Program Description
The Modeling and Simulation (M&S) Graduate Program at Old Dominion University is a multi-disciplinary program supported by more than 35 faculty from all six academic colleges. The M&S Graduate Program is administered through the Frank Batten College of Engineering and Technology and offers programs of study leading to the degrees Master of Science in Engineering with a concentration in Modeling and Simulation, Master of Engineering with a concentration in Modeling and Simulation, and Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering with a concentration in Modeling and Simulation. The Graduate Program also is supported by research scientists and facilities of the Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center (VMASC), Old Dominion University's internationally recognized research center focused on modeling, simulation, and visualization.
Masters Program
The Masters Program is designed for students having bachelor's degrees in Engineering, Science, or Mathematics, although students from other educational backgrounds may apply with appropriate leveling courses. Prerequisites for admission include: mathematics - two courses in differential and integral calculus and one course in calculus-based probability and statistics; and computer science - algorithmic problem solving, high-level object-oriented programming language (C++ or JAVA), and data structures. The Masters Program is available as a thesis option (MS) or non-thesis option (ME); both programs require completion of 30 graduate credits. The program of study includes 15 credits of core courses addressing M&S fundamentals, 9 (thesis option) to 15 (non-thesis option) credits of approved elective courses addressing applications of M&S, and 6 credits of thesis research (thesis option only). The Masters Program can be completed in one to two years of full-time study. The program prepares students for careers as simulation professionals in government and industry, teachers of modeling and simulation at the high school or junior college level, and for advanced graduate study in modeling and simulation or other related disciplines.
Doctoral Program
The Doctoral Program focuses on developing the knowledge and skills required to evaluate and conduct independent, original research in an area of modeling and simulation. Completion of this program prepares students for careers as simulation professionals and researchers in government and industry and for research and teaching at the university level. The Doctoral Program is designed for students having master's degrees in modeling and simulation; students having master's degrees in Engineering, Science, and Mathematics also may apply with some additional course work required. Prerequisites for admission include: mathematics - courses in calculus, ordinary differential equations, linear algebra, and probability and statistics; computer science - algorithmic problem solving, high-level object-oriented programming language, and data structures; modeling and simulation - core masters courses or equivalent in discrete event simulation, engineering systems modeling, visualization, and operations research and analysis. The program of study includes 48 credits of course work including 24 credits of modeling and simulation background from the masters level, 12 credits of doctoral core courses, and 12 credits of approved doctoral elective courses, and 24 credits of dissertation research. Formal examinations include the Preliminary Exam taken near the beginning of the course work, the Qualifying Exam taken near the end of the course work, the Dissertation Proposal Defense taken at the beginning of the dissertation research, and the Dissertation Defense taken at the completion of the dissertation research. The Doctoral Program can be completed in three to four years of full-time study.
Research Areas
The Modeling and Simulation Graduate Program emphasizes the following research areas.
- M&S Fundamentals
- Defense and Security – teamed with US Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM) and the Emergency Management Training, Analysis and Simulation Center (EMTASC)
- Medicine and Bio-Science - teamed with Eastern Virginia Medical School
- Education and Gamin - teamed with NASA Langley Research Center
- Transportation - eamed with the Commonwealth of Virginia
- Engineering and Science
- System of Systems and Enterprise Decision Support
Examples of specific research projects from each of these areas are presented on the VMASC web site.
Contact Information
For additional information about the Modeling and Simulation Graduate Program at Old Dominion University, contact:
Modeling and Simulation Graduation Program Information
