Command, Control, Communications, Computing and Intelligence (C4I)
systems are essential to our national security. History provides many examples of how
C4I
has influenced the outcome of an engagement or an entire conflict. In spite of
its importance there is not an adequate intellectual base for the
C4I
area, and comprehensive educational programs in
C4I
do not exist in civil institutions.
To fill these needs, the
Center of Excellence in C4I
at George Mason University is the nation's first and only civilian university-based
entity offering a comprehensive academic and research program in military applications
of information technology. The center performs research in sensing and fusion, C3 architectures,
communications and signal processing, command support and intelligent systems, modeling and
simulation, and information systems. The center is allied with multiple academic departments,
including Computer Science, Electrical/Computer/Telecommunications Engineering, Statistics,
Systems Engineering and Operations Research. The last of these offers Master of Science in
Systems Engineering with a major in C4I and also graduate certificates in both C4I and
Military Operations Research.