http://www.ist.rit.edu/

Program overview

The Internet has brought a new kind of democracy where all information is created equal. No longer the sole province of experts and the traditional media, it has become grassroots, viral, and global. The sheer volume and lightning speed of information transfer has changed how the world communicates, educates, learns, and ultimately solves problems. As the Web and its related technologies evolve, users will need help in managing these new tools.

Graduate study in a computing discipline that only focuses on traditional computing approaches is not flexible enough to meet the needs of the real world. New hardware and software tools are continually introduced into the market. IT professionals must have a specific area of expertise as well as be adaptable and ready to tackle to the next new thing—or just as often, retrofit available technologies to help their users adapt to the latest trends. The MS in information sciences and technologies provides an opportunity for in-depth study to prepare for today’s high-demand computing careers. Companies are drowning in data—structured, semi-structured, and unstructured. Big data is not just high transaction volumes; it is also data in various formats, with high velocity change, and increasing complexity. Information is gleaned from unstructured sources—such as Web traffic or social networks—as well as traditional ones; and information delivery must be immediate and on demand.

As the users' advocate, IT professionals also need the critical thinking skills to problem-solve in a wide variety of computing situations, combined with an understanding of the needs of their audience. Just knowing how technology works is no longer enough. Today, computing professionals need to know how to make it all work.

The information sciences and technologies program addresses the Web systems and integration technologies, and the information management and database technology pillars, of the IT academic discipline, along with the additional option of discovery informatics. A special topics option is available to support the creation of a customized area of study. The program is offered full- or part-time, on-campus only. 

Curriculum

The program consists of 30 semester credit hours of graduate study and includes four core courses, four or five track or domain electives (depending upon capstone option chosen), and either a capstone experience, thesis, or project.

Track or domain electives

Students choose track or domain electives from the following tracks. With permission of the graduate program director, students may select the special topics track to fulfill the track or domain electives requirement. See the graduate program director for more information.

Capstone options

Students may choose between a course-based capstone, a thesis, or a project that builds upon their domain study. The course-based capstone option is 3 semester credit hours. Students who choose this option are required to complete one additional track or domain elective. The thesis and project capstone options are both 6 semester credit hours.

Information sciences and technologies (capstone experience option), MS degree, typical course sequence

Information sciences and technologies (thesis or project options), MS degree, typical course sequence

Admission requirements

To be considered for admission to the MS program in information sciences and technologies, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

• Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution,
• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0,
• Submit official transcripts (in English) for all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work,
• Submit a resume,
• Submit two letters of recommendation, and
• Complete a graduate application.
• International applicants whose native language is not English must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language. Minimum scores of 570 (paper-based) or 88 (Internet-based) are required. Applicants with a lower TOEFL score may be admitted conditionally and will be required to complete a prescribed program in English, along with a reduced program course load.

Applicants from foreign universities must submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. Scores from the GRE are strongly recommended for applicants whose undergraduate grade point average is less than 3.0.

Additional information

Prerequisites

It is expected that prospective students will have a background in fundamental information technology concepts including object-oriented programming, website development, database theory and practice, and statistics. Students without the necessary background should complete the prerequisites before applying to the program. However, bridge courses are available to satisfy the prerequisites.

Bridge program

Students whose undergraduate preparation or employment experience does not satisfy the prerequisites can make up these deficiencies by completing prerequisite bridge courses as prescribed by the graduate program director. The bridge courses are not part of the 30 semester credit hours required for the master’s degree. Grades for bridge courses are not included in a student’s GPA if the courses are taken before matriculation; they are included if completed after matriculation. Since bridge programs can be designed in a variety of ways, the graduate program director will assist students in planning and course selection.

Maximum time limit

University policy requires that graduate programs be completed within seven years of the student's initial registration for courses in the program. Bridge courses are excluded.