To declare the Computer Information Technology major, students are required to complete the following premajor foundation courses with a grade of C- or higher and a minimum GPA of 2.5 for ICS 141 and MATH 215 or transfer equivalents. For further details, reference the General Guidelines section below.
Choose one of the following two courses.
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
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
Choose one of the following two courses.
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
This course is designed to provide a fast-paced exposure to the C programming language for students majoring in a computer-related discipline. The following topics are briefly reviewed using C syntax: looping, selection, variables, scope rules, functions and pass-by-value arguments. New topics include pass-by-address arguments, formatted and unformatted I/O, user defined types (enum, struct, union), preprocessing directives, file handling, pointers, pointer arithmetic, string manipulation and selected library functions.
Full course description for C Programming
Complete all of the following three courses.
This course covers a variety of important topics in math and computer science. Topics include: logic and proof, sets and functions, induction and recursion, elementary number theory, counting and probability, and basic theory of directed graphs.
Full course description for Discrete Mathematics
Structure, design, and implementation of object-oriented computer programs. Topics include sequential structures, selection structures, repetition structures, recursion, quadratic sorting algorithms, exceptions, objects, and classes. Emphasis on methods, parameter passing, arrays, and arrays of objects. Exploration of problem-solving and algorithm-design techniques using pseudocode and Unified Modeling Language (UML). Design of good test cases and debugging techniques are highlighted. Programming projects involving multiple classes.
Full course description for Problem Solving with Programming
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
Once the premajor foundation are complete, students must complete all of the following courses with a grade of C- or higher.
The Capstone course, ICS 499, should be taken in the final semester of your program, or at least during the semester you complete the last of the other required major courses.
Students who haven not declared their major or have not been accepted into the major will not be allowed to take any 400-level major courses. For further details on prerequisites, reference the General Guidelines section below.
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
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
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. Overlap: ICS 382 Computer Security
Full course description for Computer Security
Networks are the backbone of information technology operations within an enterprise and are responsible for a significant portion of an organization's security posture. Cybersecurity professionals are often tasked with securing network operations and responding to network threats which demonstrates the importance to networking knowledge in the cybersecurity industry. As a cybersecurity practitioner, it is imperative that there is an understanding of network operations, protocols, and administration practices. This course focuses on developing skills and taking a deep dive into networking protocols including TCP, UDP, ICMP, and IP, network design and architecture, network administration automation, network analysis, and network protocol and design impacts on security and defense measures. Overlap: ICS 383 Networking Protocols and Analysis
Full course description for Networking Protocols and Analysis
This course provides basic introduction to data structures and algorithms and emphasizes the relationship between algorithms and programming. Students will learn intermediate object-oriented design, programming, testing and debugging. Topics include inheritance, polymorphism, algorithm complexity, generic programming, linked list, stack, queue, recursion, trees, hashing, searching, and sorting.
Full course description for Introduction to Data Structures
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 and development of 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
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
Interaction design is an interdisciplinary field integrating theories and methodologies across several disciplines such as computer science, cognitive psychology, technical communication, user experience, human factors, information technology and engineering design. In this course, students are introduced to the theoretical knowledge of and practical experience with concepts of interaction design, design theory and techniques, and implementation and evaluation of interfaces. Topics covered include: interaction design, human-computer interaction, prototyping, usability evaluation, universal design, multimodal interfaces, and virtual reality. In addition to lectures, students will work on individual assignments and team projects to design, implement, and evaluate various interactive systems and user interfaces.
Full course description for Interaction Design for User Experience
This course focuses on the theory and practice of effectively and efficiently building software systems that satisfy the requirements placed upon them by customers. This course gives an overview of the software lifecycle and introduces various process models used to develop software.
Full course description for Software Engineering and Capstone Project
Choose one of the following two courses. The other course may be taken as a major elective.
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
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
Either eight upper-division credits, or a minor in a field approved by the academic advisor, are required for the Computer Information Technology major.
Electives Option 8 credits
Complete a minimum of eight upper-division credits (i.e, 300-level, or higher) of elective courses. Consult with academic advisor on acceptable electives.
Note the following:
-At least 4 credits of electives must come from upper-division (i.e., 300-level, or higher) ICS courses, not already required for the major, with the following exceptions: ICS 350I, ICS 372, ICS 38*, and ICS 48*.
-The contents of ICS 490 Special Topics in Information and Computer Sciences and ICS 492 Seminar on Emerging Technologies vary from semester to semester and may be taken more than once for elective credits (with permission of the CSC department) as long as they cover different topics.
-Any 300-level or higher CYBR, CFS, MATH, or STAT course may be used as an elective except for internships and seminars.
-A maximum of 4 credits in ICS 350I Individualized Internship spread over 1-3 semesters may be used as elective credits.
Minor Option
Work with your academic advisor to assess if the minor option is appropriate for your degree and career plan. Students with a previous bachelor's degree should talk to their advisor about whether that degree can be used in lieu of a minor. Recommended fields for a minor include (but are not limited to): Industrial and Applied Mathematics, Applied Statistics, Computer Forensics, Cybersecurity, Design of User Experience, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Management Information Systems, Project Management, and Technical Communication.
Transfer Courses
Transfer coursework equivalency is determined by the Computer Science and Cybersecurity (CSC) department and is initially evaluated upon admission with updates documented on the Degree Audit Report (DARS). When transferring coursework, please be aware that many universities, community, and technical colleges offer courses equivalent to some of our pre-major courses. Sometimes a course at the lower division at another university or college is equivalent to one of our upper-division courses, or an upper-division course at another institution is equivalent to one of our lower-division courses. To calculate upper-division credits for the major electives or for university graduation requirements, the status of the course at the institution where the student took the course is what matters.
Prerequisites
Students must be aware of and abide by prerequisites for all courses for which they are enrolled. No student may be enrolled in a course unless they have completed all course prerequisites with a grade of C- or higher. Students will be administratively dropped from a course if they have not met the required prerequisites. For some courses, prerequisites are enforced automatically by the registration system. If your DARS report shows you have met the prerequisites for a course, and the registration system will not let you register, please contact your academic advisor.
