The College of Science (COS) serves as the nexus for research and education in the natural, mathematical, and computational sciences at Mason. The central mission of COS is to create and disseminate scientific knowledge, provide outstanding scholarship in concert with excellent teaching, and develop the human and technical resources required to address the current and future needs of society. Through its innovative and multifaceted educational and research mission, COS offers exciting opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students, scientists, educators, and other professionals in Northern Virginia and the national capital region.
In addition to the wide variety of undergraduate degree programs offered by its 9 departments, COS also offers many innovative graduate degrees and interdisciplinary minors. The research strength of COS provides an essential resource to graduate students and to undergraduates whose involvement in research is strongly encouraged. Many undergraduates go on to graduate school and to pursue careers in public service, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector. Graduate students engage in more specialized study at the master’s and doctoral levels, preparing them for first or second careers or job advancement and providing personal enrichment.
Faculty members are committed to teaching grounded in scholarship and research. They strive to make students rigorous thinkers and clear communicators while encouraging experimentation with new approaches and ideas. Students are thus prepared for their role as informed citizens in a complex, global society and able to adapt to an ever-changing world.
Students with documented disabilities should contact the Office of Disability Services (Student Union I, Room 222; 703-993-2474) to open a file and learn more about accommodations that may be available to them.
COS offers 10 master’s degrees and 10 doctoral degrees. The requirements for each degree are described in the departmental and degree sections that follow. A complete listing of the graduate programs administered by the College of Science is available on the college web site: http://cos.gmu.edu/academics/degree_programs/graduate.
COS offers 6 bachelor of arts degrees and 10 bachelor of science degrees. These undergraduate degree consist of course work in university-wide general education, a major area of study, and electives. To earn a bachelor’s degree, students must complete 120 credits, of which at least 45 must be in upper-level courses (numbered 300 and above). At least one course at the 300 or 400 level must be designated “writing intensive.” All entering students who have not yet satisfied the university-wide general education requirement in quantitative reasoning are required to take the math placement test prior to enrollment.
The baccalaureate degree is designed to provide a broad knowledge of the world, develop in students the ability to think conceptually and critically, acquaint them with many different methods of inquiry, and provide skills to continue intellectual growth throughout life.
The BA degree provides students with a breadth of knowledge, as well as the necessary skills to make in-depth study of a major truly meaningful. In addition to the university-wide general education program , students pursuing a BA degree must complete the course work below, and the courses listed in the departmental sections that follow. Except where expressly prohibited, a course used to fulfill a college-level requirement may also be used simultaneously to satisfy other requirements, such as university-wide general education requirements, college-level requirements, or requirements for the major. In some cases, the COS requirements below may be superceded by requirements of the major degree program.
Requirements for each BA major are listed in the departmental sections that follow.
The BS degree provides students with a more intensive approach to the technical core knowledge and concepts in their major field of study. Therefore, this curriculum has a reduced number of courses in humanities and social sciences in comparison with the BA degree to allow students to achieve greater depth in their majors. Students pursuing a BS degree must complete the university-wide general education program plus the requirements for their major. Requirements for each BS major in COS are listed in the departmental sections that follow.
Degree programs that prepare students for high school teaching careers are available in the following COS departments or programs: Atmospheric, Oceanic and Earth Science; Biology; Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics. Students who wish to become K-12 teachers, and who plan to seek teacher licensure should also consult the College of Education and Human Development chapter and attend an information session early in their undergraduate career. For more information, call 703-993-2892, e-mail gseadmit@gmu.edu, or go to gse.gmu.edu.
Students may elect to take a minor in addition to their major field of study. For policies governing all minors, see the Academic Policies chapter of this catalog. Students interested in earning a minor should complete the appropriate section of the Change/Declaration of Academic Program form.
Students should become familiar with the university’s general academic policies in addition to those specific to each academic unit. Please see the Academic Policies section of this catalog.
Students with questions regarding exceptions to academic policies and college-level requirements should contact the Undergraduate Academic Affairs Office (Enterprise Hall, Suite 316; 703-993-8725; cosdean@gmu.edu). Additional policy information and forms are available online at www.gmu.edu/student/academicaffairs.
Students are personally responsible for correctly registering for courses and paying all tuition and fees by the official university registration and payment deadlines. Instructors do not have the authority to add students to courses. All students should verify the accuracy of their enrollment before the end of the add period.
The university limits undergraduate students with a cumulative GPA below 2.00 to 13 credit hours per semester. All undergraduate students returning from suspension are also limited to a maximum of 13 credit hours. Exceptions to this rule are very rare and only occur in exceptional cases.
Undergraduate students in good standing may enroll in up to 18 credit hours each semester. In exceptional circumstances, students may request an overload of the maximum credit hours. Freshmen and transfer students in their first semesters are not given permission for overloads as they have yet to establish an academic record at George Mason University.
In order to be considered for an overload, students must fulfill all of the following criteria:
If approved for an overload, the student is responsible for adding the additional class(es) and paying for the related tuition by the official university deadlines.
Students are responsible for all courses in which they remain officially enrolled once the drop period has ended.
Instructors do not have the authority to withdraw students from classes. Withdrawals require the approval of the academic dean and are typically allowed only for full semesters at a time (all enrolled courses) and are only permitted for non-academic reasons. No withdrawals can be approved for academic reasons. When submitting a withdrawal request, students must provide verifiable, third-party documentation for the reason for the withdrawal. Requests for withdrawals should be submitted as early in the semester as possible, and never after the last day of classes.
Credits graded “W” do not affect a student’s GPA, but do count as attempted hours. The total attempted hours and cumulative GPA determine a student’s academic standing. If the cumulative GPA is below 2.00, withdrawals may affect whether a student will be on warning, probation, suspension, or dismissal. Students should be familiar with the Student Retention Categories in the Academic Policies section of the catalog.
