2014-2015 University Catalog 
  
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2014-2015 University Catalog

Computational Sciences and Informatics, PhD

Banner Code:  SC-PHD-CSI

Founded in 1992, 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 science is defined as the systematic development and application of computing systems and computational solution techniques for modeling and simulation 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. 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 continued or new employment. Scheduled courses and sequences accommodate part-time students, with most courses meeting once a week in the late afternoon or early evening. The research and teaching activities associated with the CSI program reflect the recognized role of computation as part of a triad with theory and experimentation, leading to a better understanding of nature.

This program of study is offered by the School of Physics, Astronomy, and Computational Sciences  in the College of Science.

Admission Requirements

Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in the Admission  section of this catalog. Students interested in applying for admission into the CSI PhD program should have a bachelor’s degree in any natural science, mathematics, engineering, or computer science with a minimum GPA of 3.00 in their last 60 credits of study. All applicants to the PhD program should have a mathematics background up to and including differential equations. All applicants to the PhD program should also have knowledge of a computer programming language such as C, C++, FORTRAN, etc.

The GRE is required, unless the applicant holds a master’s degree from a school in the United States. A TOEFL score of 570 (paper-based test) or 230 (computer-based test), or 88 points total and a minimum of 20 points in each section (Internet-based test), is required for international students. The ETS code for GMU is 5827.

Students should submit a completed graduate application along with three letters of recommendation, an expanded goals statement, and application fee (payable to George Mason University) in addition to the items listed above.

Applications should be received by March 1 for fall semester and November 1 for spring semester. Applications requesting financial support must be received by February 1 for the fall semester. Please note that applications from local applicants may be accepted after these general deadlines.

Please send completed applications to the address below:

COS Graduate Applications Processing Center
George Mason University
4400 University Drive, MS 6A3
Fairfax, VA 22030

For additional information, phone 703-993-1998; fax 703-993-9300, or e-mail: blaisten@gmu.edu.

Reduction of Credit

For students entering the doctoral program with a master’s degree in a related field from a regionally accredited institution, the number of required credits may be reduced up to 30 credits, subject to approval of the program faculty and the associate dean for student and academic affairs. See the College of Science graduate policies section for more information.

Program of Study

The list of research areas tells only part of the story because the greatest strength of the CSI doctoral program lies in its ability to foster and promote truly interdisciplinary research that crosses traditional domain boundaries. In the CSI doctoral program, each student is presented with an exciting opportunity to create a new area of interdisciplinary inquiry that would not fit into a traditional PhD program. Students in the CSI doctoral program use computationally intensive methods to solve current problems in these scientific areas.

Degree Requirements

The 72-credit doctoral program combines three intellectual elements:

  • Core computational science topics
  • Computational intensive courses in specific scientific areas
  • Research leading to the dissertation

The doctoral program, designed to be completed in 4 to 5 years, includes the following requirements:

  • 12 credits of core computational courses (scientific computing, databases, visualization)
  • 33-35 credits of approved courses consistent with an area of emphasis, if applicable, and with the approval of the dissertation committee and the graduate coordinator, with at least 24 credits of CSI courses listed in the catalog.
  • 1-3 credits in CSI colloquium/seminar
  • 24 credits in dissertation research

Students must satisfy all requirements for doctoral degrees expressed in the Academic Policies  section of this catalog.

Doctoral Course Work (48 credits)

Students are required to take 33 credits of science courses with at least 24 credits of CSI courses. Lists of courses that set the foundations for each research area are provided as guideline only.

General Core Courses (12 credits)

Select from the following:

Areas of Emphasis (12-15 credits)

Students are advised to choose one of the research areas listed below. Students may also pursue interdisciplinary research that combines the areas of emphasis listed below with each other and also with quantum information science, climate dynamics, bioinformatics, and computational neuroscience.

Computational Fluid Dynamics
plus one from:
Computational Materials and Physical Chemistry Sciences
plus one from:
Space Sciences and Computational Astrophysics
plus two from:
Computational Mathematics
Computational Physics
plus two from:
Computational Statistics
Computational Learning

Colloquium/Seminar (1-3 credits)

The School of Physics, Astronomy, and Computational Sciences offers several weekly colloquia and seminar series to ensure that students are exposed to the latest developments at area research institutions. Doctoral students are encouraged to participate in national and international meetings where they can present their latest findings.

A maximum of 3 colloquium/seminar credits from CSI 898  and/or CSI 991  may be applied toward satisfying the 48-credit coursework requirement.

Electives (18-21)

If necessary, students take additional electives in consultation with program director to bring the total number of credits to 72.

Interdisciplinary Studies

Students may also pursue interdisciplinary research that combines the areas of emphasis listed above with each other and also with geoinformation sciences, remote sensing, computational chemistry, climate dynamics, and bioinformatics, several of which are autonomous PhD programs within COS.

Candidacy Examination

The student must successfully complete separate written, computational, and oral candidacy examinations prepared and administered by the dissertation committee.

Dissertation Proposal and Advancement to Candidacy

Students advance to doctoral candidacy by fulfilling the following requirements:

  • The student must successfully complete candidacy examinations as stated above.
  • The student prepares a dissertation proposal describing in detail the planned dissertation research. The proposal must be approved by the dissertation committee.
  • Following successful completion of the research proposal and candidacy exams, the committee will recommend the student for advancement to doctoral candidacy.

Doctoral Research (24 credits)

No more than 24 combined credits from CSI 998  and CSI 999  may be applied toward satisfying doctoral degree requirements, with a minimum of 6 credits of CSI 999 .

Dissertation Research and Defense

After advancing to candidacy, the student will work on a doctoral dissertation while enrolled in CSI 999 . The dissertation is a written piece of original mathematics that demonstrates a doctoral candidate’s mastery of the subject matter. A student is expected to produce new and original research worthy of publication in a peer-reviewed journal. After the dissertation is completed, the committee will review the dissertation and examine the student in a public oral dissertation defense.

Total: 72 credits

Academic Common Market

The CSI PhD degree program has been approved for inclusion in the Academic Common Market (ACM), offered through the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB). The ACM allows certified residents of some states that do not offer this degree program to enroll as full-time students in the CSI PhD program while paying tuition at the Virginia in-state rate. Program inclusion in the ACM is subject to periodic review by each participating state and is not guaranteed. If state certified, students must meet all requirements for ACM participation and stay continuously enrolled. More information is available in this catalog at AP.1.4.9 , online through the SREB web site, and on the University Registrar’s web page under Non-Resident Programs.