For those pursuing a IE Ph.D. degree with a ISTS concentration, you can expect to be examined on the areas below during the ISTS portion of the Qualifier Examination.  These areas include:

1. modeling of the Synthetic Natural Environment (SNE) (Graphics, physics, dynamics, etc);
2. modeling of Synthetic Entities (SE) (Graphical, behavioral, intelligence, etc.);
3. construction/configuration/selection of simulation system platforms (Hardware systems, operating systems, etc.);
4. construction/configuration/selection of computer system interfaces for human interaction (HMD, Gloves, Head/Eye tracking, Motion platforms, etc.);
5. development of distributed, simulation communications infrastructures/protocols/languages/standards (DIS, HLA, Internet, etc.);
6. development of advanced distributed learning techniques/methodologies (Novel and compelling simulation system and/or content design, measurement of individual, team and organizational learning and training, etc.), and
7. development of technologies/techniques/methodologies that enable the development and integration of simulation into operational systems (C4I activities, embedded training, systems engineering).

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