Participation in consortium registration is available to degree-seeking juniors and seniors in good standing currently enrolled at Mason. Participation is limited to courses that are approved by the student’s department chair and academic dean, apply to the student’s program of study, are not offered during that semester at Mason, and have space available at the consortium institution. Students should consult with the Consortium Coordinator in the Registrar’s Office, as additional restrictions may apply. Students may take just one course per semester, with a career maximum of two courses. Students who have failed a course at Mason are not permitted to take the equivalent course through the consortium under any circumstances. All consortium registration requests must be submitted to the dean’s office at least 3 weeks prior to the first day of classes for the relevant semester at Mason.
Students enrolled at George Mason University are expected to complete their coursework in residence. Exceptions to this policy are rare and are considered only under extraordinary circumstances and on a case-by-case basis. Students must obtain advance, written approval from their department/program and dean’s office before enrolling in classes elsewhere.
To be considered for an exception to this policy, students must have completed the immediately preceding semester with a GPA of 2.00 or higher and not be in danger of academic probation, suspension or dismissal. Freshmen and new transfer students are not allowed to take courses elsewhere as they have yet to establish an academic record at George Mason. Since transfer students have already transferred a number of hours, they are expected to plan all remaining courses in residence. Local community colleges are not part of the University Consortium, and requests to take community college courses can seldom be approved. Courses offered at Consortium Universities must be reviewed by the Consortium Coordinator in advance and will not be considered for general study elsewhere.
Courses taken elsewhere that have been pre-approved by the dean’s office must be taken for a grade and be passed with a GPA of 2.00 or higher in order to be transferred to George Mason. Although credit for the course can be transferred, the grade for the course cannot.
Students must make arrangements with the visited institution to have an official transcript mailed directly to the George Mason University Registrar’s Office immediately after the course work is completed. Credit cannot be transferred until an official transcript is received.
Additional information about study elsewhere can be found at www.gmu.edu/student/academicaffairs/policies.htm.
In order to be considered for study through the Center for Global Education, students must plan well in advance and receive prior, written permission from the academic dean. Students must also meet all of the following criteria:
In extraordinary cases, students who (a) have been absent from George Mason for a minimum of three consecutive calendar years and (b) are currently in their first semester back at the university may request that their academic dean consider allowing clemency from up to 16 hours of coursework from previous semesters. To be considered for this exception, students must meet all of the following criteria:
Students may appeal departmental decisions concerning academic actions to the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs. They may appeal decisions of the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs to the Dean;s Council, a committee composed of college deans and faculty members. Students may appeal decisions of the Dean’s Council to the COS Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs. These levels of appeal are subject to the limits below concerning the final level of appeal for each type of academic action. Students who feel that the college appeal process was conducted unfairly may appeal to the Provost’s Office as specified in the Academic Policies chapter of this catalog.
Grade appeals should be made to the department or program, following the process specified in the Academic Policies chapter of this catalog. If they are resolved within the department or program, that unit is the final level of appeal. The departmental decision may be appealed to the dean only on the basis of procedural irregularity. Such appeals should be made through the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs. If the grade appeal is not resolved within the department or program, the chair makes a recommendation to the dean, who makes the final determination. The decision of the dean is not subject to review or further appeal.
Departments set the requirements for the majors and minors that they administer. Substitutions and waivers of requirements require the approval of Undergraduate Academic Affairs. When a department denies a substitution or waiver of a requirement, this decision may be appealed to the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs on the basis of procedural irregularity only, and it is the final level of approval.
The Dean’s Council is the final level of appeal for course overloads, consortium registration, study elsewhere, and withdrawals after the drop deadline within the semester.
The COS Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs is the final level of appeal for COS college level requirements, retroactive adds, withdrawals, graduation, and return from suspension and dismissal. The Associate Dean is the final level of approval.
There is no waiver or appeal of satisfactory performance standards (minimum grades or grade point average, GPA) that have been set by the department or program faculty for the courses in their major or minor.
Students should file all appeals in a timely manner, usually within the semester in which the original decision is rendered, but no later than the final day of classes of the following semester.
Grievances should be directed in writing to the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs. The COS Undergraduate Academic Affairs Office may also provide guidance to students on how to resolve their concerns.
Admitted and enrolled transfer students who have completed an AA, AS or AA&S degree from the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) with a curriculum grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.75 are considered to have met all of George Mason University’s lower level general education requirements. They are still required by the university to complete ENGL 302 and a synthesis course. Transfer students who meet the conditions above and are pursuing a degree in COS are considered to have met all college requirements except for proficiency in a foreign language (required of BA students).
Students with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution who are pursuing a BA degree in COS are also considered to have met all college requirements except for proficiency in a foreign language.
Physical Education (PHED) and Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies (PRLS) activity courses cannot be counted toward credits required for a degree in the College of Science. Students may use nonactivity PHED and PRLS courses for elective credit for college degrees. For a current list of PHED and PRLS courses that may be used for credit in the college, see the CHSS Undergraduate Academic Affairs Office Web site at http://www.gmu.edu/student/academicaffairs/. Military Science (MLSC) courses cannot be counted toward credits required for a degree in the college.
Once admitted to Mason, students may not take CLEP exams and apply credits from those exams to degrees in the College of Science. Students may apply credits from CLEP exams to degrees in the college only if those crdits were awarded at the time of admission.
■ Atmospheric, Oceanic and Earth Sciences
Phone: 703-993-8958
Web: aoes.gmu.edu
Faculty
Professors: Diecchio, Hazen (Robinson Professor), Schneider, Schopf, Shukla, Straus (chair), Summers*
Associate professors: Boybeyi, DelSole, Harlan, Houser**, Huang, Kinter, Klinger, McBride
Assistant professors: Jin, Kysar-Mattietti, Lu
Term professors: Krishnamurthy
Term associate professors: Verardo
Term assistant professors: Nord, Uhen
Term research faculty: Doty
* Primary Affiliation in Physics and Astronomy Department
** Primary Affiliation in Geography and Geoinformation Science Department
Course Work
The department offers all course work designated CLIM and GEOL in the Courses chapter of this catalog.
Honors Program for Earth Science and Geology
Earth science majors who have completed 16 credits of math and science, including GEOL 302 or BIOL 307, with a GPA of 3.00 or higher are eligible to enter the departmental honors program. Transfer students who have an incoming GPA of 3.10 or higher in math and science and a B or better in GEOL 302 or BIOL 307 are also eligible. To graduate with honors in Earth Science students are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00 in math and science and complete the following courses with an average GPA of 3.50 or better: GEOL 406, 410, and 411.
