Facilities

COLA Computing

The intensive numerical climate modeling and analysis of huge volumes of data which are required for COLA research projects create requirements for computational, storage and visualization capabilities.  The COLA computing and networking facilities include compute nodes for analysis of large volumes of model output and observational data. COLA provides about 15 compute/analysis servers each having 8 to 24 cores, all running CentOS Linux.

COLA currently maintains a number of high-performance disk arrays, currently with a total capacity of over 2 PB available for the storage of model output and observational data.   Server nodes and disk arrays are connected to dual 10Gigabit ethernet networks. All COLA servers are operated in a secure, conditioned facility having ample power and Internet connectivity. The data center is connected to Internet2 and other  high-speed wide-area networks. 

COLA scientists developed the Grid Analysis and Display System (GrADS; http://cola.gmu.edu/grads/grads.php), an interactive desktop tool that is in use worldwide for the analysis and display of Earth science data. 

Undergraduate Computing

A compute server with 2 TB for data storage is dedicated to research projects and class work of majors in atmospheric sciences. The server is running plotting and image processing software used in atmospheric sciences, meteorology, climatology, oceanography and other Earth Science disciplines, all built on the CentOS Linux platform. 

Fairfax Campus
The Fairfax Campus location, Mason's original campus, is the principal center for undergraduate studies, with residence halls that house more than 6,000 of our 37,000-plus students. The campus, on 677 wooded acres within 25 minutes of downtown Washington, D.C., offers academic programs in nine colleges and schools:

Science and Technology Campus 
The Science and Technology Campus, formerly known as the Prince William Campus, was established in Manassas, Virginia, in 1997. This campus provides convenient university access for citizens of Prince William, Fauquier, and western Fairfax counties; the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park, and adjoining areas to the west and south. The campus is often referred to as SciTech.

Arlington Campus
George Mason University’s Arlington Campus is located in the Virginia Square neighborhood of Arlington County. The Arlington Campus hosts the Antonin Scalia Law School, the Schar School of Policy and Government, the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, programs in Arts Management and the School of Business, and continuing professional education through Mason’s Executive and Professional Education. Most of the programs offered are at the graduate and professional levels.

Mason’s Biomedical Research Laboratory (BRL)
The BRL, classified as Biosafety Level-3, allows scientists to research infectious diseases as well as both emerging and potential bio-threat agents. The BRL supports research programs of the Center for Infectious Disease Research (CIDR), and provides students the opportunity to perform groundbreaking research on diseases such as the influenza virus, Rift Valley Fever, Zika, HIV, Bacillus anthracis, and more.

Potomac Science Center
The Potomac Science Center serves as a focal point for connecting science at Mason with the local community. Home to the College of Science’s Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center, the Potomac Science Center is a place for environmental education, for scientific research, and for community outreach and connection. The facility includes teaching labs and smart classrooms, as well as eight research lab suites including aquatic ecology and wet chemistry labs and geospatial computer labs. The center also features a hands-on discovery lab for K-12 students, collaborative space, an exhibit hall, and special event space for hosting a variety of mission-related activities.

The Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation (SMSC)
The SMSC occupies part of the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) in Front Royal, Virginia. Nestled alongside the Shenandoah National Park, the entire facility covers 3,200 acres of forest, grassland, and pastures. An active research facility, SCBI houses a range of endangered mammals, birds, and amphibians, which creates a compelling and engaging learning environment for program participants.

Mason’s Crime Scene House
The Crime Science House offers real-life experience for forensic science students to immerse themselves in evidence collection from a variety of authentic mock crime scenes. These graduate students practice processing evidence in the Crime Scene House.

The Greenhouse classrooms
Located on the roof of Exploratory Hall, the greenhouse classrooms provide students with the opportunity to work with a wide variety of plants, from species indigenous to Virginia, to rare plants from Madagascar. Our greenhouse, under the direction of the Biology Department, uses new technology such as a fully automated climate control system, a drip irrigation system, and automated shades and vents to simulate the various growing environments. The Biology Department also maintains the Ted R. Bradley Herbarlum, a collection of dried, pressed plant specimens used for the teaching global research.

Mason’s Observatory
The George Mason Observatory, supported by the Department of Physics and Astronomy, provides opportunities for students to conduct research while working directly with observatory equipment that includes a 32″ Ritchey-Chretien Telescope, 12″ Cassegrain (Mancini), 6″ Solar Telescope, 16″ Dobsonian (Strickland), 2 Meade 12″ SCTs and two telescopes from Mason’s original observatory. The observatory also offers tours and events for the public. 

The Ted R. Bradley Herbarium
The Ted R. Bradley Herbarium is an internationally-recognized scientific collection of dried, pressed plant specimens that are maintained for research and teaching. Its specimens are prepared with archival-quality materials, are intended to last for centuries, and are loaned to researchers nationwide and around the world. The Herbarium aims to engage the next generation of botanists and champions the careful stewardship of Virginia’s plant diversity through hands-on education, collections-based research, and public outreach.