School of Undergraduate Studies

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Computer Information Technology

Students may seek an academic major in computer information technology

Major in Computer Information Technology

The computer information technology major is designed to combine the benefits of a traditional college education with the benefits of hands-on training in state-of-the-art computer technology. Students become technically competent, but also learn to write well-organized and clear memoranda and reports. The computer information technology curriculum integrates technical skill with communication skills, superior general education requirements, and breadth of knowledge in the computer information technology field.

Objectives

The student who graduates with a major in computer information technology will be able to:

Design and implement network and database administration solutions.
Produce effective proposals, reports, memoranda, briefings, and documentation.
Communicate effectively using oral and computer-based presentation techniques.
Apply effective information research techniques.
Discuss information technology from an international and historical perspective.
Apply ethical judgments to thinking critically and systematically about the impact of information technology on contemporary social, political, and economic issues.

Degree Requirements

A degree with a major in computer information technology requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework, including 33 credits for the major, 41 credits in general education requirements, and 46 credits in the minor, electives, and other degree requirements. At least 17 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above), and 18 credits in courses designated CMIT.

Computer Information Technology Major - Course Requirements

Coursework for a major in computer information technology includes the following:

Required foundation courses (6 credits): CMIS 310 and CMIT 265
Core courses (15 credits): Any upper-level CMIT courses
Supplemental major courses (12 credits): Any CMIS, CMIT, CMSC, CMST, and IFSM courses (Note: Students without prior programming experience should take CMIS 102/102A before core courses and may apply it toward the interdisciplinary issues/computing requirement rather than toward the major.)
Required related course (3 credits), which may be applied anywhere in the degree: MATH 107

Recommended Sequence

The following course sequence will fulfill all the requirements for the BS in computer information technology. Since some recommended courses fulfill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may make it necessary to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Students should consult an advisor whenever taking advantage of other options.

Coursework for the major is indicated by ‡

First Courses (to be taken within the first 18 credits)

Note: Placement tests are required for math and writing courses.

EDCP 100 Principles and Strategies of Successful Learning (3) (strongly recommended as first course)
LIBS 150 Information Literacy and Research Methods (1)
WRTG 101/101X Introduction to Writing (3)
MATH 107 College Algebra (3) or a higher-level math course

Introductory Courses (to be taken within the first 30 credits)

CMIS 102 Introduction to Problem Solving and Algorithm Design (3) or CMIS 102A Fundamentals of Programming I (fulfills the interdisciplinary issues/computing requirement and prerequisite for later courses)
IFSM 201 Introduction to Computer-Based Systems (3) or CMST 303 Advanced Application Software
PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3) or ENGL 240 Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama or other ARTH, ARTT, HIST, HUMN, MUSC, PHIL, THET, dance, literature, or foreign language course to fulfill the arts and humanities requirement
Both BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3) and BIOL 102 Laboratory in Biology (1) or BIOL 103 Introduction to Biology or other course(s) to fulfill the biological and physical sciences lecture and laboratory requirement
CMIS 160 Discrete Mathematics for Computing (3) (recommended elective)
WRTG 291 Expository and Research Writing (3) or other course to fulfill the communications/writing requirement
GVPT 170 American Government (3) or other ANTH, BEHS, ECON, GEOG, GVPT, PSYC, SOCY, or eligible AASP, CCJS, GERO, or WMST course to fulfill the first behavioral and social sciences requirement.

Foundation Courses (to be taken within the first 60 credits)

‡ CMIT 265 Networking Essentials (3)
PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3) or SOCY 100 Introduction to Sociology or other course to fulfill the second behavioral and social sciences requirement (discipline must differ from first)
NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3) or ASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy or other course to fulfill the biological and physical sciences lecture requirement
HIST 142 Western Civilization II (3) or HIST 157 History of the United States Since 1865 or other ARTH or HIST course to fulfill the arts and humanities requirement in historical perspective (discipline must differ from other humanities course)
IFSM 304 Ethics in the Information Age (3) (recommended elective)
ANTH 344 Cultural Anthropology and Linguistics (3) or a foreign language course (recommended elective)
SPCH 100 Foundations of Speech Communication (3) or WRTG 390 Writing for Managers or other course to fulfill the communications/writing or speech requirement
‡ CMIS 310 Computer Systems and Architecture (3)

Additional Required Courses (to be taken after introductory and foundation courses)

WRTG 393/393X Technical Writing (3) or other course to fulfill the communications/upper-level intensive writing requirement
‡ CMIT 364 Windows XP Professional (3) or other core course for the major
‡ CMIT 368 Windows Server 2003 (3) or other core course for the major
‡ CMIT 376 Windows Network Infrastructure (3) or other core course for the major
‡ CMIT 377 Windows Directory Services Infrastructure (3) or other core course for the major
‡ CMIT 320 Network Security (3) or other core course for the major
‡ CMIT 486A Internship in Computer Information Technology Through Co-op (3) or other supplemental major course
‡ CMIT 350 Interconnecting Cisco Devices (3) or other supplemental major course
‡ CMIT 374 Exchange Server (3) or other supplemental major course
‡ Any CMIS, CMIT, CMSC, CMST, or IFSM course (3)

Minor and/or Elective Courses (to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses) (34)

Recommended Minors

Computing, English, or Mathematics

Recommended Elective

MATH 140 Calculus I or other calculus course (for students planning to go on to graduate school)