Semester Requirements
Stephen Zilora, Chair
(585) 475-7645, Steve.Zilora@rit.edu
Program overview
The role of an IT professional, or information technologist, is diverse and multifaceted. To develop and maintain truly effective systems, information technologists need core competencies in four essential areas: Web design/development and interactive media; database, programming, and application development; networking and system administration, which includes the design, deployment, and security of computing infrastructure; and technology integration and deployment in user communities, including needs assessment, user-centered design, technology transfer, and ongoing support.
The fourth competency area is the defining expertise for information technology professionals. To design and develop the best possible systems, IT professionals must see the world through the users’ eyes and learn about what user communities need to contribute to organizational goals and success. This requires skills in information gathering, user-centered design, and effective deployment practices in organizations with differing user environments and cultures, as well as strong communication and people skills.
Accreditation
The BS in information technology is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.
Curriculum
The core competencies provide a foundation for developing greater depth in specialized concentration areas. Students will choose two concentrations from the following: Web development, database technology, interactive multimedia development, network and system administration, learning and performance technology, medical informatics, and advanced application development. In addition, with department permission, students can create a special-topics sequence for one of their two concentrations. Most students select advanced technical courses for developing a deep competency in one or two of the specialization areas. Other students choose a broader path to prepare for general IT practitioner jobs, which are prevalent in virtually every enterprise.
Cooperative education
The program requires students to complete two blocks (30 weeks) of cooperative education. Students may begin their co-op requirement after completing all second-year academic requirements.
Information technology, BS degree, typical course sequence (semesters), effective fall 2013
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| ISTE-120 | Computer Problem Solving: Information Domain I | 4 |
| ISTE-190 | Foundations of Modern Information Processing | 3 |
| MATH-131 | LAS Perspective 7A: Discrete Mathematics | 4 |
| LAS Foundation 1: First Year Seminar | 3 | |
| LAS Perspective 2, 3 | 6 | |
| ISTE-121 | Computer Problem Solving: Information Domain II | 4 |
| ISTE-140 | Web I | 3 |
| MATH-161 | LAS Perspective 7B: Applied Calculus | 4 |
| ISTE-110 | Ethics in Computing (WI) | 3 |
| Wellness Education* | 0 | |
| Second Year | ||
| ISTE-230 | Introduction to Database and Data Modeling | 3 |
| ISTE-240 | Web II | 3 |
| ISTE-260 | Designing the User Experience | 3 |
| STAT-145 | Introduction to Statistics I | 3 |
| LAS Perspective 4, 6 | 6 | |
| ISTE-270 | Data Exploration and Knowledge Discovery | 3 |
| ISTE-330 | Database Connectivity and Access | 3 |
| ISTE-340 | Client Programming | 3 |
| NSSA-290 | Networking Essentials for Developers | 3 |
| Cooperative Education (summer) | Co-op | |
| Third Year | ||
| ISTE-341 | Server Programming | 3 |
| ISTE-430 | Information Requirements Modeling | 3 |
| STAT-146 | Introduction to Statistics II | 4 |
| SWEN-383 | Software Design Principles and Patterns | 3 |
| Free Electives | 6 | |
| LAS Perspective 1 | 3 | |
| ISTE-490 | Futuring | 3 |
| ISTE Concentration Course | 3 | |
| LAS Immersion 1 | 3 | |
| Cooperative Education (summer) | Co-op | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| ISTE-500 | Senior Development Project I (WI) | 3 |
| ISTE Concentration Courses | 6 | |
| LAS Immersion 2, 3 | 6 | |
| LAS Perspective 5† | 4 | |
| Free Electives | 6 | |
| ISTE-501 | Senior Development Project II | 3 |
| LAS Elective | 3 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 126 | |
Please see New General Education Curriculum–Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) for more information.
(WI) Refers to a writing intensive course within the major.
* Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information.
