George Mason University 1999-2000 Catalog

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School of Information Technology & Engineering

Systems Engineering and Operations Research

Faculty
Introduction
Course Work
Undergraduate Programs
Graduate Programs
Systems Engineering and Operations Research

Faculty
Professors: Adelman, Friesz, Greenberg, Harris, Hoffman (chair), Michalski, Miller, Nash, Polyak, Sage, Schum, Sofer
Associate professors: Brouse, Buede, Chang, Laskey, White
Affiliated faculty: Gulledge, Houck, VanTrees
Research and visiting professors: Donohue, Gross, Wagner, Wolman
Associate research professors: Buys, Pepin
Adjunct professors: Fischer, Loerch

Introduction
The Systems Engineering and Operations Research Department offers a bachelor's degree in systems engineering, a certificate for undergraduates (the equivalent of a minor) in operations research and engineering, and master's degrees in systems engineering and in operations research and management science. In addition, the department offers certificate programs at the master's level in 1) military operations research, 2) computational modeling, 3) command, control, communications, and intelligence (C³I) , and 4) systems engineering for computer, information, and software intensive systems. Students interested in pursuing doctoral-level education in operations research or systems engineering are encouraged to examine the description of the interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Information Technology program.
What is systems engineering?
Systems engineers determine the most effective ways for an organization to use all of a given system's components people, machines, materials, information and energy. They plan, design, implement, and manage integrated systems that assure performance, safety, reliability, and maintainability at reasonable cost and that are delivered on time. Some examples of systems include computer networks, an automobile, an intelligent robot, a stereo, the Metro, and George Mason University. Whereas other engineering disciplines concentrate on individual aspects of a system (electronics, ergonomics, software, etc.), systems engineers focus on the system as a whole. Systems engineering, perhaps more than any other engineering discipline, is involved with the human and organizational aspects of developing the desired system. Systems engineering is the "people-oriented" engineering profession.
What is operations research?
Operations research is the professional field that deals with the use of scientific methods in management decision making, often focusing on problems of how best to allocate limited resources. Operations researchers do for organizations what physicists do for the physical world: they try to find order in apparent chaos by identifying the structure in complex situations and understanding how the components of organizations interact, in order to explain and predict the effects of actions taken on these systems. Much of this work is done using analytical and numerical techniques, by developing and manipulating mathematical and computer models of organizational systems composed of people, machines, information, and procedures. The overall purpose is to provide a rational basis for decision making.
The operations research faculty at George Mason University is principally involved in the theoretical and empirical study of managerial and operational processes and the use of mathematical and computer models to optimize these systems. Models are needed for a variety of decision-making purposes in business, industry, and government to describe different environments and to relate alternative courses of action to performance. Thus, the courses in operations research focus on quantitative modeling and the analysis of complex systems. Courses stress the use of contemporary computer hardware and software in modeling and analysis. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the field of operations research will be one of the fastest growing professions of the next decade.
Why one department?
On the basis of the above descriptions of the fields of systems engineering and operations research, one can see that there is much overlap between these two disciplines. The department encourages students of either discipline to elect courses in the other.
For a more detailed description of the programs, faculty, and department, please visit the department web page through the George Mason main website at www.gmu.edu.
Course Work
Systems engineering courses are designated SYST in the "Course Descriptions" chapter of this catalog.
Operations research courses are designated OR in the "Course Descriptions" chapter of this catalog
Undergraduate Programs

The mission of the undergraduate program in systems engineering is to equip students with the ability to participate productively in the many professional activities associated with the engineering of a trustworthy system that satisfies client needs. The term system is interpreted broadly, examples being information systems, telecommunication systems, defense systems, health delivery systems, transportation systems, manufacturing systems, and corporate processes.
Specifically, the objectives of the program are to provide an academic environment that facilitates and motivates learning the knowledge, principles, practices, and perspectives that will enable graduates to do the following:
- Apply fundamental concepts of mathematics, science, information technology, and engineering. This core curriculum is designed to develop the skills and understanding that form the basis for systems engineering now and in the future.
- Participate meaningfully in the development of systems using systems engineering methods, models, and tools.
- Achieve depth of knowledge in a technical area by completing a sequence of technical electives that constitute an emphasis
- Work effectively as a leader and as a member of multidisciplinary and cross-functional teams and behave in a professional, ethical, and responsible manner. This includes establishing a foundation for lifelong learning in the area of systems engineering and in related areas.
- Communicate effectively with peers and others both orally and in writing.
Systems Engineering, B.S.

