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Courses

To earn the Bachelor of Science in Information Sciences and Technology degree program you must complete a minimum 125 credits. 

  • 84 credits required for the major
    • 29 prescribed credits
    • 10 additional credits
    • 21 supporting courses and related areas credits
    • 24 option credits (Integration and Application or Design and Development)
  • 45 General Education credits (12 of these credits are included in the requirements for the major)
  • 8 credits of electives

The prescribed core courses focus on developing theoretical foundations and the skills needed for incorporating information technology into different systems to enhance or improve system performance. The emphasis is on providing the theoretical frameworks needed to use information technology, as well as application-oriented experiences and skills.

A student enrolled in this major must receive a grade of C or better in all courses required for the major.

Course List - Bachelor of Science in Information Sciences and Technology 

Prescribed Courses (29 credits)
Title Abbreviation Description Credits

Introduction to Programming

or

Introduction to Application Development

 CMPSC 101

or

IST 140		 Fundamentals of computational thinking including reasoning about problems at multiple levels of abstraction; and analyzing code for its behavior, efficiency, and correctness.

Prerequisite: 2 credits in mathematics

or

A first course in concepts and skills for application development.

Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in Math 021 or placement above the level of Math 021 in the mathematics placement test		 3 credits
Information, People, and Technology IST 110 The use, analysis, and design of information systems and technologies to organize, coordinate, and inform human enterprises. 3 credits
Organization of Data IST 210 Introduction to the concept of databases, including the storage, manipulation, evaluation, and display of data, and related issues. 3 credits
Networking and Telecommunications IST 220 Introduction to digital network topologies: transmission media, signal modulation, digital packet switching and routing, systems integration, communications management, and security. 3 credits
Language, Logic, and Discrete Mathematics IST 230 Introduction to formal languages, mathematical logic, and discrete mathematics, with applications to information sciences and technology.

Prerequisite: MATH 110 or MATH 140		 3 credits
Information and Organizations IST 301 Overview of organizational structures and functions. Includes information processing and analytic perspectives of organizations.

Prerequisite: IST 210, IST 220		 3 credits
Foundations of Human-Centered Design IST 331 Interdisciplinary survey of topics and methods related to the human-centered design use and usability of information systems.

Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in IST 240 or IST 242		 3 credits
Information Sciences and Technology Integration and Problem Solving IST 440W Problem-based approach to technology integration by focusing on real-life problems faced by an organization.

Prerequisite: ENGL 202C or ENGL 202D and seventh-semester standing (this course is intended for seniors)		 3 credits
Internship IST 495 Supervised off-campus, nongroup instruction including field experiences, practica, or internships. Written and oral critique of activity required.

Prerequisite: prior approval of proposed assignment by instructor

Internships provide valuable experience for students; however, we recognize that situations vary and some students, due to work or other commitments, are unable to adjust their schedules. You are encouraged to contact your adviser to make arrangements for suitable activities in lieu of an internship.		 1 credit
Elementary Statistics STAT 200 Descriptive statistics, frequency distributions, probability, binomial and normal distributions, statistical inference, linear regression, and correlation.

Prerequisite: Placement into MATH 21 or higher		 4 credits
Additional Courses (10 credits)
Title Abbreviation Credits
Introductory Microeconomic Analysis and Policy

OR

Introductory Macroeconomic Analysis and Policy		 ECON 102

OR

ECON 104		 3 credits
Effective Writing: Technical Writing

OR

Effective Writing: Business Writing

ENGL 202C

Prerequisite: ENGL 15, ESL 15, ENGL 30, and 4th Semester standing OR ENGL 137H, ENGL 138T, and 4th Semester standing

OR

ENGL 202D

Prerequisite: ENGL 15, ESL 15, ENGL 30, and 4th Semester standing OR ENGL 137H, ENGL 138T, and 4th Semester standing

