2012-2013 University Catalog 
  
  Catalog Home
  Programs of Study
  Courses
  Schedule of Classes
  About George Mason University
  Admission
  Tuition, Expenses, and Financial Aid
  Academic Policies
  Student Rights and Responsibilities
  General Policies
  University Academic Programs and Resources
  University General Education
  College of Education and Human Development
  College of Health and Human Services
  College of Humanities and Social Sciences
  College of Science
  College of Visual and Performing Arts
  Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study
  School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution
  School of Law
  School of Management
  School of Public Policy
  Volgenau School of Engineering
  Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Programs
  Programs by Department
  Administration and Faculty
  Transcript Key
HELP
2012-2013 University Catalog

Computational and Data Sciences, BS

Banner Code:  SC-BS-CDS

The BS degree in computational and data sciences (CDS) represents a new direction for integrated science at Mason based on the combination of applied mathematics, real-world computer science skills, data acquisition and analysis, and scientific modeling. Graduates of the BS program in CDS will possess the mathematical, scientific, and computational skills necessary to participate effectively as members of the interdisciplinary scientific simulation and analysis groups that are becoming more and more common in the public and the private sectors, particularly in Northern Virginia. Graduates will also be qualified to pursue graduate education in the sciences. Any student who meets the university’s general eligibility requirements may apply to the Computational and Data Sciences BS program.

Students must fulfill all requirements for bachelor’s degrees  including university general education requirements  (28 credits). In addition, students must complete a total of 18 credits in CDS core courses, 1 credit in IT ethics, 8 credits in physics, 20 credits in mathematics, 3 credits in statistics, 21-25 credits in a science concentration (if the student chooses one of the science concentration options) or 20 science elective credits selected in consultation with the academic advisor (if the student does not choose any concentration), and 3-9 credits in computational and data sciences electives with a minimum GPA of 2.00. Through the course-work below, computational and data sciences majors satisfy the university-wide requirements in natural science and quantitative reasoning.

Students are also encouraged to undertake an optional research project that allows them to gain useful experience in the development of simulations and other aspects of computational and data sciences.

CDS 302 fulfills the university’s writing-intensive requirement for the major.

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

Degree Requirements

Computational and Data Sciences Core (18 credits):

CDS 302 must be taken by all students

IT Ethics (1 credit):

Mathematics (20 credits):

Physics (8 credits):

Students complete one of the following sequences:

Computational and Data Sciences Electives (3–9 credits):

Choose 3-9 credits of CDS elective courses

Statistics (3 credits):

Science Electives (20–25 credits):

20 credits of science courses in consultation with the academic advisor

or

21-25 credits of course work from a concentration option.

Concentrations

A student may elect to take a particular set of courses from a concentration option in order to satisfy the science electives requirement of 20-25 credits. The concentration options include:

▲ Concentration in Biology (BIOL)

This concentration is appropriate for students who wish to pursue a career or graduate education that applies computational techniques to the simulation of biological processes and systems. To complete this concentration, students should take the following courses:

Total: 25 credits
▲ Concentration in Chemistry (CHEM)

This concentration is intended for students who wish to pursue a career or graduate education that applies computers to the simulation of chemical processes and systems. To complete this concentration, students should take the following courses:

plus either:
Total: 21 credits
▲ Concentration in Physics (PHYS)

This concentration is designed for students who wish to pursue a career or graduate education that applies computational techniques to the simulation of physical problems. To complete this concentration, students should take the following courses:

and any three of the following:
Total: 21 credits