The program leading to the B.S. in Systems Engineering prepares students for a professional career in systems engineering. Our educational program reflects the systems engineer's unique perspective, which considers all aspects of a system throughout its entire lifetime. The systems engineering program at George Mason is interdisciplinary, drawing from engineering, computer science, operations research, psychology, and economics. The core systems engineering courses tie these diverse threads to provide a global understanding of how individual engineering disciplines fit into the development of complex, large-scale systems. Students gain depth in a technical area by selecting a sequence of technical electives that constitute an emphasis (computer-based systems, network-based systems engineering, systems engineering management, and systems engineering methods). Students construct their own emphases with the help of their advisors. A yearlong senior design project provides hands-on experience in applying various systems engineering methods and tools.
The bachelor's program in systems engineering at George Mason University is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. The requirements for the degree may be satisfied on a part-time or co-op basis. Cooperative education provides students with the opportunity to integrate paid, career-related work experience with classroom learning.
Writing-Intensive Requirement
The university's writing-intensive requirement for systems engineering majors is satisfied by the successful completion of SYST 490 and 495.
Degree Requirements
In addition to the general requirements for the B.S. degree, students must meet specific requirements for this degree as described below.
In the first two years, students obtain a basic foundation in mathematics, the natural sciences, computing, writing, the humanities, and the social sciences. The systems engineering program builds on this foundation, teaching students theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and the ability to apply systems thinking to problems. Teamwork, collaborative learning, analytical skills, practical problem solving, and oral and written communication are strongly stressed in the systems engineering degree program.
Course requirements for the systems engineering major are as follows:
All systems engineering students are assigned faculty advisors. With the help and approval of the advisor, each student is required to complete a plan of study. This plan of study, contained in the detailed pamphlet available from the systems engineering office, constitutes a "learning plan" for the degree program. The advisor must approve changes to the plan of study. All students in systems engineering are required to see their advisors at least once each semester to plan for the following semester's registration.
Students are strongly encouraged to obtain and follow the sample schedule published by the Systems Engineering and Operations Research Department to ensure that course prerequisites are satisfied.
The systems engineering program requires 15 credits of technical electives. Sequences of electives that constitute an emphasis may be selected from courses in systems engineering, computer science, electrical and computer engineering, information systems, operations research, and applied statistics, as well as from approved courses in psychology and business administration. Technical electives are normally composed of 300- and 400-level courses for IT&E; 100- and 200-level courses may be included for special reasons (e.g., if they are prerequisites for the other 300- and 400-level technical electives or they are needed for the FE/EIT exam). Students may also take some graduate courses at the 500 level, but this requires that the student satisfies a grade point average requirement of 3.000 and obtains permission from his or her advisor. Students taking a 500-level course must satisfy the same requirements and are graded in the same way as other graduate students.
Example elective sequences include systems engineering of software intensive systems, of telecommunications systems, of environmental and infrastructure systems, and of systems modeling and performance. These are described as follows. The student's advisor must approve all elective sequences.
Systems Engineering of Software Intensive Systems
Students must take CS 310 and 12 credits from the following courses:
Systems Engineering of Telecommunications Systems
Students are required to take 15 credits from the following courses:
Systems Engineering of Environmental and Infrastructure Systems
Students must take USE 301 Engineering and Economic Models in Urban Systems Engineering; SYST 473 Decision and Risk Analysis; and 9 credits from the following:
Systems Modeling and Performance
Students must take USE 301 Engineering and Economic Models of Urban Systems Engineering; SYST 473 Decision and Risk Analysis; and 9 credits from the following:
In addition to receiving their B.S. degree, students may wish to select a concentration that contributes toward either of the following certificate programs.
- Certificate in Operations Research and Engineering
  
  The operations research program offers a certificate program to students enrolled in the computer science, decision sciences, mathematics, or systems engineering undergraduate degree programs. The certificate augments the standard curricula with material on the computational aspects of operations research. Because the demand for people trained in this area is great, this program expands the career options available to students.
  Students must take STAT 344 Applied Probability for Engineers and Scientists; STAT 362 Introduction to Computer Statistical Packages; OR 435 Discrete Systems Simulation Modeling; OR 441 Deterministic Operations Research; OR 442 Stochastic Operations Research and either ENGR 311 Mathematical Methods in Physics and Engineering I or MATH 313 Introduction to Applied Mathematics. They must also choose two courses from the following: OR 481 Numerical Methods in Engineering; OR 498 Independent Study; OR 499 Special Topics; STAT 354 Statistical Methods for Engineers and Scientists, or any 400-level STAT class.
  Students electing the certificate in operations research must apply to the Systems Engineering and Operations Research Department.
- Certificate in Applied Statistics
  
