International Year One in Science (2-Semester Pathway) Leading to Bachelor of Science in Biology

at INTO Group - George Mason University USA

The Bachelor of Arts in Biology provides a sound liberal arts education with substantial experience in quantitative and analytical thought, along with preparation for related professions. The program provides the strong background necessary for not only for graduate study in the life sciences, but also enables students to develop careers in a wide variety of disciplines, including teaching, environmental management, microbiology, molecular biology, biotechnology, genetics, wildlife management, fisheries biology, and marine science. Furthermore, our curriculum prepares students for careers in the health sciences including medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, and related allied health disciplines.

Students who successfully complete an INTO Mason Graduate Pathway program in Forensic 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'.

Forensic Science-M.S.
The Forensic Science Program offers a master’s degree in Forensic Science with four concentrations to best suit the student’s future career goals- Crime Scene Investigation, Forensic Biology Analysis, Forensic Chemistry Analysis, and Forensic/Biometric Identity Analysis. This graduate degree will prepare students for a rewarding career in federal, state and local laboratories, investigative or intelligence agencies, private companies, or allow professionals currently working in the field an opportunity to improve their education and optimize career advancement.

International Year One in Science 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.

Computational and Data Sciences, BS
The aim of this degree is to provide students with technical skills and knowledge for rigorously investigating physical and social phenomena. The BS is a transformative approach that integrates science at George Mason University based on the combination of real-world computer science skills, data acquisition and analysis, scientific modeling, applied mathematics, and simulation. As an interdisciplinary STEM-designated program, this degree addresses the current central role of computation in the areas of "big data," modeling, and simulation. Graduates of the program will possess the computational, scientific, and mathematical skills necessary for participating effectively as members of the scientific simulation and data analysis groups that are of increasing importance in the federal and public sectors, and in high technology firms. Additionally, graduates of the program will be well prepared to pursue graduate studies.

The School of Business is ranked in the top 10 percent of the nation’s undergraduate business schools and offers a Bachelor of Science in Business with innovative concentrations. The School of Business also offers several options for a minor for business and non-business majors, as well as an undergraduate certificate program in accounting. The School of Business programs are designed to prepare graduates for work in a rapidly changing and competitive marketplace with local, regional, and global companies. With Mason’s location in Northern Virginia and proximity to Washington, D.C., combined with the assistance of the School of Business’s own Career Services staff and Student Success and Academic Services staff, students are also afforded exceptional opportunities to gain practical experience and global engagement opportunities to complement their academic coursework. Students admitted spring 2020 and later will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Business degree.

The concentration in Finance prepares students for professional careers by providing a solid foundation in the principles necessary to make operating decisions for an organization and in financial market analysis. We educate our finance students to understand, evaluate, and manage risk. In addition, students learn to conduct and effectively present financial analysis and research valuing complex projects, assets, securities, and firms. Students in the finance concentration explore the relationships among investors, firms, financial institutions, markets, and regulators. Students with a concentration in Finance have a unique opportunity to compete globally, as well as regionally, for unique and diverse job opportunities, including government (U.S. Treasury and the Board of Governors), large financial corporations (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac), international organizations (World Bank and IMF), and other careers related to Finance.

This MS is designed for students who have completed a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, although domestic students with related undergraduate degrees may be considered for provisional admission. The MS educates students in the theory and practice of civil engineering science and design, with a technical concentration. The master's degree is increasingly expected for high level practice in civil engineering, and prepares graduates to practice in civil engineering for: federal, state, or local government; engineering design firms; construction firms; public utilities; non-governmental organizations; and local and regional planning firms, among others. The MS degree serves as a foundation for subsequent study in a doctoral program in civil engineering, as well as for graduate studies in architecture, law, business, economics, finance, and public policy and administration.

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) is designed for people who hold or aspire to hold leadership positions in organizations that participate in the development and implementation of public policy. The mission of the MPA program is to give graduate students the opportunity to build their knowledge of politics, public policy and management and to enhance their analytic, problem solving, and communication skills.

MPA students at Mason have the research and cultural resources of the Washington, D.C. area at their disposal. Government agencies representing all levels in the U.S. federal system are located close to the campus, as are the National Archives, the Library of Congress, and the Smithsonian Institution. Another benefit is the wide range of internship opportunities available in governmental and nonprofit organizations. The MPA Program regularly has internship invitations from national, state, and local government organizations, as well as from nonprofit organizations whose principal work is at the local, state, national, or international levels. Many of these internships are paid positions.

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 program in Digital Forensics 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'.

Digital Forensics-M.S.
Digital forensics is a discipline addressing the collection, processing, and analysis of digital data for the purpose of verifying/validating the existence of an event of investigative, intelligence, cyber, or business interest.  The data can be from physical media, a mobile device, real-time network traffic, the Internet of Things (IoT), unknown code, memory, the cloud, and many other sources. Digital forensics is interdisciplinary by nature and our program includes computer engineering, computer science, information technology, law, and ethics.  Digital forensics is a key component in criminal, corporate, civil, cyber defense, incident response, intelligence, and counter-terrorism matters. In the last several years, with a proliferation of digital storage, transmission, and processing of sensitive information, there has been an increase in the aberrant use of digital devices. This aberrant behavior includes but is not limited to digital extortion, intrusions, economic espionage, child exploitation, cybercrime, fraud, terrorism, and identity theft.  In response to this, digital forensics has become an important profession serving both public and private sectors.  The MS in Digital Forensics will prepare graduates for a wide variety of careers to include law enforcement, various other branches of government, incident response, and all facets of cyber security by combining academic education with real world practical techniques and by offering advanced training in analyzing digital evidence, intrusion forensics, reverse engineering, network analysis, legal, and ethical matters.

Students who successfully complete an INTO Mason Graduate Pathway program in Environmental Science and Policy 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'.

Environmental Science and Policy-M.S.
This master's program meets the increasing need for trained environmental professionals who can address the problems of land and water management, land use and urbanization, wetland loss, microbial ecology, bioremediation, conservation biology, and ecosystem preservation. These professionals will also contribute to the analysis and resolution of global problems such as deforestation, insufficient world food supplies, population growth, planetary health, and global climate change/warming. Areas of specific departmental focus include ecosystems, conservation, environmental biocomplexity, molecular ecology, sustainability science, environmental policy and management, and human/environmental interactions.

Environmental problems are defined in the real world and do not necessarily conform to traditional academic disciplines. As such, solutions require creative combinations of diverse interests and subjects. Effective training requires rigorous, problem-focused transdisciplinary action in a setting in which research is an essential element supporting instruction.

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.