The 18-credit program includes courses covering organization of data, networking and telecommunications, and an introduction to information, people, and technology. You can choose additional courses from a variety of offerings, including IT project management, new media and the web, as well as emerging issues and technology.
The IST minor — open to all interested undergraduate World Campus students who meet the prerequisites — could be a beneficial addition to almost any major. To successfully complete the program, you must take at least 6 credits at the 400 level and receive a grade of C or above in all of the IST courses.
Course List - Information Sciences and Technology Minor
| Title | Abbreviation | Description | 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 concept of databases, including the storage, manipulation, evaluation, and display of data, and related issues. Prerequisite: IST 110 |
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. Prerequisite: IST 110 |
3 credits |
Additional Courses
| Title | Abbreviation | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Media and the Web | IST 250 | Introduction to how the World Wide Web utilizes emerging technologies. Students acquire conceptual understanding of constructing websites. Prerequisite: IST 110 or concurrent enrollment |
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 |
| 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 |
| Legal and Regulatory Environment of Privacy and Security | IST 452 | Exploration of legal, regulatory, public policy, and ethical issues related to security and privacy for information technology professionals in public institutions, private enterprise, and IT services. | 3 credits |
| Title | Abbreviation | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emerging Issues and Technologies | IST 402 | Introduction to emerging issues, technology forecasting and analysis; overview of emerging issues and leading technologies in IST and how they impact information systems, users, the IT labor force, and society. Prerequisite: IST 210 or IST 220 |
3 credits |
| Legal and Regulatory Environment of Information Science and Technology | IST 432 | Legal environment of information technology, constitutional/political issues, intellectual property, management, e-commerce, privacy, access, computer contracting, cyberspace regulation. Prerequisite: IST 301 or SRA 231 or equivalent |
3 credits |
Course Schedule
See course start and end periods and semesters offered on the Penn State World Campus student resources website.