GRADUATE COUNCIL
for the
January, 2004
Meeting
Graduate Council meetings are held monthly, August through May, in Mason Hall Room D5, from 1:30-3:00. See schedule for exact dates. All meetings are open to the general George Mason University community.
I. Call to Order
II. Approval of November Minutes
III. Announcements
IV. Discussion Items
V. Old Business
VI. New Business
Proposals from the College of Arts and Sciences
Contact Person: Dee Holisky, 3-8721, dholisky@gmu.edu
NEW PROGRAMS FOR APPROVAL
MS in Biodefense:
Description: The proposed master's program will draw on the research
strengths and expertise of members of the Center for Biodefense and the
Biology Department, and will be an extension of existing curricular
programs within the Biology Department. The Biology Department is
expected to increase its faculty expertise in this area. Demand for
biodefense training programs is high, especially in light of recent
acts of terrorism. George Mason University in conjunction with Advanced
Biosystems stands in a unique position to train students in the
critical field of Biodefense. World leaders in the field of biological
defense from the former Soviet Union and the United States are
available to serve as faculty.
Ph.D. in Biodefense:
Description: The proposed Ph.D. program will draw on the research
strengths and expertise of members of the Center for Biodefense and the
Biology Department, and will be an extension of existing curricular
programs within the Biology Department. The Biology Department is
expected to increase its faculty expertise in this area.
Advanced Standing Masters Social Work:
Description: Students with a BSW degree who demonstrate superior academic
achievement and excellence in social work practice will be considered
for Advanced Standing. Advanced Standing students begin the MSW program
in the summer, then move directly into the concentration year.
Certificate in Economic Systems Design:
The Economics Department, offers the certificate in Economic Systems
Design, which provides graduate students with a program of courses and
laboratory experience. Course work for the graduate certificate can be
used for credit toward the M.S. and PhD in Economics. The primary
purpose is to provide a well-defined target for students who want to
advance or update their knowledge in this fast-moving field.
New Courses for Approval
EVPP 621 - Overview of Biodiversity Conservation (3:3:0):
Description: This course will use lectures, reading assignments, class discussions, and orally-presented
and written case studies to explore what biodiversity is, why is it important, what are its present status
and trends, how has concern with and action for its conservation evolved and where do we stand now.
Prerequisites: 8 hours of graduate courses in Ecology and Environmental Science and/or
Environmental Policy or permission of the instructor.
EVPP 623 - Translating Environmental Science and Policy into Action (3:3:0):
Description: The class will use lectures including guest lecturers,
class discussions, written and orally-presented case studies and
assigned reading, first, to identify and analyze the factors involved
in successfully moving from science and policy to concrete action, and
second to provide students with an understanding of the basic
principles, skills and strategies involved and how they may be applied.
Prerequisites: 8 hours of graduate courses in Environmental Science
and/or Environmental Policy or permission of the instructor.
BIOD 601 - Foundations of Bio-defense Science and Technology I (3:3:0):
Description This course covers basic biology of living systems
including cell structure and function, metabolism, genetics, and
biodiversity. Areas covered will be those assessed to be important in
the comprehension of the technology and systems involved in biodefense.
Not available for credit toward a graduate degree in Biodefense.
BIOD 602 - Foundations of Bio-defense Science and Technology II (3:3:0):
Description: Required course that will cover basic chemical and
physical science topics behind biodefense. Areas covered will be those
assessed to be important in the comprehension of the technology and
systems involved. Course may be waived with permission from the program
director. No credit is given toward the MS or MA degree in Biodefense.
BIOD 603 - Introduction to Biodefense: Fundamentals of Microbiology (3:3:1):
Description: Lecture and laboratory course that emphasizes basic
principles of microbiology, including virology and mycology. Structure,
metabolism, genetics, and virulence properties of infectious
microorganisms will be stressed. The immune response to microorganisms
will also be presented. Laboratory will cover basic techniques of
isolation, propagation, and identification of microbes. Not available
to students who have had a course in microbiology. No credit is given
toward the MS or MA degree in Biodefense.