  Students must take STAT 344 Applied Probability for Engineers and Scientists; STAT 354 Statistical Methods for Engineers and Scientists or STAT 554 Applied Statistics; STAT 362 Introduction to Computer Statistical Packages. They must also choose five courses taken from STAT 455 Experimental Design; STAT 457 Applied Nonparametric Statistics; STAT 463 Introduction to Exploratory Data Analysis; STAT 474 Introduction to Survey Sampling; STAT 498 Independent Study; STAT 499 Special Topics; STAT 544 Applied Probability; STAT 574 Survey Sampling I, OR 435 Discrete-Event Simulation Modeling; OR 442 Stochastic Operations Research; and OR 481 Numerical Methods in Engineering.
  The Department of Applied and Engineering Statistics manages the applied statistics certificate program. Students should apply to that department directly for admission into this certificate program.

Combined B.S./M.S. Program

Qualified undergraduate students may apply for a five-year combined B.S./M.S. program leading to a Bachelor of Science in an engineering discipline and a M.S. degree in systems engineering. The combined B.S./M.S. program can be completed in 144 credits.

Applicants to the combined B.S./M.S. program must be George Mason undergraduate students with majors in IT&E. Students may apply for the combined B.S./M.S. program after they have completed at least 90 credits. Students must have an overall GPA of at least 3.000 to apply for the program. Students who have not yet finished 90 credits may be accepted provisionally subject to satisfactory completion of 90 credits. Criteria for admission into the combined B.S./M.S. program are identical to criteria for admission into the M.S. program, with the exception that students do not need to have completed an undergraduate degree before admission into the program.

Students must complete all requirements for the B.S. in their chosen majors. Students in the combined B.S./M.S. program may apply to have the B.S. degree from the appropriate IT&E program conferred during the semester during which they expect to complete their B.S. requirements. The M.S. degree is granted upon completion of the remaining courses.

Up to two courses (six credits) of master's-level courses may be applied to both the undergraduate and graduate degrees. These two courses may be chosen from the list of graduate courses in the following table. For B.S. candidates, these graduate courses replace the corresponding undergraduate courses listed in the table. The undergraduate version of these courses may not be applied toward the M.S. degree. Systems engineering majors in the combined B.S./M.S. program are required to take SYST 530 in place of SYST 471.

Graduate course Under-graduate course Comment

SYST 520

SYST 530

SYST 542

SYST 555

SYST 573
SYST 301

SYST 471

SYST 442

SYST 455

SYST 473
SYST 301 or SYST 520 is required for B.S. program.
Systems engineering majors receiving B or better in SYST 301 may replace SYST 520 in the graduate program with an advisor-approved elective.

Credit may not be received for both SYST 530 & SYST 471.
Credit may not be received for both SYST 542 & SYST 442.
Credit may not be received for both SYST 555 & SYST 455.
Credit may not be received for both SYST 573 & SYST 473.

Any other 500-level SYST course

Graduate Programs

Operations Research and Management Science, M.S

The graduate program leading to an M.S. in Operations Research and Management Science prepares students for research and professional practice associated with the formulation and analysis of mathematical models for decision making, and their computer implementation. Major components of the program include optimization, queuing and network modeling, computer simulation and modeling, applied and computational probability, and application of these components to realistic and relevant operational analysis problems. Students are expected to become proficient in these areas, as well as in supporting areas of information technology necessary to implement OR/MS methods.
To achieve this objective, the program includes core courses and electives selected by the student with the aid of a faculty advisor. To obtain the master of science degree, students complete an approved plan of study that contains a minimum of 30 graduate credits.
Students may take courses through the Commonwealth Graduate Engineering Program. Appropriate courses may be transferred, with advisor approval, into this George Mason degree program.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the program, a candidate must do the following:
1. Fulfill all admission requirements for graduate study.
2. Hold a baccalaureate degree and have taken the following courses or their equivalents: MATH 113, 114, 213 Calculus, including calculus of several variables; STAT 344 Applied Probability for Engineers and Scientists; STAT 354 Statistical Methods for Engineers and Scientists; and MATH 203 Matrix Algebra or MATH 322 Linear Algebra.
3. Have knowledge of at least one scientific computer programming language.
4. Have three letters of recommendation submitted by former professors or supervisors.
A student with deficiencies in preparation may be accepted conditionally pending removal of the deficiencies. Courses taken to remove admission deficiencies extend the minimum requirements for the degree. Students whose undergraduate training was in the quantitative social sciences or quantitatively oriented business administration may be allowed to complete a portion of the mathematics prerequisite by taking STAT 530. Students who believe that they need to refresh their mathematics skills should take SYST 500.
Degree Requirements
The program consists of 30 credits, divided as shown below. The core curriculum includes the following four courses (12 credits):
Also, at least three 600-level or higher methodology courses must be taken, including at least one course in each of deterministic and stochastic OR.
Up to three additional elective courses may be chosen with the concurrence of the student's advisor. These courses should be taken in an area appropriate to the student's interests, such as statistics, business administration, computer science, information systems, systems engineering, electrical and computer engineering, economics, mathematics, and public administration. At least one of these electives must be taken from IT&E's course offerings.
With the permission of their advisors, qualified students may elect to write a thesis in place of three credits of course work from the methodological or applications area.
Students whose primary interest is in optimization may complete a special concentration by choosing three courses from OR 641, 642, 643, 644, 645, 682, 741, and 750. The remaining three courses are chosen with the written concurrence of the advisor and should be tailored to the student's interest and must include at least one stochastic OR course. These may be chosen from the department's offerings, from appropriate offerings in other departments within IT&E, and from appropriate courses in other university departments. Asample of possible courses outside this department is available from the department.
Students concentrating in stochastic models must complete OR 635, one 600-level STAT course (but not STAT 610 or 612), and two courses from OR 647, 648, 671, 677, 681, and 682. The remaining two courses are chosen with the concurrence of the student's advisor and must include at least one in deterministic OR.
Another concentration is available in operations engineering. For this concentration, the three required OR methodology courses must be chosen from OR 635, 641, 643, 647, 648, 677, and 681. Two of the three additional electives must be selected with advisor's approval from the offerings of the other departments in IT&E.
Students concentrating in decision analysis must complete OR 635, 671, and 681, in addition to the required courses. The remaining electives are to be chosen from the following: SYST 510, 595; STAT 652; SYST/STAT 664 (strongly recommended); SYST 542; CS 580 and 681 from IT&E, and FNAN 650, 711; and ECON 535, 611, and 615. At least one of these must be within IT&E.
Finally, students concentrating in military operations research must complete OR 651 and 652. The remaining four courses must be chosen from the following (with at least one being a departmental offering): OR courses with numbers greater than 635; STAT 634, 656, 658; SYST 542, 611, and 683.
Particularly important to students planning a Ph.D. program in information technology are the core courses that satisfy the breadth requirement.
Systems Engineering, M.S.

The graduate program leading to the M.S. in Systems Engineering prepares students for a professional career in systems design, development, and management, associated with problem formulation, issue analysis, and evaluation of alternative courses of action. The program emphasizes both analytical and practical aspects of engineering complex systems. Students are expected to demonstrate proficiency in several quantitative modeling disciplines. Students are also expected to master issues relevant to practical aspects of systems design, engineering, and management. The program also prepares students for careers in research and development and for pursuing advanced graduate study leading to the Ph.D. in Information Technology.
Each student is assigned a faculty advisor. Students must work with their advisors to complete an approved plan of study. This plan of study must include three core courses, two methods courses, three to four electives in a concentration, and a thesis or systems engineering project. The plan of study must include 30 graduate credits. Either a thesis (six credits) or research project (three credits) is required for the degree. Matriculation requirements for candidates needing additional work in mathematics or engineering also may be included in the plan of study.
Foundation and Admission Requirements
Applicants for the M.S. program should meet the following entrance requirements:
1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution in engineering, mathematics, computer science, physical sciences, economics, or a related field
2. Completion of courses in calculus (MATH 113, 114, 213), matrix algebra (MATH 203), applied probability and statistics (STAT 344), and a scientific programming language (CS 112)
3. Evidence of satisfactory prior educational achievement in at least one of the following forms: an acceptable grade point average as an undergraduate, a satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), or an acceptable grade point average in graduate courses
4. Satisfactory performance on the TOEFL examination for non-native English speakers
Students who enter the program must have a working background in engineering mathematics and computer systems. A student lacking these foundations may apply for admission to the program, but will be required to take one or more foundation courses. The department offers SYST 500 as an intensive review of undergraduate engineering mathematics, including matrix algebra, transforms, differential equations, probability, and statistics.
Students who have not completed a basic engineering undergraduate mathematics sequence are required to complete courses in engineering calculus and matrix algebra before taking SYST 500. The course STAT 530 offers an intensive review of these subjects. Upon acceptance, students will be informed as to the foundation courses that they may have to take.
A familiarity with analytical modeling software such as spreadsheets or math packages is also expected. Students should acquaint themselves with these software packages before beginning classes.
Project or Thesis
Students must complete a project (three credits) or thesis (six credits) under the direction of a systems engineering faculty member.
Under the project option, the student completes three credits of SYST 798 or OR 680. For SYST 798, a project objective is selected with the approval of the faculty project advisor. A project report is submitted at the end of the semester and must be approved by the faculty project advisor. Although a student may register for more than three credits of project work, only three credits will be applied toward the degree.
Under the thesis option, the student completes six credits of SYST 799. The master's thesis should reflect a significant independent research effort. The work is conducted under the guidance of a faculty thesis advisor, and the final written thesis and oral defense are approved by a three-member faculty committee and submitted to IT&E. The thesis work is expected to be completed while taking six credits of SYST 99. Although a student may register for more than six credits, only six credits will be applied toward the degree.
Core Courses
Students must complete the following three core courses (nine credits):
Emphasis Courses
Students must complete two basic methods courses and a set of elective courses that together constitute a clearly defined emphasis within systems engineering. Students pursuing the thesis option complete three electives in an emphasis; students pursuing the project option complete four electives in an emphasis.
Students may create their own emphases with the approval of their advisors, or may choose from one of the following four emphases: systems engineering methods; systems management; command, control, communications, and intelligence (C³I); and systems engineering of computer-based systems. Approved basic methods courses and electives for the major emphases are as follows.
Systems Engineering Methods
Systems engineers must address a broad range of issues relevant to the design, implementation, analysis, and management of systems. The systems engineering methods emphasis provides the student with methodological tools that can be applied to the systems engineering process. Areas of focus include decision support systems, distributed intelligent systems, knowledge-based planning systems, network systems, probabilistic reasoning systems, sensor fusion systems, and/or optimization methods. The graduate program in systems engineering recognizes the importance of balancing an education in quantitative models and engineering tools with a proper understanding of the systems perspective.
Basic methods courses: Students must complete SYST 611 System Methodology and Modeling and one of the following:
Elective courses: Courses designated as basic methods courses may also be used as elective courses once the requirement of two basic methods courses has been met. The set of elective courses must constitute a well-defined emphasis and must be approved by the student's advisor.
Systems Management
The defining reality of the 20th century is evolution into a society of organizations and the emergence of management as a discipline. The technical disciplines of systems engineering are necessary but not sufficient for the development of successful systems. The management aspect of systems engineering involves tracking and controlling system development through the major phases of the system life cycle, identifying and resolving problems to minimize impacts on cost, schedule, or performance, and iteratively improving both product and process. The concentration in systems management focuses on the theory and practice of systems management and prepares students for careers in managing the development of complex systems. >Basic methods courses: Students must complete SYST 573 Decision and Risk Analysis and one of the following:
Elective courses: The set of elective courses must constitute a well-defined emphasis. Basic methods courses above the two required methods courses may also be counted as elective courses. Approved electives include the following:
Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence (C³I)
C³I systems are pervasive throughout the civilian and military world, allowing responsible authorities such as commanders or chief executive officers to control resources such as personnel, equipment, and money. Civilian government examples include the air traffic control systems, the drug enforcement C³I systems, law enforcement agency systems, and various emergency preparedness systems. Military systems include national-level crisis management systems, the global command and control system, the NATO command and control systems, and various tactical C³ systems of the military services. Private industry examples include the corporate management systems of large national and multinational firms.
These systems include the equipment, people, and procedures necessary to accomplish the mission. The equipment may include a variety of sensors, communications systems, and information processing and decision-support systems. This area stresses the multidisciplinary approach necessary to understand the field.
The emphasis in C³I focuses on the theory and practice of C³I and prepares students for careers in research, design, and development of C³I systems, or in the use and management of C³I systems. The courses offered emphasize the analytical and behavioral aspects of engineering complex C³I systems.
Basic methods courses: Students must complete SYST680/ ECE670/ OR683: Principles of C³I: I and SYST681/ ECE 671/ OR 684: Principles of C³I: II. They must also complete SYST 611 System Methodology and Modeling and either ECE 528 Random Processes in Electrical and Computer Engineering, or OR 542 Stochastic Models in Operations Research.
Elective courses: The set of elective courses must constitute a well-defined emphasis. Examples of emphasis include C³ architectures, C² software, communications, decision support, modeling and simulation, or sensing and fusion.
Electives are chosen from the following list:
Systems Engineering of Computer-Based Systems
The computer-based systems emphasis provides specialized knowledge and experience in developing and modifying large, complex software systems. It emphasizes technical and management aspects of the software engineering process. Computer-based systems engineers are concerned with the theoretical and practical aspects of technology, cost, and social impact of computer systems that are both effective and efficient.
Basic methods courses:Students must complete SYST 621 Systems Architecture for Large-Scale Systems and one of the following:
Elective courses: The set of elective courses must constitute a well-defined emphasis. Basic methods courses beyond the two required methods courses may also be counted as elective courses. The set includes the following:
- Certificate in Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence (C³I)
  
