The Master of Science in Computational Science addresses the growing demand for trained computational scientists and engineers, and data scientists. It combines a solid foundation in computational science skills with courses in a variety of scientific and engineering computer-intensive areas where modeling and simulation, data analysis, and high performance computing play a central role.

Working with an advisor, a student may choose to pursue an area of emphasis. The areas of emphasis are:

• Computer Modeling and Simulation: Intended for students who wish to learn computational solution techniques for modeling and simulation of scientific and engineering phenomena.
• Data Science: Intended for students who wish to learn computational methods for acquiring, extracting, and analyzing large-scale data obtained by observations, experiments, modeling, and database searches.

Students may also combine areas of emphasis to create their own customized curriculum under the guidance of the graduate coordinator.

Most of the courses are offered in the late afternoon or early evening to accommodate students with full-time employment outside of the university.

Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in the Graduate Admissions Policies section of this catalog. Applicants to the Computational Science, MS should have academic backgrounds in the following appropriate fields: physical or biological sciences, engineering, mathematics, or computer science. They should have an undergraduate degree from an institution of higher education accredited by a Mason-recognized U.S. institutional accrediting agency or international equivalent with a GPA of at least 3.00 in their last 60 credits of study. In addition, applicants should have taken at least one course in differential equations and have facility in using a high-level computer programming language.

Application RequirementsHIDE

To apply, prospective students should complete the George Mason University Admissions Application, supply two copies of official transcripts from each university attended, a current résumé, and an expanded goals statement. Applicants should also provide two letters of recommendation and an official report of scores on the GRE-GEN. The GRE-SUB is recommended if it is given in the student's undergraduate major. The GRE requirement will be waived if the student holds a bachelor's or a master's degree from an institution of higher education accredited by a Mason-recognized U.S. institutional accrediting agency or international equivalent in the appropriate fields listed above. Acceptable TOEFL scores (as determined by university policy) are required of all international applicants; for more information visit Admission of International Students. The ETS code for Mason is 5827.

Tuition fee-2 years$58,000

Total fee-2 years$1,04,000