University Catalog >IT&E > Applied Information Technology

Applied Information Technology

Phone: 703-993-3565

Web: ait.gmu.edu

Faculty
Information Technology, BS

Faculty

Professors: Gantz (chair), Jajodia

Associate Professors: Caraballo, Marchant, Snow (associate chair)

Assistant Professors: Aksoy, Bruno, Rytikova

Instructors: d'Alessandro, Islam, Lyons, Quinn, Sanghera

Adjunct professors: Berkebile, Caponera, Curts, Enochson, Falcone, Fayyaz, Flagel, Fox, Ghosh, Guessford, Haliyur, Kahrl, Lazarevich, Lord, McKelvey, Montana, Moody, Muscu, Nguyen, Phung, Reo, Santucci, Schorling, Song, Truong, Vito, Wong, Zabin

Information Technology, BS

The BS in information technology prepares students to apply information technology to support business processes. The degree produces graduates with strong problem-solving, writing, and communication skills who successfully compete for technical employment and are prepared for advanced study. The objective of the degree is to provide students with the following:

Fundamental knowledge regarding concepts, tools, and methods of information technology, including the opportunity to learn appropriate conceptual and computational tools essential for a successful career
A broad background across fundamental areas of information technology along with a depth of understanding in a particular area of interest
Skills for effective written and oral communication with technical and nontechnical people in the information technology field and the chosen area of interest, as well as skills and strategies for facilitating group projects and activities
Working knowledge of leading-edge technologies and advanced systems through computer laboratory courses
Industry-validated curriculum that maintains currency with business needs
Preparation for graduate studies in information security, information systems, telecommunications, and related information technology areas
Appreciation for the global influence of information technology on society and an understanding of the ethical and social responsibilities of information technology professionals

The BS in information technology aims to meet the existing and emerging needs of the information technology industry by educating new information technology workers in current principles and practices in information technology and its applications. Graduates are versed in the technical aspects of information technology, but their role in the modern enterprise will focus on the use and management of information technology resources rather than on the development of leading-edge intellectual property. Graduates fill jobs that focus on the application of information technology in an increasing number of emerging subdisciplines, including network administration, information security, information systems, telecommunications, web development, and computer graphics.

Admission Requirements

Students who meet Mason's general eligibility requirements may apply for admission to the information technology major. Admission is based on the appropriateness of the student's academic objectives and the likelihood of the student benefiting from the program. Preference in admission is given to students who have four years of high school mathematics, including precalculus.

The program can be successfully completed in eight full-time semesters with an average of 15 credits each semester, as shown in the sample schedule below. It is also possible for students to complete the degree on a part-time basis. The 120-credit degree requirement consists of Mason general education requirements, information technology foundation and core courses, and courses required for the chosen information technology concentration area. At least 30 credits toward the BS degree must be earned at Mason, and at least 45 credits must be at the 300 level or above. The Applied Information Technology Department is based at the Prince William Campus.

Degree Requirements

Students must complete requirements for at least one of the following four concentration areas: information security, networking and telecommunications, database technology and programming, and web development and multimedia.

Students must select four courses from their area of concentration and a fifth course from any concentration (including their chosen concentration). An up-to-date list of courses associated with the concentrations is available in the department.

Foundation, Core, Concentration Requirements

In addition to Mason general education requirements, including humanities and social sciences as well as mathematics and basic sciences, the BS in information technology requires information technology foundation, core, and concentration courses as described below. The information technology major also requires a 7-credit capstone design project to be completed over two consecutive semesters.

Foundation courses

IT 101 Introduction to Information Technology (3 Credits)
IT 103 Introduction to Computing (3 Credits)
IT 108 Programming Fundamentals (3 Credits)
IT 212 Computer Hardware Fundamentals (3 Credits)
IT 250/STAT 250 Introductory Statistics I (3 Credits)

Core courses

IT 207 Applied IT Programming (3 Credits)
IT 213 Multimedia and Computer Graphics (3 Credits)
IT 214 Database Fundamentals (3 Credits)
IT 223 Information Security Fundamentals (3 Credits)
IT 300 Modern Telecommunications (3 Credits)
IT 304 IT in the Global Economy (3 Credits) or both of the following: (4 Credits)
- CS 105 Computer Ethics and Society (1 credit)
- CS 306 Synthesis of Ethics and Law for the Computing Professional (3 Credits)
IT 341 Data Communications and Networking Principles (3 Credits)
IT 343 IT Resources Planning (3 Credits)
MSOM 300 Managing Financial Resources (3 Credits)
MSOM 301 Managing People and Organizations (3 Credits)
SYST 469 Human Computer Interaction (3 Credits)

Two-semester sequence of approved capstone design courses

IT 492 Senior Design Project I (3 Credits)
IT 493 Senior Design Project II or IT 468 Cyber Security Capstone (4 Credits)

Information technology concentration courses

Students choose one of four concentrations: information security, networking and telecommunications, database technology and programming, or web development and multimedia. To fulfill the requirements for a concentration, students need 15 credits made up of four courses from their chosen concentration and a fifth course chosen from any of the four concentrations. A list of the courses in each concentration may be obtained from the department.

