Computer Information Technology BS

College of Sciences
Undergraduate major / Bachelor of Science

About this program

Metropolitan State's Computer Information Technology (CIT) major prepares students to be information technology professionals. This major provides a foundation of both theoretical and practical knowledge in the many aspects of information sciences and technology.

Course work to develop analytical and problem-solving skills is complemented by hands-on courses in Metropolitan State's computer labs. A minimum of 20 semester credits of major requirements must be completed at Metropolitan State.

The CIT major enables students to become developers, designers, or information technology specialists who can deploy appropriate technology to solve problems in businesses and organizations.

Individuals with strong backgrounds of technical and analytical skills, effective communication abilities, and project development knowledge are in demand as the information needs of the world continue to grow. CIT majors can go on to pursue careers as Web analysts, systems analysts, computer support analysts, database designers and analysts, technical managers, and application programmers.

This program also provides preparation for graduate studies in information technology, information systems, and business.

Student outcomes

A student graduating from the program will have the following knowledge and skills:

  • Understand current concepts, best practices and standards, and have the knowledge and ability to apply them in core information technologies such as database systems and e-commerce applications.
  • Apply mathematics and current computing knowledge, techniques, skills, and tools to analyze a problem, determine user needs, develop systems or evaluate available systems, and create an effective project plan.
  • Be able to
    • program in an object-oriented language, web-related languages (client and server), and SQL
    • design and implement algorithms and processes and certify a computer-based system, process, component, or program to meet desired needs
    • take user needs into account in the evaluation, selection, purchase, and administration of computer-based systems.
    • effectively add a solution into an already existing user environment
  • Recognize the need for and engage in continuing professional development.
  • Function effectively on teams to accomplish a common goal such as gathering user requirements and communicating results orally or in writing.
  • Understand professional, ethical, legal, security and social issues and responsibilities, and be able to analyze the local and global impact of computing on individuals, organizations, and society.
  • Understand systems(security, operating systems, software engineering) in the design and implementation of web, database, and client/server systems and their utilization of resources

Enrolling in this program

Program eligibility requirements

Students expressing interest in the Computer Information Technology BS when they apply for admission to the university will be assigned an academic advisor in the College of Sciences and will be given pre-major status.

To be eligible for acceptance to the Computer Information Technology major, students must submit a College of Sciences Undergraduate Program Declaration Form when the following is completed:

  • Have minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 for ICS 141 and MATH 215 or equivalents  
  • Complete the General Education Writing Requirement (GELS Goal I, Part I)
  • Complete all prerequisite courses with a grade of C- or better.
  • Demonstrate competency in the Java programming language either by coursework (e.g., ICS 141) or passing a Java competency exam.  

Students who do not meet the requirements above or are on academic probation will not be accepted to the major. Students not accepted to the major will not be allowed to take advanced courses in the discipline.

Current students: Declare your program

Once you’re admitted as an undergraduate student and have met any further requirements your chosen program may have, you may declare a major or declare an optional minor.

Future students: Apply now

Apply to Metropolitan State: Start the journey toward your Computer Information Technology BS now. Learn about the steps to enroll or, if you have questions about what Metropolitan State can offer you, request information, visit campus or chat with an admissions counselor.

Get started on your Computer Information Technology BS

Course requirements

Prerequisites (16 credits)

Choose one

MATH 115 College Algebra

4 credits

This course develops the fundamental concepts of algebra with an emphasis on the classification and analysis of linear, quadratic, polynomial, exponential and logarithmic functions. Applications to the natural and social sciences are given throughout. It aims to provide insights into the nature and utility of mathematics, and helps students develop mathematical reasoning skills.

Full course description for College Algebra

MATH 120 Precalculus

4 credits

This course is designed to prepare students for calculus. Topics include polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions; the algebra of functions; multiple function representations; and an introduction to analytic geometry.

Full course description for Precalculus

ICS 140 Computational Thinking with Programming

4 credits

An introduction to the formulation of problems and developing and implementing solutions for them using a computer. Students analyze user requirements, design algorithms to solve them and translate these designs to computer programs. The course also provides an overview of major areas within the computing field. Topics include algorithm design, performance metrics, programming languages and paradigms, programming structures, number representation, Boolean algebra, computer system organization, data communications and networks, operating systems, compilers and interpreters, cloud computing, data analytics, mobile computing, internet of things, and artificial intelligence) database, internet, security, privacy, ethics, and other societal and legal issues. Lab work and homework assignments involving flow charting tools and programming using a language such as Python form an integral part of the course.

Full course description for Computational Thinking with Programming

ICS 141 Programming with Objects

4 credits

Structure, design, and implementation of object-oriented computer programs. Topics include objects, classes, GUI, and layout managers. Introduction to containment, inheritance, and polymorphism. Programming projects involving multiple classes. Emphasis on methods, parameter passing, and arrays of objects. Exploration of problem-solving and algorithm-design techniques using pseudocode, Unified Modeling Language (UML) class diagrams, and simple patterns. Design of good test cases and debugging techniques.

Full course description for Programming with Objects

ICS 225 Web Design and Implementation

4 credits

This course focuses on how to design and implement information services over the Internet from the client side. The course focuses on both usability and client-side scripting. Topics include the principles, strategies and policies of web page design, including the rules of good interface design, human factors, ethical concerns and information security. Through labs and programming projects, students also learn how to use current scripting and markup languages and how to employ state-of-the-art tools to embed interactive pages into Web-based applications.

