, database searches, and instrumentation. Computing is now part of a triad, along with theory and experimentation, which provides a new, integrated means of investigation. The resulting interdisciplinary approach often leads to understanding that, in many cases, traditional theory or experimentation alone cannot provide. The close relationship of the CSI doctoral program to the research and development activities in federal laboratories, scientific institutions, and high-technology firms affords students opportunities for continuing or new employment. Scheduled courses and sequences accommodate part-time students, with most courses meeting once per week in the late afternoon or early evening.

Each student completing the CSI doctoral program receives extensive training in a selected area of scientific concentration along with a broad background in modern computational techniques. Graduates are qualified to pursue careers in academia, private industry, and many government laboratories and agencies. The program provides interdisciplinary research opportunities spanning, but not limited to, atmospheric transport and dispersion; bioinformatics and computational biology; climate dynamics and global change; computational chemistry; computational finance; computational fluid dynamics; computational intelligence and knowledge mining; computational mathematics; computational neuroscience; computational physics; computational statistics; computer design of materials; Earth observing and remote sensing; and space sciences and computational astrophysics.

Admission Requirements

Applicants should have an academic background in physical or biological sciences, engineering, mathematics, or computer science. They should have an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution, with a GPA of at least 3.00 in their last 60 credits of study. Additionally, applicants should have taken at least one course in differential equations, and should have facility in using a high-level computer programming language. To apply, prospective students should forward a completed Mason graduate application, two copies of official transcripts from each college and graduate institution attended, a current resume, and an expanded goals statement to the SCS Graduate Admissions Processing Center. Applicants should also include three letters of recommendation, and an official report of scores obtained on the GRE-GEN exam. The GRE-SUB is recommended if it is given in the student's undergraduate major. The GRE requirement will be waived if the student holds a master's degree from a U.S. institution. TOEFL scores are required for all foreign applicants.

Degree Requirements

The program emphasizes three intellectual elements: common computational science topics, computationally intensive courses in specific areas of interest, and doctoral research. The course work is divided as follows:

Common computational core courses: CSI 700, 701, 703, and 710
Scientific core courses in one of the areas of concentration
Scientific electives from specialty courses in the area of concentration, or individualized study based on professional experience and research
General electives

Three credits of colloquia or seminars, with at least one credit of CSI 899

The program requires 72 credits beyond the baccalaureate degree, with a minimum of 48 credits in course work, and 24 credits of dissertation research. For those holding master's degrees, the 72 required credits may be reduced by up to 30 credits, depending on graduate courses completed. At the end of the semester when course work is completed, the student must form a doctoral committee, which will write the student's candidacy exam. The exam includes written, oral, and computational components. Upon passing the candidacy exam and submitting an acceptable dissertation proposal, the student is advanced to doctoral candidacy.

Students are encouraged to apply their knowledge to a broad range of natural science problems using computational skills and techniques missing from the more traditional degree programs in science and mathematics. Note that research opportunities are not limited to the listed areas, and many opportunities exist to create new areas of interdisciplinary research that would be difficult to accommodate within a traditional doctoral program. Students are to consult with their advisors to prepare specific plans of study. Complete information regarding the curriculum requirements (including electives) for each area of concentration is available at www.scs.gmu.edu. In addition to the common core of CSI 700, 701, 703, and 710, required scientific core courses for the specific areas of concentration are as follows:

Atmospheric Transport and Dispersion: two of CSI 655, CLIM 711, EOS 854
Computational Finance: STAT 652 and 656; CSI 771 and 776; two courses in finance
Computational Fluid Dynamics: CSI 721, 722, and 780; CSI 783 or 784; CSI 785 or PHYS 513
Computational Intelligence and Knowledge Mining: CSI 771, 773, 777, 873
Computational Mathematics: CSI 740; MATH 677 or 678; two additional math courses
Computational Physics: CSI 780; CSI 783 or 784; CSI 785 or PHYS 513; and one of CSI 782, 783, 784, 888, or PHYS 705
Computational Statistics: CSI 771 or 773; CSI 778; CSI 876 or 877; CSI 972 and 973
Computer Design of Materials: CSI 685, 780, 783, 787, and 885
Space Sciences and Computational Astrophysics: CSI 661 and 784; CSI 781 or 782; CSI 785 or PHYS 513; and one of CSI 721, 761, or 788

Students may also pursue interdisciplinary research that combines the areas of concentration listed above with each other and also with high-performance computing, computational neuroscience, Earth systems and geoinformation sciences, computational chemistry, climate dynamics, and bioinformatics, several of which are now autonomous PhD programs within SCS.

