HELP 2009-2010 University Catalog Biometrics Graduate Certificate Print-Friendly Page

Banner Code: VS-CERG-BMCS

School: The Volgenau School of Information Technology and Engineering 

Department: Computer Science 

Biometrics, the science of recovering or verifying a person’s identity, measures the physical characteristics that make people unique (including fingerprints, an eye’s retina or iris, face, hand geometry, signature, and voice) and uses those measurements for person recognition or authentication. Biometrics are related to the science of forensics, which uses and interprets physical evidence for legal purposes. The importance of biometrics lies in the fact that traditional means of identification and verification are often unreliable or cumbersome. Passwords are difficult to remember and easy to steal. Keys, driver’s licenses, and passports can be lost or forged. The human body and its behavior, on the other hand, can’t be forgotten, stolen, forged, or misplaced. Practical uses for such biometrics are widespread and include maintaining the security for physical space and cyberspace. In particular, biometrics aids in controlling access to an office, computer network or an ATM, smart cards, and wireless communication; confirming the identity of buyers and sellers to make electronic commerce safe and reliable; confirming student identity for distant learning; and safeguarding electronic records related to health care services.

The certificate requires completion of 15 credits and consists of two required courses and three courses of choice. Projects (3 credits) can substitute for one of the choice courses. One of the three courses of choice can be taken from another department, with the advisor’s approval, provided that it belongs to the certificate’s area.

Admission Requirements

The program is open to all students who are eligible for entrance into the master’s degree program in computer science or any scientific or engineering discipline at Mason.