 3 credits
Techniques of Calculus I MATH 110

Prerequisite: MATH 22 or MATH 40 or MATH 41 or satisfactory performance on the mathematics placement examination		 4 credits
Supporting Courses and Related Areas (21 credits)
Title Description Credits
Emerging Issues and Technologies Please consult your adviser to learn about additional options for this course requirement.  3 credits
Foreign Language Attainment of third-level proficiency in a single foreign language. Proficiency must be demonstrated by either examination or course work. 12 credits
International Courses in Foreign Cultures Select 6 credits in international courses in foreign culture from University-approved list (semesters: 5–8). 6 credits
General Education (45 credits**)
Description Credits
Arts – GA 6 credits
Humanities – GH 6 credits
Health and Wellness – GHW 3 credits
Natural Sciences – GN 9 credits
Social and Behavioral Sciences – GS 6 credits
Writing and Speaking – GWS* 9 credits
Quantification – GQ* 6 credits
Integrative Studies (6 credits)***

*A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better.

**12 credits are included in the requirements for the major.

***This requirement only applies to students starting in summer 2018 or later. Learn more about the Integrative Studies options and consult your academic adviser when choosing courses to fulfill these requirements. 

Electives (8 credits)
Description Credits
Courses chosen in consultation with an adviser. 8 credits

Please note: Among the above degree requirements, students should incorporate at least 3 credits in US cultures, 3 credits in international (IL) cultures, and 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 36 Penn State credits to earn this degree. Please consult an academic adviser for details.

Requirements for the Integration and Application Option (24 Credits)

Prescribed Courses (9 credits)
Title Abbreviation Description Credits
IT Project Management IST 302 Exploration and application of the basic concepts, methodologies, and tools of project management in the field of information sciences and technology.

Prerequisite: IST 210, IST 220		 3 credits
Fundamentals of Systems and Enterprise Integration IST 420

Introductory course on integration of information technology into different venues, including the planning, development, and implementation of the integration.

Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in IST 301, IST 302 AND a grade of C or better in IST 240 or IST 242

 3 credits
Advanced Enterprise Integration: Technologies and Applications IST 421 Advanced course on the integration of information technology into systems applications.

Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in IST 420		 3 credits
Additional Courses (Choose 3 credits)
Title Abbreviation Description Credits
Introduction to Computer Languages IST 240 Introduction to the specification and application of languages and language paradigms that interact with computers.

Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in CMPSC 101 or IST 140.  Recommended concurrent enrollment in IST 230.		 3 credits
Intermediate and Object-Oriented Application Development IST 242

Intermediate application development including algorithms, data structures, and object-oriented concepts.

Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in IST 140 or CMPSC 121 or IST 240

 3 credits
Supporting Courses and Related Areas (12 credits)
Description Credits
Select 12 credits from College-approved list in consultation with an advisor. 12 credits

Requirements for the Design and Development Option (24 Credits)

Prescribed Courses (6 credits)
Title Abbreviation Description Credits
Intermediate and Object-Oriented Application Development IST 242 Intermediate application development including algorithms, data structures, and object-oriented concepts.

Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in IST 140 or CMPSC 121 or IST 240		 3 credits
Object-Oriented Design and Software Applications IST 311 Introduction to object-oriented applications including applications in an Object Oriented Design (OOD) language or OOD languages.

Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in IST 242 or CMPSC 221		 3 credits
Additional Courses (Choose 3 credits)
Title Abbreviation Description Credits
Application Development Design Studio I IST 261 Introductory design and development studio course for IST and SRA students.

Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in IST 242 or permission of program		 3 credits
Application Development Design Studio II IST 361 Second of two design and development studio courses for IST and SRA students.

Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in IST 311 or permission of program		 3 credits
Additional Courses (Choose 6 credits)
Title Abbreviation Description Credits
Distributed-Object Computing IST 411 Introduction to distributed-object computing and its use in client/server and real-world computing applications.

Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in IST 311		 3 credits
The Engineering of Complex Software Systems IST 412 Introduction to the engineering of complex software systems including software system specification, design and implementation, integration and test, and evolution.

Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in IST 311		 3 credits
Usability Engineering IST 413 This course addresses activities in the system development process that ensure usability. It considers the emerging concept of usability, requirements gathering and analysis, activity design, information design, interaction design, documentation design, user testing and usability evaluation.

Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in IST 331		 3 credits
Supporting Courses and Related Areas (9 credits)
Description Credits
Select 9 credits from College-approved list in consultation with an advisor. 9 credits

 

Course Availability

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