† Students will satify this requirement by taking either a 3 or 4 credit hour lab science course. If a science course consists of separate lecture and laboratory sections, students must take both the lecture and the lab portions to fulfill the requirement.
§ Students will satisfy this requirement by selecting one of the following four credit options: General Biology (BIOL-101) and General Biology Lab (BIOL-103); General and Analytical Chemistry (CHMG-141) and General and Analytical Chemistry (CHMG-145); or College Physics (PHYS-111).
Additional information
Part-time study
The BS degree in information technology may be completed on a part-time basis, with courses available during the day and in the evening to accommodate those who work.
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Click to view program requirements in the Quarter Calendar
Quarter Curriculum - For Reference Only
Effective fall 2013, RIT will convert its academic calendar from quarters to semesters. The following content has been made available as reference only. Currently matriculated students who began their academic programs in quarters should consult their academic adviser for guidance and course selection.
Program overview
The role of an IT professional, or information technologist, is diverse and multifaceted. To develop and maintain truly effective systems, information technologists need core competencies in four essential areas: Web design/development and interactive media; database, programming, and application development; networking and system administration, which includes the design, deployment, and security of computing infrastructure; and technology integration and deployment in user communities, including needs assessment, user-centered design, technology transfer, and ongoing support.
The fourth competency area is the defining expertise for information technology professionals. To design and develop the best possible systems, IT professionals must see the world through the users’ eyes and learn about what user communities need to contribute to organizational goals and success. This requires skills in information gathering, user-centered design, and effective deployment practices in organizations with differing user environments and cultures, as well as strong communication and people skills.
Accreditation
The BS in information technology is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.
Curriculum
The core competencies provide a foundation for developing greater depth in specialized concentration areas. Students will choose two concentrations from the following: Web development, database technology, interactive multimedia development, network and system administration, learning and performance technology, medical informatics, and advanced application development. In addition, with department permission, students can create a special-topics sequence for one of their two concentrations. Most students select advanced technical courses for developing a deep competency in one or two of the specialization areas. Other students choose a broader path to prepare for general IT practitioner jobs, which are prevalent in virtually every enterprise.
Cooperative education
The program requires students to complete three quarters of cooperative education. Students may begin their co-op requirement after completing all second-year academic requirements. A typical schedule might include cooperative education in the summer quarter following the second year and in the spring and summer quarters of the third year.
Semester conversion
Effective fall 2013, RIT will convert its academic calendar from quarters to semesters. Each program and its associated courses have been sent to the New York State Department of Education for approval of the semester plan. For reference, the following charts illustrate the typical course sequence for this program in both quarters and semesters. Students should consult their academic advisers with questions regarding planning and course selection.
Information technology, BS degree, typical course sequence (quarters)
| Course | Qtr. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| 4002-201 | Freshman Seminar | 1 |
| 4002-320 | Introduction to Multimedia: The Internet and the Web | 4 |
| 4002-217, 218, 219 | Programming for Information Technology I, II, III | 12 |
| 4050-220 | Cyber Self-Defense | 4 |
| 1016-205, 206 | Discrete Math for Technologists I, II | 8 |
| Liberal Arts* | 12 | |
| 1105-051, 052 | First-Year Enrichment | 2 |
| Wellness Education† | 0 | |
| Second Year | ||
| 4050-350 | Computer System Fundamentals | 4 |
| 4050-351 | Network Fundamentals | 4 |
| 4002-331 | Interactive Programming | 4 |
| 4002-360 | Introduction to Database and Data Modeling | 4 |
| 4002-425 | HCI 1: Human Factors | 4 |
| 1016-319 | Data Analysis I | 4 |
| Liberal Arts* | 12 | |
| Lab Science Elective | 8 | |
| Free Elective | 4 | |
| Third and Fourth Year | ||
| Cooperative Education§ | Co-op | |
| 4002-455 | Needs Assessment | 4 |
| 4002-426 | HCI 2: Interface Design and Development | 4 |
| 4002-460 | Technology Transfer | 4 |
| IT Concentration Courses‡ | 24 | |
| 1016-320 | Data Analysis II | 4 |
| Liberal Arts* | 12 | |
| Free Electives | 20 | |
| General Education Electives | 18 | |
| Total Quarter Credit Hours | 181 | |
* Please see Liberal Arts General Education Requirements for more information.
† Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information.
‡ Two three-course concentrations are required. Concentrations include Web development, interactive multimedia development, network and system administration, database, learning and performance technology, advanced application development, and special topics. A six-course Web-database integration concentration also is available.
§ Three quarters of cooperatuve education is required after the completition of the second year.Information technology, BS degree, typical course sequence (semesters), effective fall 2013
Information technology, BS degree, typical course sequence (semesters), effective fall 2013
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| ISTE-120 | Computer Problem Solving: Information Domain I | 4 |
| ISTE-190 | Foundations of Modern Information Processing | 3 |
| MATH-131 | LAS Perspective 7A: Discrete Mathematics | 4 |
| LAS Foundation 1: First Year Seminar | 3 | |
| LAS Perspective 2, 3 | 6 | |
| ISTE-121 | Computer Problem Solving: Information Domain II | 4 |
| ISTE-140 | Web I | 3 |
| MATH-161 | LAS Perspective 7B: Applied Calculus | 4 |
| ISTE-110 | Ethics in Computing (WI) | 3 |
| Wellness Education* | 0 | |
| Second Year | ||
| ISTE-230 | Introduction to Database and Data Modeling | 3 |
| ISTE-240 | Web II | 3 |
| ISTE-260 | Designing the User Experience | 3 |
| STAT-145 | Introduction to Statistics I | 3 |
| LAS Perspective 4, 6 | 6 | |
| ISTE-270 | Data Exploration and Knowledge Discovery | 3 |
| ISTE-330 | Database Connectivity and Access | 3 |
| ISTE-340 | Client Programming | 3 |
| NSSA-290 | Networking Essentials for Developers | 3 |
| Cooperative Education (summer) | Co-op | |
| Third Year | ||
| ISTE-341 | Server Programming | 3 |
| ISTE-430 | Information Requirements Modeling | 3 |
| STAT-146 | Introduction to Statistics II | 4 |
| SWEN-383 | Software Design Principles and Patterns | 3 |
| Free Electives | 6 | |
| LAS Perspective 1 | 3 | |
| ISTE-490 | Futuring | 3 |
| ISTE Concentration Course | 3 | |
| LAS Immersion 1 | 3 | |
| Cooperative Education (summer) | Co-op | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| ISTE-500 | Senior Development Project I (WI) | 3 |
| ISTE Concentration Courses | 6 | |
| LAS Immersion 2, 3 | 6 | |
| LAS Perspective 5† | 4 | |
| Free Electives | 6 | |
| ISTE-501 | Senior Development Project II | 3 |
| LAS Elective | 3 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 126 | |
Please see New General Education Curriculum–Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) for more information.
(WI) Refers to a writing intensive course within the major.
* Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information.
† Students will satify this requirement by taking either a 3 or 4 credit hour lab science course. If a science course consists of separate lecture and laboratory sections, students must take both the lecture and the lab portions to fulfill the requirement.
§ Students will satisfy this requirement by selecting one of the following four credit options: General Biology (BIOL-101) and General Biology Lab (BIOL-103); General and Analytical Chemistry (CHMG-141) and General and Analytical Chemistry (CHMG-145); or College Physics (PHYS-111).
Additional information
Part-time study
The BS degree in information technology may be completed on a part-time basis, with courses available during the day and in the evening to accommodate those who work. The typical evening student requires approximately 23 quarters for a BS degree (this assumes no previous course work). Students with a strong associate degree may be able to complete the degree requirements in 12 quarters.