Undergraduate Degree
Undergraduate Minor
Doctoral Degree
■ Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
Phone: 703-993-8400
Web: bioinformatics.gmu.edu
Faculty
Professors: Jafri (chair), Willett
Associate professors: Kinser, Klimov, Seto, Vaisman
Affiliate faculty: Ascoli, Baranova, Baxevanis, Blackwell, Bokhari, Carr, Couch, Fryxell, Gillevet, Kabbani, Masso, Matthews, Olds, Rangwala, Reck, Shehu, Sobie, Van Tassell, Weller
Course Work
The department offers all course work designated BINF in the Courses chapter of this catalog.
Undergraduate Minor
Master's Degree
Master's Level Certificate
Doctoral Degree
■ Biology Undergraduate Program
Phone: 703-993-1050
Web: biology.gmu.edu
Faculty
Director: Rockwood
Assistant Director: Otto
Biology Undergraduate Coordinator: Polayes
Professors: Rockwood
Term associate professors: Cressey, Kocache, Polayes
Term assistant professors: Fondufe, Madden, Otto, Tondi
Adjunct faculty: Henley, Jones, Laemmerzahl, McClintock, Wood-Salvesen, Yoder
The Biology Undergraduate Program is a collaboration between the Department of Molecular and Microbiology (MMB) and the Department of Environmental Science and Policy (ESP). In addition, the Program has its own dedicated teaching faculty. The Program is administered by the Biology Program Director and the Assistant Program Director. It is governed by a Biology Program Committee consisting of the Program Director, two Biology Program faculty, two faculty from the MMB Department and two faculty from the ESP Department.
Course Work
The program offers all undergraduate course work designated BIOL and MTCH in the Courses chapter of this catalog.
Undergraduate Degree Programs
The bachelor degree programs in biology provide a sound liberal arts education with substantial experience in quantitative and analytical thought, along with preparation for a related profession. In addition to ensuring the strong background necessary for graduate study in the many fields of biological science, the broad range of courses available at Mason allows students to develop careers in many areas, including secondary school teaching, environmental management, microbiology, molecular biology, biotechnology, genetics, and natural history. Alternatively, students may prepare for postgraduate studies in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, wildlife management, fisheries biology, marine science. The program also offers a BS in medical technology. Additional information can be found at the Biology Program’s web site at biology.gmu.edu or by contacting the Biology Program office, David J. King Hall, Room 3005, 703-993-1050.
Advising
All biology majors are strongly urged to see an academic advisor regularly to help them plan their schedule, so they can graduate on time. Biology majors should see an advisor for permission to register prior to their first semester and again as they complete 60 credits and 90 credits. Medical technology majors must see the medical technology advisor to obtain permission to register each semester.
Students returning from suspension are required to meet with the Undergraduate Coordinator or designee prior to being allowed to register.
Call 703-993-1050 or visit David J. King Hall, Room 3005, to make an advising appointment.
Residence Requirement for Transfer Students
Students majoring in biology are required to complete 16 credits in the major at the 300 and 400 levels at Mason in addition to meeting the university residency requirement of at least 30 credits at Mason.
Policy on Using Biology Program Laboratories
Only authorized experiments and exercises may be carried out in any program research or teaching laboratory and must be done under the supervision of a university faculty or staff member. No unauthorized work is allowed in any laboratory.
Policy on Using Organisms in Classes
Direct observations of actual organisms are considered an essential part of learning biology at all levels. Direct observations of organisms may involve the use of living or preserved specimens, dissections of organisms or parts of organisms, and microscopic examination of organisms or parts of organisms. All use of live animals conforms to National Institutes of Health guidelines for the use and care of laboratory animals. Activities specified above may be a required part of a course and thus serve as a basis for grading in the course. Any questions about the administration of this policy should be directed to the course coordinator or instructor.
Honors Program in Biology
Admission Requirements
Minimum requirements for invitation:
- GPA in biology courses must be 3.50 or better
- GPA in supporting requirements (math and other science) must be 3.00 or better
- Grade of B or better in BIOL 213
Ideally, we would like to recruit students in their freshman or sophomore year.
Retention Requirements
Students in honors biology must maintain a biology GPA of 3.50 or better and a supporting GPA of 3.00 or better from the time they have accumulated 30 hours and thereafter. Students who fall below this standard will be given a one semester probationary period in which to bring their GPA back up to the minimum standard.
Requirements to Graduate with Biology Honors
Students are required to take 6 to 7 credits in honors courses in BIOL including three semesters of BIOL 494 (honors seminar, 1 credit) or two semesters of BIOL 494 and one semester of BIOL 493 (honors research, 1-3 credits). The GPA requirements are as follows:
- Minimum 3.50 GPA in honors biology courses
- Minimum 3.50 GPA in biology requirements
- Minimum 3.00 GPA in supporting requirements
- Minimum 3.00 GPA overall
Writing-Intensive Requirement
Mason requires all students to complete at least one course designated as “writing intensive” in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in biology fulfill this requirement by successfully completing BIOL 307. Students not taking BIOL 307 at Mason should consult the program director for a course to fulfill this requirement.
Minor in Biology
Candidates for the minor in biology must complete 19-20 credits in Biology with a minimum GPA of 2.00 including BIOL 213, 303, 304 and either BIOL 307 or 311, in addition to one other 304 credit biology course at the 300 (not 301), 400 or 500 level. Eight credits of coursework must be unique to the minor. For policies concerning minors, see the Academic Policies chapter of the catalog.
Premedical, Predental, Prepharmacy, and Preveterinary Students
Web: prehealth.gmu.edu
Many students planning to enter medical, dental, pharmacy, veterinary, optometry, or other health professional schools choose to pursue a major in biology. These students should consult the health professions advising web site on required course work and overall preparation.
