About

The Department of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) initiated its first step toward realizing a collegial, interdisciplinary, and inclusive educational institution as a BSIT program in 2002. Since then, the department has evolved into IST, with more than 44 faculty, 6 staff, and over 1,500 undergraduate and graduate students who specialize in information science and technology.

Our Vision

To lead excellence and innovation in research, teaching, and service in addressing societal problems using information sciences and technology.

IST promotes and maintains a departmental research culture by providing the facilities, means, and incentives for outstanding research. IST provides excellent education with leading-edge courses, by leveraging innovative instructional methods and emphasizing the enhanced student experience. IST provides continuous advising and mentorship to the students, faculty, and staff as well as ongoing service to the college, university, alumni, and the community.

IST places its highest priority on realizing growth by exploring and expanding knowledge and education in directions that align with stakeholder prosperity and students' career success.

Acting Department Chair
Read the Department Chair's Welcome Letter

Visit Us

IST students have access to a wide variety of labs, classrooms, and meeting spaces, in locations across two campuses that enhance their core studies, enable them to pursue their own projects, and support all levels of study.

The front of the Nguyen Engineering building has a brick structure, with large glass windows and lawns and trees surrounding it.
Vist Fairfax Campus

Fairfax Campus offers academic programs in nine colleges and schools and contains residence halls that house more than 6,000 of our 37,000-plus students. This location lies within 25 minutes of downtown Washington, D.C.

Katherine G. Johnson Hall on Mason's SciTech campus has long, steel columns, a brick structure, and glass windows.
Visit SciTech Campus

The Science and Technology Campus provides 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.

Centers and Labs

Our computer labs house more than 300 workstations for different purposes to support student learning and research. We also support students with the particular hardware or software that students may need for projects.

IST in the News