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 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 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. 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

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 $60 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 703-993-1998; 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 credits of computational courses with at least 24 credits of CSI courses
  • 3 credits in 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)

General Core Courses (12 credits):

Select from the following:

Areas of Emphasis (33 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 above with each other and also with quantum information science, climate dynamics, bioinformatics, and computational neuroscience.

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.

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.

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 (3 credits)

3 credits from CSI 898 or CSI 991 (courses may be repeated).

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 no more than 12 credits of CSI 998.

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 has been approved for access by residents of Maryland through the Academic Common Market (ACM). The ACM allows full-time students who are certified residents of Maryland to enroll in the CSI PhD program while paying the Virginia in-state tuition rate, which is about one-third of the out-of-state tuition rate that residents of Maryland would otherwise have to pay. Details regarding Maryland’s participation in the ACM may be found at www.mhec.state. md.us/index.asp. The ACM program code for the CSI Doctoral Program is 300801. Interested students should contact the Office of the University Registrar, Certifications Services, at 703-993-2448.