Information Technology, B.S.

Program Description

The Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology focuses on highly relevant skills in cybersecurity, computer networking, and end-user design and development. The information technology degree goes beyond the science behind computers, teaching students how to design, develop, test and maintain solutions in a wide range of computing and networking application areas. Information technology studies are integrated to provide students with the knowledge and skills to meet the computer technology needs of business, government, healthcare, education and other organizations. In addition to core competencies in programming and networking, security and privacy, and other application-focused computing fields, the information technology major features a junior-level project to address a community need. Also, students in the information technology major are required to complete a two-semester senior capstone project, allowing them to apply the range of their abilities in a real-world context. Students in the information technology major are also required to select nine credit hours of IT senior class electives from various fields such as cyber-security, web/mobile development and computer networking.

Progressing in the Major and Minimum Grades

To be admitted to and progress in the major, students must meet the following criteria:

Achieve a minimum grade of "B-" in CS 149 to advance to IT 160 and IT 201.
- For students transferring in CS 149, complete an assessment to determine their level of preparedness. Students may be encouraged to retake the course at JMU.
  - Students may attempt CS 149 twice.
  - Students who take CS 149 at JMU and wish to repeat the course must take their second attempt at JMU.
Performance in IT 160 and IT 201 determines if a student is eligible to continue in the major. 50-68 total students are admitted per year (48 to start in the fall; 20 to start in the spring). The selection criteria are based on the grades a student earns in IT 160 and IT 201:
- Students must earn a minimum grade of “C” in IT 160 and IT 201.
- Students can repeat IT 160 and IT 201 twice, at most. The grade achieved in the repeat attempt of IT 160 and/or IT 201 will be the grade used for admission.
- If more than 68 students receive a “C” or better in IT 160 and IT 201, then the top 68 students based upon their average grades in those courses will be able to continue. Grades in MATH 235 or MATH 231/MATH 232 will be used to break ties.
- Students not addmited on the first attempt may reapply the next semester.
Additional Requirements:
- Achieve a minimum grade of "C" in IT 215 (prerequisite for an upper-level course).
- Achieve a minimum grade of "C-" in IT 333 (prerequisite for several upper-level courses).

Degree Requirements

Degree and Major Requirements
Degree Requirements	Credit Hours
General Education ¹	41
Quantitative requirement ²	3
Scientific Literacy requirement ²	3
Major Requirements	62-65
University Electives	8-11
Total	120

¹: The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. Some credit hours may be fulfilled by courses required in the major.
²: In addition to General Education. Consult the list of courses satisfying Bachelor of Science degree requirements on the Registrar's website. The scientific literacy requirement may be met by courses required in the major.

Major Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Core Courses
CS 149	Introduction to Programming ¹	3
IT 160	Data Structures and Advanced Programming	3
IT 201	Computational Structures and Logic	3
IT 203	Information Security and Privacy	3
IT 212	Digital Electronics	3
IT 215	Introduction to Telecommunications and Computer Networking	3
IT 240	Database Administration	3
IT 301	Web Technologies	3
IT 302	Societal and Ethical Issues in Information Technology	3
IT 311	Operating Systems Administration	3
IT 313	Community Projects	3
IT 333	Advanced Networking for Information Technology	3
IT 340	Data Science and Machine Learning	3
IT 347	Interactive Computing Systems	3
Subtotal		42
Choose one of the following options:		4-6
Option 1:
MATH 235	Calculus I [C3QR]
Option 2:
MATH 231 & MATH 232	Calculus with Functions I [C3QR] and Calculus with Functions II
Choose one of the following:		3-4
MATH 220	Elementary Statistics [C3QR]
MATH 229	Introduction to Applied Statistics Using R [C3QR]
MATH 318	Introduction to Probability and Statistics
Subtotal		7-10
Capstone
IT 444	Capstone Project Design	1
IT 445	Capstone Project Implementation	3
Subtotal		4
Major Electives
Choose nine credit hours from the following:		9
IT 334	Computer Cyber Crime, Forensics and Auditing
IT 341	Mobile Applications
IT 342	Server Administration
IT 415	Data Visualization Fundamentals and Techniques
IT 433	Internship in Information Technology
IT 435	Applied Cryptography
IT 443	Cloud Computing and IoT Networks
IT 460	Advanced Cybersecurity
IT 461	Internetworking
IT 462	Network Applications Development
IT 465	Wireless Networking and Security
Subtotal		9
Total Credits		62-65

¹: Students who cannot enroll immediately in CS 149 due to low MATH placement score can take IT 101 while they prepare for CS 149. IT 101 will count as an elective.

Recommended Schedule for Majors

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall Semester		Credits
CS 149	Introduction to Programming	3
MATH 231	Calculus with Functions I [C3QR] ¹	3
General Education, degree requirements or elective courses		9
	Credits	15
Spring Semester
IT 160	Data Structures and Advanced Programming	3
IT 201	Computational Structures and Logic	3
MATH 232	Calculus with Functions II ¹	3
General Education, degree requirements or elective courses		6
	Credits	15
Second Year
Fall Semester
IT 215	Introduction to Telecommunications and Computer Networking	3
IT 203	Information Security and Privacy	3
General Education, degree requirements or elective courses		9
	Credits	15
Spring Semester
IT 212	Digital Electronics	3
IT 240	Database Administration	3
MATH 220	Elementary Statistics [C3QR] ²	3
General Education, degree requirements or elective courses		6
	Credits	15
Third Year
Fall Semester
IT 301	Web Technologies	3
IT 302	Societal and Ethical Issues in Information Technology	3
IT 333	Advanced Networking for Information Technology	3
General Education, degree requirements or elective courses		6
	Credits	15
Spring Semester
IT 311	Operating Systems Administration	3
IT 313	Community Projects	3
IT 340	Data Science and Machine Learning	3
IT 347	Interactive Computing Systems	3
General Education, degree requirements or elective courses		3
	Credits	15
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
IT 444	Capstone Project Design	1
General Education degree requirements or elective courses		14
	Credits	15
Spring Semester
IT 445	Capstone Project Implementation	3
General Education, degree requirements or elective courses		12
	Credits	15
	Total Credits	120

¹: Many students opt to take the two-course calculus sequence (MATH 231 and MATH 232), but if you have the appropriate ALEKS score, you could take MATH 235 to fulfill your calculus requirement.
²: Many students opt to take Elementary Statistics (MATH 220) to fulfill our statistics requirement, but we have two other course options: MATH 229 or MATH 318.