Full course description for Web Design and Implementation

Requirements (120 credits)

Core (32 credits)

STAT 201 Statistics I

4 credits

This course covers the basic principles and methods of statistics. It emphasizes techniques and applications in real-world problem solving and decision making. Topics include frequency distributions, measures of location and variation, probability, sampling, design of experiments, sampling distributions, interval estimation, hypothesis testing, correlation and regression.

Full course description for Statistics I

CFS 262 Computer and Operating Systems Fundamentals I

4 credits

This course covers the fundamental concepts of a single user operating system. The topics discussed in the course are the basic concepts of computer organization and architecture, memory management, process handling, disk and file management and control, and peripherals operation. Students also have the opportunities to learn the techniques and procedures of system installation, configuration, administration, and trouble shooting. The operating systems illustrated in the course are MS Windows and/or Mac OS X.

Full course description for Computer and Operating Systems Fundamentals I

CFS 264 Computer and Operating Systems Fundamentals II

4 credits

This course covers the fundamental concepts of a multi-user operating system. The topics discussed in the course are conventional computer organization and architecture, memory management, process handling, disk and file management and control, and peripherals operation. Students also have the opportunities to learn the techniques and procedures of system installation, configuration, administration, and trouble shooting. The operating systems illustrated in the course are Linux and Unix.

Full course description for Computer and Operating Systems Fundamentals II

ICS 311 Database Management Systems

4 credits

Covers concepts and methods in the definition, creation and management of databases. Emphasis is placed on usage of appropriate methods and tools to design and implement databases to meet identified business needs. Topics include conceptual, logical and physical database design theories and techniques, such as use of Entity Relationship diagrams, query tools and SQL; responsibilities of data and database administrators; database integrity, security and privacy; and current and emerging trends. Use of database management systems such as MySQL. Coverage of HCI (Human Computer Interaction) topics. Development of GUI front ends to databases with application of HCI principles to provide a high level usability experience. Overlap: ICS 311T Database Management Systems.

Full course description for Database Management Systems

Client/Server Computing

Choose one of the two courses below

ICS 325 Internet Application Development

4 credits

This course focuses on how to design and establish information services over the Internet from the server side. Topics include advanced concepts and issues on Internet architecture, server-side design strategies, current technologies and Internet security. Through labs and programming projects, students learn how to use current scripting and markup languages to build nontrivial state-of-the-art applications.

Full course description for Internet Application Development

ICS 425 Client/Server Architectures

4 credits

This course is a study of scaling client/server applications enterprise-wide. The course examines why ordinary client/server tools do not scale enterprise wide, and examines the extensions necessary in DB linkage, OS extensions, and networking connections necessary for scaling. The MVC II (Model-View-Controller) design pattern and other useful design patterns will be used to explain typical architectural approaches.

Full course description for Client/Server Architectures

ICS 370 Software Design Models

4 credits

The course focuses on how to design and build process, object and event models that are translatable into project specifications and design. Topics include an overview of systems analysis and design; a framework for systems architecture; design and development using data modeling; object modeling, entities, relationships, attributes, scope rules and influences; and event models, messaging and application activation.

Full course description for Software Design Models

ICS 382 Computer Security

4 credits

This course introduces principles of computer security with integrated hands-on labs. The course prepares students to effectively protect information assets by providing fundamental details about security threats, vulnerabilities, and their countermeasures ranging from a simple computer to enterprise computing. Topics include broad range of today's security challenges, common security threats and countermeasures, security management, access control mechanisms, applied cryptography, privacy issues, computer ethics, file system security, and network security.

Full course description for Computer Security

Electives (8 credits)

Eight credits of elective coursework are required, selected from CFS 280, CFS 380, ICS 232, ICS 240, CFS 485 or any of the upper division ICS courses. The contents of ICS 490 Special Topics in Information and Computer Sciences and of ICS 492 Seminar of Emerging Technologies vary from semester to semester, and may be taken more than once (with different topics) for elective credit. No student may be enrolled in an ICS or CFS course unless they have completed all course prerequisites with a grade of C- or better.

CFS 280 Introduction to Computer Forensics

4 credits

In this course, students learn the fundamental principles and concepts in computer forensics. The topics include the classification of the digital evidence, the procedure of discovering and preserving evidence, types of computer and Internet crimes, and analysis of computer crime statistics and demographics. Students also learn how to search and retrieve information to find the evidence using some common tools. Related legal procedures, regulations, and laws are also discussed briefly.

Full course description for Introduction to Computer Forensics

CFS 380 Digital Evidence Analysis

4 credits

In this course, students continue not only to learn how to identify and collect digital evidence through forensics search tools, but also to study the emerging data mining techniques. The topics include how to design a plan for a computer crime investigation; how to select a computer software tool to perform the investigation; how to articulate the laws applying to the appropriation of computers for forensics analysis; how to verify the integrity of the evidence being obtained; how to prepare the evidence collected for the use in the court; and how to present the evidence as an expert eyewitness in court. Some hypothetical and real cases are also discussed in class.

Full course description for Digital Evidence Analysis

CFS 485 Mobile Device Security and Forensics

4 credits

This course takes a hands-on approach to provide students with foundational concepts and practical skills in Mobile Device Forensics, which can be leveraged to perform forensically sound investigations against crimes involving the most complex mobile devices currently available in the market. Using modern tools and techniques, students will learn how to conduct a structured investigation process to determine the nature of the crime and to produce results that are useful in criminal proceedings. The course will provide walkthrough on various phases of the mobile forensics process for both Android and iOS based devices including forensically extracting, collecting, and analyzing, data and producing and disseminating reports. The course modules and labs will involve certain specialized hardware and software to perform data acquisition (including deleted data), and the analysis of extracted information.

Full course description for Mobile Device Security and Forensics