Computational and Data Sciences

• Overview of the Degree
• Program of Study
• Curriculum Requirements
• Admission, Continuation, and Exit Requirements
• Sample Schedules

Overview of the Degree

The interdisciplinary B.S. program in Computational and Data Sciences represents a new direction for integrated science at George Mason University based on the combination of applied mathematics, real world computer science skills, data acquisition and analysis, and scientific modeling. Graduates of the B.S. program in Computational and Data Sciences 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 both the public and 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 B.S. program in Computational and Data Sciences.

Target Students for the Proposed Program

Computational Science is an emerging field involving applications of sophisticated computational techniques to build models and solve problems related to science and engineering. It complements existing theoretical and experimental approaches and may be thought of as a new mode of scientific inquiry. Students with a wide interest in computers and sciences will benefit from the BS degree in Computational and Data Sciences. In particular, students who are interested in the sciences but do not want to go deep into one particular program, will find this program useful. The students in this program will be exposed to a wide range of computational science applications, and will learn computational science tools, high-performance computing, applied and computational methods, modeling and simulation, and visualization tools. The students graduated from this program will acquire interdisciplinary knowledge and apply scientific principles in solving real-world problems. As a result, they will be better prepared for future employment in industry, research, and academia. Recently emerged but very well-funded interdisciplinary areas of chemical, physical and biological sciences (such as biotechnology, nanotechnology, molecular electronics, photonics in nanoscale systems, and energetics of DNA/protein binding) require highly-qualified professionals with strong computational skills in order to work closely with experimentalists in solving modern scientific or engineering problems. Students graduating with a traditional discipline-based bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, mathematics, or physics generally do not have the required computational background necessary to participate as members of interdisciplinary scientific research teams. The proposed BS program in CDS will provide students with a variety of opportunities to become research professionals possessing interdisciplinary knowledge, including science, mathematics, and strong computational skills. Graduates of the proposed program will be able to perform data analysis, optimization, and computational simulation for solving problems in science and engineering.

Program of Study

In addition to satisfying the university-wide general education requirements for the B.S. degree, students must complete a total of 18 credits in computational and data sciences core courses, 15 credits in computer science, 23 credits in mathematics, 6 credits in statistics, 21-25 credits in a science concentration, and 3-9 credits in computational and data sciences electives with a minimum GPA of 2.00. Students are encouraged to undertake an optional research project that allows them to gain useful experience in the development of simulations and other aspects of computational science.

Curriculum Requirements

Through the course work listed below, Computational and Data Sciences majors satisfy the university-wide requirements in natural science and quantitative reasoning.

• Six required core computational and data sciences courses (18credits): CDS 101, 301, 302, 401, 410, and 411
• Six required computer science courses (15 credits): CS 105, 112, 211,261, 367, and 483
• Seven required mathematics courses (23 credits): MATH 113, 114, 125, 203, 213, 214, and 446
• Two required statistics courses (6 credits): STAT 344 and 354
• Science concentration (21-25 credits)
• Computational and data sciences electives (3-9 credits)

In meeting the above requirements, students choose a concentration in physics, chemistry, or biology. The courses required for each concentration are listed below. Students should plan a program of study in consultation with their advisor as appropriate for their selected concentration.

Concentration in Physics

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: PHYS 160, 161, 260, 261, 262, 263 and three of PHYS 303, 305, 306, 307, 308, 328.

Concentration in Chemistry

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: PHYS 243, 244, 245, 246, and CHEM 211, 212 plus either CHEM 313/315 or CHEM 331/336.

Concentration in Biology

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: CHEM 211, 212, 313, 315, and BIOL 213, 305, 306, and 311.

Admissions, Continuation, and Exit Requirements

Admissions Requirements: A student who meets the University's general eligibility requirements may apply to the BS program in Computational and Data Sciences. Admission is based on the appropriateness of the student's academic objectives and the likelihood of the student benefiting from the program. Continuation Requirements: There are no additional continuation requirements for the BS program in Computational and Data Sciences above those required by George Mason University. Exit Requirements: The requirements of the BS program in Computational and Data Sciences can be successfully completed in 8 full-time semesters of 14 - 16 hours each, as shown below. The 120 semester hour degree requirement consists of over 30 credits of General Education courses in addition to the major-related courses in computer science, mathematics, computational and data sciences, and a scientific application area. Students enrolled in the BS program in Computational and Data Sciences must apply at least 45 credits of upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above) toward graduation requirements.

