Applied Information Technology
- Faculty
- Information Technology, BS
- BS in Information Technology/Accelerated MS in Information Security and Assurance
- BS in Information Technology/Accelerated MS in Information Systems
- BS in Information Technology/Accelerated MS in Software Engineering
- BS in Information Technology/Accelerated MS in Telecommunications (TCOM)
- Certificate in Information Technology
- Minor in Information Technology
Phone: 703-993-3565
Web: ait.gmu.edu
Faculty
Professor:Gantz (chair), Jajodia
Associate Professor: Marchant
Assistant Professors: Aksoy, Bruno, Caraballo (associate chair), Rytikova
Instructors:D’Alessandro, Islam, Lyons, Sanghera
Adjunct professors: Berkebile, Caponera, Curts, Enochson, Falcone, Fayyaz, Flagel, Fox, Ghosh, Guessford, Haliyur, Kahrl, Lazarevich, Lord, McKelvey, Montana, Moody, Muscu, Nguyen, Phung, Quinn, Reo, Santucci, Schorling, Snow, 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 IT, including the opportunity to learn appropriate conceptual and computational tools essential for a successful career
- A broad background across fundamental areas of IT along with a depth of understanding in a particular area of interest
- Skills for effective written and oral communication with both technical and non-technical 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 impact of information technology on society, and an understanding of the ethical and social responsibilities of IT professionals
The BS degree in information technology aims to meet the existing and emerging needs of the information technology industry by educating new IT workers in current principles and practices in information technology and its applications. Graduates are versed in the technical aspects of IT, but their role in the modern enterprise will focus on the use and management of IT resources rather than on the development of leading-edge intellectual property. Graduates fill jobs that focus on the application of IT 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 IT 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, IT foundation and core courses, and courses required for the chosen IT concentration area. At least 30 credits toward the BS degree must be earned at Mason, and at least 45 credits must be level 300 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 three IT concentration areas: information security and network administration, database management and programming, and web development and computer graphics.
Students also must select at least one course from three of the following seven categories, with a total of five courses from the three selected categories. Two of the three selected categories are prescribed according to the chosen concentration, and at least three courses must come from these. Students must choose any third category to complement the concentration.
- Information Security
- Network Administration
- Database
- Programming
- Web Development
- Computer Graphics and Data Presentation
- Telecommunications
The two prescribed categories for each concentration are as follows:
Information Security and Network Administration:
- Information Security
- Network Administration
Database Management and Programming:
- Database
- Programming
Web Development and Computer Graphics:
- Web Development
- Computer Graphics and Data Presentation
An up-to-date list of courses associated with the above seven categories 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 IT foundation, core, and concentration courses as described below. The IT major also requires a 7-credit capstone design project, to be completed over a period of two consecutive semesters.
| Credits | |
|---|---|
| Foundation courses: | |
| IT 101 Introduction to Information Technology | 3 |
| IT 103 Introduction to Computing | 3 |
| IT 108 Programming Fundamentals | 3 |
| IT 212 How Computers Work | 3 |
| IT 250/STAT 250 Introductory Statistics I | 3 |
| Core courses: | |
| IT 207 Applied IT Programming | |
| or IT 208 Program Design and Data Structures | 3 |
| IT 213 Multimedia and Computer Graphics | 3 |
| IT 214 Database Fundamentals | 3 |
| IT 223 Information Security Fundamentals | 3 |
| IT 341 Networking Essentials | 3 |
| IT 343 IT Resources Planning | 3 |
| IT 304 IT in the Global Economy | |
| or both of the following: | 3 |
| CS 105 Computer Ethics and Society | |
| CS 306 Synthesis of Ethics and Law for the Computing Professional | |
| MSOM 302 Managing Information in a Global Environment | 3 |
| MSOM 303 Marketing in a Global Economy | 3 |
| IT 300 Modern Telecommunications | 3 |
| SYST 469 Human Computer Interaction | 3 |
| Two-semester sequence of approved capstone design courses: | |
| IT 492 Senior Design Project I | 3 |
| IT 493 Senior Design Project II or IT 468 Cyber Security Capstone | 4 |
IT concentration courses:
15 credits selected from the three categories of courses associated with the selected IT concentration area. Two out of the three categories are prescribed according to the concentration; the student must choose the third category to complement the concentration in consultation with an advisor. A list of courses in each category 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 | Credits |
|---|---|
| IT 101 Introduction to Information Technology | 3 |
| IT 103 Introduction to Computing | 3 |
| ENGL 101 Composition | 3 |
| HIST 100 History of Western Civilization | 3 |
| MATH 108 Introductory Calculus with Business Applications | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Second Semester | |
| IT 108 Programming Fundamentals | 3 |
| IT 250/STAT 250 Introductory Statistics | 3 |
| Non Lab Natural Science | 3 |
| COMM 100 Public Speaking | 3 |
| Literature | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Third Semester | |
| IT 207 Applied IT Programmingor IT 208 Program Design and Data Structures | 3 |
| IT 212 How Computers Work | 3 |
| IT 214 Database Fundamentals | 3 |
| Natural science with lab | 4 |
| Social/behavioral science | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
| Fourth Semester | |
| IT 213 Multimedia and Computer Graphics | 3 |
| IT 223 Information Security Fundamentals | 3 |
| MATH 112 Discrete Math for BSIT | 3 |
| Natural science with lab | 4 |
| Fine arts | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
| Fifth Semester | |
| MSOM 302 Managing Information in a Global Environment | 3 |
| ENGL 302 Advanced Composition | 3 |
| IT 341 Networking Essentials | 3 |
| SYST 469 Human Computer Interaction | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Sixth Semester | |
| IT 304 IT in the Global Economy | 3 |
| MSOM 303 Marketing in a Global Economy | 3 |
| IT 300 Modern Telecommunications | 3 |
| IT 343 Resources Planning | 3 |
| IT concentration course | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Seventh Semester | |
| IT 492 Senior Design Project I | 3 |
| IT concentration course | 3 |
| IT concentration course | 3 |
| Global understanding | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Eighth Semester | |
| IT 493 Senior Design Project IIor IT 468 Cyber Security Capstone | 4 |
| IT concentration course | 3 |
| IT concentration course | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Total | 13 |
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 IT, students must have a GPA of 2.50 or better across the IT 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 IT 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 IT advisor.
| Credits | |
|---|---|
| Core Courses | 15 |
| IT 101 Introduction to Information Technology | 3 |
| IT 103 Introduction to Computing | 3 |
| IT 108 Programming Fundamentals | 3 |
| Two of the following courses: | |
| IT 212 How Computers Work | 3 |
| IT 213 Multimedia and Computer Graphics | 3 |
| IT 214 Database Fundamentals | 3 |
| IT 250 Introductory Statistics I | 3 |
| Technical Focus Area | 9 |
Minor in Information Technology
The minor is designed primarily for those non-IT&E majors who desire 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 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 IT minor should obtain a list of approved electives from IT.
| Credits | |
|---|---|
| Core Courses | 9 |
| IT 101 Introduction to Information Technology | 3 |
| IT 103 Introduction to Computing | 3 |
| IT 108 Programming Fundamentals | 3 |
| Technical Focus Area | 6 |