Bioinformatics, PhD

Recent advances in molecular biology have produced an avalanche of data, including DNA sequences and genetic maps that cover thousands of genes whose functions are poorly understood or completely unknown. These advances are having a profound effect on the biological sciences, and have resulted in the development of the new discipline of bioinformatics. Bioinformatics utilizes computational approaches to analyze patterns in biological data and create complex models of biological activity, including attempts to elucidate the functions of genes and their interactions in genetic pathways. Widespread social benefits are expected from the exploitation of the wealth of new knowledge concerning the genetic mechanisms of life and related processes. The coming years will see major developments in medicine, functional genomics, and environmental sciences, as well as profound advances in understanding the fundamental processes of biology. These benefits are increasingly dependent on the application of advanced information technology to the analysis of biological information.

The main objective of the program is to train the next generation of computational biologists for careers in academia, industry, and government. The program provides students with an interdisciplinary academic environment, including fundamental biosciences courses as well as core and advanced courses in bioinformatics. In general, course requirements may be completed within the first two years. The program is structured to be accessible to both full- and part-time students.

Admission Requirements

Applicants should have a bachelor's degree in biology, computer science, or a related field, with a minimum GPA of 3.25. Admission also requires minimum GRE scores of 1100 (verbal plus quantitative) and 4.0 (analytical writing). Applicants should have taken courses in molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, genetics, calculus, computer programming and data structures, and probability and statistics. Students with deficiencies in one or more of these areas may be admitted provisionally and required to take additional courses from the undergraduate curriculum. To apply, prospective students should forward a completed Mason graduate application, two copies of official transcripts from each college and graduate institution attended, a current resume, and an expanded goals statement to the SCS Graduate Admissions Processing Center. Applicants should also include three letters of recommendation, and an official report of scores obtained on the GRE-GEN exam. The GRE-SUB is recommended if it is given in the student's undergraduate major. The GRE requirement for admission to the doctoral programs will be waived if the student holds a master's degree from a U.S. institution. TOEFL scores are required for all foreign applicants.

Degree Requirements

The program requires 72 credits beyond the baccalaureate degree, with a minimum of 48 credits in course work, and 24 credits of dissertation research. For those holding master's degrees, the 72 required credits may be reduced by up to 30 credits, depending on graduate courses completed. The curriculum is divided into four areas: 12 credits of fundamental biosciences courses; 16 credits of core bioinformatics courses; 20 credits of electives or independent research; and 24 credits of dissertation research. The course work is organized as follows:

Fundamental bioscience courses: BINF 701, 702, plus 3 credits each of BINF 703 and 704
Core bioinformatics courses: BINF 690, 705, 730, 731, and 732; and one of the computational emphasis courses: CSI 701, 703, or 710

General electives

If the undergraduate record does not include basic biochemistry, the student will be required to take a basic course prior to BINF 701 Biochemical Systematics (Biochemistry). If the undergraduate record is otherwise insufficient, the student may be required to take prerequisite courses, some of which may not be applicable to the 48-hour course total for the bioinformatics PhD. By the end of the semester when course work is completed, the student must form a doctoral committee, which will supervise the candidacy exam. The exam includes written and oral components. Upon passing the candidacy exam and submitting an acceptable dissertation proposal, the student is advanced to doctoral candidacy.

Climate Dynamics, PhD

The mission of this program is to train the next generation of world leaders in the science of climate dynamics. While there is no unambiguous definition of "climate," climate dynamics is generally considered to encompass processes that determine the behavior of the atmosphere, land, and oceans averaged over time scales of weeks to centuries and millennia. Understanding climate variability and predictability poses difficult mathematical, computational, and observational questions that have generated increasing intellectual excitement in recent years. Because atmospheric behavior is strongly coupled to the oceans and land surface, physical oceanography and land surface physics can also be considered part of the science of climate dynamics. Understanding climate variability has important ramifications for society, from planning for next year's electrical demand and forecasting agricultural production, to answering complex questions involving long-term global change. While it is thought to be theoretically impossible to predict day-to-day weather more than a few weeks in advance, recent progress in predicting El Niño supports the idea that seasonal averages of temperature, rainfall, and other factors may be at least partly predictable months or even years in advance.

