Graduate Admissions: 703-993-1512
Graduate Student Services: 703-993-1505
Undergraduate Student Services: 703-993-1511
Web: volgenau.gmu.edu
College Code: VS
The Volgenau School of Information Technology and Engineering is concerned primarily with study areas that involve integrating the information basis for modern engineering with the more conventional physical and materials science approach. The careful integration of these areas results in a unique academic experience for highly motivated students.
The Volgenau School offers several degree programs that concentrate on important contemporary technological issues and needs. Bachelor’s degree programs are offered in the areas of applied computer science, civil and infrastructure engineering, computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, electronics and communications engineering, information technology, and systems engineering. Minors in information technology, computer science, software engineering, and data analysis are also available.
Master’s degree programs are available in the following areas: applied information technology, civil and infrastructure engineering, computer engineering, computer science, e-commerce, electrical engineering, information security and assurance, information systems, operations research, software engineering, statistical science, systems engineering, and telecommunications. Several doctoral programs are offered, including a cross-disciplinary program in information technology and more focused programs in civil and infrastructure engineering, computer science, electrical and computer engineering, systems engineering and operations research, and statistical science. In addition, the engineer degree in information technology provides post-master’s training in an application area.
Undergraduate certificates are offered in applied statistics, computer science, information technology, postbachelor computer science, and operations research and engineering. For graduate students, certificate programs are offered in advanced network protocols for telecommunications; architecture-based systems engineering; biometrics; e-commerce; command, control, communications, and intelligence; intelligent agents; communications and networking; computational modeling; systems engineering for computer, information, and software-intensive systems; federal statistics; information engineering; information systems security; military operations research; signal processing; software engineering; telecommunications forensics and security; very-large-scale-integration (VLSI) design and manufacturing; civil infrastructure and security engineering; discovery, design, and innovation; computer networking; network technologies and applications; wireless communications; telecommunications systems modeling; data mining; database management; and web-based software engineering.
The undergraduate degree programs prepare students to enter directly into professional employment or continue studies at the graduate level. The requirements for the bachelor’s degrees include required and elective courses in mathematics, humanities, and general education, and specialty courses in applied computer science, civil and infrastructure engineering, computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, electronics and communications engineering, information technology, and systems engineering. Each program strongly emphasizes English composition and communication.
Students also have opportunities to develop interest areas in other fields within the Volgenau School that offer undergraduate courses but do not have undergraduate majors. The bachelor of individualized study (BIS) degree program may appeal to adult students who have completed a substantial portion of their studies at other institutions.
Bioengineering has been increasingly represented at the Volgenau School. New faculty members are working with other departments, schools, and institutes at Mason to provide a quality education to students interested in this rapidly growing field. The faculty at the Volgenau School hopes to work with numerous Washington-area organizations dedicated to health-oriented research or clinical service.
Lloyd Griffiths, Dean
Daniel A. Menasce, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies
E. Bernard White, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies
Sharon Caraballo, Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs
Jennifer Lamb, Assistant Dean for Development
Terri Mancini, Director, Sponsored Research Administration
Melinda Barnhart, Executive Director, Finance and Administration
Jonathan Goldman, Director, Computing Resources
The Volgenau School offers eight programs in its academic units. Policies regarding admission and degree requirements are provided in the department sections that follow.
| BS Degree | Department |
|---|---|
| Applied Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Civil and Infrastructure Engineering | Civil, Environmental, and Infrastructure Engineering |
| Computer Engineering | Electrical and Computer Engineering |
| Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Electrical Engineering | Electrical and Computer Engineering |
| Electronics and Communications | Electrical and Computer Engineering |
| Engineering Information Technology | Applied Information Technology |
| Systems Engineering | Systems Engineering and Operations Research |
The undergraduate mission is to provide a quality education to support the needs of Virginia and the nation. The goal is to graduate students who are technically competent; prepared for ethical professional practice and a lifetime of learning; communicate effectively and work as members or leaders of technical teams; and understand the global nature and effect of information technology and engineering.
The following general requirements must be completed by all undergraduate students:
Freshmen who are undecided about their specific majors may select Volgenau School undeclared as their major. Sample schedules that fulfill degree requirements for individual programs within the Volgenau School are available from the departments. With approval of department advisors, some courses may be taken out of the indicated sequences, particularly English, literature and social science courses.