Teacher Licensure
Students who wish to become teachers should pursue either the BA in Biology with a Concentration in Education or the BS in Biology with a Concentration in Education and consult the College of Education and Human Development chapter of this catalog and attend an information session early in their undergraduate career. For more information, call 703-993-2892, e-mail gseadmit@gmu.edu , or go to gse.gmu.edu.
Biology for Nonmajors
Students who are not majoring in science or mathematics and wish to fulfill their natural science requirement may enroll in BIOL 103 and 104. With permission of the instructor, nonmajors may enroll in BIOL 213 and then take either BIOL 303 or 304 to complete the requirement. Chemistry, physics, and mathematics majors should consult their faculty advisor to determine which biology courses to take.
BS in Medical Technology
This program requires the equivalent of three years of full time professional study at the college level preceding a senior year of professional education in an affiliated school of medical technology. All affiliated schools are accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).
Responsibility for applying to schools of medical technology and gaining admission rests with the student; however, guidance is provided by the medical technology program director. Admission to medical technology schools is selective, so candidates should strive for strong academic standing. Students who fail to gain admission to a NAACLS-approved school are unable to complete the degree program. Such students may transfer to the biology major without loss of credits.
Application to medical technology schools should be initiated about a year before the desired entrance date. This fact, coupled with the large number of required courses in the pre-professional curriculum, makes it imperative that students in the program consult regularly with their faculty advisor. All medical technology majors and prospective majors are urged to enroll in MTCH 200 as early as possible. This course provides information on the profession, as well as the educational demands placed on candidates.
Students should be aware that the senior year spent off campus requires the following special interpretation of university policies. Transfer students must present at least 16 credits of 300-400 level biology or chemistry coursework taken at Mason. Students may present no more than 6 credits of D grades in biology and chemistry courses required in three years of pre-professional study. No unsatisfactory grades may be presented for courses in the senior year of professional study. Transfer students entering with more than 45 transfer credits are often unable to complete the pre-professional phase of their program in the usual three years of full time study.
Senior students are registered at the university through special procedures. For details, consult the program director.
Students must fulfill all requirements for bachelor’s degrees including university general education requirements . In addition, candidates must complete MTCH 200 and present the following courses in their pre-professional programs with a minimum GPA of 2.00. (Through the coursework below, majors satisfy the university-wide general education requirements in natural science, quantitative reasoning and information technology proficiency.)
Students are encouraged to elect additional basic science courses during their pre-professional years. Recommended courses are BIOL 465, 483, 484 and 485; CHEM 321; and PHYS 243, 244, 245, and 246. Professional study during the senior year involves clinical education at an affiliated school of medical technology. Thirty credits of coursework are required, including MTCH 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, and 406. The distribution of credits in these courses varies with the school of medical technology. No more than 30 professional credits may be applied toward the degree.
NOTE: Because of the extensive professional education requirements stipulated by NAACLS, students majoring in medical technology are exempt from the university-wide general education requirement in the fine arts.
Writing-Intensive Requirement
Mason requires all students to complete at least one course designated as “writing intensive” in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in medical technology fulfill this requirement by successfully completing BIOL 453. Students not taking BIOL 453 at Mason should consult the program director for a course to fulfill this requirement.
Major in Medical Technology as a Second Bachelor’s Degree
While the standard program for medical technologists is three years on campus followed by a fourth year at a clinical affiliate (3 + 1), many students elect to complete a bachelor’s degree before entering the clinical program (4 + 1). Students who have completed a BS in biology or chemistry at Mason and then undertake a fifth year at a clinical affiliate may be eligible for a second bachelor’s degree with a major in medical technology. Students wishing to receive the second degree must apply before entering their fifth year. For further information, contact a medical technology advisor.
Premedical Honor Society
Alpha Epsilon Delta Zeta Premedical Honor Society is a national student support group, providing professional school tours, educational programs, and lectures on health topics and the professional school admissions process to students interested in such health-related fields as medicine, dentistry, optometry, and veterinary medicine. Active membership is awarded to students who have completed at least three semesters with a minimum scholastic GPA of 3.00. Associate membership is also available.
Predental Society
Mason students who are interested in pursuing careers in dentistry are encouraged to participate in the Predental Society. This student organization organizes supplemental programming focused toward dentistry as a career.
Biology, Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s Degree
Qualified undergraduates may be admitted to an accelerated master’s program and obtain both a BS and an MS within an accelerated time frame. This program is open only to those students who wish to pursue the master’s degree concentrations in microbiology or molecular biology. Students admitted to this program may take graduate courses after completing 90 undergraduate credits, and up to 6 credits of graduate work may be used in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the undergraduate degree. If students earn at least a 3.00 in these classes, they are granted advanced standing in the master’s program and must then complete an additional 24 credits to receive the master’s degree. All other master’s degree requirements must be met, including a minimum of 18 credits taken for the master’s after the bachelor’s degree is complete.
Students with an overall GPA of at least 3.00 may apply for provisional acceptance to the accelerated master’s program after completing BIOL 213, 303, 304, 305/306, 307, and 311; and CHEM 315 and 318; or after completing 75 undergraduate credits including BIOL 494. Three letters of recommendation, including one from a prospective thesis or project advisor, are required.
After completing 120 credits and all requirements for the bachelor’s degree and filing the Graduation Intent Form, students are awarded a bachelor’s degree. Accelerated master’s students must then submit scores on the GRE and biology subject exam to have the provisional qualifier removed. Ordinarily, students should receive a minimum combined score of 1,100 on the verbal and quantitative portions of the general test and be in at least the 50th percentile on the subject exam.
Undergraduate Degree
Undergraduate Minor
Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Program
■ Chemistry and Biochemistry
Phone: 703-993-1070
Web: chemistry.gmu.edu
Faculty
Professors: Cozzens, Davies, Foster, Hussam, Mose, Mushrush
Associate professors: Born, Honeychuck, Schreifels (Chair), Slayden, Weatherspoon (associate chair)
Term associate professor: Hatton
Assistant professors: Bishop, Cooper, Couch
Term assistant professors: Kort, Pettigrew
Course Work
This department offers all course work designated CHEM in the Courses chapter of this catalog.
