BS Degree in Information Technology - Effective Fall 2005
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
- What is the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology degree? »
The B.S. in Information Technology provides graduates with expertise in the foundational information technologies; the ability to identify the user’s (whether individual or organizational) requirements for information technology; the ability to identify current and emerging technologies and how they may be applied in a variety of situations; the ability to work in project teams in order to implement IT solutions; and be well-versed in project management methods for complex environments. Through the curriculum, you will develop information fluency, independent critical thinking and problem-solving skills and learn to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with clients and colleagues.
- What are the career opportunities for graduates with an undergraduate degree in IT? »
- What types of organizations would hire an IT graduate? »
- How is IT different from MIS or Computer Science? »
- I am not a student at FSU right now. How do I apply to the University? »
- I am already an FSU student in another major on campus. How do I change my major to IT? »
- What is Mapping? »
As of summer/fall 2007 all students will be mapped, or tracked, in their respective major. Mapping provides a four-year plan for students to monitor their progress toward the degree and fulfill proper pre-requisites before moving on to the next course.
The "sample schedule" on the left hand column of your academic map is the recommended schedule and is not required. However, during your academic career you will also have to take "milestone" courses. These milestones will also be listed on your academic map in the right hand column. You must successfully complete these milestone courses by the end of the term listed.
If you do not successfully complete the required milestone course by the end of the term listed, you will be considered "off course" in your intended major. After you are off course once you will have a hold placed on your registration. You will need to meet with your advisor to have the hold removed. If you are "off course" for two consecutive terms you will be removed from the major.
There are no milestones that must be met for the summer semesters. Summer terms are not mapped and may be used by off course students to catch up on their milestones.
The academic map for the Information Technology major may be found in the Academic Program Guide at http://www.academic-guide.fsu.edu/maps/mapinformation.html
Note for Transfer Students: In order to be on track with mapping, community college transfer students with a Florida AA degree are required to have completed any four (4) of the IT program prerequisites to be eligible for admission to the major.
- What are the prerequisites to the Information Technology major? »
- How I can tell if classes I have already taken or plan to take will count for some of the prerequisites? »
- How many credit hours are required to complete the major? »
- What are the differences between the Information Systems and Services track and the Information Organization and Communication track? »
- How do I declare a track? »
- May I change tracks later in the program? »
- Am I required to do an internship for the major? »
- Do I have to have my own computer to be in the major? »
- Can I do the program online? »
- Am I required to have a minor? »
- Is there a minor in Information Technology available? »
- Can I get a Bachelor of Arts degree in Information Technology instead of a Bachelor of Science degree? »
- Where can I get more information on the program? »
The B.S. in IT degree prepares you for a career as an IT professional. The demand for IT professionals is already great and continues to grow. Specifically, the B.S. in IT program offered by the College of Information draws on the service tradition of the field of information studies to train IT professionals who can make a difference in their organizations, by focusing on the development of user-centered information technologies. By focusing on the needs of the user and ensuring that the technologies that they develop meet those needs, IT professionals are best able to serve their organization and reinforce the importance of their contributions. Specific career opportunities include: information architect, network administrator, technical editor/writer, usability analyst, content manager, systems analyst, technology coordinator, and web developer/administrator.
IT professionals are found in almost every organization, from large to small, in the private, public, and non-profit sectors. Potential employers include IT Businesses, Business and Professional Associations, Public Relations Firms, Communication Firms, Research Organizations, Universities and Colleges, Consulting Firms, Information Industry (Publishers and other media outlets), Planning Agencies, and Government Agencies.
The main difference between the IT program and MIS and computer science programs is the emphasis we place in taking a user-centered approach. IT majors learn both technical skills as well as management skills, but they learn to apply these skills to meet the information needs of individuals and organizations. The highly interdisciplinary backgrounds of faculty within the College of Information result in the incorporation of a variety of different approaches and perspectives in the IT program. Complex problems such as addressing the information needs of a wide array of consumers are best handled by professionals with a diverse methodological and analytical toolbox that prepares them to tackle unanticipated challenges in the workplace. Thus, IT majors do not learn more or less than MIS or computer science majors, however the unique emphasis of the IT program prepares graduates to join a dynamic and competitive workforce by instilling both the practical skills required to get a job and the problem-solving ability and service orientation needed to keep that job.
Admission to the University is processed entirely by the FSU Office of Admissions. For admission information and requirements, please visit their website at http://admissions.fsu.edu/ or call (850) 644-6200 to speak with an admissions officer.
Prospective students do not need to submit a separate application to the College of Information. Students may select Information Technology as their intended major on their application to the University.
In order to be on track with mapping, transfer students with an Associated in Arts degree from a Florida community college must have completed at least four (4) of the IT program prerequisite courses to be eligible for admission. See the "What is Mapping?" section of the FAQ for additional information on mapping.
Prospective students do not need to submit a separate application to the College of Information. Students may select Information Technology as their intended major on their application to the University.
In order to be on track with mapping, transfer students with an Associated in Arts degree from a Florida community college must have completed at least four (4) of the IT program prerequisite courses to be eligible for admission. See the "What is Mapping?" section of the FAQ for additional information on mapping.
FSU students may change their majors to IT by completing a change of major card. They may pick up a change of major card from an advisor in room 101-B of the Shores Building. Students must have a 2.0 GPA or higher to change their major to IT. Students do not need to submit an application to the College to be admitted to the major.
The prerequisites to Information Technology are:
STA2122, Introduction to Applied Statistics
ECO2013, Principles of Macroeconomics
PSY2012, General Psychology
MAC1140, Precalculus
PHI2630, Ethical Issues and Life Choices
CGSxxxx, any database concepts course
CGS3416, JAVA for Non-Majors, or any other programming course
CGS3406, Object-Oriented Programming in C++, or any other object-oriented programming course
All prerequisites must be completed with a grade of "C-" or higher.