The climate dynamics faculty is varied and consists of a blend of expertise in dynamics, statistics, and computational methods while covering the traditional areas of atmospheric dynamics, physical and dynamical oceanography, and land surface physics. The faculty and students involved in the program work closely with scientists at the Center for Ocean-Land-Atmosphere Studies (COLA), utilizing common models, datasets, and computational facilities. Faculty research focuses on the areas of climate prediction and predictability; climate variability; coupled ocean-atmosphere-land dynamics; and dynamical systems and retrospective analysis. Recent research topics include:

Predictability of weather and climate
Modeling of the complex climate system
El Niño dynamics
Deforestation, desertification, and monsoons
Atmosphere-ocean interaction
Land-climate interaction
Decadal climate variability
Ocean circulation theory
Abrupt climate change

External research collaborations exist with federal agencies, private corporations, and other universities, exemplifying the commitment of SCS and the university to the development of effective regional and national collaborations. The faculty is heavily involved with national and international climate science efforts, providing students with the opportunity for participation in research.

Admission Requirements

Applicants should have demonstrated high aptitude for quantitative reasoning, applied mathematics, and physical science. Applicants should have an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution, with a GPA of at least 3.00 in undergraduate work and a combined GRE score of 1100 (verbal plus quantitative). To apply, prospective students should forward a completed Mason graduate application, two copies of official transcripts from each college and graduate institution attended, a current resume, and an expanded goals statement to the SCS Graduate Admissions Processing Center. Applicants should also include three letters of recommendation, and an official report of scores obtained on the GRE-GEN exam. The GRE-SUB is recommended if it is given in the student's undergraduate major. The GRE requirement for admission to the doctoral programs will be waived if the student holds a master's degree from a U.S. institution. TOEFL scores are required for all foreign applicants.

Degree Requirements

The program requires 72 credits beyond the baccalaureate degree, with a minimum of 48 credits in course work, and 24 credits of dissertation research. For those holding master's degrees, the required 48 credits may be reduced by up to 30 credits, depending on graduate courses completed. The degree will be awarded upon completion of the required course work and approval of a PhD thesis that makes an original and significant contribution to the field.

The curriculum is divided into four logical areas: 12 credits of fundamental climate science courses; 9 credits of core computational methods; 3 credits of seminar; a minimum of 24 credits of electives; and a minimum of 24 credits of dissertation research. The course work is organized as follows:

Fundamental climate science courses: CLIM 710, 711, 712, 714
Core computational courses: CSI 700, CSI 701, and CLIM 715
Climate seminar: 3 credits of CSI 991

24 credits of electives, including up to 5 credits of independent research

Close to the time that course work is completed, each student must form a dissertation committee. This committee prepares and administers a qualifying exam. Following successful completion of the qualifying exam, the student presents a written dissertation proposal to the committee. The student may enroll in CLIM 998 Doctoral Dissertation Proposal to complete this effort. After approval of the dissertation proposal, the student is formally advanced to candidacy for the PhD degree, and produces the dissertation while taking CLIM 999. The degree will be awarded upon completion of the required course work, and approval of a PhD thesis that makes an original and significant contribution to the field.

Earth Systems and Geoinformation Sciences, PhD

The innovative, new PhD program in Earth systems and geoinformation sciences (ESGS) is based on the integration of the two scientific disciplines in geosystems, geosciences and geography, with the two slightly more technology oriented scientific disciplines in geoinformation sciences, remote sensing and GIS. Graduates from the ESGS doctoral program will be qualified to serve as lead scientists in a wide range of activities involving geosciences, geography, geographic information systems, and remote sensing. The continual expansion of the NASA Earth observation satellite constellation, the development and expansion of the geospatial data infrastructure at federal agencies, and the need to analyze these Earth-oriented data to achieve environmental and economic objectives will ensure a constant need in the foreseeable future for qualified scientists in these fields. Graduates will receive broad-based training in the geosciences and geography as well as concentrated courses in computation and geoinformation sciences. The ESGS doctoral program represents a gateway to an academic career for some students; for others, it will facilitate career advancement in either the public sector or private industry. Graduates will be equipped to participate in interdisciplinary research, which is the norm in today's research arena. In addition, students will also receive training in teaching, qualifying them to join academic units in more traditional disciplinary and instruction-oriented settings or in multidisciplinary programs.

