Skip to Navigation
George Mason University
    George Mason University
   
 
 
 
2016-2017 University Catalog 
  
2016-2017 University Catalog

Information Technology, BS


Banner Code: VS-BS-INFT

School: Volgenau School of Engineering  
Department: Information Sciences and Technology  

The Information Technology, BS prepares students to apply IT 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 objectives of the Information Technology, BS program relate to the abilities of the graduates several years after graduation.  Graduates of the program are expected within three to five years of graduation to have:

  • Been employed in a position in which they have successfully used their information technology skills (including: problem solving, analytic, presentation and personal skills) as evidenced by achieving improved organizational objectives;
  • Progressed through increasing levels of responsibility in the workplace;
  • Demonstrated ethical, social and professional responsibility consistent with professional societies;
  • Worked effectively in teams, whether as a participant or as a leader;
  • Grown through self-study, continuing education and professional development relevant to their profession.

This Information Technology, BS program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.

The program can be successfully completed in eight full-time semesters with an average of 15 credits each semester. It is also possible for students to complete the degree on a part-time basis. The 120-credit degree requirement consists of Mason Core  requirements, IT foundation and core courses, and courses required for the chosen IT concentration. At least 30 credits toward the BS degree must be earned at Mason, and at least 45 credits must be at or above the 300 level. Upper division courses in the program are taught at the Science and Technology campus, where many Department of Information Sciences and Technology  faculty offices are located.

This undergraduate program offers students the option of applying to an accelerated master’s degree program in applied information technology , computer forensics , information security and assurance , information systems , software engineering , or telecommunications .  See each listing for specific requirements.

Admission Requirements

Students who meet Mason’s general eligibility requirements may apply for admission to the IT 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.

Degree Requirements


Students must fulfill all requirements  for undergraduate programs.  Requirements of the Information Technology, BS degree include those of Mason Core ; of the IT core, foundation, concentration, and capstone; and completion of a block of additional required courses.

Two-semester sequence of approved capstone design courses (7 credits)


Information Technology Concentrations (15 credits)


Students choose one of six concentrations from the list below. To be eligible to choose a concentration, a student must have a B or better grade in the concentration’s gateway course.  Concentration gateway courses are as follows:

Database Technology and Programming (DTP):  IT 206 - Object Oriented Techniques for IT Problem Solving  or IT 214 - Database Fundamentals  

Health Information Technology (HIT): IT 214 - Database Fundamentals  

Information Security (INFS): IT 223 - Information Security Fundamentals  

Information Technology Entrepreneurship (ITE): IT 106 - Introduction to IT Problem Solving Using Computer Programming  

Networking and Telecommunications (NTEL): IT 341 - Data Communications and Network Principles  

Web Development and Multimedia (WDM): IT 213 - Multimedia and Web Design  

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 six concentrations. All concentration courses require a grade of B or better in the prerequisite gateway course. 

Students may choose to have two concentrations.  To be eligible, the student must have a B or better in the gateway course for each concentration.  If two concentrations are declared, the student must take four courses in each concentration, for a total of eight concentration courses. 

Other Major Requirements (14-15 credits)


  • Natural Science: 7 credits of natural science, including at least one 4-credit course with lab. Students should choose these from the list of courses approved for Mason Core  (these credits can also apply toward Mason Core  requirements).

Additional Mason Core (21 credits)


Students must complete all Mason Core  requirements not fulfilled by major requirements.

  • Written Communication: 6 credits
  • Literature: 3 credits
  • Arts: 3 credits
  • Western Civilization/World History: 3 credits
  • Social and Behavioral Science: 3 credits
  • Global Understanding: 3 credits

Writing-Intensive Requirement


The university writing-intensive requirement is satisfied by IT 343 .

Electives (8-9 credits)


Students must complete additional coursework to bring their total number of credits to 120.

Note:


All students must complete at least 24 credits of social science and humanities course work, which is normally satisfied by the 24 credits of Mason Core  social science and humanities courses listed above, including COMM 100  or COMM 101 .

Change of Major


Mason students considering a change of major to Information Technology must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 in all completed Information Technology foundation and core courses required for the major, and a grade of C or better in IT 106 

Note: IT 300 and 400 level courses are restricted to students who have declared an Information Technology major, minor, or undergraduate certificate, and to students in the BAS or BIS program.

Advanced Study


Mason offers students the ability to complete both BS and MS degrees in a shorter time through an Accelerated Masters (MS) program. Choosing to pursue an accelerated MS may affect a student’s choice of courses in the BS program. Students should consult with an advisor for assistance.

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 2.75 or better across the IT foundation, core, capstone, and concentration courses.  Additionally, students must have a C or better in their foundation, core, capstone, and concentration courses.

Termination from the Major


No math, science, or Volgenau School of Engineering course that is required for the major may be attempted more than three times.  Those students who do not successfully complete such a course within three attempts will be terminated from the major.  Undeclared students in the Volgenau School who do not successfully complete a course required for a Volgenau School major within three attempts will also be terminated.  For more information, see the “Termination from the Major” section under AP.5 Undergraduate Policies .

Once a student has attempted one of these courses twice unsuccessfully, the third attempt must be no later than the next semester of enrollment, excluding summers.  Failure to take the course at that time will result in termination from the major.  If the student is unable to take the course when required, the student may request an extension to a future semester; extensions require approval of the student’s advisor, their department, and the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs.  The deadline for extension requests is the add deadline for the semester in which the course is required.

Students who have been terminated from a Volgenau School of Engineering major may not register for a Volgenau School course without permission of the department offering the course. This applies to all undergraduate courses offered by the Volgenau School except IT 104  and STAT 250 .

A student may not declare any major in the Volgenau School of Engineering if the student has previously met the termination criteria for that major at any time, regardless of what the student’s major was at the time the courses were taken.