Graduate Pathway in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (2-Semester Pathway) Leading to Master of Science in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology

at INTO Group - George Mason University USA

International Year One in Engineering, Computing and Statistics will prepare you to enter your next semester of a bachelor’s degree program at George Mason University. Upon successful completion of International Year One and meeting university requirements for undergraduate admission, you may enter your next semester of undergraduate study at George Mason University. This transition from an INTO Mason program to a university degree program is called progression.

Computer Engineering-B.S.
The field of computer engineering can be described as an amalgam of hardware and software design. Computer engineers are involved in research, design, development, production, and operation of a wide variety of digital systems, from integrated circuits through microcontrollers, multi-core processors, FPGA-based accelerators, to big-data and cloud computing platforms. Reflecting the industry trend to integrate hardware and software development, the computer engineering program is built around computer-aided design tools that can simulate and assist in the design of new digital systems, such as those found in smartphones, tablets, robots, autonomous vehicles, drones, spacecraft, computer networks, smart factories, defense systems, and the internet-of-things. Advanced languages, such as VHDL and Python, and software tools, such as those used for FPGA- and ASIC-design and simulation, can be used to model hardware and software functionality from the system and architecture level down to the gate and transistor levels. Design, optimization, verification, and testing methodology involving these tools are taught in the program. Hands-on design experiences and simulation are emphasized throughout the curriculum through labs and projects integrated into various courses. The program culminates in a year-long senior design project effort which provides each student with the opportunity to apply concepts to designing, innovating and building a functional hardware system in a team environment.

The BA in Criminology, Law and Society provides a focused study of the justice system and social, human, and moral problems raised in the justice field. This course of study prepares students for careers in law enforcement, corrections, the courts, investigations, juvenile justice, private and homeland security, and related social and human services. The BA in Criminology, Law and Society is well-suited for students who wish to study the field while branching out into related areas of study.

Students study behavior as it relates to health and well-being, child and adolescent development, education, social situations, the workplace, and the use of technology. Due to Mason’s proximity to Washington, D.C. the department is especially active in research that informs public policy and national defense. Students who graduate from this program go on to work in a wide range of fields and positions, including human resources, data analysis, user interface design, and social media and marketing.

The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology focuses on liberal arts and general education courses, including a foreign language requirement, within the psychology field.

International Year One in Humanities and Social Sciences will prepare you to enter your next semester of a bachelor’s degree program at George Mason University. Upon successful completion of International Year One and meeting university requirements for undergraduate admission, you may enter your next semester of undergraduate study at George Mason University. This transition from an INTO Mason program to a university degree program is called progression.

Sociology, BA
Sociology involves the systematic study of social structures, cultural patterns, and human relationships. It combines rigorous methods with theory and observation, yielding insights that challenge commonly held assumptions about the social world. Sociology also informs the practice of social and public service, aiding efforts to address important social problems. Sociology majors pursue a varied set of career paths, ranging from teaching, human service and human resource occupations, to positions in the criminal justice system, marketing, and social research. The major is excellent preparation for students considering law school or graduate training in the social and behavioral sciences.

The Bachelor of Arts in Integrative Studies brings together research, theory and practice across numerous disciplines. Integrative studies majors select a multidisciplinary concentration or work with student services staff to develop their own concentration, uniquely suited to their academic and career goals. Integrative studies majors explore new topics and experiences while gaining the knowledge and skills needed to enter the workforce.  Required coursework is offered in small classes with ample room for discussion, collaborative learning, and experiential learning, including in-community projects, volunteer opportunities, field work, internships and work with faculty on research that directly engages current social and global challenges.

The Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science is a general forensic science degree that covers various fields within forensic science including field and laboratory applications. These topics include areas such as crime scene investigation, forensic DNA, forensic chemistry, trace evidence, firearms examination, questioned document, fingerprints, arson, and drug analysis.

This degree is intended to provide students with a well-rounded, hands-on forensic science education in order to prepare students for entrance into a graduate-level educational program, and/or entry-level professional careers in public and private forensic laboratories, federal, state, or local government/law enforcement, defense, homeland security and intelligence agencies.

The Forensic Science undergraduate program provides a strong scientific foundation while simultaneously enabling students to individualize their educational experience toward specific career goals or post-graduate degrees by taking specialized forensic science and natural science courses. This degree offers concentrations in Forensic Biology and Forensic Chemistry to prepare students who desire a career within these specialties.

Students who successfully complete an INTO Mason Graduate Pathway program in Computational Science are assured progression to a Mason graduate degree program upon submission of additional required application materials.

Upon successful completion of an INTO Mason Pathway program and meeting university requirements for graduate admission, you may enter your second semester of graduate study at George Mason University. This transition from an INTO Mason Pathway program to a university degree program is called 'progression'.

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

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

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

Students who successfully complete an INTO Mason Graduate Pathway or Graduate Bridge Program in Biostatistics are assured progression to a Mason graduate degree program upon submission of additional required application materials.

Upon successful completion of an INTO Mason Pathway program and meeting university requirements for graduate admission, you may enter your next semester of graduate study at George Mason University. This transition from an INTO Mason Pathway program to a university degree program is called 'progression'.

Biostatistics-M.S.
The MS in Biostatistics will allow students to specialize in the design and analysis of health-related and biological studies, while maintaining the rigor and technical training of the Statistical Science master's program.

In this degree, students will take a statistics core and a "bio" core, involving courses in public health, biology, and clinical medicine (including ethics). It also involves a research core which allows students to solve real data problems in the biological or health area and collaborate with other scientists in an interdisciplinary team. Finally, students will choose from electives in bioinformatics, global and community health, or targeted statistics courses.

The Bachelor of Arts in History looks at the range of human experience: how people have lived in the past, how they live and coexist in the present, and the links between the two. Students learn to interpret the past by examining a variety of original sources: newspapers, letters and diaries, literature, government records, images, films, oral interviews, and more. Majors hone their skills in collecting, interpreting, and communicating information. Majors move on to careers in government, law, and management, as well as teaching and graduate study.

International Year One in Engineering, Computing and Statistics will prepare you to enter your next semester of a bachelor’s degree program at George Mason University. Upon successful completion of International Year One and meeting university requirements for undergraduate admission, you may enter your next semester of undergraduate study at George Mason University. This transition from an INTO Mason program to a university degree program is called progression.

Cyber Security Engineering-B.S.
Cyber Security Engineering is concerned with the development of cyber-resilient systems which include the protection of physical as well as computer and network systems. It requires a proactive approach in engineering design of physical systems with cyber security incorporated from the beginning of system development. Cyber security engineering is an important quantitative methodology to be used in all industries including transportation, energy, healthcare, infrastructure, finance, government (federal, state, and local), and defense. The program is focused on the cyber security engineering of integrated cyber-physical systems. This degree provides a foundation in cyber security engineering and is most appropriate for students with a strong mathematics and science background.