Admission Requirements

This program is intended for graduates who hold a BS or BA degree in atmospheric science, climatology, meteorology, Earth science, geology, environmental science, remote sensing and Earth observing, hydrology, oceanography, geography, or related field, with a minimum GPA of 3.00. Applicants should have knowledge of calculus, and working proficiency with a computer programming language. Knowledge of mathematics through ordinary differential equations is preferred. Interested applicants should contact the academic coordinator or the ESGS chair for more specific advice. To apply, prospective students should forward a completed Mason graduate application, two copies of official transcripts from each college and graduate institution attended, a current resume, and an expanded goals statement to the SCS Graduate Admissions Processing Center. Applicants should also include three letters of recommendation, and an official report of scores obtained on the GRE-GEN exam. The GRE-SUB is recommended if it is given in the student's undergraduate major. The GRE requirement for admission to the doctoral programs will be waived if the student holds a master's degree from a U.S. institution. TOEFL scores are required for all foreign applicants.

Degree Requirements

The curriculum consists of 72 credits: 48 credits of course work, and 24 hours of dissertation research. The 48-credit requirement may be reduced by up to 30 hours for a qualified student holding a previous master's degree. Up to 24 credits of previous, relevant graduate course work may be transferred into the program as long as those credits have not been applied toward a previous degree. The curriculum is organized into the four concentrations listed below:

Geosciences (GSC)
Geography (GEOG)
Remote Sensing and Earth Observation (RS)
Geographic Information Systems Sciences (GIS)

Students may select one of the four concentrations listed above, or they may opt to develop a curriculum that combines elements from two or more concentrations, subject to approval by the program director.

All students are required to select courses from a set of three core areas: computational, geosciences-geography, and geoinformation. Additional requirements include courses in the concentration, a single credit of seminar or colloquium, and electives relevant to the student's focus. In recognition of the diverse interests in this scientific area, students are given considerable flexibility to construct their curriculum, under the guidance of a faculty advisor. To provide the desired level of flexibility and encourage interdisciplinary education and research, the following seven program elements are required:

6 credits of computational core courses
9 credits of geosciences-geography core courses
6 credits of geoinformation sciences core courses
6 credits of concentration courses
3 credits of seminar and colloquium (1 credit, taken three times)
18 credits of electives
24 credits of dissertation research

For a complete list of the various courses in each category, go to www.scs.gmu.edu.

All students will be assigned a temporary academic advisor when they first enroll in the program. No later than the end of the second year, each student should identify a dissertation advisor and form a doctoral committee. After completing all required courses, each student must take a candidacy exam administered by the dissertation committee. The exam will have written and oral components. Its purpose is to determine whether the student has acquired adequate general knowledge in the selected subject area, as well as much more detailed knowledge of the specific research topic planned for the dissertation. After students have completed all required courses and passed the candidacy exam, they should prepare an acceptable dissertation proposal. After the dissertation proposal is approved, the student is formally advanced to doctoral candidacy. The degree will be awarded upon completion of the required course work, and approval of a PhD thesis that makes an original and significant contribution to the field.

Neuroscience, PhD

The interdisciplinary doctoral program in neuroscience is offered jointly by SCS, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study. The complexity of the human brain presents a major challenge to the development of an integrative understanding of human cognition and higher brain function. In response to this challenge, the rapidly developing field of neuroscience has produced an exponential increase in the amount of data available to investigators as they develop new theories of brain function and new hypotheses to test. The main objective of the program is to prepare students to participate at the cutting edge of this exciting field in academia, industry, and government. The program provides students with a rich interdisciplinary intellectual environment that fosters the development of the skills they will need to successfully pursue research careers.

Current faculty research focuses on the broad areas of behavior, anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, computational modeling, and informatics. External research collaborations exist with federal agencies, private corporations, and other universities. The scope of research ranges from the subcellular and molecular level (in the context of such phenomena as drug addiction and the biological basis of schizophrenia) to the systems and behavioral level (including cognitive studies on great apes in collaboration with the National Zoological Park). Current research projects include:

Effects of drugs and alcohol on behavioral and neurological development
Cellular organization and connections of sensory processing areas in fish
Connection between quantum processes and brain dynamics
Cellular and subcellular models of associative learning
Biochemical dynamics in disorders of the basal ganglia
Computational methods for simulation of complex biological systems
Role of metals in memory and Alzheimer's disease
Dynamical behavior of neurons and networks of neurons
Adaptive control for stabilization of epilepsy