Writing-Intensive Requirement
Mason requires all students to complete at least one course designated as “writing intensive” in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in chemistry fulfill this requirement by successfully completing CHEM 336, 337, or 465.
Honors Program in Chemistry
Chemistry majors who have completed prerequisites for CHEM 455 and 456 Honors Research in Chemistry and have maintained an overall GPA of at least 3.00 in mathematics and science courses are eligible to enter the departmental honors program. To graduate with honors in chemistry, a student is required to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00 in mathematics and science courses and successfully complete the two semesters of CHEM 455 and 456 with a minimum GPA of 3.50.
Premedical, Predental, Prepharmacy, and Preveterinary Students
Web: prehealth.gmu.edu
Many students planning medical, dental, pharmacy, veterinary, optometry, or other health professional careers choose to pursue a major in chemistry. These students should consult the health professions advising web site on required course work and overall preparation.
Prepharmacy Society
Mason students who are interested in pursuing careers in pharmacy are encouraged to participate in the Prepharmacy Society. This student organization organizes supplemental programming focused toward pharmacy as a career.
Chemistry Club
The Chemistry Club provides a social and informational network for students. It serves the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry by sponsoring informational programs and allowing students to work at university events.
Teacher Licensure
Students who wish to become teachers should consult the College of Education and Human Development chapter and attend an information session early in their undergraduate career. For more information, call 703-993-2892, e-mail gseadmit@gmu.edu, or go to gse.gmu.edu.
Graduate Degree Programs
The department offers an MS in chemistry with a research project (thesis option) or an all-course-work program (nonthesis option). Within the MS, students may pursue a concentration in biochemistry. The PhD in all branches of chemistry is available through the PhD program in Chemistry and Biochemistry. Students may also pursue Chemistry-related PhD research through the Environmental Science and Policy PhD program and the Bioscience PhD program. An area of emphasis in computational chemistry is available through the PhD in computational sciences and informatics program offered in conjunction with the Department of Computational and Data Sciences.
Chemistry, Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s Degree
Qualified undergraduates may be admitted to an accelerated master’s program and obtain both a BS and an MS in Chemistry within an accelerated time frame. Students admitted to this program may take graduate courses after completing 90 undergraduate credits, and up to 6 credits of graduate work may be used in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the undergraduate degree. If students earn at least a 3.00 GPA in these classes, they are granted advanced standing in the master’s program and must then complete an additional 24 credits to receive the master’s degree. All other master’s degree requirements must be met, including a minimum of 18 credits taken for the master’s degree after the bachelor’s degree is complete.
Undergraduate Degree
Bachelor's Level Certificate
Undergraduate Minor
Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Program
Master's Degree
Doctoral Degree
■ Computational and Data Sciences
Phone: 703-993-3807
Web: cds.gmu.edu
Faculty
Professors: Becker, Blaisten-Barojas, Carr*, Gentle, Lohner, Papaconstantopoulos (chair), Sauer*, Summers*, Wegman
Associate professors: Borne, Cebral, Klimov*, Sander*, Wallin, C. Yang, R. Yang*, Zhang, Zoltek
Assistant professors: Camelli, Griva, Sheng, Weigel
Research faculty: Bilitza, Dere, Economou, Gomez, Odstrcil, Poland, Sforza, Shabaev, Titarchuk
*Faculty holding primary appointments in other departments.
Course Work
The department offers all course work designated CDS and CSI in the Courses chapter of this catalog.
Undergraduate Degree
Undergraduate Minor
Master's Degree
Master's Level Certificate
Doctoral Degree
■ Environmental Science and Policy
Phone: 703-993-1043
Web: esp.gmu.edu
Faculty
Professors: Jones, Lawrey, Lovejoy, Rockwood
Term professor: Talbot
Associate professors: Ahn, Balint, Birchard, Darnall, Gillevet, Jonas (Chair), Macfarlane, Torzilli
Assistant professors: Crate, Edwards, Forkner, Manca, Weeks
Term associate professors: Parsons, Sklarew
Term assistant professors: Largen, Peters
Research associate professor: Litchfield
Emeritus professors: Bradley, Ernst, Kelso, Shaffer, Skog
Other Environmental Program Faculty
Professors: Black, Chandhoke, Conlan, Diecchio, Foster, Gifford, Haack, Houck, Mose, Mushrush, Nadeau, Regan, Rowan, Sage, Schum, Wan, Willett, Wong
Associate professors: Beach, Christensen, Conant, deMonsabert, Fryxell, Guagnano, Honeychuck, Kozlowski, Mahler, McBride, Meyer, Paden, Palkovich, Rodgers, Royt, Seto, Stough, Wood
Assistant professor: Kysar-Mattietti
Term associate professors: Verardo
Term assistant professors:Nord-Cooper
Affiliate faculty: Bailey, Bartoldus, Baxter, Brown, Buchino, Burgess, Creque, Croisier, Dallmeier, Hamdan, Hourigan, Jordan, Kriechevsky, Lebovitz, Leimgruber, Maldini, Maldonado, Marano-Briggs, Marra, Maurakis, May-Collado, McShea, Megonigal, Millstein, Monfort, Murdy, Nerad, Noe, Oren, Ragen, Reith, Rybicki, Seidensticker, Sillett, Sladen, Smith, Songsasen, Strong, Wang, Wright
Course Work
This department offers all course work designated EVPP and numerous BIOL courses, listed in the Courses chapter of this catalog.
Other Undergraduate Programs
In addition to its own undergraduate programs, the Environmental Science and Policy department also works closely with and provides administrative input to other undergraduate programs.
In concert with the Biology Undergraduate Program, through which the BA and BS degrees in biology are offered, Environmental Science and Policy administers the environmental and conservation biology and the marine and freshwater biology concentrations.
The Concentration in Environmental and Conservation Biology (ESCB) within the BS in Biology is offered to students seeking a biology degree that focuses on ecology and organismal biology and prepares them for graduate work or employment in environmental and conservation fields, such as natural resources management, fisheries, forestry, water quality management, aquatic and wetland ecology, and conservation biology.
