Information Technology (B.S.)

Information Technology is concerned with forming and maintaining computing environments for businesses and organizations. Information technicians chose, configure, and customize hardware and software, monitor performance and security of databases, web servers, and computer networks. 

Major Departmental Requirements 50 Credits

• CSC 119 - Introduction to UNIX/Linux (1 cr.)
• CSC 121 - Introduction to Computing and the Web (3 cr.) or
• CSC 124 - Communicating Data (3 cr.)
• CSC 217 - Discrete Mathematics with Computer Applications (3 cr.) or
• MAT 361 - Probability and Statistics (3 cr.)
• CSC 221 - Introduction to Programming (3 cr.)
• CSC 231 - Introduction to Programming Lab (1 cr.)
• CSC 320 - System Administration (3 cr.)
• CSC 324 - Information Visualization (3 cr.) or
• CSC 330 - Human Computer Interaction (3 cr.)
• CSC 335 - Project Management (3 cr.) or
• CSC 336 - Software Engineering I (3 cr.)
• CSC 341 - Introduction to Databases with Web Applications (3 cr.) or
• CSC 441 - Database Management Systems (3 cr.)
• CSC 352 - Computer Security (3 cr.)
• CSC 357 - Computer Networks (3 cr.)
• CSC 372 - Ethics in the Age of Technology and Information (3 cr.) (AWR)

Experiential Electives: (6 cr.)
Select six credits from the following:

• CSC 426 - Data Analytics Senior Project (3 cr.)  - may be repeated
• CSC 436 - Software Engineering II (3 cr.)  - may be repeated
• CSC 471 - Database Administration Studio (3 cr.)
• CSC 472 - Virtualization Studio (3 cr.)
• CSC 473 - System Administration Studio (3 cr.)
• CSC 477 - Network Administration Studio (3 cr.)
• CSC 496 - Instructional Practicum (1 to 2 cr.)  - may be repeated for up to 3 credits
• CSC 497 - Computing Practicum (1 to 3 cr.)  - may be repeated
• CSC 498 - Internship in Computer Science (1 to 15 cr.) - may be repeated for up to 3 credits

Other Electives: (12 cr.)
Select 12 credits from upper-level CSC courses with the following restrictions:

• Only three credits in CSC 311, CSC 312, CSC 313 can be counted
• Only three credits in CSC 471, CSC 472, CSC 473, CSC 477  that were not applied as Experiential Electives can be counted 
• No credits in CSC 426, CSC 436, CSC 496, CSC 497, CSC 498 can be counted.

Communication Elective: (3 cr.)
Select one course from the following:

• CMM 101 - Introduction to Public Speaking (3 cr.) or
• Additional AWR course
• Mathematics Prerequisite/Placement: (0-6 cr.)
• MAT 101 - Elementary College Mathematics (3 cr.) or equivalent (0-3 cr.)
• MAT 102 - Precalculus (3 cr.) or Calculus Readiness Test

Math Elective: (3-5 cr.)
Select one from the following options:

• BIO 333 - Biostatistics (3 cr.)
• CSC 322 - Data Modeling and Analysis (3 cr.)
• ECO 260 - Business Statistics I (3 cr.)
• ENV 333 - Biostatistics (3 cr.)
• MAT 161 - Introductory Statistics (3 cr.)
• MAT 104 - Trigonometry (1 cr.) and
• MAT 224 - Calculus I (4 cr.)

The Computer Science Department offers majors and minors in computer science (CS), computer security (Sec), and information technology (IT), and additional minors in bioinformatics, robotics, and web design and programming.

Computer Science Fields
Computer science explores programming and theoretical foundations of computing with emphasis on algorithms and mathematical principles. Computer scientists work on developing new designs for hardware and software. CS majors prepare for careers in software development or for graduate studies in any area of computing. If you dream about designing space missions at NASA, this can be your starting point!

• Computer security deals with major challenges experienced whenever computers are used in all sectors of life: small businesses, large corporations, organizations, law enforcement, the military and the government. Computer security professionals analyze and counteract threats to networks and computer systems, detect intrusions and assure privacy. This work is highly valued and demand for professionals with such an expertise is expected only to grow. To work in computer security one needs a very rigorous preparation including fundamentals of hardware and software.
• Information technology is concerned with forming and maintaining computing environments for businesses and organizations. Information technicians chose and configure hardware and software, monitor performance and security of databases, web servers and computer networks. If you dream about providing computing support at the 21st century level, IT is for you! IT technicians are sought in health care, financial or educational services, commerce and manufacturing. As our IT major requires only a small number of credits, it can be easily taken as a second major.

