ODU Unveils New Modeling and Simulation Certificate Program for Navy Personnel

July 22, 2014

A ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, July 21, marked the unveiling of a new certificate in modeling and simulation (M&S) from Old Dominion University developed specially for Navy personnel in support of NAVAIR University, College of Test and Evaluation School of Modeling and Simulation in Maryland.

The ceremony at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland was attended by retired U.S. Navy Vice Adm. David Architzel, ODU military affairs director, and John Sokolowski, executive director of ODU's Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center (VMASC).

"This is an exciting time for NAVAIR and Old Dominion University. This M&S certificate program represents a great opportunity to advance the vision of how modeling and simulation can and should be used in the development and fielding of integrated and interoperable weapons systems and capabilities," Architzel said. "It enables those we train to apply the tools and principles of M&S across the entire spectrum of the acquisition life cycle. This is the start of a major transformation in how new weapons systems will be tested and delivered in the very near future."

Twenty students will take part in the program's four courses to complete graduate level certification, with continuing master's degree work available through ODU's Department of Modeling, Simulation and Visualization Engineering (MSVE). Those involved in the partnership are already looking towards expanding the M&S certificate program within the Navy and the Department of Defense.

"VMASC, in partnership with the Department of Modeling, Simulation and Visualization Engineering in ODU's Frank Batten College of Engineering and Technology, sees this as an important partnership to advance the art and science of modeling and simulation to address real-world capabilities," Sokolowski said.

Rick McKenzie, professor and chair of MSVE at ODU, said the graduate certificate program in modeling and simulation fits the needs of NAVAIR University, College of Test and Evaluation School of Modeling and Simulation. Old Dominion is the only university in the country that offers a complete advanced education in modeling and simulation engineering, from undergraduate to post-doctoral.

"It is a unique military-academic partnership to bring our modeling and simulation resources to better prepare the Navy's acquisition professionals for their role in designing, assessing and acquiring simulation capability in support of the Navy's mission," McKenzie said.