The Concentration in Marine and Freshwater Biology within the BS in Biology is offered to students seeking a biology degree that focuses on marine and freshwater biology and prepares them for graduate work or employment in aquatic, marine and fisheries fields.
Refer to the Biology Undergraduate Program section for more information on Biology, BS program and these two concentrations.
Environmental Science and Policy and the department of Geography and Geoinformation Sciences cooperatively offer the BS in Global and Environmental Change. This interdisciplinary undergraduate program, one of the first of its kind in the nation, distinguishes itself from the other degrees in the natural sciences in that it examines from local, regional, and global scales the dynamics of Earth’s systems and their interactions: the geosphere, the atmosphere, the ecosphere, and the sociosphere. Refer to the GGS section for more information on the Global and Environmental Change, BS program.
The Concentration in Environmental Science (EVSC) within the BS in Earth Science degree program is offered by Environmental Science and Policy jointly with the Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Earth Sciences. It is intended for students interested in studying the earth and its environment. Refer to the AOES section for more information on the Earth Science, BS degree program and this concentration.
The Environmental Science and Policy department also offers (jointly with the College of Humanities and Social Sciences) the BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies , which focuses on the theoretical and practical knowledge of three aspects of environmental and sustainability studies: people, prosperity, and planet. In addition to required core courses, students obtain additional in-depth knowledge in their selected concentration area. This degree prepares students for employment and graduate study in fields related to social justice, business and public policy, and environmental protection as they relate to the environment and sustainability. Students should consult the full set of program requirements by viewing the complete description for the BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies . The Environmental Science and Policy department administers the following two concentrations:
Other Graduate Programs
In addition to its own graduate programs, the Environmental Science and Policy department also participates in the MS in Earth Systems Science administered primarily through the Department of Geography and Geoinformation Science (GGS). Please see the GGS listing for program requirements.
The Environmental Science and Policy department also offers (jointly with the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution) the Graduate Certificate in Environmental Conflict Resolution and Collaboration , which focuses on a systems approach to environmental conflict and how to understand its legal, regulatory, and ecological implications. Coursework addresses the strategic thinking that is required for assessing and designing appropriate environmental conflict resolution processes, as well as understanding the public interest and the intertwined questions of social justice and sustainability that make environmental conflict particularly important and challenging.
Undergraduate Degree
Bachelor's Level Certificate
Undergraduate Minor
Master's Degree
Master's Level Certificate
Doctoral Degree
■ Forensic Science Program
Phone: 703-993-1050
Web: cos.gmu.edu/forensics
Faculty
Director: Whildin
Professors: Foster, Jafri, Mushrush, Willett
Associate professors: Born, Gillevet, Honeychuck, Kinser, Palkovich, Schreifels, Seto
Assistant professors: Couch, Forkner
Adjunct faculty: McClintock, Whildin
The Forensic Science Program is an interdisciplinary academic collaboration between the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; the Department of Molecular and Microbiology (MMB); the Department of Environmental Science and Policy (ESP); and the Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (BCB). In addition, the Program has its own dedicated teaching faculty. The Program is administered by the Forensic Science Program Director, and governed by an interdepartmental Forensic Science Program Committee.
Course Work
The program offers all course work designated FSRC in the Courses chapter of this catalog.
Undergraduate Degree Programs
The Forensic Science Program oversees the undergraduate minor in Forensic Science.
Graduate Degree Programs
The Forensic Science Program oversees the MS and Graduate Certificate programs in Forensic Science.
Undergraduate Minor
Master's Degree
Master's Level Certificate
■ Geography and Geoinformation Science
Phone: 703-993-1210 or 703-993-1212
Web: ggs.gmu.edu
Faculty
Professors: Agouris, Di, Falconer, Haack, Taylor, Waters, Wong
Associate professors: Beach, Chiu, Curtin, Houser, Qu, Stefanidis, C. Yang, R. Yang
Assistant professors: Cervone, Kronenfeld, Leslie, Manca, Rice, Sun, W. Yang, Zolnik
Research or contract professors: Franzese, Gomez, Pilon, Resmini, Self
Term instructors: Boudinot, Hallden
Course Work
This department offers all courses designated GGS in the Courses chapter of this catalog.
Writing-Intensive Requirement
The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated as “writing intensive” in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in geography fulfill this requirement by successfully completing GGS 415. Students majoring in Global and Environmental Change fulfill this requirement by successfully completing GGS 304.
Teacher Licensure
Students who wish to become teachers should consult the College of Education and Human Development chapter and attend an information session early in their undergraduate career. For more information, call 703-993-2892, e-mail gseadmit@gmu.edu, or go to gse.gmu.edu.
PhD Studies in Other Programs
The department participates in other programs that provide opportunities for geographical, environmental, and earth science research. A popular example is the Environmental Science and Public Policy PhD Program where faculty members serve as both dissertation committee members and chairs. Geographic studies fit well with many issues related to public policy, planning, conservation, and sustainable development. Program description and degree regulations are listed under the Department of Environmental Science and Policy.
The department also participates in the Public Policy PhD Program, along with some of the university’s leading geographers who are members of the School of Public Policy. In addition, geography and geoinformation science faculty members provide joint supervision and serve as committee members to support those pursuing research primarily geographic in nature. Program description and degree regulations can be found under the School of Public Policy listing. Several departments participate in supervisory committees providing a rich opportunity for students to expand their interdisciplinary interests with these departments.
Undergraduate Degree
Undergraduate Minor
Master's Degree
Master's Level Certificate
Doctoral Degree
■ Mathematical Sciences
Phone: 703-993-1460
Web: math.gmu.edu
Faculty
Professors: Alligood, Colonna, Kulesza (undergraduate coordinator), B. Lawrence, J. Lawrence, Levy, Morris, Polyak, Sachs, Saperstone (acting chair), Sauer (COS distinguished scholar), Shapiro (associate chair), Singman, Soltan, Walnut (graduate coordinator)
Associate professors: Agnarsson, Anderson, Goldin, Kiley, Lamba, Lim, Lin, Sander, Seshaiyer, Wanner, Zoltek
Assistant professors: Emelianenko, Griva, Kim, Napoletani
Adjuncts: Belle, Goetz, Morse, Preston, Nefessi, Sausville, Shaw, Sternberg, Tascovic, , Roberts, , Yazigi, Zampedro, Zhang
Admin professional: O’Brien
Term instructors: Crossin, Goldman, Granfield, Matveev, O’Beirne
Affiliates: Nash
Emeritus: Cabell
The department offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in mathematics for students with various interests and career goals. Students may pursue the standard program or pursue a program focused on either actuarial mathematics or applied mathematics. Students may complement other interests by taking a double major in mathematics and a related field, such as chemistry, economics, physics, computer science, or engineering.