  A certificate in C³I is available to students who hold a master's degree in an engineering or a scientific discipline, or who are in graduate status in such programs. To obtain the certificate in C³I, students must take (1) SYST 680 and SYST 681; (2) ECE 528 or OR 542; and (3) two approved electives from the C³I emphasis. The following is a suggested program of study for obtaining the certificate while studying for the M.S. in Systems Engineering (required courses for the certificate are indicated in italics):
  Core courses: SYST 510, 520, 530
  Methods courses: SYST 611, ECE 528, or OR 542
  Elective courses: SYST 680, 681; two C³I-approved elective courses
  Project: SYST 798 or OR 680
- Certificate in Systems Engineering for Computer, Information, and Software Intensive Systems
  
  A certificate in systems engineering for computer, information, and software intensive systems is available to students who hold a bachelor's degree in an engineering or a scientific discipline, or who are in graduate status in such programs. To be eligible for a certificate, students must complete SYST 510, 512, 513, and 530, and one of these elective courses: ECE 542, CS 656, INFS 612, SYST 542, SYST 595, SWSE 620, or INFS 622. The following is a suggested program of study for obtaining the certificate while studying for the M.S. in Systems Engineering (required courses for the certificate are indicated in italics):
  Core courses: SYST 510, 520, 530
  Methods courses: two courses approved for the emphasis
  Elective courses: SYST 512, 513; certificate elective course; an elective approved for the emphasis
  Project: SYST 798 or OR 680
- Certificate in Military Operations Research
  
  The certificate program in military operations research provides knowledge, tools, and techniques to those that are working in, or planning to work in, the field of military operations research. It is appropriate for students who cannot complete all the requirements for a master's degree in operations research, but who want a concentrated study of military modeling. Admissions requirements to this program are identical to those for the master's degree in operations research. Certificate candidates must complete six courses, with an average grade of B or better, for a total of 18 graduate credits. To obtain the certificate, a student needs to complete the following: OR 541, 542, 635, 651, 652, and SYST 683. If the candidate has already had 3 credits of deterministic operations research, then the candidate can receive the certificate with 15 graduate credits. If the candidate has already taken a course equivalent to OR 542, then the candidate should substitute OR 681.
- Certificate in Computational Modeling
  
  The certificate program in computational modeling provides knowledge, tools, and techniques to those who are working, or planning to work in, the field of computational modeling. Courses taken for this certificate program can count toward a master's in operations research and management science or statistics, or a Ph.D. in Computational Sciences and Informatics. One must be concurrently enrolled in the program for courses to count toward both the certificate and the other degree. For admission into the certificate program, the applicants must meet either the minimum entrance requirements for the M.S. in Operations Research and Management Science, the M.S. in Statistical Science, or the entrance requirements for the Ph.D. in Computational Sciences and Informatics. Certificate candidates must complete the following courses: CSI 700; OR 541, 635; and STAT 634, and must choose any two of the following electives: CSI 744, 773; OR 542, 680; or SYST 683. If the candidate has already taken the equivalent of any of the required courses, then the candidate may (with the permission of the department chair) complete the certificate program taking only 15 credits of course work.
- Ph.D. Study in Systems Engineering and Operations Research
  
  Doctoral study in both systems engineering and in operations research is available through the Ph.D. in Information Technology program, which offers advanced courses in this discipline. The doctoral program allows the student to take a broad range of courses and research options.

George Mason University:1999-2000 University Catalog: Catalog Index: School of Information Technology & Engineering: Systems Engineering and Operations Research

School of Information Technology & Engineering

Systems Engineering and Operations Research

Undergraduate Programs

Graduate Programs