Admission Requirements

Applicants should have a bachelor's degree in a relevant field and undergraduate courses in chemistry, cell biology, and integral calculus. Admission requires a minimum GPA of 3.25 in undergraduate work and acceptable GRE scores. In addition, applicants must submit a statement of purpose consistent with the research interests of at least one faculty member in the program, and the names of two faculty members who may be suitable as advisors or supervisory committee members. To apply, prospective students should forward a completed Mason graduate application, two copies of official transcripts from each college and graduate institution attended, a current resume, and an expanded goals statement to the SCS Graduate Admissions Processing Center. Applicants should also include three letters of recommendation, and an official report of scores obtained on the GRE-GEN exam. The GRE-SUB is recommended if it is given in the student's undergraduate major. The GRE requirement for admission to the doctoral programs will be waived if the student holds a master's degree from a U.S. institution. TOEFL scores are required for all foreign applicants.

Degree Requirements

The curriculum consists of 72 credits: 48 credits of course work, and 24 credits of dissertation research. The 48-credit requirement may be reduced by up to 30 credits for a qualified student holding a previous master's degree. Up to 24 credits of previous, relevant graduate course work may be transferred into the program provided those credits have not been applied toward a previous degree. Additional requirements for graduation include a dissertation, and at least one publication (in print or in press) in a refereed journal.

Two concentrations are included in the program: behavioral, anatomical, and molecular neuroscience (BAM); and theoretical, computational, and physiological neuroscience (TCP). All students will follow almost the same curriculum for the first two years, although concentration prerequisites may vary slightly. For example, students in the TCP concentration must have basic knowledge of integral calculus. It is expected that the selection of elective thesis topics will vary widely between the two concentrations. However, |students will be allowed to "mix and match" electives from both concentrations, with guidance and consent from the advisor or graduate coordinator.

The courses, seminars, and laboratory rotations and readings (comprising a total of 48 credits) are organized as follows:

Core biology (NEUR 604, 611, 702)
Core neuroscience (NEUR 601, 602, 603, 701)
9 credits of rotations and readings (NEUR 703)
24 credits of dissertation research (NEUR 998, 999)
15 credits of electives
2 credits of seminar (NEUR 709, 710)

When course work is nearing completion, students should form a doctoral committee and have their thesis proposal ready to defend. Candidacy exams include written and oral components. After passing the candidacy exam and receiving committee approval of the dissertation proposal, the student is advanced to doctoral candidacy. The degree will be awarded after completion of the required course work and approval of a PhD thesis that makes an original and significant contribution to the field.

Physical Sciences, PhD

The interdisciplinary doctoral program in physical sciences is offered jointly by SCS and the College of Arts and Sciences. This degree focuses on the preparation of scientists trained to perform research as members of interdisciplinary science teams, primarily involving astronomy, chemistry, and physics. The main emphasis of this program is on theoretical, experimental, or laboratory research. It is not intended to produce graduates who are scientific generalists because modern research in the physical sciences is, of course, highly specialized. However, the areas of specialization often cut across traditional disciplines.

The degree is built on a foundation of several interdisciplinary courses that expose students to fundamental research problems in modern science, and provide them with an introduction to each of the general physical areas that comprise the degree (physics, chemistry, and astronomy). However, the program curriculum has been carefully designed to provide enough flexibility to accommodate students seeking a fully interdisciplinary program, as well as those with interests that are somewhat more closely aligned with one of the traditional physical sciences disciplines.

Students are encouraged to undertake research under close faculty supervision in a number of potential areas, including, but not limited to, the following examples:

Analysis of complex dynamical systems
Studies of the role of greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere
Modeling astrochemical processes in star-forming regions
Searches for extrasolar planets
Modeling the production of high-energy gamma rays from cosmic sources
Analysis and prediction of space weather
Theory and applications of quantum computation
Solid state physics, including applications to materials science
Interaction of organic molecules with solid surfaces

Admission Requirements

Applicants should have a bachelor's degree in physics, astronomy, chemistry, mathematics, or engineering, including a course in ordinary differential equations. Admission requires a minimum GPA of 3.00 in undergraduate work, and acceptable scores on the GRE-GEN exam. Applicants with insufficient undergraduate records may be accepted provisionally. To apply, prospective students should forward a completed Mason graduate application, two copies of official transcripts from each college and graduate institution attended, a current resume, and an expanded goals statement to the SCS Graduate Admissions Processing Center. Applicants should also include three letters of recommendation and an official report of scores obtained on the GRE-GEN exam. The GRE-SUB is recommended if it is given in the student's undergraduate major. The GRE requirement will be waived if the student holds a master's degree from a U.S. institution. TOEFL scores are required for all foreign applicants.