Job Outlook

• According to recent job market analysis, computing jobs form one of the fastest-growing segments and will remain in that position for a number of years. Because of security concerns, most current and future computing jobs will not be subject to outsourcing — they will remain in the country. Altogether, computer science, computer security and information technology are excellent career choices for life.

Which Major is Best for You?

• If you like programming, problem solving and math, choose the CS major. And if you want to make it even stronger, add the Sec or IT Minor.
• If you like problem solving and math, choose the Sec major. And if you want to make it even stronger, add the CS or IT Minor.

If you like problem solving or are not sure what major to choose, start with the IT major — it requires a smaller number of credits and gives you flexible options:

• You can later switch to CS or Sec Major
• If you decide to build more strength in IT, you can add Sec or CS Minor
• You can add a second major. The 40 credits devoted to IT B.A. should still be quite easy to complete. But if you wish, you can replace the IT major with a minor. Your knowledge and skills in IT will nicely complement those of another area and will be highly marketable when you start looking for a job.
• Because of an overlap in requirements for CS, Sec and IT majors, it is easy to switch after one semester from one major to another.
• In the case of computing disciplines, a B.S. (Bachelor of Science) degree is more respected than a B.A. (Bachelor of Arts); a B.A. version of a computing major is typically used only as a second major.
• Double majors are encouraged, but you cannot choose two of the CS, Sec and IT majors, because they share many courses.
• To strengthen a computing major, add a minor in another area of computing. In the case of minors in IT, CS or Sec, 6–7 credits can be counted towards both the major and the minor, so instead of taking 18–22 credits for the minor, you need only 12–15.

Credits Required for Majors and Minors
All require 33 general education credits in addition to credits toward the major.
Computing majors:

• CS major (B.S. — 58 cr., and B.A. — 49 cr.)
• Sec major (B.S. — 56 cr.)
• IT major (B.S. — 52 cr., and B.A. — 40 cr.)
• Computing minors:
• CS minor (add 12 cr. to the major)
• Sec minor (add 15 cr. to the major)
• IT minor (add 12 cr. to the major)

Interdisciplinary minors related to computing:

• Bioinformatics minor for computer science students (add 18–21 cr. to the major)
• Robotics minor — physics emphasis (add 12–19 cr. to the major)
• Web design and programming minor (add 12–18 cr. to the major)

Some of our students choose a double major, or a major and a minor, or even a major and two minors; they enroll in the honors program or write a thesis for an advanced honors project. They also register as teaching assistants at our department or work as tutors in the Learning Center. We encourage you to consider right from the start how you can distinguish yourself.

Internships

• Internships provide valuable work experience prior to graduation and allow students to establish future employment contacts. The internship program is an opportunity for you to gain practical experience and technical skills in an area of computing that interests you. Our student interns typically work in the same roles as they would after graduation, but other types of work can be submitted for approval as well.

Internship Areas

• Software Development/Computer Programmer
• System programmer
• Network programmer
• Web programmer
• Graphic user interface programmer
• Computer hardware technician
• Administrator
• System administrator
• Network administrator
• Database administrator
• Web server administrator

Some on-campus internships are available at our department, others at Computing Systems and Desktop Support or Computer Information Systems Department. Off-campus internships are offered by many companies and government agencies. See Dr. Delbert Hart in our department to get started. If you are interested in off campus internships consult also Career Development Center. Persons on a student visa should consult with the International Student Services about participating in an off-campus internship.

It is essential to plan and prepare early in your college career for the kind of experience you desire. Contact the Career Development Center and Dr. Hart to learn about knowledge and skills which can be useful.

Additional Degrees in Computer Science
Major Programs

• Computer Science Major
• Computer Security Major
• Robotics Major

Minor Programs

• Bioinformatics Minors
• Computer Science Minor
• Computer Security Minor
• Data Analytics Minor
• Information Technology Minor
• Robotics Minor
• Web Design & Programming Minor