Course List - Associate in Science in Information Sciences and Technology
Requirements for the Major (45–47 credits)
This includes 9–12 credits of General Education, including 3 credits in GQ courses and 6 credits in GWS courses.
| Prescribed Courses (21 credits) | ||
| IST 110* (GS) | Information, People, and Technology The use, analysis, and design of information systems and technologies to organize, coordinate, and inform human enterprises. |
3 credits |
| IST 111S* | Seminar in Information Sciences and Technology Introduction to academic requirements, career planning, and information literacy for students majoring in the School of Information Sciences and Technology. |
1 credit |
| IST 210* | Organization of Data Introduction to concept of databases, including the storage, manipulation, evaluation, and display of data, and related issues. Prerequisite: IST 110 |
4 credits |
| IST 220* | Networking and Telecommunications Introduction to digital network topologies; transmission media, signal modulation, digital packet switching and routing, systems integration, communications management, and security. Prerequisite: IST 110 |
3 credits |
| IST 250 | New Media and the Web Introduction to how the World Wide Web utilizes emerging technologies. Students acquire conceptual understanding of constructing Web sites. Prerequisite or concurrent: IST 110 |
3 credits |
| IST 260W | Introduction to Systems Analysis and Design Introduction to systems analysis and design, stressing the process of requirements acquisition, specification, design, and implementation. Prerequisite: IST 110 |
3 credits |
|
IST 295A*‡ or IST 295B*‡ |
Distributed Team Project Supervised experience in which student teams work on information system design projects gathered from industry or units within the University. Prerequisite: IST 110 IST Internship Supervised work experience in which the student is employed in an information sciences and technology position in industry, government, or academia. Prerequisite: IST 110 |
1 credit |
| Prescribed General Education Courses (12 credits) | ||
| CAS 100B (GWS) | Effective Speech | 3 credits |
| CMPSC 101 (GQ)* | Introduction to C++ Programming | 3 credits |
| ENGL 015 (GWS) | Rhetoric and Composition | 3 credits |
|
ENGL 202C (GWS) or |
Effective Writing: Technical Writing Effective Writing: Business Writing |
3 credits |
| Requirements for the Generalized Business Option (choose 15–16 credits) | ||
| ACCT 211 | Financial and Managerial Accounting for Decision Making | 4 credits |
| B A 250 | Problems of Small Business | 3 credits |
|
ECON 102 (GS) or |
Introductory Microeconomic Analysis and Policy Introductory Macroeconomic Analysis and Policy |
3 credits |
|
MATH 017 (GQ) or |
Finite Mathematics College Algebra I |
3 credits |
| MKTG 220 | Personal Selling | 3 credits |
| MGMT 321 | Leadership and Motivation | 3 credits |
| Requirements for the Individualized Option (15 credits) | ||
| The student, in consultation with their adviser, selects 15 credits in courses which follow a coherent theme in information sciences and technology. |
| Requirements for the Baccalaureate Option (17 credits) | ||
| ECON 102 | Introductory Microeconomic Analysis and Policy | 3 credits |
| IST 230 | Language, Logic, and Discrete Mathematics | 3 credits |
| IST 240 | Introduction to Computer Languages | 3 credits |
| MATH 110 | Techniques of Calculus I | 4 credits |
| STAT 200 | Elementary Statistics | 4 credits |
| General Education (21 credits) | ||
| ARTS – GA | 3 credits | |
| Humanities – GH | 3 credits | |
| Health and Physical Activity – GHA | 3 credits | |
| Natural Sciences – GN | 3 credits | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences – GS | 3 credits | |
| Writing and Speaking – GWS CAS 100: Effective Speech ENGL 015: Rhetoric and Composition |
6 credits | |
| Quantification – GQ CMPSC 101: Introduction to C++ Programming |
3 credits | |
* IST degree students must receive a grade of C or higher in these courses.
‡ IST students may be able to receive full academic credit for the required IST 295A and 295B courses by submitting a portfolio of technical work samples created from their full-time work experiences that are no more than two years old.
Electives (2–6 credits)
Elective courses are not specifically outlined for the student and can come from many different disciplines. For assistance in choosing elective courses best suited for you, please see the online course catalog to review the available course offerings, and consult with your adviser when necessary.
NOTE: To earn your associate degree in a timely manner, we suggest completing 6 courses every 12 months. Listed prerequisites may be waived by the course instructor if you can demonstrate the required level of competency.
NOTE: Among the above degree requirements, students should incorporate at least 3 credits in US or international (IL) cultures courses, as well as 3 credits in writing across the curriculum courses. The above course list includes only courses offered by World Campus. An official degree audit or the recommended academic plan for this program may include additional course options and detailed requirements. All students are expected to complete at least 18 Penn State credits to earn this degree. Please consult an academic adviser for details.