The program started in the fall of 2007, when the core course CDS 101 was offered for the first time. Because transfer students came into the program and others changed their major, graduating seniors are expected in 2009 and 2010. For additional information, please call Dr. John Wallin at 703-993-3617 or send email to jwallin@gmu.edu.

Sample Schedule

Students in the Computational and Data Sciences BS degree program take core classes in mathematics and computer science, foundation courses in their chosen science concentration, and upper-division synthesis courses that integrate these disciplines. The synthesis courses represent a critical component of the program curriculum because they focus on the application of mathematics and computation to address real-world problems in the chosen science area. This type of coursework is not available in any existing degree program in the Commonwealth. The descriptions of the 11 new courses are provided in Appendix B. The new courses carry the designation CDS (Computational and Data Sciences). In the proposed curriculum plan, students enrolled in the BS degree in Computational and Data Sciences must complete 120 credit hours of coursework, including 45 credits in courses numbered 300 or above. The detailed curriculum requirements vary according to the selected concentration area (physics, chemistry, or biology) as indicated below.

Candidates for the BS degree in Computational and Data Sciences must successfully complete 120 credit hours as follows:

 

1) General Education: 28 credit hours

Excluding Math 113, CS 112, CS 105 and 8 credits of science, 28 additional credits (beyond the curriculum for the BS degree in Computational and Data Sciences) are required in order to satisfy the General Education requirements at George Mason University. The one credit hour ethics requirement is satisfied by the CS 105 class. Some of the other courses in the BS curriculum requirements can also be used to partially fulfill the General Education requirements, and these classes are marked with an
asterisk *.

6 English 100 or 101, and 302

3 Communication 100 or 101

3 Literature

3 Fine Arts

3 Western Civilization

3 Social and Behavioral Science

3 Global Understanding

3 Synthesis

1 Ethics (satisfied by CS 105)

 

2) Mathematics: 23 credit hours

4 MATH 113 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I*

4 MATH 114 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II

3 MATH 125 Discrete Mathematics I

3 MATH 203 Matrix Algebra

3 MATH 213 Analytic Geometry and Calculus III

3 MATH 214 Elementary Differential Equations

3 MATH 446 Numerical Analysis I

 

3) Statistics: 6 credit hours

3 STAT 344 Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists I

3 STAT 354 Statistics for Engineers and Scientists

 

4) Computer Science: 15 credit hours

1 CS 105 Computer Ethics and Society*

4 CS 112 Computer Science I*

3 CS 211 Computer Science II

1 CS 261 Introduction to a Second Language

3 CS 367 Computer Systems and Programming

3 CS 483 Data Structure and Analysis of Algorithms

 

5) Computational and Data Sciences: 18 credit hours - these new courses

are described in Appendix B

3 CDS 101 Introduction to Computational and Data Sciences

3 CDS 301 Scientific Information and Data Visualization

3 CDS 302 Scientific Data and Databases

3 CDS 401 Scientific Data Mining

3 CDS 410 Modeling and Simulation I

3 CDS 411 Modeling and Simulation II

 

6) Science Concentration: 21-25 credit hours

As part of this degree, it is important to have a strong science core. The following concentrations are included as examples of courses which fulfill these requirements. All of the courses are drawn from the list of major requirements for the majors in their respective fields, and generally satisfy the requirements for the minor in each discipline.

 

a) Physics Concentration: 21 credit hours

3 PHYS 160 University Physics I*

1 PHYS 161 University Physics I Laboratory*

3 PHYS 260 University Physics II*

1 PHYS 261 University Physics II Laboratory*

3 PHYS 262 University Physics III

1 PHYS 263 University Physics III Laboratory

plus three of the following:

3 PHYS 303 Classical Mechanics

3 PHYS 305 Electromagnetic Theory

3 PHYS 306 Wave Motion and Electromagnetic Radiation

3 PHYS 307 Thermal Physics

3 PHYS 308 Modern Physics with Applications

3 PHYS 328 Introduction to Astrophysics

 

b) Chemistry Concentration: 21 credit hours

3 PHYS 243 College Physics I*

1 PHYS 244 College Physics I Laboratory*

3 PHYS 245 College Physics II

1 PHYS 246 College Physics II Laboratory

4 CHEM 211 General Chemistry I*

4 CHEM 212 General Chemistry II*

plus either the following 2 classes:

3 CHEM 313 Organic Chemistry I

2 CHEM 315 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory

or the following 2 classes:

