The McLeod Institute
The McLeod Institute of Simulation Sciences (MISS) was established in the
College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology in collaboration with the Society for Computer Simulation International
(SCS), as a focus for research, development, and educational innovation which
makes use of the techniques of computer simulation. The Institute is named
after Mr. John McLeod, P.E., the founder of the Society for Computer Simulation
International and the founder and first Editor of its journal, Simulation.
The CSU, Chico McLeod Institute of Simulation Sciences is one element of a
cooperating international network of technical centers for computer simulation
affiliated with the Society for Computer Simulation International.
The CSU, Chico MISS center is a fully autonomous unit of this group of
simulation research, development and educational centers.
Chico and the University
The University is located in Chico, a pleasant, friendly community of 90,000
people situated almost 100 miles north of Sacramento at the foothills of the
Sierra Nevada. Chico has a moderate climate which experiences the four seasons
of the year, with very warm summers and mild winters. Many of northern
California's recreational facilities - such as Mt. Lassen, Mt. Shasta, and Lake
Tahoe with their skiing, hiking, and fishing areas - are all within easy
driving distance of the campus. Bidwell Park, one of the largest municipal
parks in the nation, is located in Chico.
CSU, Chico has grown from Chico Normal School established in 1887 to its
present enrollment of 14,000 students with over 800 faculty and over 600 staff
members.
General Admission Information
Admission to any master's degree program at California State University, Chico,
requires that a student hold an acceptable baccalaureate from an institution
accredited by a regional accrediting association or an equivalent qualification
acceptable to the Graduate School. In addition, to be admitted as a regular
student, one must have earned a grade point average of 2.75 in the last 60
semester units and a 3.0 in the last 30 semester units attempted, or a
postgraduate grade point average of 3.0 in no fewer than 12 units of letter
graded graduate-level course work. Those with good academic records in their
junior and senior years are encouraged to inquire regardless of their overall
grade point average.
(See "Prerequisites for Admission to Conditionally Classified Status").
Applications are available from:
In addition, The University Catalog provides complete information on the campus,
its programs and requirements, and is available for $8.60 (including postage)
from:
Course Requirements for the Master's Degree: 30 Units
Typically the student will take 9 units of his/her course work in a core that
includes computer simulation. The remainder is divided between technical
courses and interdisciplinary studies. Course work can vary considerably
according to the interests of the student. Students wishing to discuss and
gain approval for proposed programs should contact the McLeod Institute or the
Graduate School.
Students may choose from a broad range of disciplines to support their
education. Some of these topics are:
2. A satisfactory academic record which demonstrates that the applicant is well motivated and well qualified to study advanced topics for application of simulation subjects.
3. An acceptable statement of purpose explaining the applicant's academic and professional interests and objectives (see also "Literacy Requirement").
4. A minimum grade point average is not specified for admission to conditionally classified status, but the documentation submitted by the applicant must reflect potential for success in graduate studies. Some students may be requested to take certain additional undergraduate courses beyond the 30 credits required for the master's degree.
5. Foreign students must have a score of 550 or greater on the TOEFL examination or must complete EFL 017 or the equivalent.
1. Students must have successfully completed 12 units of 200/300 level work towards the degree with a grade point average of 3.0.
2. Students must have selected a major advisor, and a graduate advisory
committee. They must have their programs approved by their graduate committee
and signed by their major advisor and an institute graduate advisor.
Advancement to Candidacy:
Students must have attained classified graduate standing, as previously
specified, and must have satisfactorily completed a total of 21 units of their
approved program.
Specific Requirements for the Degree:
Completion of all requirements as established by the McLeod Institute graduate
committee and the Graduate School is required and includes the following:
1. Completion of an approved program of 30 units of 200/300 level courses. At least 18 units of the course work must be 300 level courses.
2. Completion of one of the following plans.
Prior to embarking on one of these plans, the student must select a graduate advisory committee consisting of a major advisor and at least two additional faculty members. A formal written report is required under each plan, which must be submitted to the graduate committee for approval. Once approved, the report will be submitted to the Graduate School, the McLeod Institute, the interdisciplinary department(s), and collaborating industrial firm (when appropriate), where copies will be kept.
3. Final Examination
The graduate program of study will culminate in a comprehensive examination,
which will consist of an oral defense open to the public, at which the student
presents the results of the analytical review, project, or thesis research.
This may be followed by a period of questioning by the student's graduate
committee on the student's course of study. The successful oral defense of the
student's course of study and project as judged by the committee will complete
the requirements for the degree. Formal degree conferral will require approval
by a McLeod Institute Graduate Advisor as well as the University Graduate
Council on behalf of the faculty of the University.
Literacy Requirement:
Writing proficiency is a graduation requirement. Prior to admission to
classified status in the graduate program, the student must submit a statement
of purpose, i.e., at least several paragraphs, describing his/her goal in
pursuing the Interdisciplinary Studies Master's Degree in Simulation Science
and how the selected courses and culminating activity (analytical review,
project, or thesis) will help in achieving that goal. This rationale for
undertaking the interdisciplinary program will be used to fulfill the graduate
literacy requirement and must reflect an appropriate level of writing
proficiency. Writing proficiency will also be evaluated in 300-level courses.
Grading Requirements and Core Courses:
All courses in the program will be taken for a letter grade except 398,
Independent Study; 399P, Master's Project; and 399T, Master's Thesis.
Students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average from the time of admission
and in all course work in the approved master's program, as well as in all
course work which may be required prior to admission to classified status.
A 'C' or better must be earned in each class taken.
The nine unit core in Simulation should be selected from the following three simulation areas:
1. Discrete Systems Simulation: 3 units minimum
2. Continuous Systems Simulation: 3 units minimum
3. Dynamic System Simulation Methodology: 3 units minimum
Special requirements for the SIMULATION SCIENCE
AND MATHEMATICS Master of Science degree:
Students must complete at least 12 units of 200/300 level Mathematics courses
as part of the student's graduate work at CSU, Chico or possess a B.S. degree in mathematics. Students must also
include at least one Mathematics and Statistics Department faculty member on
their graduate advisory committee as well as have their program approved by
the chair (or designee) of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.