Graduating seniors are required to have an exit interview.
Course Work
The Mathematical Sciences Department offers all course work designated MATH in the Courses chapter of this catalog.
Writing-Intensive Requirement
Mason policy requires all students to complete at least one course designated as “writing intensive” in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in mathematics fulfill this requirement by successfully completing MATH 290.
Math Tutoring Center
The department manages the Math Tutoring Center, which offers free tutoring for first- and second-year math courses (math.gmu.edu/tutorcenter.htm). Tutoring is given by advanced mathematics students and available on a drop-in basis with daytime and evening hours throughout the term.
Math Learning Center
The Math Learning Center (math.gmu.edu/mathlearningcenter.htm) for a small fee offers self-paced and classroom noncredit tutorial programs for students who do not place into the math course they need. Special tutors and tutorial software are available to those enrolled in the program. Successful completion of the relevant program enables students to enroll in Math 105, 106, 108, 110, 111, 112, or 125.
Honors Program in Mathematics
Mathematics majors who have maintained a GPA of at least 3.5 in Mathematics courses and a GPA of 3.5 in all courses taken at George Mason University may apply to the departmental honors program upon completion of two MATH courses at the 300+ level (excluding MATH 400), at least one of which has MATH 290 as a prerequisite. Admission to the program will be monitored by the undergraduate committee. To graduate with honors in mathematics, a student is required to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5 in mathematics courses and successfully complete MATH 405 and 406 with an average GPA of at least 3.5 in these two courses.
Teacher Licensure
Students who wish to become teachers should consult the College of Education and Human Development chapter and attend an information session early in their undergraduate career. For more information, call 703-993-2892, e-mail gseadmit@gmu.edu, or go to gse.gmu.edu.
Certificate in College Teaching
A student enrolled in the MS or PhD program in mathematics who is primarily interested in pursuing a career in undergraduate education at the college level is encouraged to consider enrolling in the Higher Education Program’s College Teaching Graduate Certificate , offered through the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (LA-CERG-CTCH). Credit can be earned for CTCH 685 (practicum) by working one semester as a graduate teaching assistant in the Mathematics Department.
Mathematics, Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s Degree
Qualified undergraduates may be admitted to an accelerated master’s program and obtain both a BS and an MS in Mathematics within an accelerated time frame. Students admitted to this program may take graduate courses after completing 90 undergraduate credits, and up to 6 credits of graduate work may be used in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the undergraduate degree. If students earn at least a 3.00 in these classes, they are granted advanced standing in the master’s program and must then complete an additional 24 credits to receive the master’s degree. All other master’s degree requirements must be met, including a minimum of 18 credits taken for the master’s after the bachelor’s degree is complete.
Undergraduate Degree
Undergraduate Minor
Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Program
Master's Degree
Master's Level Certificate
Doctoral Degree
■ Molecular and Microbiology
Phone: 703-993-4263
Web: gmu.edu/departments/mmb
Faculty
Chair: Willett
Professors: Bailey (distinguished), Kashanchi, Liotta, Petricoin, Popov, Soyfer (distinguished university), Willett, Wu
Associate professors: Baranova, Christensen, Fryxell, Grant
Assistant professors: Cox, Kehn-Hall, van Hoek
Adjunct faculty: Baker, McClintock, Pitt
Emeritus: Isbister, Royt
Course Work
The department offers all course work designated BIOL and BIOS in the Courses chapter of this catalog.
Other Undergraduate Programs
The Molecular and Microbiology department works closely with and provides administrative input to the Biology Undergraduate Program, through which the BA and BS degrees in Biology are offered. Refer to the Biology Undergraduate Program section for more information on bachelors degrees in Biology.
Policy on Using Departmental Laboratories
Only authorized experiments and exercises may be carried out in any departmental research or teaching laboratory and must be done under the supervision of a university faculty or staff member. No unauthorized work is allowed in any laboratory.
Policy on Using Organisms in Classes
Direct observations of actual organisms are considered an essential part of learning biology at all levels. Direct observations of organisms may involve the use of living or preserved specimens, dissections of organisms or parts of organisms, and microscopic examination of organisms or parts of organisms. All use of live animals conforms to National Institutes of Health guidelines for the use and care of laboratory animals. Activities specified above may be a required part of a course and thus serve as a basis for grading in the course. Any questions about the administration of this policy should be directed to the course coordinator or instructor.
Biology, Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s Degree
Qualified undergraduates may be admitted to an accelerated master’s program and obtain both a BS and an MS within an accelerated time frame. This program is open only to those students who wish to pursue the master’s degree concentrations in microbiology or molecular biology. Students admitted to this program may take graduate courses after completing 90 undergraduate credits, and up to 6 credits of graduate work may be used in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the undergraduate degree. If students earn at least a 3.00 in these classes, they are granted advanced standing in the master’s program and must then complete an additional 24 credits to receive the master’s degree. All other master’s degree requirements must be met, including a minimum of 18 credits taken for the master’s after the bachelor’s degree is completed.
Students with an overall GPA of at least 3.00 may apply for provisional acceptance to the accelerated master’s program after completing BIOL 213, 303, 304, 305/306, 307, and 311; and CHEM 315 and 318; or after completing 75 undergraduate credits including BIOL 494. Three letters of recommendation, including one from a prospective thesis or project advisor, are required.
After completing 120 credits and all requirements for the bachelor’s degree and filing the Graduation Intent Form, students are awarded a bachelor’s degree. Accelerated master’s students must then submit scores on the GRE general exam to have the provisional qualifier removed. Ordinarily, students should receive a minimum combined score of 1,100 on the verbal and quantitative portions of the exam.