3 CHEM 331 Physical Chemistry I

2 CHEM 336 Physical Chemistry I Laboratory

 

c) Biology Concentration: 25 credit hours

4 CHEM 211 General Chemistry I*

4 CHEM 212 General Chemistry II*

3 CHEM 313 Organic Chemistry I

2 CHEM 315 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory

4 BIOL 213 Cell Structure and Function*

3 BIOL 305 Biology of Microorganisms

1 BIOL 306 Biology of Microorganisms Laboratory

4 BIOL 311 General Genetics

 

7) Computational and Data Sciences Electives: 3-9 credit hours

The proposed program provides the strong, integrated computational background required to address real-world problems in a variety of scientific areas. This approach is culminated in the upper-level "capstone" Computational and Data Sciences Electives classes, in which students are exposed to a combination of scientific, mathematical, and computational concepts through practical approaches to solving concrete problems in modern science. Many of these classes include a significant research component via a class project. This exposure to research will hopefully inspire some of the undergraduates to pursue graduate education in the sciences. The set of capstone classes includes the following courses (new courses are indicated by and described in Appendix B):

3 BIOL 580 Computer Applications for the Life Sciences

3 CDS 421 Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics

3 CDS 461 N-Body Simulation Methods

3 CDS 486 Topics in Computational and Data Sciences

3 CDS 487 Electronic Structure Computations

3 CHEM 350 Computer Techniques for Chemistry

3 CS 310 Computer Science III

3 CS 475 Concurrent and Distributed Systems

3 NANO 500 Introduction to Nanomaterials and Interactions

3 PHYS 510 Computational Physics

 

Sample Curriculum Plans

Sample curriculum plans illustrating the concentrations in biology, chemistry, and physics are shown in Tables 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Each enrolled student is expected to consult with his/her faculty advisor to determine which particular combination of courses best suits their specific needs and academic goals.

Table 1: Sample Biology Concentration Curriculum

FIRST SEMESTER
BIOL 213 Cell Structure and Function (4)
CS 105 Computer Ethics and Society (1)
COMM 100 Public Speaking (3)
ENGL 101 Composition (3)
MATH 113 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (4)

SECOND SEMESTER
CDS 101 Introduction to Computational and Data Sciences (3)
CS 112 Computer Science I (4)
COMM 305 Foundations of Intercultural Communication (3)
HIST 121 Formation of the American Republic (3)
MATH 114 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II (4)

THIRD SEMESTER
CHEM 211 General Chemistry I (4)
CDS 301 Scientific Information and Data Visualization (3)
CS 211 Computer Science II (3)
HIST 281 Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization (3)

FOURTH SEMESTER
BIOL 311 General Genetics (4)
CHEM 212 General Chemistry II (4)
CDS 302 Scientific Data and Databases (3)
CL 300 Introduction to Comparative Literature (3)
MATH 203 Matrix Algebra (3)

FIFTH SEMESTER
MATH 125 Discrete Mathematics I (3)
ENGL 302 Advanced Composition (3)
MATH 213 Analytic Geometry and Calculus III (3)
CHEM 313 Organic Chemistry I (3)
CHEM 315 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (2)

SIXTH SEMESTER
ARTH 101 Introduction to the Visual Arts (3)
BIOL 305 Biology of Microorganisms (3)
BIOL 306 Biology of Microorganisms Laboratory (1)
CS 367 Computer Systems and Programming (3)
MATH 214 Elementary Differential Equations (3)
HIST 100 History of Western Civilization (3)

SEVENTH SEMESTER
CS 261 Introduction to a Second Language (1)
CDS 401 Scientific Data Mining (3)
CDS 410 Modeling and Simulation I (3)
MATH 446 Numerical Analysis I (3)
STAT 344 Probability and Statistics I (3)

EIGHTH SEMESTER
BIOL 580 Computer Applications for the Life Sciences (3)
CDS 411 Modeling and Simulation II (3)
CS 483 Data Structures and Analysis of Algorithms (3)
PHIL 377 Darwin: Biology and Beyond (3)
STAT 354 Statistics for Engineers and Scientists (3)

TOTAL CREDITS: 120

Table 2: Sample Chemistry Concentration Curriculum

FIRST SEMESTER
CS 105 Computer Ethics and Society (1)
COMM 100 Public Speaking (3)
ENGL 101 Composition (3)
HIST 281 Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization (3)
MATH 113 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (4)