Degree Requirements

The total curriculum consists of 72 credits: 48 credits of course work, and 24 credits of dissertation research. For students entering the doctoral program with previous graduate work, the 48 credits may be reduced by a maximum of 30 credits. Of the 48 credits, 9 will consist of core courses to be taken by all students in the program, and at least 15 will be selected as part of a student's "contract" with a three-member faculty committee (see below). In summary, the program consists of the following:

9 credits of core courses (see below)
Minimum of 15 credits of "contract" course work
Up to 24 credits of approved electives
24 credits of dissertation research

The 9 credits comprising the core consist of three courses that are intended to expose all students to current research methods and current developments across a broad spectrum of areas in the physical sciences. One of the three courses (PSCI 703; see below) is only 1 credit, and must be repeated three times. The core courses are:

PSCI 701 Frontiers of Physical Sciences (3:3:0)
PSCI 702 Research Methods (3:3:0)
PSCI 703 Seminar in Physical Sciences (1:1:0)

A three-member predissertation committee will be formed by the student as soon as possible after admission, but not later than after completing the 9-credit core. The committee will work with the student to define the applicable "contract" core courses, which will be a minimum of 15 credits. After students have selected a dissertation advisor and finalized the dissertation committee, they take the candidacy exam, which will have written and oral components. After passing the exam and receiving committee approval of the dissertation proposal, the student is advanced to doctoral candidacy. The degree will be awarded upon completion of the required course work, and approval of a PhD thesis that makes an original and significant contribution to the physical sciences.

Computational Science, MS

The interdisciplinary master's program in computational science addresses the growing national and regional demand for trained computational scientists. It combines a solid foundation in information technology skills with computational courses in a variety of scientific areas. All courses are offered in the late afternoon or early evening to accommodate students with full-time employment outside the university.

The degree is centered on a strong computational component, which comprises 22 credits of course work. The remaining 9 credits represent the scientific component, which centers on specific areas such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and statistics. This provides students with a flexible set of options that can be used to create their own customized curriculum under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Students are encouraged to undertake an optional master's thesis or research project that allows them to gain useful experience in the development of simulations and other aspects of computational science.

Admission Requirements

Applicants should have academic backgrounds in physical or biological sciences, engineering, mathematics, or computer science. They should have an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution, with a GPA of at least 3.00 in their last 60 credits of study. Additionally, applicants should have taken at least one course in differential equations, and should have facility in using a high-level computer programming language. To apply, prospective students should forward a completed Mason graduate application, two copies of official transcripts from each college and graduate institution attended, a current resume, and an expanded goals statement to the SCS Graduate Admissions Processing Center. Applicants should also include three letters of recommendation, and an official report of scores on the GRE-GEN exam. The GRE-SUB is recommended if it is given in the student's undergraduate major. The GRE requirement will be waived if the student holds a master's degree from a U.S. institution. TOEFL scores are required for all foreign applicants.

Degree Requirements

Candidates must successfully complete 31 credits as follows:

9 credits of computational core courses: CSI 700, plus two of CSI 701, 702, 703, 710
12 credits of computational techniques courses from the following list: CSI 654, 701, 702, 703, 709, 710, 721, 740, 744, 771, 773; MATH 686; CS 635; INFS 614
9 credits of computational science electives as approved by advisor
1 credit of seminar or colloquium

Optional research component: 3 credits of CSI 798, or 6 credits of CSI 799; exercise of the research option results in a corresponding reduction in the computational science electives requirement.

Bioinformatics, MS

This degree addresses the growing national and regional demand for trained computational biologists. It combines a solid foundation in biotechnology with computational skills required for bio-in-formatics. The flexibility of the degree structure permits students to custom-design their curriculum under an advisor's guidance, making the MS in bioinformatics especially relevant for students employed in today's diverse biotechnology workplace. Students completing the program are qualified to pursue careers that require knowledge of current bioinformatics methods and the ability to develop new bioinformatics software.

