Computational Sciences and Informatics
- Faculty
- Graduate Program in Computational Sciences and Informatics
Faculty
Beall, Becker, Black, Blackwell, Blaisten-Barojas, Carr, Ceperly, Davis, Denning,
Dworzecka, Ehrlich, Ellsworth, Evans, Foster, Gentle, Guillory, Haack, Hanna, Hertz,
Hunter, Jones, Kafatos, Kan, Kerschberg, Krichmar, Lieb, Lin, Lohner, Manitius, McIntyre,
Michaels, Miller, Morowitz, Mushrush, Nash, Norris, Ozernoy, Papaconstantopoulos,
Rine, Sachs, Saperstone, Satija, Sauer, Schopf, Shukla, Solka, Sood, Soyfer, Struppa,
Summers, Sutton, Walbridge, Wallin, Wang, Wechsler, Wegman, Willett, J. Wood, K.
Wood, Yang, Zoltek
Graduate Program in Computational Sciences and Informatics
Computational Sciences and Informatics, Ph.D.
The Institute for Computational Sciences and Informatics (CSI) addresses the role
of computation in science, mathematics, and engineering. Computational sciences is
defined as the systematic development and application of computing systems and computational
solution techniques to models 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 by experiments, modeling,
database search, and instrumentation.
Computing is now part of a triad along with theory and experimentation as a means
of investigation, and it provides insight and leads to understanding that, in many
cases, theory or experimentation cannot. The multidisciplinary activities of the
institute respond to this new role for computation, and the institute seeks to integrate
computation in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering to produce new knowledge
and understanding about, and approaches to, the research and educational possibilities
to be found in natures complex systems.
Computation is recognized as a central feature of the instructional and research
program of CSI. The institute, therefore, seeks to establish world-class computational
facilities consistent with funding available through the university and through other
sources in cooperation with George Mason's University Computing and Information Systems
office.
The CSI Graduate Instructional Computational Facility houses Silicon Graphics
workstations as well as other platforms. CSI owns two massively parallel computers,
the Intel Paragon and a MasPar, which are used for teaching as well as for research.
Other advanced computing platforms within CSI include an SGI Origin 2000 workstation
with 16 processors, an SGI Origin 200, an SGI Onyx II with infinite reality graphics
engine, and an Octane visualization workstation. CSI students are issued accounts
and access to the CSI instructional facilities. Other computing platforms are available
for research by graduate students.
Admission Requirements
Students interested in applying to the doctoral program in computational sciences
and informatics should have an academic background in material sciences, engineering,
mathematics, computer science, or natural science. The undergraduate degree should
be from an accredited institution, and applicants should have earned a GPA of at
least 3.000 in their last 60 credits of study. Applicants should forward a completed
George Mason graduate application, two transcripts from each college and graduate
institution attended, three letters of recommendation, scores from the GRE-GEN and
an expanded goals statement to the Graduate Admissions Processing Center. The GRE-SUB
is recommended if it is given in the students undergraduate major subject area.
If the undergraduate degree was earned more than five years ago, students should
submit a resume or statement of work experience. TOEFL scores are required for all
foreign applicants.* Those who are also applying for fellowships must submit completed
applications by February 1; all other applications for fall admission are due by
March 1.
*Transcript evaluation by a U.S.-recognized agency is required for transcripts
coming from foreign countries.
Degree Requirements
The doctoral program provides interdisciplinary research opportunities spanning,
but not limited to, such specialty areas as computational astrophysics, computational
materials science, computational biology (bioinformatics), computational chemistry,
computational fluid dynamics, computational mathematics, computational physics, space
sciences, computational statistics, and earth systems and global change.
The program emphasizes three intellectual elements: common computational science
topics; computationally intensive courses in specific areas of scientific interest;
and doctoral research. Interested individuals should have a bachelors degree in
either science, mathematics, engineering, or computer science. The program requires
72 credits beyond the baccalaureate degree, with a minimum of 48 credits in course
work, and 24 credits of dissertation research (CSI 998 and 999). The course work
is in the following areas:
1. The CSI core courses: 700, 801, 803, and 810
2. Required courses in one of the areas of interest
3. Electives from specialty courses in one of the areas, or individualized study
based on professional experience and research
4. Colloquia or seminars, three credits required For those holding a masters
degree, the 72 required credits may be reduced by up to 24 credits depending on graduate
courses completed. Scheduled courses and sequences accommodate part-time students,
with courses offered in the late afternoon or early evening four nights a week.
Applicants are encouraged to apply their knowledge to a broad range of natural
science problems using extensive computational knowledge and techniques missing from
the more traditional degree programs in science and mathematics. The close relationship
of the doctoral program to the research and development activities in federal laboratories,
scientific institutions, and high-technology firms affords students opportunities
for continuing or new employment. In addition to the common core of CSI 700, 801,
803, and 810, courses for the specific concentrations are required.
Concentration Requirements
For each of the concentrations, there are recommended courses listed on the CSI web
page. Students are to consult with their advisors to prepare their specific plans
of study.
Required courses for each concentration are as follows:
Computational Atmospheric Science: CSI 655 and 755; and other courses related
to atmospheric processing and modeling
Computational Astrophysics: ASTR 530 and CSI 780; one of CSI 783 or 784;
one of PHYS 513 or CSI 785. Students are advised to take at least one of the three
simulation courses CSI 721, 761, or 788.
Computational Biology/Bioinformatics: CSI 650, 651, and 652
Computational Chemistry: CSI 711, 713, 782, and 783
Computational Fluid Dynamics: CSI 721, and 722
Computational Mathematics: CSI 740; one of MATH 677 or 678
Computational Physics: CSI 780; one of PHYS 513 or CSI 785; one of CSI
783 or CSI 784; one of CSI 782, 783, 784, 888, or PHYS 705
Computational Statistics: CSI 778, 877, 972, 973; one of CSI 771 or 773
Computer Design of Materials: CSI 687, 780, 782, 783, and 786. Students are
to take at least one of the two simulation courses CSI 787 or 986.
Earth Systems and Global Change: CSI 652, 655, 750, 751, and 753
Remote Sensing: CSI 750; CSI 753; one of PHYS 513 or CSI 785
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