Modern information systems manage data, information and knowledge to support enterprise functions and decision-making as well as human social activity over the Internet. Increasingly, these systems involve big data and artificial intelligence, are distributed and collaborative, and housed in the cloud with built-in security.
The mission of the Information Systems MS program is to enable students of diverse baccalaureate and professional backgrounds to obtain a high-quality MS degree that:
- Provides the theoretical knowledge and hands-on project experience needed to analyze, design, build, deploy, maintain, manage and promote effective organizational use of modern information systems.
- Allows students to specialize in high demand concentration areas including human-centered computing, and cloud-based information systems.
- Prepares students for careers in information systems in large and small organizations in both industry and government.
Career paths open to graduates include database application developer, web- and cloud-based information systems designer and developer, systems analyst, database administrator, information architect, systems architect, decision support analyst, data warehouse administrator, information engineer, knowledge engineer, human-computer interaction engineer, machine learning engineer, chief information officer, chief knowledge officer, chief privacy officer, and project manager.
Admissions
Application Requirements
Applicants must have earned a GPA of 3.00 or better in the last 60 credits of undergraduate study. Applicants also must submit the following:
- A one-page statement of educational and career goals
- A current resume
- Internationally-educated students must submit their English proficiency scores
Policies
Foundation Requirements
To succeed in graduate courses, students entering the MS program must have coursework or equivalent knowledge in the following five foundation areas: (1) introductory programming in any programming language; (2) knowledge of an object-oriented programming language such as Java, C++, or C#; (3) data structures and algorithms; (4) machine organization such as those given in computer system architecture or assembly language courses; (5) and topics in discrete mathematics, including sets, propositional and predicate logic, relations, functions, trees, graphs, and inductive proofs.
The level of knowledge required in these areas is equivalent to that taught in undergraduate courses and may be demonstrated in one of several ways:
- Applicable undergraduate coursework: Such courses must appear on transcripts from the student’s undergraduate university, or another accredited university. Applicable courses from George Mason University and Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) are given here:
- Foundation: Introductory programming
- GMU CS: CS 112 Introduction to Computer Programming (Mason Core)
- GMU IT: IT 106 Introduction to IT Problem Solving Using Computer Programming
- NVCC: CSC 201
- Foundation: OO programming
- Foundation: Data structures
- Foundation: Machine organization
- Foundation: Discrete math
- GMU Math: MATH 125 Discrete Mathematics I (Mason Core)
- NVCC: MATH 288
- Foundation: Introductory programming
- The School of Computing offers the following bridge foundation courses: (1-2) SWE 510 Object-Oriented Programming in Java or COMP 501 Computer Programming Foundations I or AIT 502 Programming Essentials, (3) INFS 519 Program Design and Data Structures or COMP 511 Computer Programming Foundations II or AIT 512 Algorithms and Data Structures Essentials, (4) INFS 515 Computer Organization Course and Operating Systems or COMP 503 Computer Systems Foundations I or AIT 542 Fundamentals of Computing Platforms, and (5) INFS 501 Discrete and Logical Structures for Information Systems or COMP 502 Mathematical Foundations of Computing I. These courses may be taken by students in provisional status, non-degree status, or while in another graduate program at Mason.
- Passing appropriate testout exams: Students can self-prepare and attempt testout exams for each of the four foundation requirements (OO programming, data structures, machine organization, and discrete math). The exams are given before classes begin in January and August, and can only be taken once. Registration is not required; students need only be present at the date, time, and location specified and bring some form of photographic identification. Detailed information is available on the department web site. Students who do not pass an exam must take an equivalent course before enrolling in the core curriculum courses.
Eligible domestic students who lack one or more foundation may be admitted provisionally and required to take the appropriate preparatory course or pass the testout exam. Other students may be advised to learn the foundation material and re-apply.
Advising
The MS-INFS program holds orientation meetings at the beginning of each semester to advise newly admitted and continuing students. Members of the faculty are present to answer questions and offer advice concerning programs of study. Detailed information is available on the program's web site.
The MS-INFS program also provides advising services to students. Initial and procedural inquiries can be submitted to csgrad@gmu.edu. A plan of study form for the MS degree should be completed and submitted by the student soon after beginning the program. This plan serves as a guide for the student.
Degree Requirements
Total credits: 30
Students must complete 30 approved graduate credits (10 courses), divided into core (required) courses and constrained electives. Optionally, students may choose a concentration, which further constrains their electives. Students may complete the program without choosing a concentration.
Core Courses
To provide a common background in the fundamentals of information systems, the following core courses, which constitute the technical body of knowledge for the program, are required of all students. Students with strong academic background in mathematical foundations of computing may have COMP 502 Mathematical Foundations of Computing I substituted for another elective course at the discretion of the program director.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COMP 502 | Mathematical Foundations of Computing I | 3 |
| CS 550 | Database Systems | 3 |
| INFS 622 | Information Systems Analysis and Design | 3 |
| INFS 580 | Analytics: Big Data to Information | 3 |
| INFS 611 | Rapid Information Systems Prototyping | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Concentration in Human-Centered Computing (HCCM)
In addition to the general program requirements, students must complete 4 courses to complete this concentration:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete four courses in total | 12 | |
| Select at least two courses from the following: | ||
| Interaction Design and Accessibility | ||
or COMP 642 | Interaction Design and Accessibility | |
| Interactive Visualization and Data Analytics | ||
| Advanced Human Computer Interaction | ||
| Select the remaining one or two courses from the following: | ||
| Data Analytics in Social Media | ||
| Ethical and Legal Challenges in Computing | ||
| Accessibility and Assistive Technologies | ||
| Human-Computer Intelligent Interaction | ||
| User Interface Design and Development | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Concentration in Cloud-based Information Systems (CBIS)
In addition to the general program requirements, students must complete 4 courses to complete this concentration:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AIT 660 | Cyber Security Fundamentals | 3 |
| AIT 670 | Cloud Computing Security | 3 |
| SWE 642 | Software Engineering for the World Wide Web | 3 |
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
| Distributed Software Engineering | ||
| Software Project Management | ||
| User Interface Design and Development | ||
| Component-Based Software Development | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Research Option
With the consent of a faculty advisor and program director, students may complete a 6-credit MS thesis (INFS 799 MS Thesis) as part of the electives. The thesis must be guided and approved by a committee of three appropriate faculty members and presented at an appropriate forum. This is primarily intended for students who intend to pursue a PhD.
Electives
Students may select the remaining courses from the following list. Students may select courses not on this list with prior approval from the faculty advisor.
Information Systems (INFS)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| INFS 612 | Principles and Practices of Communication Networks | 3 |
| INFS 623 | Web Search Engines and Recommender Systems | 3 |
| INFS 640 | Introduction to Electronic Commerce | 3 |
| INFS 697 | Topics in Information Systems | 1-6 |
| INFS 740 | Database Programming for the World Wide Web | 3 |
| INFS 760 | Advanced Database Management | 3 |
| INFS 770 | Knowledge Management for E-Business | 3 |
| INFS 772 | Intelligent Agents and the Semantic Web | 3 |
| INFS 774 | Enterprise Architecture | 3 |
| INFS 796 | Directed Readings in Information Systems | 3 |
| INFS 797 | Advanced Topics in Information Systems | 1-6 |
| INFS 799 | MS Thesis | 1-6 |
Applied Information Technology (AIT)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AIT 526 | Introduction to Natural Language Processing | 3 |
| AIT 636 | Interpretable Machine Learning | 3 |
| AIT 660 | Cyber Security Fundamentals | 3 |
| AIT 664 | Information: Representation, Processing and Visualization | 3 |
| AIT 670 | Cloud Computing Security | 3 |
| AIT 684 | Interactive Visualization and Data Analytics | 3 |
| AIT 716 | Advanced Human Computer Interaction | 3 |
| AIT 724 | Data Analytics in Social Media | 3 |
| AIT 734 | Advanced Web Analytics Using Semantics | 3 |
| AIT 736 | Applied Machine Learning | 3 |
| AIT 746 | Applied Deep Learning | 3 |
| AIT 726 | Natural Language Processing with Deep Learning | 3 |
Information Security and Assurance (ISA)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ISA 562 | Information Security Theory and Practice | 3 |
| ISA 564 | Security Laboratory | 3 |
| ISA 650 | Security Policy | 3 |
| ISA 652 | Security Audit and Compliance Testing | 3 |
| ISA 656 | Network Security | 3 |
| ISA 673 | Operating Systems Security | 3 |
| ISA 674 | Intrusion Detection | 3 |
| ISA 681 | Secure Software Design and Programming | 3 |
| or SWE 681 | Secure Software Design and Programming | |
| ISA 697 | Topics in Information Security | 1-6 |
| ISA 763 | Security Protocol Analysis | 3 |
| ISA 764 | Security Experimentation | 3 |
| ISA 785 | Research in Digital Forensics | 3 |
| ISA 797 | Advanced Topics in Information Security | 3 |
Software Engineering (SWE)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SWE 620 | Software Requirements Analysis and Specification | 3 |
| SWE 625 | Software Project Management | 3 |
| SWE 626 | Software Project Laboratory | 3 |
| SWE 631 | Software Design Patterns | 3 |
| SWE 632 | User Interface Design and Development | 3 |
| SWE 642 | Software Engineering for the World Wide Web | 3 |
| SWE 645 | Component-Based Software Development | 3 |
| SWE 699 | Special Topics in Software Engineering | 3 |
| SWE 721 | Reusable Software Architectures | 3 |
| SWE 681 | Secure Software Design and Programming | 3 |
| or ISA 681 | Secure Software Design and Programming | |
| SWE 763 | Software Engineering Experimentation | 3 |
| SWE 795 | Advanced Topics in Software Engineering | 3 |
| SWE 796 | Directed Readings in Software Engineering | 3 |
| SWE 798 | Research Project | 3 |
Computer Science (CS)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CS 531 | Computer Systems and Fundamentals of Systems Programming | 3 |
| CS 540 | Compilers | 3 |
| CS 580 | Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| CS 583 | Analysis of Algorithms | 3 |
| CS 584 | Theory and Applications of Data Mining | 3 |
| CS 635 | Foundations of Parallel Computation | 3 |
| CS 640 | Advanced Compilers | 3 |
| CS 650 | Advanced Database Management | 3 |
| CS 657 | Mining Massive Datasets with MapReduce | 3 |
| CS 662 | Computer Graphics Game Technologies | 3 |
| CS 663 | Computational Design | 3 |
| CS 672 | Computer System Performance Evaluation | 3 |
| CS 673 | Multimedia Computing and Systems | 3 |
| CS 678 | Advanced Natural Language Processing | 3 |
| CS 681 | Instructable Cognitive Agents | 3 |
| CS 682 | Computer Vision | 3 |
| CS 683 | Parallel Algorithms | 3 |
| CS 684 | Graph Algorithms | 3 |
| CS 685 | Autonomous Robotics | 3 |
| CS 686 | Image Processing and Applications | 3 |
| CS 687 | Advanced Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| CS 688 | Machine Learning | 3 |
| CS 706 | Concurrent Software Systems | 3 |
| CS 752 | Interactive Graphics Software | 3 |
| CS 755 | Advanced Computer Networks | 3 |
| CS 756 | Performance Analysis of Computer Networks | 3 |
| CS 773 | Real-Time Systems Design and Development | 3 |
| CS 777 | Human-Computer Intelligent Interaction | 3 |
| CS 779 | Topics in Resilient and Secure Computer Systems | 3 |
| CS 782 | Advanced Machine Learning | 3 |
| CS 787 | Decision Guidance Systems | 3 |
| CS 795 | Advanced Topics in CS | 3 |
Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECE 611 | Advanced Computer Architecture | 3 |
| ECE 612 | Real-Time Embedded Systems | 3 |
| ECE 642 | Design and Analysis of Computer Networks | 3 |
| ECE 643 | Network Switching and Routing | 3 |
| ECE 646 | Applied Cryptography | 3 |
| ECE 732 | Mobile Communication Systems | 3 |
| ECE 746 | Advanced Applied Cryptography | 3 |
Operations Research (OR)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| OR 541 | Operations Research: Deterministic Optimization | 3 |
| OR 542 | Operations Research: Stochastic Models | 3 |
| OR 635 | Discrete System Simulation | 3 |
| OR 640 | Global Optimization and Computational Intelligence | 3 |
| OR 641 | Linear Programming | 3 |
| OR 642 | Integer Programming | 3 |
| OR 643 | Network Modeling | 3 |
| OR 644 | Nonlinear Programming | 3 |
| OR 645 | Stochastic Processes | 3 |
| OR 647 | Queuing Theory | 3 |
| OR 681 | Decision and Risk Analysis | 3 |
| OR 690 | Optimization of Supply Chains | 3 |
Psychology (PSYC)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 734 | Seminar in Human Factors and Applied Cognition | 3 |
Statistics (STAT)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| STAT 544 | Applied Probability | 3 |
| STAT 554 | Applied Statistics I | 3 |
| STAT 652 | Statistical Inference | 3 |
| STAT 656 | Regression Analysis | 3 |
| STAT 662 | Multivariate Analysis and Statistical Learning | 3 |
| STAT 663 | Statistical Graphics and Data Visualization | 3 |
| STAT 674 | Survey Sampling II | 3 |
Systems Engineering (SYST)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SYST 520 | System Engineering Design | 3 |
| SYST 530 | Systems Engineering Management I | 3 |
| SYST 542 | Decision Support Systems Engineering | 3 |
| SYST 560 | Introduction to Air Traffic Control | 3 |
| SYST 573 | Decision and Risk Analysis | 3 |
| SYST 611 | System Methodology and Modeling | 3 |
| SYST 659 | Topics in Systems Engineering | 3 |
| SYST 680 | Principles of Command, Control, Communications, Computing, and Intelligence (C4I) | 3 |
| SYST 683 | Modeling, Simulation, and Gaming | 3 |
Applied Computer Science, BS/Information Systems, Accelerated MS
Overview
Highly-qualified students in the Applied Computer Science, BS program can complete both a BS-ACS and an Information Systems, MS in five years through the BS-MS accelerated (BAM) program.
General BAM policies are in the catalog under AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees. Policies governing all graduate degrees are in the catalog under AP.6 Graduate Policies.
Admission Requirements
Students in the Applied Computer Science, BS program are encouraged to apply to the BAM program after earning 60 undergraduate credits with an overall GPA of at least 3.30. Students must also have successfully completed CS 310 Data Structures and CS 330 Formal Methods and Models.
Accelerated Option Requirements
Students accepted to the BAM program may earn up to 12 credits of graduate coursework that count towards both the BS and MS degrees. They may begin taking graduate courses after completing 75 undergraduate credits and successfully completing CS 367 Computer Systems and Programming.
The following graduate courses can replace the corresponding undergraduate courses.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CS 540 | Compilers (to replace CS 440) | 3 |
| CS 550 | Database Systems (to replace CS 450) | 3 |
| CS 551 | Computer Graphics (to replace CS 451) | 3 |
| CS 555 | Computer Communications and Networking (to replace CS 455) | 3 |
| CS 571 | Operating Systems (to replace CS 471) | 3 |
| CS 580 | Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (to replace CS 480) | 3 |
| CS 583 | Analysis of Algorithms (to replace CS 483) | 3 |
| CS 584 | Theory and Applications of Data Mining (to replace CS 484) | 3 |
| CS 587 | Introduction to Cryptography (to replace CS 487) | 3 |
| SWE 619 | Object-Oriented Software Specification and Construction (to replace SWE 419) | 3 |
| SWE 637 | Software Testing (to replace SWE 437) | 3 |
| SWE 642 | Software Engineering for the World Wide Web (to replace SWE 432) | 3 |
Notes:
- Students may not use both the graduate course and the undergraduate alternative for their BS degree.
- Students must satisfy all recommended and required prerequisites for the graduate courses they take.
- Students also have the option to take up to 6 additional credits of graduate coursework on reserve, which can be used for the MS degree only.
Degree Conferral
Students must apply for degree conferral the semester before they expect to complete their BS requirements. At the beginning of their final undergraduate semester, students must submit a completed Bachelor's-Accelerated Master's Transition form to the CS department office. The master’s degree will be conferred after the student completes the MS requirements.
Applied Computer Science, BS/Information Systems, Accelerated MS
Overview
Highly-qualified students in the Applied Computer Science, BS program can complete both a BS-ACS and an Information Systems, MS in five years through the BS-MS accelerated (BAM) program.
General BAM policies are in the catalog under AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees. Policies governing all graduate degrees are in the catalog under AP.6 Graduate Policies.
Admission Requirements
Students in the Applied Computer Science, BS program are encouraged to apply to the BAM program after earning 60 undergraduate credits with an overall GPA of at least 3.30. Students must also have successfully completed CS 310 Data Structures and CS 330 Formal Methods and Models.
Accelerated Option Requirements
Students accepted to the BAM program may earn up to 12 credits of graduate coursework that count towards both the BS and MS degrees. They may begin taking graduate courses after completing 75 undergraduate credits and successfully completing CS 367 Computer Systems and Programming.
The following graduate courses can replace the corresponding undergraduate courses.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CS 540 | Compilers (to replace CS 440) | 3 |
| CS 550 | Database Systems (to replace CS 450) | 3 |
| CS 551 | Computer Graphics (to replace CS 451) | 3 |
| CS 555 | Computer Communications and Networking (to replace CS 455) | 3 |
| CS 571 | Operating Systems (to replace CS 471) | 3 |
| CS 580 | Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (to replace CS 480) | 3 |
| CS 583 | Analysis of Algorithms (to replace CS 483) | 3 |
| CS 584 | Theory and Applications of Data Mining (to replace CS 484) | 3 |
| CS 587 | Introduction to Cryptography (to replace CS 487) | 3 |
| SWE 619 | Object-Oriented Software Specification and Construction (to replace SWE 419) | 3 |
| SWE 637 | Software Testing (to replace SWE 437) | 3 |
| SWE 642 | Software Engineering for the World Wide Web (to replace SWE 432) | 3 |
Notes:
- Students may not use both the graduate course and the undergraduate alternative for their BS degree.
- Students must satisfy all recommended and required prerequisites for the graduate courses they take.
- Students also have the option to take up to 6 additional credits of graduate coursework on reserve, which can be used for the MS degree only.
Degree Conferral
Students must apply for degree conferral the semester before they expect to complete their BS requirements. At the beginning of their final undergraduate semester, students must submit a completed Bachelor's-Accelerated Master's Transition form to the CS department office. The master’s degree will be conferred after the student completes the MS requirements.
Information Technology, BS/Information Systems, Accelerated MS
Overview
Highly-qualified students in the Information Technology, BS have the option of obtaining an accelerated Information Systems, MS.
For more detailed information, see AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
Admission Requirements
Students in the Information Technology, BS program may apply to this option if they have earned 60 undergraduate credits and take graduate level courses after completion of 75 credits with an overall GPA of at least 3.30. Criteria for admission are identical to the criteria for admission to the Information Systems, MS program.
Accelerated Option Requirements
Students must complete all credits that satisfy requirements for the BS and MS programs, with a minimum of 3 credits (maximum 6 credits) overlapping from the following courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CS 550 | Database Systems (satisfies IT 414 requirement in the BS INFT program) | 3 |
| SWE 619 | Object-Oriented Software Specification and Construction (satisfies as one DTP concentration course in the BS INFT program) | 3 |
Note:
Students must complete MATH 125 Discrete Mathematics I (Mason Core) as their discrete math requirement and IT 306 Data Structures and Algorithms in Java or IT 309 Data Structures and Algorithms in Python as part of their concentration requirements in the BS program.
Students must also satisfy all the CS foundation requirements prior to admission: https://cs.gmu.edu/current-students/ms-students/foundation-courses/.
Degree Conferral
Students must apply the semester before they expect to complete the BS requirements to have the BS degree conferred. In addition, at the beginning of the student’s final undergraduate semester, students must complete a Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s Transition form. At the completion of MS requirements, a master’s degree is conferred.