Other requirements

COMM 100 Public Speaking
Natural Science: 11 credits of natural science, including a sequence of two 4-credit courses with labs. Students should choose these from the list of courses approved for general education (7 of these credits apply toward general education requirements)
MATH 108 Introductory Calculus with Business Applications, MATH 112 Discrete Math for BSIT, and IT/STAT 250 Introductory Statistics I (3 of these credits apply toward general education requirements).

Sample Schedule

First Semester

ENGL 101 Composition (3 Credits)
HIST 100 History of Western Civilization (3 Credits)
IT 101 Introduction to Information Technology (3 Credits)
IT 103 Introduction to Computing (3 Credits)
MATH 108 Introductory Calculus with Business Applications (3 Credits)

Total 15 (Credits)

Second Semester

COMM 100 Public Speaking (3 Credits)
IT 108 Programming Fundamentals (3 Credits)
IT 250/STAT 250 Introductory Statistics (3 Credits)
Non-lab natural science (3 Credits)
Literature (3 Credits)

Total 15 (Credits)

Third Semester

IT 207 Applied IT Programming or IT 208 Program Design and Data Structures (3 Credits)
IT 212 Computer Hardware Fundamentals (3 Credits)
IT 214 Database Fundamentals (3 Credits)
Natural science with lab (4 Credits)
Social/behavioral science (3 Credits)

Total 16 (Credits)

Fourth Semester

IT 213 Multimedia and Computer Graphics (3 Credits)
IT 223 Information Security Fundamentals (3 Credits)
MATH 112 Discrete Math for BSIT (3 Credits)
Natural science with lab (4 Credits)
Arts (3 Credits)

Total 16 (Credits)

Fifth Semester

ENGL 302 Advanced Composition (3 Credits)
IT 341 Data Communications and Networking Principles (3 Credits)
MSOM 300 Managing Financial Resources (3 Credits)
SYST 469 Human Computer Interaction (3 Credits)
Elective (3 Credits)

Total 15 (Credits)

Sixth Semester

IT 300 Modern Telecommunications (3 Credits)
IT 304 IT in the Global Economy (3 Credits)
IT 343 Resources Planning (3 Credits)
IT concentration course (3 Credits)
MSOM 301 Managing People and Organizations (3 Credits)

Total 15 (Credits)

Seventh Semester

IT 492 Senior Design Project I (3 Credits)
IT concentration course (3 Credits)
IT concentration course (3 Credits)
Global understanding (3 Credits)
Elective (3 Credits)

Total 15 (Credits)

Eighth Semester

IT 493 Senior Design Project II or IT 468 Cyber Security Capstone (4 Credits)
IT concentration course (3 Credits)
IT concentration course (3 Credits)
Elective (3 Credits)

Total 13 (Credits)

Writing-Intensive Requirement

The university writing-intensive requirement is satisfied by IT 492.

Grades

Students must have a C or better in any course that satisfies a prerequisite for an IT course. To graduate with the BS in information technology, students must have a GPA of 2.50 or better across the information technology foundation, core, capstone, and concentration courses.

BS in Information Technology/Accelerated MS in Information Security and Assurance

See the Information and Software Engineering Department section.

BS in Information Technology/Accelerated MS in Information Systems

See the Information and Software Engineering Department section.

BS in Information Technology/Accelerated MS in Software Engineering

See the Information and Software Engineering Department section.

BS in Information Technology/Accelerated MS in Telecommunications (TCOM)

See the Telecommunications MS section.

Certificate in Information Technology

This certificate is designed primarily for those students who have earned a nontechnical bachelor's degree. It allows students with nontechnical backgrounds to augment the knowledge gained through their major-related courses with additional computer and information technology knowledge, and skills to improve their attractiveness to employers in the high-technology community. The information technology certificate requires a minimum of 24 credits, including 15 credits of core courses. Beyond these requirements, the student is free to define a technical focus area. The focus area must be composed of at least three courses (9 credits). Elective courses selected for the technical focus area must be approved by an information technology advisor.

Core Courses (15 Credits)

IT 101 Introduction to Information Technology (3 Credits)
IT 103 Introduction to Computing (3 Credits)
IT 108 Programming Fundamentals (3 Credits)

Select two of the following:

IT 212 Computer Hardware Fundamentals (3 Credits)
IT 213 Multimedia and Computer Graphics (3 Credits)
IT 214 Database Fundamentals (3 Credits)
IT 250 Introductory Statistics I (3 Credits)
Technical Focus Area (9 Credits)

Minor in Information Technology

The minor is designed primarily for those non-Volgenau School majors who desire to augment the knowledge gained through their major-related courses with additional computer and information technology knowledge. It is also necessary to give students the necessary skills to improve their attractiveness to employers in the high-technology community. The minor requires a minimum of 15 credits, including 9 credits of core courses. Beyond these requirements, the student is free to define a technical focus area, for example, information security. Focus areas are composed of at least two courses (6 credits). Students pursuing the information technology minor should obtain a list of approved electives from IT.

Core Courses (9 Credits)

IT 101 Introduction to Information Technology (3 Credits)
IT 103 Introduction to Computing (3 Credits)
IT 108 Programming Fundamentals (3 Credits)
Technical Focus Area (6 Credits)