MS in Computational Science

Catalog Year: 2025-2026

Banner Code: SC-MS-CSIM

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.

Admissions

University-wide admissions policies can be found in the Graduate Admissions Policies section of this catalog. International students and students having earned international degrees should also refer to Admission of International Students for additional requirements.

Eligibility

Applicants to the Computational Science, MS should have an academic background in one of the following fields: physical sciences, life sciences, engineering, mathematics, or computer science. They should have an earned baccalaureate 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 Requirements

To apply for this program, prospective students should submit the George Mason University Admissions Application and its required supplemental documentation, a goals statement, and two letters of recommendation.

The GRE is not required for admission into this program.

Policies

For policies governing all graduate programs, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.

Transferring Previous Graduate Credit into this Program

Previously earned and relevant graduate credits may be eligible for transfer into this program; details can be found in the Credit by Exam or Transfer section of this catalog.

^{(Formerly: SC-MS-COMP)}

Degree Requirements

Total credits: 30

Core Courses

Computational Extended Core

¹

Not including the following research courses: CSI 796 Directed Reading and Research, CSI 798 Practicum Project, CSI 799 Master's Thesis, CSI 898 Research Colloquium in Computational Sciences and Informatics, CSI 899 Colloquium in Computational and Data Sciences, CSI 996 Doctoral Reading and Research, or from courses previously taken.

Electives

¹

Typically chosen from computational sciences and informatics, chemistry, mathematics, physics, engineering, information technology, and statistics courses.

²

Students should create a curriculum plan for an area of emphasis or combined areas of emphases in consultation with their academic advisor.

³

 No more than 6 credits may be chosen from areas outside of CSI.

Elective credits may also include: