This program is designed to prepare students to serve as scholars and professionals in the fields of biodefense and biosecurity. The program integrates knowledge of natural and man-made biological threats with the skills to develop and analyze policies and strategies for enhancing biosecurity. Other areas of biodefense, including nonproliferation, intelligence and threat assessment, and medical and public health preparedness are integral parts of the program.
Admissions
See Graduate Admissions for general information on graduate admission to George Mason University. See the Schar School of Policy and Government Admissions website for application requirements and deadlines. Students are considered for admission for the Fall term only.
Policies
For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6.10 Requirements for Doctoral Degrees.
Transfer of Credit
Previously earned and relevant graduate credits may be eligible for transfer into this program; details can be found in the Credit by Exam or Transfer section of this catalog.
Degree Requirements
Total credits: 72
Students are strongly encouraged to take the core courses as early as possible because they provide the foundation for the rest of the program. The courses which students plan to take should be approved in a program of study designed by the student and their advisor during the student's first semester. Students may take up to 12 credits of courses outside of the Biodefense Program with prior written approval of their advisor. Consult with the graduate program director or coordinator for a list of BIOD electives and approved non-BIOD electives that may be used to fulfill some of the requirements below.
A complete description of the program policies, procedures, and requirements is in the PhD student and faculty handbook, which is published annually.
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOD 604 | Emerging Infectious Diseases I: Bacteria and Toxins | 3 |
| BIOD 605 | Emerging Infectious Diseases II: Viral Agents | 3 |
| BIOD 609 | Biodefense Strategy | 3 |
| BIOD 620 | Global Health Security Policy | 3 |
| BIOD 710 | Health Security Preparedness | 3 |
| GOVT 500 | The Scientific Method and Research Design | 3 |
| GOVT 540 | International Relations | 3 |
| Select one of the following advanced research courses: | 3 | |
| Advanced Data Analysis for Policy and Government | ||
| Policy and Program Evaluation | ||
An alternative research course approved by the program director | ||
| Total Credits | 24 | |
Field of Specialization
Select one field of specialization and complete the requirements therein.
International Security
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GOVT 744 | Foundations of Security Studies | 3 |
| GOVT 745 | International Security | 3 |
| Select six credits of electives (courses may be chosen from the electives list below) | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Terrorism and Homeland Security
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOD 722 | Examining Terrorist Groups | 3 |
| BIOD 725 | Terrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction | 3 |
| Select six credits of electives (courses may be chosen from the electives list below) | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Technology and Weapons of Mass Destruction
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOD 706 | Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Weapons Policy and Security | 3 |
| BIOD 760 | National Security Technology and Policy | 3 |
| Select six credits of electives (courses may be chosen from the electives list below) | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Additional Specialization Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Of the courses listed for the preceding fields of specialization, students must select two courses from those that are not in their chosen field. | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 9 to 18 credits of additional electives in consultation with advisor. | 9-18 | |
| Courses may be offered by Schar or by other units. Schar courses include the following: | ||
| Advanced Topics in Global Health Security | ||
| Ethics and International Security | ||
| Negotiating in the International Arena | ||
| Intelligence: Theory and Practice | ||
| Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Weapons Policy and Security | ||
| Nonproliferation and Arms Control | ||
| Examining Terrorist Groups | ||
| Legal Dimensions of Homeland Security | ||
| Terrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction | ||
| Food Security | ||
| Biosurveillance | ||
| National Security Technology and Policy | ||
| Biotechnology and Society | ||
| Medical Countermeasures for Responding to CBRN Threats and Pandemics | ||
| Directed Studies in Biodefense | ||
| Advanced Seminar in Biodefense | ||
| Doctoral Supervised Internship | ||
| Directed Research in Biodefense | ||
| American Government and Politics | ||
| Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations | ||
| Issues in Comparative and International Politics | ||
| Advanced Seminar in International Politics | ||
| International Security | ||
| Seminar in Politics and Bureaucracy | ||
| Managing in the International Arena: Theory and Practice | ||
| Emergency Planning and Preparedness | ||
| Disaster Response Operations and Recovery | ||
| Terrorism: Theory and Practice | ||
| Emergency Preparedness: Interagency Communication and Coordination | ||
| Cross-Cultural and Ethical Dimensions of International Management | ||
| Seminar in Risk Assessment and Decision Making | ||
| Homeland/Transportation Security Administration | ||
| Issues in International Security | ||
| Biomedical Ethics | ||
| Total Credits | 9-18 | |
Qualifying Exam
The purpose of the qualifying exam is to determine if the student is ready to engage in dissertation research. Doctoral students are eligible to take the exam at the conclusion of coursework, provided an approved Degree Plan is on file with Schar. The exam must be passed before the student takes dissertation proposal (BIOD 998 Doctoral Dissertation Proposal).
Advancement to Candidacy
Advancement to candidacy for the doctoral degree occurs when a student has met the coursework requirements, passed the comprehensive qualifying examination, presented and successfully defended a dissertation proposal, and has an approved dissertation committee.
Dissertation Research
Once enrolled in BIOD 998, students in this degree program must maintain continuous registration in BIOD 998 or BIOD 999 each semester (excluding summers) until the dissertation is submitted to and accepted by the University Libraries. Once enrolled in BIOD 999, students must follow the university's continuous registration policy as specified in AP.6.10.6 Dissertation Registration. Students who defend in the summer must be registered for at least 1 credit of BIOD 999.
Students may apply to this degree a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 6 credits of BIOD 998 and a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 18 credits of BIOD 999. They apply a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 24 dissertation credits (BIOD 998 and BIOD 999 combined) to the degree. Because of the continuous registration policy, students may be required to register for additional credits of these courses.
Before registering in BIOD 999, students must offer a successful public defense of the dissertation proposal. Students must present the results of the dissertation research to their dissertation committee in a seminar and defend their dissertation to the university community. Successful completion of a dissertation is contingent on approval of the dissertation committee and the dean.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Research credits | 12-24 | |
| Doctoral Dissertation Proposal (minimum of 3 credits) | ||
| Doctoral Dissertation (minimum of 6 credits) | ||
| Total Credits | 12-24 | |