Information Technology Major (B.S.)

https://ceps.unh.edu/computer-science/program/bs/information-technology

Information technology is concerned primarily with the application of existing computing technologies to the information needs of organizations and individual computer users. The IT program aims to provide graduates with the skills and knowledge to take on appropriate professional positions in information technology upon graduation and grow into leadership positions in the field. Potential careers include network administrator, database developer, system administrator, and webmaster.

The broad objectives for B.S. in information technology graduates are:

  1. Apply the full range of core IT concepts and techniques to fill the IT needs of an organization and be prepared to assume managerial and other advanced responsibilities,
  2. Confront new problems effectively and anticipate the changing directions of technology,
  3. Communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders as well as function appropriately in a team environment,
  4. Navigate within the complex relationships between IT and larger organizational goals, and
  5. Understand the pervasive and changing role of computing technology in global society, and participate responsibly as both IT professional and citizen.

The B.S. in information technology program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Degree Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirement: 128 credits
Minimum Residency Requirement: 32 credits must be taken at UNH
Minimum GPA: 2.0 required for conferral*
Core Curriculum Required: Discovery & Writing Program Requirements
Foreign Language Requirement: No

All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

Major Requirements

Information technology majors must maintain an overall grade-point average of 2.0 or better in all required information technology and computer science required courses in order to graduate. If at the end of any semester, including the first, a student's cumulative grade-point average in these courses falls below 2.0, the student may not be allowed to continue as an IT major. In order to meet the IT major requirements, the following courses must be passed with a grade of C- or better:  CS 410PCS 410C, CS #414CS 415CS 416, CS 417IT 403, IT 505, IT 520

If a student wishing to transfer into the information technology major has any coursework that is applicable to the major, the grades in those courses must satisfy the minimum grade requirements for the B.S. degree in information technology. The student must have an overall grade-point average of 2.0 or better in all courses taken at the University.

In addition to the core IT requirements, each student must complete a complementary set of courses in a particular domain outside of IT to which the student's IT skills can be applied. This set of courses can be completed in one of the following ways: (1) An approved minor; or (2) A second major or UNH dual degree. list of preapproved minors is available from the CS Department and requires at least (5) courses to complete.

Required Courses

Information Technology Courses
CS 400Introduction to Computing2
CS 415Introduction to Computer Science I 14
or CS 410C Introduction to Scientific Programming/C
or CS 410P Introduction to Scientific Programming/Python
or CS #414 From Problems to Algorithms to Programs
CS 417From Programs to Computer Science 14
CS 501Professional Ethics and Communication in Technology-related Fields4
CS 518Introduction to Software Engineering4
CS 527Fundamentals of Cybersecurity4
IT 403Introduction to Internet Technologies4
IT 505Integrative Programming4
IT 520Foundations of Information Technology4
IT 609Network/Systems Administration4
IT 699Internship1
IT 705Project Management for Information Technology4
IT 775Database Technology4
IT 791
IT 792
Senior Project I
and Senior Project II
4
IT Electives
Select three courses from the following:12
Intermediate Web Design
Server-side Web Development
Client-side Web Development
Scripting Languages
Data Science and Big Data Analytics
Cybersecurity Practices
Cloud Computing Principles
Network Technology
Topics in Information Technology
Mathematics Courses
MATH 425Calculus I4
MATH 539Introduction to Statistical Analysis4
Science Courses 2
One Discovery Biological Science (BS) with Discovery Lab4
One Discovery Physical Science (PS) with Discovery Lab4
Other Courses
Discovery requirements not already covered by required courses24
General Electives6-8
Minor, Second Major, or Dual Degree20
Total Credits129-131
1

Starting in 2022-2023, all Information technology majors will be recommended to take CS 415 Introduction to Computer Science I and CS 417 From Programs to Computer Science as their two-semester sequence. CS #414 From Problems to Algorithms to Programs will be discontinued starting Fall 2022.

2

Courses must carry the Discovery attributes of Biological Science or Physical Science and include Discovery lab (DLAB).

Sample Degree Plan

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
CS 400 Introduction to Computing 2
CS 415 Introduction to Computer Science I 4
IT 403 Introduction to Internet Technologies 4
MATH 425 Calculus I 4
Discovery 4
 Credits18
Spring
CS 417 From Programs to Computer Science 4
ENGL 401 First-Year Writing (Discovery) 4
Discovery 4
Physical Science (DLAB) 4
 Credits16
Second Year
Fall
IT 505 Integrative Programming 4
IT 520 Foundations of Information Technology 4
CS 501 Professional Ethics and Communication in Technology-related Fields 4
Discovery 4
 Credits16
Spring
CS 518 Introduction to Software Engineering 4
CS 527 Fundamentals of Cybersecurity 4
MATH 539 Introduction to Statistical Analysis 4
Biological Science (DLAB) 4
 Credits16
Third Year
Fall
IT 609 Network/Systems Administration 4
IT 705 Project Management for Information Technology 4
IT Elective (1 of 3) 4
Minor (1 of 5) 4
 Credits16
Spring
IT 699 Internship 1
IT 775 Database Technology 4
Minor (2 of 5) 4
Discovery 4
Free Elective 4
 Credits17
Fourth Year
Fall
IT 791 Senior Project I 2
IT Elective (2 of 3) 4
Minor (3 of 5) 4
Discovery 4
Free Elective (optional)  
 Credits14
Spring
IT 792 Senior Project II 2
IT Elective (3 of 3) 4
Minor (4 of 5) 4
Minor (5 of 5) 4
Free Elective or Fourth Writing Intensive 4
 Credits18
 Total Credits131

Students will be able to:

  • Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
  • Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
  • Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
  • Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
  • Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
  • Identify and analyze user needs and to take them into account in the selection, creation, integration, evaluation, and administration of computing-based systems.
  • Self-learning skills, exposure to technologies new to the students, practice in understanding those technologies on their own.