Prerequisites: BIOD 601 and 602 or the equivalent courses.
BIOD 604 - Introduction to Biodefense/Threat Analysis I: Bacterial Agents (3:3:0):
Description: Required course that will cover the pathology, metabolism,
and threat of bacterial agents that can be utilized as biological
weapons. Subjects will include Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis, and
others TBD by instructor.
Prerequisites: BIOD 601, 602, and 603 unless waived.
BIOD 605 - Introduction to Biodefense/Threat Analysis II: Viral Agents (3:3:0):
Description: Required course that will cover the pathology, metabolism,
and threat of viral agents that can be utilized as biological weapons.
Subjects will include Variola (small pox), hemorrhagic fevers (Marburg,
Ebola, Dengue) and others TBD by instructor.
Prerequisites: BIOD 601, 602, and 603 unless waived.
BIOD 606 - Introduction to Biodefense/Threat Analysis III: Agricultural Biodefense (3:3:0):
Description: Required course that will cover agents that can be
utilized for the disruption of agriculture and livestock. Fungal,
bacterial, and viral agents will be discussed. Local and global
economic and social impact of disruption of the food supplies will also
be covered.
Prerequisites: BIOD 601, 602, and 603 unless waived.
BIOD 607 - Introduction to Biodefense Threat Analysis IV: Toxins (3:3:0):
Description: Required course that will discuss the threat of toxins as
biological weapons. Special focus on the microbiological toxins
including botulinum toxin, and biochemical action of toxins. Comparison
to chemical weapons and debate about classification as such.
Prerequisites: BIOD 601, 602, and 603 unless waived.
BIOD 702 - Special Topics in Biodefense Seminar (1:1:0):
Description: In-depth examination of advanced topics in defense against
biological agents. Topic depends on instructor's specialty. May be
repeated for credit with advisor's permission.
Prerequisite: BIOD 601, 602, 603,604, and 605, or permission of instructor.
BIOD 703 - Special Topics in Biodefense Seminar (Presenting) (1:1:0):
Description: Student research and presentations on approved topic. May
be repeated for credit with advisor's permission.
Prerequisite: BIOD 601, 602, 603,604 and 605, or permission of instructor.
BIOD 704 - Principles of Toxicology (3:3:0).
Description: An introduction to the scientific principles and
biological underpinnings of toxicology. The course surveys the
processes of absorption, distribution, metabolic transformation, and
elimination of foreign substances in the body, as well as mechanisms of
toxicity. Students will gain an understanding of genetic toxicology,
cancer formation, developmental and reproductive toxicology, as well as
target organ toxicology (including effects on blood, liver, skin, and
on the urinary, cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, and immune
systems). The course concludes with an overview of several types of
toxic agents and their interactions with biological systems.
Prerequisite: A course in physiology and in biochemistry, or permission of instructor.
BIOD 705 - Detecting Production of Biological Agents (2:2:0):
Description: Involves the study of detection techniques for biological
weapon production facilities. A major goal is to show students the
difference in detecting a large-scale, state-run facility and detecting
a home laboratory. In addition, students will learn the differences
between illicit biological agents versus biological agents that can and
are used for pharmaceutical research.
Prerequisite: BIOD 601, 602, 603,604 and 605, or permission of instructor.
BIOD 706 - History of Biological Agent Use and Treaties (2:2:0):
Description: A lecture course, which studies the historical uses of
biological weapons as well as treaties which have been signed by
various countries and powers concerning their use.
Prerequisites: BIOD 601, 602, 603,604 and 605, or permission of instructor.
BIOD 707 - Detection Techniques in a Bioterror Attack (3:3:0):
Description: Involves the study of detection techniques for a
biological weapon that has been released in various forms. Students
will gain an understanding of both how different detectors work as well
as how to interpret data that these detection devices collect.
Prerequisites: BIOD 601, 602, 603,604 and 605, or permission of instructor.