Prerequisite classes may be transferred from another institution or completed here at FSU. Transfer students from a community college are encouraged to have all prerequisites completed as part of their Florida Associate in Arts degree before being admitted to the program.
Community college transfer students with a Florida AA degree are required to have completed any four (4) of the IT program prerequisites to be eligible for admission to the major.
STA2122, Introduction to Applied Statistics
ECO2013, Principles of Macroeconomics
PSY2012, General Psychology
MAC1140, Precalculus
PHI2630, Ethical Issues and Life Choices
CGSxxxx, any database concepts course
CGS3416, JAVA for Non-Majors, or any other programming course
CGS3406, Object-Oriented Programming in C++, or any other object-oriented programming course
All prerequisites must be completed with a grade of "C-" or higher.
Prerequisite classes may be transferred from another institution or completed here at FSU. Transfer students from a community college are encouraged to have all prerequisites completed as part of their Florida Associate in Arts degree before being admitted to the program.
Community college transfer students with a Florida AA degree are required to have completed any four (4) of the IT program prerequisites to be eligible for admission to the major.
Questions regarding whether a specific course will satisfy an IT prerequisite should be sent to an advisor at bsit@ci.fsu.edu. Please provide the course prefix and number, the course title, and the name of the institution where the course is being offered. In some cases, it may also be necessary to provide a course description and/or syllabus.
The major requires a minimum of 42 credit hours in IT. The following classes are all required for the major:
LIS3021, Technical Communication for Information Professionals
LIS3353, Technologies for Information Professionals
LIS3267, Information Science
LIS3201, Research and Data Analysis
LIS3706, Information Systems and Services (prereqs: LIS3353, LIS3267)
LIS3784, Information Organization and Communication (prereqs: LIS3353, 3267)
LIS4910, Information Technology Project (prereqs: LIS3706, LIS3784)
LIS4708, Perspectives in Information Technology (prereqs: LIS3706, LIS3784)
In addition to these courses, students must take a total of 18 hours of electives in IT. Nine (9) of these elective credits must be from a track in either Information Systems and Services or Information Organization and Communication. Students should consult an advisor each semester regarding their course selection.
In addition to the major requirements, students must also complete all other University requirements for the degree. Undergraduate degree requirements can be found in the Undergraduate General Bulletin found at the Registrar's Office website at http://registrar.fsu.edu/.
LIS3021, Technical Communication for Information Professionals
LIS3353, Technologies for Information Professionals
LIS3267, Information Science
LIS3201, Research and Data Analysis
LIS3706, Information Systems and Services (prereqs: LIS3353, LIS3267)
LIS3784, Information Organization and Communication (prereqs: LIS3353, 3267)
LIS4910, Information Technology Project (prereqs: LIS3706, LIS3784)
LIS4708, Perspectives in Information Technology (prereqs: LIS3706, LIS3784)
In addition to these courses, students must take a total of 18 hours of electives in IT. Nine (9) of these elective credits must be from a track in either Information Systems and Services or Information Organization and Communication. Students should consult an advisor each semester regarding their course selection.
In addition to the major requirements, students must also complete all other University requirements for the degree. Undergraduate degree requirements can be found in the Undergraduate General Bulletin found at the Registrar's Office website at http://registrar.fsu.edu/.
The major offers two areas of concentration: Information Systems and Services and Information Organization and Communication. The Information Systems and Services track focuses on information systems, including database management; web development and administration; and networks and networking. The Information Organization and Communication track focuses on the organization, labeling, and navigation schemes of an information system; on the structural design of information spaces for providing organized access to content; and on the design and architecture of the digital landscape. Both tracks will teach you to apply the power of revolutionary information technologies to responsibly meet the needs of their users in an information-dependent global society. Experiential learning plays an important role within the major.
Students will declare their track on the official graduation check with the College of Information. All students are required to request a graduation check by the time they reach 100 credit hours.
Yes, but it may mean doing additional course work. The College encourages all students to select a track carefully and take classes in a manner that will allow them to graduate within four years.
No, students are not required to do an internship for the degree, but the College does encourage all students to pursue an internship as part of their major program. General information on the internship policies and procedures may be found on the College's website at http://ci.fsu.edu/go/internships
Yes, all new students who enter the College of Information are required to provide their own laptop computer and appropriate software. Specific information may be found on the College's website under "Hardware and Software Requirements."
No, the IT degree is only available on campus.
No, students in the College of Information are not required to complete a minor. However, a minor is recommended as a way for students to focus their electives in a specific area. Minors are unofficial at FSU; they do not appear on a student's transcript or diploma.
Yes, students can obtain a minor in Information Technology. A minor requires 12 credit hours in the major. Students seeking to minor in IT should contact an undergraduate advisor to assist in developing a minor appropriate to their interests.
Yes, but additional requirements must be completed. In addition to all the general requirements for the B.S. degree, the following requirements for the B.A. must also be met: (1) Completion of a classical or modern foreign language through the 2000-level (2200 or equivalent); and (2) Nine (9) semester hours in the fields of humanities and history, in addition to the liberal studies and the foreign language requirement. Courses may be selected from the following schools, colleges and departments: College of Visual Arts and Dance; School of Music; School of Theatre; College of Communication (not including work in communication disorders), and the departments of Classical Languages, Literature, and Civilization; Modern Languages and Linguistics; English; History; Philosophy; Religion, or Theatre in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Contact an undergraduate advisor at bsit@ci.fsu.edu or (850) 644-5775.
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Course Descriptions Forthcoming
If you wish to contact an undergraduate advisor directly, please select from the list below.
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William Leparulo |
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