SECOND SEMESTER
CDS 101 Introduction to Computational and Data Sciences (3)
CS 112 Computer Science I (4)
COMM 305 Foundations of Intercultural Communication (3)
HIST 121 Formation of the American Republic (3)
MATH 114 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II (4)

THIRD SEMESTER
CHEM 211 General Chemistry I (4)
CDS 301 Scientific Information and Data Visualization (3)
CS 211 Computer Science II (3)
PHYS 243 College Physics I (3)
PHYS 244 College Physics I Laboratory (1)

FOURTH SEMESTER
CHEM 212 General Chemistry II (4)
CDS 302 Scientific Data and Databases (3)
CL 300 Introduction to Comparative Literature (3)
PHYS 245 College Physics II (3)
PHYS 246 College Physics II Laboratory (1)
MATH 203 Matrix Algebra (3)

FIFTH SEMESTER
MATH 125 Discrete Mathematics I (3)
CDS 401 Scientific Data Mining (3)
CHEM 331 Physical Chemistry I (3)
CHEM 336 Physical Chemistry I Laboratory (2)
ENGL 302 Advanced Composition (3)
MATH 213 Analytic Geometry and Calculus III (3)

SIXTH SEMESTER
ARTH 101 Introduction to the Visual Arts (3)
CS 367 Computer Systems and Programming (3)
MATH 214 Elementary Differential Equations (3)
HIST 100 History of Western Civilization (3)
PHIL 253 Philosophy and Literature (3)

SEVENTH SEMESTER
CS 261 Introduction to a Second Language (1)
AVT 180 Computers in the Creative Arts (3)
CS 483 Data Structures and Analysis of Algorithms (3)
CDS 410 Modeling and Simulation I (3)
MATH 446 Numerical Analysis I (3)
STAT 344 Probability and Statistics I (3)

EIGHTH SEMESTER
AVT 393 Field Experience in the Arts (1)
CHEM 350 Computer Techniques for Chemistry (3)
CDS 411 Modeling and Simulation II (3)
STAT 354 Statistics for Engineers and Scientists (3)

TOTAL CREDITS: 120

Table 3: Sample Physics Concentration Curriculum

FIRST SEMESTER
CDS 101 Introduction to Computational and Data Sciences (3)
CS 105 Computer Ethics and Society (1)
COMM 100 Public Speaking (3)
ENGL 101 Composition (3)
MATH 113 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (4)

SECOND SEMESTER
CS 112 Computer Science I (4)
HIST 121 Formation of the American Republic (3)
MATH 114 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II (4)
PHYS 160 University Physics I (3)
PHYS 161 University Physics I Laboratory (1)

THIRD SEMESTER
COMM 305 Foundations of Intercultural Communication (3)
CDS 301 Scientific Information and Data Visualization (3)
CS 211 Computer Science II (3)
HIST 281 Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization (3)
PHYS 260 University Physics II (3)
PHYS 261 University Physics II Laboratory (1)

FOURTH SEMESTER
CDS 302 Scientific Data and Databases (3)
CL 300 Introduction to Comparative Literature (3)
MATH 203 Matrix Algebra (3)
MATH 213 Analytic Geometry and Calculus III (3)
PHYS 262 University Physics III (3)
PHYS 263 University Physics III Laboratory (1)

FIFTH SEMESTER
ARTH 101 Introduction to the Visual Arts (3)
CDS 401 Scientific Data Mining (3)
ENGL 302 Advanced Composition (3)
MATH 214 Elementary Differential Equations (3)
PHYS 303 Classical Mechanics (3)

SIXTH SEMESTER
MATH 125 Discrete Mathematics I (3)
HIST 100 History of Western Civilization (3)
PHYS 307 Thermal Physics (3)
PHYS 308 Modern Physics with Applications (3)
STAT 344 Probability and Statistics I (3)

SEVENTH SEMESTER
AVT 180 Computers in the Creative Arts (3)
CS 367 Computer Systems and Programming (3)
CDS 410 Modeling and Simulation I (3)
MATH 446 Numerical Analysis I (3)
PHYS 328 Introduction to Astrophysics (3)

EIGHTH SEMESTER
CS 261 Introduction to a Second Language (1)
AVT 393 Field Experience in the Arts (1)
CS 483 Data Structures and Analysis of Algorithms (3)
CDS 461 N-Body Simulation Methods (3)
CDS 411 Modeling and Simulation II (3)
STAT 354 Statistics for Engineers and Scientists (3)

TOTAL CREDITS: 120