BIOD 708 - Epidemiology of a Bioterror Attack (3:3:0):
Description: This course will teach the basics of epidemiology as well
as unique issues in epidemiology that biological agents used as weapons
present. The course includes not only how a disease would spread
naturally, but also how to prevent it from spreading. Also, students
will learn differences in natural and unnatural outbreaks.
Prerequisites: BIOD 601, 602, 603,604 and 605, or permission of instructor
BIOD 709 - Non-proliferation in Biodefense (2:2:0):
Description: This course involves current issues in non-proliferation
of biological agents as a weapon of mass destruction. Students will
study various theories in non-proliferation as well as look at non-
proliferation in practice in recent history.
Prerequisites: BIOD 601, 602, 603,604 and 605, or permission of instructor.
BIOD 710 - Approaches to BW Medical Treatment and Response (3:3:0):
Description: This course will involve research, treatment and
preparedness strategies against biological agents. Course will focus on
various strategies including immunological, pharmaceutical, and medical
treatment methodologies and designs.
Prerequisites: BIOD 601, 602, 603,604 and 605, or permission of instructor.
BIOD 711 - Techniques in immunology Lecture (1:1:0):
Description: To introduce students to the theory of immunological
techniques, and the application of those techniques.
Prerequisites: BIOD 601, 602, 603,604 and 605, or permission of instructor.
BIOD 712 - Techniques in Immunology Laboratory (1:0:3):
Description: Laboratory techniques discussed in BIOD 711 including
enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay, protein electrophoresis, FLOW
cytometry, and vaccine preparation. Not available to students who have
had an undergraduate laboratory course in immunology.
Prerequisites: BIOD 601, 602, 603,604 and 605, or permission of instructor.
Prerequisite or corequisite: BIOD 711.
BIOD 721 - Coordinated Response to a Bioterror Attack (2:2:0):
Description: The course provides information for defending
against biological attacks. Topics to be covered are on-scene
procedures following the initial discovery of such agents, site
boundaries for biological agents, gross decontamination procedures,
site set-up procedures, agent removal, and case studies of hypothetical
infections. Student will learn the critical response requirements of a
biological attack.
Prerequisite: BIOD 601, 602, 603,604 and 605, or permission of instructor.
BIOD 722 - Examining Terrorist Groups (3:3:0):
Description: History of known organized terrorist activity, including
study of common cultural and historical correlations. Study of groups'
modus operandi. Latest developments in terrorist profiling.
Prerequisites: BIOD 601, 602, 603,604 and 605, or permission of instructor.
BIOD 723 - Counter-Terrorism and Civil Rights (3:3:0):
Description: Analysis of legal issues associated with counter-terrorism
surveillance, interrogation, search, detainment, and decontamination in
the context of civil rights and the rule of law.
Prerequisites: BIOD 601, 602, 603,604 and 605, or permission of
instructor.
BIOD 724 - Incident Response IT (2:2:0):
Description: Effective information sharing on bioterrorist incidents
among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies through
databases and computer software.
Prerequisites: BIOD 601, 602, 603,604 and 605, or permission of
instructor.
BIOD 742 - Modern Geographic Techniques in Detection as Tracking (3:3:0):
Description: Elective course on the utilization of GIS, remote
sensing/satellite imagery, and spatial analysis techniques that can be
used to monitor biological events and plan/coordinate response.
Prerequisites: GEOG 300 and GEOG 311 or permission of instructor.
BIOD 761 - Dispersal Patterns of Biological Agents (3:3:0):
Description: Introduction into both military and terrorist methods of
dispersal patterns. Course covers topics including the physics of
aerosols, engineering and mechanics of building ventilation systems,
mechanical dissemination including hand-held, automatic, vehicle and
truck mounted systems. Course also covers viability of specific agents
involved.
Prerequisites: BIOD 601, 602, 603,604 and 605, or permission of
instructor.
BIOD 762 - Into the Hot Zone: Working in a High Threat Environment (2:2:0):
Description: Introduction Course includes methodology of working in a
Bio-safety Level 3 or 4 level environment. Special attention is focused
on responding to a bio-warfare or bio-terrorism related event.
