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

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