Students should consult the baccalaureate degree requirements in the Academic Policies chapter in this catalog for detailed information concerning requirements for graduation, residence, and academic quality for graduation. That chapter also lists additional university requirements for minor programs and additional (double) majors. The requirements for the BIS degree can be found in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences chapter. Requirements for the civil and infrastructure engineering, computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, electronics and communications engineering, IT, and systems engineering undergraduate degree programs are provided in the academic departments’ sections of this chapter.
Students majoring in the Volgenau School programs are expected to have an acceptable plan of study formulated with assistance from the department advisor on file. They are expected to make reasonable progress toward their degree during each semester they are enrolled. Students may be required to obtain permission from the Volgenau School Student Services Office to repeat some courses required for the major in which they have previously received a grade of D or F. Individual Volgenau School programs may disallow students from retaking certain high-demand courses in which they have already earned a grade of C or better if they want to retake the course to improve their GPA.
Students are encouraged to take advantage of the many excellent courses available to broaden their educational experience or strengthen their background; however, some credits earned may not satisfy any degree requirements. Degree requirements for the Volgenau School undergraduate programs may not include credits earned in activity courses in any department. Examples are many of the courses listed under the catalog designations of art, dance, music, or theater; individual sports, physical education, or team sports; and recreational activities. Exceptions in these categories are courses that meet the university general education requirements for the major, including global understanding or Arts. Whenever there is uncertainty, students must consult with an academic advisor in their departments. Generally, degree requirements for computer science and engineering majors may not be met by 100- to 400-level courses designated “IT” (and any associated cross-listed courses) in the Course Descriptions chapter of this catalog. The respective computer science or engineering student’s department might approve requests for some IT courses, such as IT 350, 362, 462, and 466, to satisfy degree requirements. For more information, contact the department or the Volgenau School Student Services Office at 703-993-1511.
The university requires all undergraduate students to successfully complete a course, or combination of courses, designated “writing-intensive” in their majors at the 300 level or above. To determine the writing-intensive course requirements for specific degrees, refer to the major program descriptions in the following department sections.
Many of the BS degree programs offered within the Volgenau School may be packaged with some of the MS degree programs in ways that reduce the total number of credits required. Details may be found in the following department sections.
The Volgenau School offers 12 master of science programs in its academic units. Policies regarding admission and degree requirements are provided in the department sections that follow.
| MS Degree | Department |
|---|---|
| Applied Information Technology | Applied Information Technology |
| Civil and Infrastructure Engineering | Civil, Environmental, and Infrastructure Engineering |
| Computer Engineering | Electrical and Computer Engineering |
| Computer Science | Computer Science |
| E-Commerce | Interdisciplinary Programs |
| Electrical Engineering | Electrical and Computer Engineering |
| Information Security | Information and Software and Assurance Engineering |
| Information Systems | Information and Software Engineering |
| Operations Research | Systems Engineering and Operations Research |
| Software Engineering | Information and Software Engineering |
| Statistical Science | Statistics |
| Systems Engineering | Systems Engineering and Operations Research |
| Telecommunications | Interdisciplinary Programs |
The Volgenau School offers PhDs in computer science, electrical and computer engineering, IT, and statistical science. The PhD in computer science is described in the Computer Science section of this chapter, the PhD in electrical and computer engineering is described in the Electrical and Computer Engineering section, and the PhD in statistical science is described in the Statistics section of this chapter. The PhD in information technology is a program that builds on a fundamental core and emphasizes cross-disciplinary efforts among the 12 master’s programs in the Volgenau School, as well as with related units at Mason. Specific entrance and degree requirements for this doctoral program are found in the Interdisciplinary Programs section of this chapter.
The engineer degree is a post-master’s degree, but it does not confer a doctorate. Students pursuing the engineer degree can take advanced PhD courses and complete a project of an applied nature to fulfill program requirements. Students who are awarded an engineer degree will be able, at a later date, to work toward a PhD in information technology. Details about the engineer degree can be found in the Interdisciplinary Programs section of this chapter.
The Commonwealth Graduate Engineering Program (CGEP) is a cooperative program of Mason, the University of Virginia (UVA), Virginia Tech, Old Dominion University (ODU), and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) designed to make graduate engineering education available in locations throughout Virginia through distance learning. CGEP offers graduate degree programs in engineering and information technology. Instruction takes place through a mix of videoconferencing and web-based courses available at educational and corporate receive sites around the state.
Each degree program is taught by one of the five participating universities, and prospective students should apply directly to the university offering the degree of interest. Mason’s master of science in computer science degree is available through CGEP. Courses from the other institutions may be offered at Mason’s Fairfax or Prince William campuses. For more information, go to ite.gmu.edu/graduates/commonwealth_graduate_engineering.php.