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.

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. The following courses must be passed with a grade of C- or better in order to meet IT major requirements CS 410P, CS 410C, CS 414, CS 415,  CS 416, CS 417, IT 403, IT 502, 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. A pre-defined second discipline*;
2. A self-defined second discipline approved by the IT Program Coordinator;
3. An approved minor**;
4. A second major or UNH dual degree.

*Four (4) second disciplines have been defined by the CS department, requiring (4) courses in such areas as business administration, entrepreneurship, health management and policy, and justice studies.

**An approved list of minors is available from the CS Department and requires (5) courses to be completed.

The following is a sample schedule depicting the necessary requirements and the layout of the curriculum. Students must consult with their advisers in order to come up with the proper schedule for themselves.

• 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.