HELP 2009-2010 University Catalog Computational Sciences and Informatics, PhD Print-Friendly Page

Banner Code:  SC-PHD-CSI

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 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.

Overview of the CSI Program

Founded in 1992, the innovative Computational Sciences and Informatics (CSI) doctoral program at George Mason University addresses the role of computation in science, mathematics, and engineering. Computational sciences is defined as the development and application of computational methodologies and techniques to the modeling, simulation, and understanding of phenomena in the natural sciences and engineering. Informatics is defined as the design and implementation of complex software systems for the extraction of knowledge from large databases. 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.

Areas of Emphasis within the PhD Program

Research opportunities leading to the doctoral degree are available in each of the following areas of emphasis:

Computational Fluid Dynamics
Computational Materials and Chemical Sciences
Space Sciences and Computational Astrophysics
Computational Mathematics
Computational Physics
Computational Statistics
Computational Learning
Quantum Information Science
Computational Remote Sensing

Students may also pursue interdisciplinary research that combines the areas of emphasis listed above with each other and also with computational neuroscience, climate dynamics, bioinformatics, and remote sensing, which are now separate PhD programs.

The department’s research activities reflect the recognized role of computation as part of a triad with theory and experiment to generate new knowledge and a better understanding of nature. CDS maintains 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.

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.

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

• 12 credits of core computational courses (scientific computing, databases, visualization)
• 15 credits from courses in one of the science areas
• 18 credits in electives from science courses, with at least 9 credits of CSI courses
• 3 credits in colloquium/seminar
• 24 credits in dissertation research

Admission Requirements

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 575 (paper-based exam) or 230 (computer-based exam) 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 a $50 check to cover the 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 703-993-1988; fax 703-993-9300, or e-mail: blaisten@gmu.edu.