Prerequisites: BIOD 601, 602, 603,604 and 605, or permission of
instructor.
BIOD 763 - History of Genetically Engineered Bio-weapons (2:2:0):
Description: Course covers the history of the genetic
manipulation of bio-weapons. Special attention is paid to the advent of
molecular techniques, as well as the general microbiology techniques in
making strains of both pathogenic, and non-pathogenic organisms more
virulent and/or survivable.
Prerequisites: BIOD 601, 602, 603,604 and 605, or permission of
instructor.
CONTACT PERSON FOR THE FOLLOWING COURSE INFORMATION:
Mark Goor, Graduate School of Education,
3-2080, mgoor@gmu.edu
Three New Graduate Certificates in teacher licensure for students in other GSE/GMU graduate programs; no new courses – all courses exist currently.
Programs for Approval
A) Secondary Education Licensure Graduate Certificate (SELC)
B) English as a Second Language Licensure Graduate Certificate (ESLC)
C) Foreign Language Licensure Graduate Certificate (FLNC)
New Educational Psychology Program
Master of Education (Curriculum and Instruction) degree program (major code: EDEP)
New Courses for Approval
EDRS 620 Quantitative Inquiry in Education
EDRS 621 Qualitative Inquiry in Education
EDRS 630 Educational Assessment
EDRS 631 Program Evaluation
EDEP 550 Theories of Learning and Cognition
EDEP 551 Learner Motivation
EDEP 650 High-Stakes Assessment and Accountability Systems
EDEP 651 Test Design and Interpretation
EDEP 652 Process of Learning and Development
EDEP 653 Culture and Intelligence
EDEP 654 Learning, Motivation, and Self-Regulation
CONTACT PERSON FOR THE FOLLOWING COURSE INFORMATION: Stephen Nash, School of Information Technology & Engineering, 3-1654, snash@gmu.edu
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Courses for Approval
IT 871 Statistical Data Mining
Description:
Data Mining Basic Concepts, Computational Complexity, Data Preparation and Compression, Data
Bases and SQL, Rule-Based Machine Learning and Probability, Density Estimation, Exploratory Data
Analysis, Cluster Analysis and Pattern Recognition, Artificial Neural Networks, Classification and Regression
Trees, Correlation and Nonparametric Regression, Time Series, Visual Data Mining.
Prerequisite: STAT 554 or STAT 663 or equivalent or Permission of Instructor
IT 971 Probability Theory
Description:
Review of measure theory concepts needed for probability. Expectation, distributions. Laws of large
numbers and central limit theorems for independent random variables, characteristic function methods,
conditional expectations, martingales, strong and weak convergence, Markov chains, stationary
processes.
Prerequisite: IT/CSI 876 or equivalent
STAT 753 Computer Intrusion Detection
Description:
A Statistical Approach to Computer Intrusion Detection, Networking Basics, TCP/IP Networking,
Network Statistics, Evaluation, Intrusion Detection, Network Monitoring, Host Monitoring, Computer
Viruses and Worms, Trojan Programs and Covert Channels.
Prerequisite: STAT 554 or STAT 663 or equivalent or permission of instructor
STAT 668 Survival Analysis (3:3:0)
Description:
Survival Analysis is a class of statistical methods for studying the occurrence and timing of events. In medical research, the events may be deaths and the objective to determine the factors affecting survival times of patients following treatment, usually in the setting of clinical trials. The concepts of censored data, time-dependent variables, survivor and hazard functions are central. Topics include non-parametric methods for comparing groups of survival data, the Cox regression model, Weibull model, and accelerated failure time model. Concepts are applied to the analysis of real data from major medical studies using SAS software.
Prerequisites: STAT 544, STAT 554 or STAT 535, and STAT 501 or a working knowledge of SAS.
New Concentrations for Approval
PhD Concentration in Information Systems
PhD Concentration in Information Security & Assurance
PhD Concentration in Software Engineering
Modified Concentrations for Approval
PhD Concentration in Statistical Science
VII. Adjournment