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Bachelor of Science in
Information Sciences and Technology
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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
    • 26 prescribed credits
    • 13 additional credits
    • 21 supporting courses and related areas credits
    • 24 option credits (Integration and Application or Design and Development)
  • 8 credits of electives
  • 45 General Education credits (12 of these credits are included in the requirements for the major)

The prescribed 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.

Prescribed Courses (26 credits)

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all prescribed courses except STAT 200.

  • 3
    credits

    The use, analysis, and design of information systems and technologies to organize, coordinate, and inform human enterprises.

  • 3
    credits

    Introduction to the concept of databases, including the storage, manipulation, evaluation, and display of data, and related issues.

  • 3
    credits

    Introduction to digital network topologies, transmission media, signal modulation, digital packet switching and routing, systems integration, communications management, and security.

  • 3
    credits

    Introduction to formal languages, mathematical logic, and discrete mathematics, with applications to information sciences and technology.

    • Prerequisite

      MATH 110 or MATH 140

  • 3
    credits

    Overview of organizational structures and functions. Includes information processing and analytic perspectives of organizations.

    • Prerequisite

      IST 210 and IST 220

  • 3
    credits

    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

    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)

  • 1
    credit

    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

    • Note

      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.

  • 4
    credits

    Descriptive Statistics, frequency distributions, probability and normal distributions, statistical inference, linear regression, and correlation.

    • Prerequisite

      Placement into MATH 21 or higher.

Additional Courses (13 credits)

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all additional courses.

    • 3
      credits

      Methods of economic analysis and their use; price determination; theory of the firm; distribution.

    • 3
      credits

      National income measurement; aggregate economic models; money and income; policy problems.

    • 3
      credits

      Writing for students in scientific and technical disciplines.

      • Prerequisite

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

    • 3
      credits

      Writing reports and other common forms of business communication.

      • Prerequisite

        (ENGL 15 or ESL 15 or ENGL 30) and 4th-semester standing OR (ENGL 137H and ENGL 138T) and 4th-semester standing

    • 3
      credits

      A first course in concepts and skills for application development.

      • Prerequisite

        C or better in MATH 21 or placement above the level of Math 21 in the mathematics placement test.

    • 3
      credits

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

      • Prerequisite

        2 entrance units in mathematics

  • 4
    credits

    Introduces and develops the mathematical skills required for analyzing change, and the underlying mathematical behaviors that model real-life economics and financial applications. Develops student knowledge of calculus techniques, and how to use a calculus framework to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

    • Prerequisite

      MATH 22 or MATH 40 or MATH 41 or satisfactory performance on the mathematics placement examination

Supporting Courses and Related Areas (21 credits)

  • Emerging Issues and Technologies (3 credits): Please consult your adviser to learn about additional options for this course requirement.
  • Foreign Language (12 credits): Attainment of third-level proficiency in a single foreign language. Proficiency must be demonstrated by either examination or course work.
  • International Courses in Foreign Cultures (6 credits): Select 6 credits in international courses in foreign culture from University-approved list (semesters: 5–8).

Options (24 credits)

Customize your path by choosing one of the 24-credit degree options:

Design and Development Option

Prescribed Courses for the Design and Development Option (6 credits)

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all prescribed courses for the option.

  • 3
    credits

    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

    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

Studio Courses for the Design and Development Option (select 3 credits)

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all studio courses for the option.

  • 3
    credits

    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

    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

Additional Courses for the Design and Development Option (select 6 credits)

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all additional courses for the option.

  • 3
    credits

    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

    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

    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

Supporting Courses and Related Areas for the Design and Development Option (9 credits)

Select 9 credits from College-approved list in consultation with an adviser.

Integration and Application Option

Prescribed Courses for the Integration and Application Option (9 credits)

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all prescribed courses for the option.

  • 3
    credits

    Exploration and application of the basic concepts, methodologies, and tools of project management in the field of information sciences and technology.

    • Prerequisite

      IST 210 and IST 220

  • 3
    credits

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

    • Prerequisite

      (C or better in IST 301 and IST 302) and (C or better in IST 240 or IST 242)

  • 3
    credits

    Advanced course on the integration of information technology into systems applications.

    • Prerequisite

      A grade of C or better in IST 420

Additional Courses for the Integration and Application Option (select 3 credits)

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all additional courses for the option.

  • 3
    credits

    Introduction to the specification and application of languages and language paradigms that interact with computers.

    • Prerequisite

      A grade of C or better in IST 140 or CMPSC 101

    • Recommended concurrent enrollment

      IST 230

  • 3
    credits

    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

Supporting Courses and Related Areas for the Integration and Application Option (12 credits)

Select 12 credits from College-approved list in consultation with an adviser.

Electives (8 credits)

Courses chosen in consultation with an adviser.

General Education Requirements

Some General Education requirements may be satisfied by courses required for the major. Students should work with an adviser to select courses.

  • 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
    A student must receive a grade of C or better in GWS courses.
  • Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
    A student must receive a grade of C or better in GQ courses.
  • Integrative Studies: 6 credits
    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. Integrative Studies credits may be completed within the thirty Knowledge Domain credits and must be completed with either Inter-domain or Linked courses, not a combination of both.

Course Availability

If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.

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