SPACS

Welcome to the School of Physics, Astronomy, and Computational Sciences. Below are some quick links to key information on this site.

BS degrees: Astronomy | Physics | Accelerated BS/MS in Physics

MS Degrees: Computational Science | Applied & Engineering Physics | MA Energy and Sustainability Concentration

PhD Degrees: Computational Sciences and Informatics | Physics

SPACS Courses | Instructional Faculty | Research Faculty

We offer many exciting possibilities for studying physics, astronomy, and computational and data sciences. Our faculty has a deep commitment to facilitating learning and encouraging students to engage in research at the frontiers of knowledge. You can learn all about our fascinating research activities either by going to the research section of this site or else by visiting individual faculty profiles. Please browse through these pages to see what’s new and exciting in our School!

Academics

The School offers degrees at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. At the Bachelor’s level, the School offers a BS degree in Physics, a BS degree in Computational and Data Sciences, and BA and BS degrees in Astronomy. Undergraduate majors in these fields …

Centers and Labs: Computational Fluid Dynamics, Computational Material Science, Condensed Matter Physics (Quantum Science), Neural Dynamics (Biological Physics, Nonlinear Dynamics), Space Weather (Solar Physics, and Magnetospheric Physics)

Research Groups: Atomic Molecular & Optical Physics, Astrophysics, Computational Statistics, Particle and Nuclear Physics, Science Education, Science Policy

The American Physical Society recently filmed leading US Physics Departments for its March conference in Baltimore. SPACS was honored to be among the departments being videotaped. The films appeared on the APS website, mobile devices, and in conference hotel rooms as well as being tweeted about throughout the conference.

Here is a short description of the filming on the APS conference website. Snapshots from the filming are featured below the YouTube video (which can be viewed inside the post or in “full screen” mode).

From Gomason.com 2/19/2013, courtesy George Mason Athletics

Katelyn Fariss, Physics major, Astronomy minor and Cheerleading, and Ryan McGreal, Physics major and Track, were honored by the Provost recently as Mason Student-Athletes. See article below from GoMason.com.

George Mason Provost Scholar Athletes were honored last week at a reception on campus and recognized at the men’s basketball game on Saturday for their outstanding academic achievements. In its fifth year, the award recognizes the student-athletes who have earned at least 38 credit hours at Mason and have achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 or better.

George Mason Provost, Dr. Peter Stearns, who created the Provost Scholar Athlete Award in 2009, was at both events to congratulate this year’s recipients. A reception was held on Wednesday, February 13 at the Mason Hall atrium for the 26 student-athlete award-winners, along with their parents, select deans, professors, and senior athletic administrators.

“It’s a privilege to meet the Provost Scholars, and they seem to appreciate the honor as well — which they deserve,” Stearns commented. “I’m always impressed with students who so successfully manage to do well academically as well as in sports, and with the wide range of majors the Scholars represent. And it’s nice to …

Mason News  February 2013
Michele McDonald

Juan Cebral’s complex computer model does more than simply show blood swirling in a brain aneurysm’s labyrinthian pattern; it helps doctors determine whether the aneurysm is about to rupture and needs surgery.

Researchers at George Mason University’s Center for Computational Fluid Dynamics recently unveiled a first of its kind patient-specific blood flow simulation system that was assembled by Phillips Medical Systems using software components developed at Mason. The cutting-edge technology has the potential to improve diagnostics and treatments for millions of Americans who are affected by brain aneurysms — saclike bulges in the blood vessels — each year.

The Arts and Entertainment Magazine interviews Professor Kirk Borne about his research.

Estela Blaisten-Barojas is collaborating with Mason colleagues on research involving small objects with unprecedented strength formed from biomolecules, such as silk.

Confirming the existence of this formation is a key first step in helping to mitigate the adverse effects that solar storm eruptions can have on satellite communications on Earth.

A Dark Discovery: Mason PhD Student Identifies a Mini-Supermassive Black Hole

Mason News

December 4, 2012
Tara Laskowski

One of the lowest mass supermassive black holes ever observed in the middle of a galaxy has been identified, thanks to Mason student Nathan Secrest and other researchers using NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory. (Video)

Haislmaier…blended his interest in philosophy and astronomy for the winning essay, titled “The Emergence of Complexity in the Universe as Viewed from a Holistic Perspective.”

An amusing look at the possibility of particles that travel faster than light (tachyons).