Master's Degree
Doctoral Degree
■ Neuroscience Program
Phone: 703-993-4333
Web: gmu.edu/departments/neuroscience
Faculty
Director: Jafri
Professors: Ascoli, Butler, Jafri, Olds, Smith, McCabe, Parasuraman
Associate professors: Blackwell, Cebral, Flinn, Fryxell, Greenwood, Houser, Kello, Klimov, Peterson, Sander, So
Assistant professors: Barreto, Cox, Dumas, Kabbani, Kalbfleisch, Kozhevnikov, Peixoto, Sikdar, Thompson
Neuroscience at George Mason University is an interdisciplinary field, grounded in biology, chemistry, and psychology. Research and education in neuroscience at Mason is conducted under the auspices of the Neuroscience Advisory Council (NAC). The BS degree in neuroscience is administered by the Psychology department in the College of Humanties and Social Sciences, and the PhD program in neuroscience is administered by the College of Science. The neuroscience faculty at Mason comprise a unique blend of traditional, experimental, and theoretical scientists. They include faculty in the Psychology; Molecular Neuroscience; Molecular and Microbiology; Physics and Astronomy; Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, and Electrical Engineering departments. Research in neuroscience focuses on the broad areas of behavior, anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, computational modeling, and informatics. Some of the key research initiatives currently underway at Mason include studies of:
- effects of drugs and alcohol on behavioral and neurological development
- cellular organization and connections of sensory processing areas in fish
- biochemical dynamics in disorders of the basal ganglia
- computational methods for simulation of complex biological systems
- description and generation of neuronal morphology
- adaptive control for stabilization of epilepsy
- role of metals in memory and Alzheimer’s disease
- biochemical/metabolic simulations at the organism level
- cellular and sub-cellular models of associative learning
Course Work
The program offers all course work designated NEUR in the Courses chapter of this catalog.
Doctoral Degree
■ Physics and Astronomy
Phone: 703-993-1280
Web: www.physics.gmu.edu
Faculty
Professors: Becker*, Blaisten-Barojas*, Dworzecka, Ehrlich, Ellsworth, Lieb, Mishin, Satija, Summers (Chair), Trefil
Associate professors: Barreto, Borne*, Opher, Rubin, Satyapal, Sauer, So, Wallin*, Weingartner
Assistant professors: Cressman, Nikolic, Rosenberg, Tian, Weigel*, Zhang*, Zhao
Term associate professor: Oerter
Term assistant professors: Geller, Jazaeri, Wyczalkowski
Term instructors: Ericson, Ewell
Emeriti: Ceperley, Evans, Mielczarek
Research faculty: Duxbury, Gliozzi, Meier, Poland*, Richards
*These guest faculty hold primary appointments in other departments.
Course Work
The Physics and Astronomy Department offers all course work designated ASTR and PHYS in the Courses chapter of this catalog.
Honors Program in Physics
Physics majors who have maintained an overall GPA of at least 3.50 in physics courses and a GPA of 3.50 in all courses taken at Mason may apply to the departmental honors program when they complete the first semester of their junior year. To graduate with honors in physics, a student is required to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00 in physics courses and successfully complete PHYS 405 and 406 with a GPA of at least 3.50 and a grade of at least A- in PHYS 406.
Honors Program in Astronomy
Astronomy majors who have completed the prerequisites for ASTR 405 Honors Thesis in Astronomy, have a GPA of at least 3.5 in ASTR and PHYS courses taken at GMU, and have a GPA of at least 3.5 in all courses taken at GMU may apply for admission to the Astronomy Honors Program. To graduate with honors in astronomy, a student must maintain a GPA of at least 3.5 in their ASTR/PHYS courses. Students accepted into the honors program must complete ASTR 405 and 406 with a GPA of at least 3.5 and a grade of A- or better in ASTR 406. Students in ASTR 405/406 will complete a research project and write a thesis working under the supervision of a faculty member. At the end of ASTR 406, the student will write a substantial thesis paper and make a presentation of results to their honors committee.
Alternative Introductory Sequence
Normally, students who intend to major in physics should take the physics introductory sequence (PHYS 160, 161, 260, 261, 262, and 263). Students who decide to major in physics after completing PHYS 243, 244, 245, and 246 may do so but only with written permission of the Physics and Astronomy Department. Those students are required to take at least 4 additional credits in approved physics courses.
Physics for Nonmajors
PHYS 243, 244, 245, and 246 are recommended for biology, geology, and premedical students, and mathematics students who seek a BA degree. PHYS 101, 102, 103, and 104 are intended for nonscience majors. PHYS 160, 161, 260, 261 or 265, 262, and 263 constitute a calculus-based sequence in general physics to be taken by physics and engineering majors, and chemistry, computer science, and mathematics students who are pursuing a BS degree. Students may receive credit for only one of the following three sequences: PHYS 243, 244, 245, 246; PHYS 103, 104; or PHYS 160, 161, 260, 261, 262, 263.
Research Opportunities
The department offers many opportunities for undergraduate students to get involved with research. Students should consult with faculty working on research of interest to them, based on their examination of the Physics Department web site.
Teacher Licensure
Students who wish to become teachers should consult the College of Education and Human Development chapter and attend an information session early in their undergraduate career. For more information, call 703-993-2078, e-mail gacline2@gmu.edu, or go to gse.gmu.edu.
Physics, Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s Degree
Qualified undergraduates may be admitted to an accelerated master’s program and obtain both a BS and an MS in Physics within an accelerated time frame. Students admitted to this program may take graduate courses after completing 90 undergraduate credits, and up to 6 credits of graduate work may be used in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the undergraduate degree. If students earn at least a 3.00 in these classes, they are granted advanced standing in the master’s program and must then complete an additional 24 credits to receive the master’s degree. All other master’s degree requirements must be met, including a minimum of 18 credits taken for the master’s after the bachelor’s degree is complete.
Undergraduate Degree
Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Minor
Undergraduate Minor
Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Program
Master's Degree
Doctoral Degree