Courses are generally offered in the late afternoon or early evening to accommodate students with full-time employment outside the university. Students employed at area biotechnology organizations may take up to 6 credits (out of 31) for bioinformatics work done on the job, under the guidance of a faculty member. This work-related project may be applied either as a 3-credit research project, or as a 6-credit master's thesis.

Admission Requirements

Applicants should have a bachelor's degree in biology, computer science, or a related field, with a GPA of at least 3.00 in their last 60 credits of study. Applicants should have taken courses in molecular biology, computer science, calculus, and statistics. Students with deficiencies in one or more of these areas may be required to take additional courses from the undergraduate curriculum. To apply, prospective students should forward a completed Mason graduate application, two copies of official transcripts from each college and graduate institution attended, a current resume, and an expanded goals statement to the SCS Graduate Admissions Processing Center. Applicants should also include three letters of recommendation, and an official report of scores obtained on the GRE-GEN exam. The GRE-SUB is recommended if it is given in the student's undergraduate major. The GRE requirement will be waived if the student holds a master's degree from a U.S. institution. TOEFL scores are required for all foreign applicants.

Degree Requirements

Candidates must successfully complete 31 credits as follows:

12 credits of bioinformatics core courses: BINF 630, 631, 634, and 734
3 credits of advanced bioinformatics courses numbered BINF 730 and above
12 credits of electives in bioinformatics and computational biology, biology and biotechnology, or computational sciences, as approved by the advisor
1 credit of bioinformatics seminar, BINF 704

Research component: 3 credits of BINF 798 Research Project, or 6 credits of BINF 799 Master's Thesis; exercise of the thesis option results in a corresponding reduction in the electives requirement from 12 credits to 9 credits.

Earth Systems Science, MS

This interdisciplinary master's program is offered jointly by SCS and the College of Arts and Sciences (Department of Environmental Science and Policy; Department of Geography). The program addresses the growing demand for trained professionals in Earth systems science and applications. The degree emphasizes a research-oriented, global systems approach to studying the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere, including their interrelationships and interactions with the biosphere. Emphasis is on the observation and quantitative analysis of Earth systems. Students completing the program are qualified to pursue careers that require knowledge of the basics of Earth systems science and the requisite tools. Students are encouraged to undertake either an optional master's thesis for more in-depth studies, or a research project. In the latter case, students will have to pass a qualifying exam.

Admission Requirements

Applicants should have a BS degree in Earth, environmental, or physical science. Previous course work should include two semesters each of calculus, chemistry, and physics, and one semester of statistics. They should have a minimum GPA of 3.00 in their undergraduate degree. To apply, prospective students should forward a completed Mason graduate application, two copies of official transcripts from each college and graduate institution attended, a current resume, and an expanded goals statement to the SCS Graduate Admissions Processing Center. Applicants should also include three letters of recommendation, and an official report of scores obtained on the GRE-GEN exam. The GRE-SUB is recommended if it is given in the student's undergraduate major. The GRE requirement will be waived if the student holds a master's degree from a U.S. institution. TOEFL scores are required for all foreign applicants.

Degree Requirements

Candidates must successfully complete 30 credits as follows:

9 credits of Earth science core: CSI 655; EOS 656 and 657
3 credits of Earth observation courses: EOS 753 or GEOG 579
3 credits of quantitative techniques courses: EOS 754 or GEOG 585
3 credits of human and biological perspectives courses: one of CSI 750; EOS 759; EVPP 577, 636; GEOG 575, 670
3 credits of colloquium or seminar: CSI 899 and EOS 792
3–6 credits of research: CSI 798 or 799
General electives

Certificate in Computational Techniques and Applications

The graduate certificate program in computational techniques and applications (CTA) focuses on mastering a variety of basic computational skills. The CTA certificate is independent of the doctoral and master's programs, and is designed primarily for professionals in technical fields who seek to upgrade their computer expertise. This program is also available as an option for prospective or currently enrolled doctoral or master's degree students. The program is composed of 15 credits of course work designed to provide an accelerated introduction to concepts in modern computation. Topics include operating systems, environments, languages, graphics, databases, and applications.

