Nov 08, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Information Technology, B.S.


Requirements for the major in information technology, B.S. program


The program in Information Technology (IT) leading to a bachelor of science (BS) degree prepares students for a successful professional career in IT, and for graduate study in information technology. The program provides students with the technical foundation of information technology, problem solving skills, and hands-on practice.  This will help students create and improve IT solutions by integrating existing and emerging technologies. This program prepares students for graduate studies and lifelong learning by providing them with the theoretical foundations of information technology and exposing them to areas of current and future practices. The pillars of IT include programming, networking, human-computer interaction, databases, information management, and web systems, built on a foundation of knowledge of the fundamentals of IT. The program also includes a strong professional component to develop skills in technical communication, ethics, and team work. The BS in Information Technology program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Program educational objectives

In the course of their careers, graduates of the Information Technology program will:

  • Work productively as problem solvers and providers of integrated IT solutions.
  • Remain current in their profession through lifelong learning, including graduate school.
  • Exhibit teamwork and leadership as well as exercise their profession with the highest level of ethics and social responsibility.

Course requirements (minimum of 128 total credits)

To earn the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in information technology, students must complete a minimum of 128 credits and meet the following requirements:

General education


The General Education Requirements are comprised of three parts: Foundations, Explorations, and Integration. In addition, U.S. Diversity requirements must also be met. For details, refer to the General Education section of the catalog.  In order to satisfy both general education and other program requirements, in some of the general education areas students should select from the courses listed below.

Foundations:

  • Writing Foundations (WRT 1060)
  • Formal Reasoning (Satisfied by MTH 1554 or MTH 1222; see Mathematics and sciences)

Explorations: One course from each of the seven Explorations areas

  • Arts
  • Language and Culture
  • Global Perspective
  • Literature
  • Natural Science and Technology (Satisfied by approved science elective; see Mathematics and sciences)
  • Social Science
  • Western Civilization (Satisfied by PHL 1310); see Additional Major Requirements)

Integration:

  • Knowledge Applications (Satisfied by APM 1663; see Mathematics and sciences)

U.S. Diversity:

  • May be met by an approved course in the Explorations area.

Writing Intensive and Capstone:

  • Capstone (Satisfied by CSI 4999; see Required professional subjects)
  • Writing Intensive in the Major (Satisfied by CSI 4999; see Required professional subjects)
  • Writing Intensive in General Education (may be met by an approved course in the Explorations area)

Additional Major Requirements

All students must complete the following requirement.

  • Professional Ethics: PHL 1310 - Introduction to Ethics in Science and Engineering

In order to graduate on-schedule without taking additional courses, it is highly recommended that students meet with an SECS Undergraduate Academic Adviser concerning the selection of all of their general education courses.

Mathematics and sciences


Professional track


Select two courses from one of the following professional tracks


System Administration Track

Bioinformatics Track

Game Development Track

Cybersecurity Track

Students following older catalogs will be able to count courses under one of the tracks listed above to satisfy their professional track requirements.

Professional training


Take 2 credits from one of the following courses:

Professional electives


Take 8 credits from the following courses:

Select CSI 2320 , CSI 2340 , CSI 2350 , CSI 2360 , or any CSI courses at 3000 or higher level. CSI 4950 - Internship  cannot be used to fulfill the professional electives requirements. Courses at the 5000-level require approval of the instructor.

Major Standing


To enroll in 3000- or higher level courses and to become candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Science with a major in Information Technology, students must gain major standing.  An application for major standing should be submitted prior to intended enrollment in 3000- or higher level courses.  Forms may be obtained from the SECS Undergraduate Advising Office or from the SECS website. At the time that major standing is approved, students with majors of Pre-Information Technology will have their major changed to Information Technology. Approval of both a major standing application and change of major to Information Technology is required prior to enrolling in any 3000- or higher-level courses.

To gain major standing Information Technology, students must:

A) have an average GPA of 2.0 in the following mathematics and science courses: Either MTH 1222  or MTH 1554 , STA 2221 , APM 1663  and approved science elective.

B) have an average GPA of 2.0 in the following information technology core courses: CSI 1210 , CSI 1320 , CSI 2300 , CSI 2440 , CSI 2470  and CSI 2999 .

C) have no more than two grades below C in the courses listed in A and B above.

D) have not attempted any course listed in A and B above more than three times.

E) have not repeated more than three different courses listed in A and B. Courses in which a W (withdrawal) grade is recorded will not be counted.

Conditional major standing may be granted in the semester in which the student will complete requirements A and B above.

Students who have questions about petition of exception, transfer credit, academic standing, major standing, or any other aspects of their degree programs should consult an academic adviser and other relevant sections of the undergraduate catalog.

Performance requirements


Satisfactory completion of the program requires an average grade of at least 2.0 within each group: mathematics and sciences, information technology core, and professional courses (including required professional subjects, professional track, communications, and professional electives). Within the professional courses at most two different courses may be repeated, a total of three attempts per course is permitted, and at most two grades below C are permitted. A grade of C or better in CSI 4999 (Senior Capstone Project) must be received.

Sample information technology schedule


Students entering the School of Engineering and Computer Science with the required background may follow a schedule such as the one indicated below. However, students will need additional time to complete the program if they do not have the required background upon entrance to the program.

Freshman year


Sophomore year


Fall semester – 16 credits

Winter semester – 18 credits

Junior year


Senior year


Fall semester – 14 credits