Scholarly Community
A world leader in modeling and simulation (M&S), Old Dominion University (ODU) created the first M&S degree programs through the Department of Modeling, Simulation, and Engineering Visualization and establishing the Virginia Modeling, Analysis, and Simulation Center (VMASC). The University facilitates a university-wide, interdisciplinary M&S movement where faculty and students from every academic college use M&S approaches to address the challenges of their discipline.
OUR ACADEMIC HISTORY
We progress digital innovation and thought leadership through revolutionary model and design thinking in the simulation science field.
VMASC was created in 1997 at the request of the Department of Defense (DoD) to establish a wargaming center in Hampton Roads that needed both workforce research and development (R&D) and development support in the modeling and simulation (M&S) field. At the time, ODU's Director of Military Activities, Captain Dick Whalen, USN-Ret., and Old Dominion University President, James Koch, were already eager to seek military partnership opportunities due to tight budgets of higher education. In response, ODU President Koch front-ended the first $500,000 when Old Dominion University did not have much money, taking a tremendous risk.
In February of 1997, President Koch approved a strategic plan, outlining goals and establishing milestones, discussing the use of their simulation technologies to be expanded into the private sector, and developing a graduate studies program to teach the new technologies. Only several months later, VMASC received the largest contract award in ODU's history up to that time, totaling $12.2 million over five years from USACOM, proving President Koch's tremendous risk successful. The following year, ODU's newly instituted M&S Master's program admitted nine students, fulfilling another piece of President Koch's strategic plan.
A primary mission, since VMASC's founding, has always been the pursuit of academic success. The Center was among the first in the world to offer post-graduate and graduate degrees in modeling and simulation (M&S) and dedicated much of the growth and advancement of scholarly work in the field. Today, VMASC scholars and students engage with cutting-edge technologies and methods to advance knowledge and define the future of scholarship in M&S.
Bachelors in Science (B.S.)
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ABOUT: Modeling and Simulation Engineering is creating a concept, design or hypothesis and testing it in real-world conditions through: Graphical and Mathematical Models, Virtual Reality Simulations, Physics Based Serious Gaming, Computer Programming, 3-D Printed Models, and Statistical Analysis. At ODU’s main campus in Norfolk, VA, modeling and simulation engineering students have access to state-of-the-art facilities featuring several instructional and research laboratories, a virtual reality theater, and a four-walled C.A.V.E. (Cave Automatic Virtual Environment).
Undergraduate Minor
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ABOUT: This minor is a good fit for those who are majoring in computer science, physics, mathematics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and civil engineering at ODU. Students will learn how to formally model complex systems and then to use computer simulation to study the system behavior. Science and engineering students looking to improve their ability to study complex systems in their field through the use of computer simulations will benefit from the simulation application track as they already have the prerequisite math, science, and programming coursework. The development track focuses on the software development of simulations. The application track focuses on the use of simulation tools.
Masters in Science (M.S.)
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ABOUT: Further your background in modeling and simulation with a master of science degree. Our 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. The master’s degree in modeling and simulation (M&S) emphasizes a strong, common subject core while providing the student with the flexibility to design a plan of study to meet each individual’s study objectives and needs. The program’s subject core consists of: an overview of modeling and simulation; an in-depth exploration of specific simulation methodological approaches; simulation system modeling principles and techniques; an introduction to computer visualization and visual simulation; and principles of stochastic analysis. This provides the mechanisms for the simulationist to work across disciplines and domains while maintaining a common frame of reference for communication, technical specialization, and advanced study and research.
Doctor in Philosophy (Ph.D.)
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ABOUT: Further your background and expertise with a PhD in modeling and simulation. This is a rigorous research program designed to train individuals for careers in teaching and research in the public or private sector. Students will have the opportunity to work with our faculty on research projects and gain experience solving real world problems.
Doctor in Engineering (D.Eng.)
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ABOUT: Further your background and expertise with a doctor of engineering degree in modeling and simulation. The D. Eng. in Modeling and Simulation program focuses on developing the advanced knowledge and skills to enable the graduate to conduct and lead advanced technical projects in an engineering environment. Graduates will have developed the highest possible capability to provide innovative solutions in modeling and simulation engineering endeavors. They will meet the highest standards for advanced level engineering and leadership positions in industry and government.