Admission Requirements

Certificate in Nanotechnology and Nanoscience

This graduate certificate program focuses on mastering a variety of technical skills in the rapidly developing area of nanotechnology. The field highlights the effect of size on the physical and engineering properties of materials, and also on the design of various devices and systems. The certificate enables students to acquire knowledge covering a broad range of instrumentation, modeling, analysis, and production methods that facilitate the solution of practical nanotechnology-related problems in the workplace. The certificate program is composed of 15 credits of course work designed to provide an accelerated introduction to concepts in nanotechnology and nanoscience. Topics include nanomaterials, nanocharacterization, nanostructures, nano-fabrication, nanoelectronics, and modeling for nanoscience. Requirements are 9 credits of core courses, and 6 credits of electives. The prefix of the associated courses is NANO.

The certificate program is a professional certification program that charges students at a differential (premium) tuition rate, with an additional $100 per credit added to the standard Mason graduate tuition rate for students who enroll in this certificate program, regardless of in-state or out-of-state status. The differential tuition is used to fund continuing improvements in the SCS educational facilities used to support the certificate program.

Admission Requirements

Applicants should hold a BS degree in any branch of engineering, physics, chemistry, or materials science, with a minimum GPA of 3.00. Exceptions are reviewed on an individual basis. To apply, prospective students should forward a completed Mason graduate application, two copies of official transcripts from each college and graduate institution attended, and a current resume to the SCS Graduate Admissions Processing Center. TOEFL scores are required for all foreign applicants.

Certificate in Remote Sensing and Earth Image Processing

This graduate certificate program in remote sensing and Earth image processing (RSEIP) focuses on the skills needed to take advantage of the enormous increase in the availability and utilization of remotely sensed data related to the Earth. The RSEIP certificate is administered by the Earth Systems and Geoinformation Sciences (ESGS) Program within the SCS. The RSEIP certificate requires students to complete 15 credits of SCS graduate courses. Ideal candidates for this certificate are those who have a background in Earth and environmental sciences, and are either working in or planning to enter into the fields of remote sensing, Earth observing, or image processing.

The RSEIP certificate program is a professional certification program that charges students at a differential (premium) tuition rate, with an additional $100 per credit added to the standard Mason graduate tuition rate for students who enroll in this certificate program, regardless of in-state or out-of-state status. The differential tuition will be used to fund continuing improvements in the SCS computational facilities used to support the certificate program.

Admission Requirements

Applicants should hold a BA or BS degree in a discipline related to the science and applications of remote sensing from an accredited university, with a minimum GPA of 3.00. Applicants should have some prior education or training in remote sensing or image processing. Students with a background in one of the physical sciences (physics, chemistry, atmospheric science, hydrology, or geology), geography, or environmental science will be particularly well-suited to undertake this program. Applicants should have an undergraduate background that includes courses in differential and integral calculus, and they should possess working knowledge of a computer programming language. To apply, prospective students should forward a completed Mason graduate application, two copies of official transcripts from each college and graduate institution attended, and a current resume to the SCS Graduate Admissions Processing Center. TOEFL scores are required for all foreign applicants.

Nondegree status is available for professionals who are interested in taking a limited number of courses.

Facilities

Computation is recognized as a central feature of the instructional and research programs of SCS. Therefore, the school continues to establish world-class computational facilities. In addition, high-speed Internet connections permit interactive distance learning and access to remote databases.

SCS facilities on both the Fairfax and Prince William Campuses include state-of-the-art computational laboratories, and electronic classrooms for research and interactive instruction. The SCS Graduate Instructional Computational Facility in Fairfax houses 24 Linux workstations clustered with a 100 GB RAIDS system. These machines are configured with advanced software for symbolic manipulation, modeling, simulation, data analysis, database management, and data visualization. Other advanced computing platforms within SCS include a high-performance parallel PC cluster with 134 processors, an SGI Origin 2000 workstation with 16 processors, and numerous Octane visualization workstations. SCS students are issued computer accounts and access to the SCS instructional facilities. Other computing platforms are available for research by graduate students.

SCS facilities on the Prince William Campus include computer labs, molecular biology labs, and specialized classrooms. Available computer facilities include XServe and SGI file servers; and SGI, OSX, and Linux workstations. SCS supports drop-in computer labs and computer classrooms configured with advanced bioinformatics, visualization, and data-mining software. Three wet labs for teaching and training are supported by adjacent computer labs, classrooms, prep labs, and equipment labs, including automated DNA analyzers. Facilities on the Prince William Campus are partially shared with the American Type Culture Collection, the world's largest collection of living biological cultures.