STUDENT CAPSTONE CONFERENCE
Student presentations afford them the opportunity to impart their innovative research to members of the M&S community from academic, industry, and government backgrounds.
VMASC has hosted the Student Capstone Conference since 2007 as an initiative for students from the ODU M&S graduate program and other U.S. universities to present their work in a number of concentration areas. Students present their research to an audience of fellow students, faculty, judges, and other distinguished guests. For the students, these presentations allow them to impart their innovative research to members of the M&S community from academic, industry, and government backgrounds.
The MSV Student Capstone Conference offers six presentation tracks this year of 2021: Business & Industry, Virtual Environments, General Sciences & Engineering, Infrastructure Security/Military Application, Medical Simulation, and Transportation, Education & Training. Each track has two awards: the best paper and the best presentation. The overall winner of the conference will be honored with the Gene Newman award.
The award was established by previous VMASC Executive Director, Mike McGinnis, in 2007; the award is given for overall best presentation, best paper, and research contribution. The Gene Newman Award for Excellence in M&S Research is an award that honors Mr. Eugene Newman for his pioneering effort in supporting and advancing modeling and simulation. Mr. Newman played a significant role in the creation of VMASC by realizing the need for credentialed experts in the M&S workforce, both military and industry. His foresight has affected both the economic development and the high level of expertise in the M&S community of Hampton Roads. The Students receiving this award will have proven themselves to be outstanding researchers and practitioners of modeling and simulation.
Scholarly Community
OUR ACADEMIC HISTORY
We progress digital innovation and thought leadership through revolutionary model and design thinking in the simulation science field.
VMASC was created in 1997 at the request of the Department of Defense (DoD) to establish a wargaming center in Hampton Roads that needed both workforce research and development (R&D) and development support in the modeling and simulation (M&S) field. At the time, ODU's Director of Military Activities, Captain Dick Whalen, USN-Ret., and Old Dominion University President, James Koch, were already eager to seek military partnership opportunities due to tight budgets of higher education. In response, ODU President Koch front-ended the first $500,000 when Old Dominion University did not have much money, taking a tremendous risk.
In February of 1997, President Koch approved a strategic plan, outlining goals and establishing milestones, discussing the use of their simulation technologies to be expanded into the private sector, and developing a graduate studies program to teach the new technologies. Only several months later, VMASC received the largest contract award in ODU's history up to that time, totaling $12.2 million over five years from USACOM, proving President Koch's tremendous risk successful. The following year, ODU's newly instituted M&S Master's program admitted nine students, fulfilling another piece of President Koch's strategic plan.
A primary mission, since VMASC's founding, has always been the pursuit of academic success. The Center was among the first in the world to offer post-graduate and graduate degrees in modeling and simulation (M&S) and dedicated much of the growth and advancement of scholarly work in the field. Today, VMASC scholars and students engage with cutting-edge technologies and methods to advance knowledge and define the future of scholarship in M&S.
STUDENT CAPSTONE CONFERENCE
Student presentations afford them the opportunity to impart their innovative research to members of the M&S community from academic, industry, and government backgrounds.
VMASC has hosted the Student Capstone Conference since 2007 as an initiative for students from the ODU M&S graduate program and other U.S. universities to present their work in a number of concentration areas. Students present their research to an audience of fellow students, faculty, judges, and other distinguished guests. For the students, these presentations allow them to impart their innovative research to members of the M&S community from academic, industry, and government backgrounds.
The MSV Student Capstone Conference offers six presentation tracks this year of 2021: Business & Industry, Virtual Environments, General Sciences & Engineering, Infrastructure Security/Military Application, Medical Simulation, and Transportation, Education & Training. Each track has two awards: the best paper and the best presentation. The overall winner of the conference will be honored with the Gene Newman award.
The award was established by previous VMASC Executive Director, Mike McGinnis, in 2007; the award is given for overall best presentation, best paper, and research contribution. The Gene Newman Award for Excellence in M&S Research is an award that honors Mr. Eugene Newman for his pioneering effort in supporting and advancing modeling and simulation. Mr. Newman played a significant role in the creation of VMASC by realizing the need for credentialed experts in the M&S workforce, both military and industry. His foresight has affected both the economic development and the high level of expertise in the M&S community of Hampton Roads. The Students receiving this award will have proven themselves to be outstanding researchers and practitioners of modeling and simulation.