Faculty

Bill Steel, Assistant Professor of Information Technology (Program Director)
V. R. Nemani, Associate Professor of Business Administration
Scott E. Battle, Assistant Professor of Business Administration
Victoria Goetz, Assistant Professor of Business Administration [on leave Fall 2002]
Laurie Johnson, Assistant Professor of Mathematics

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Description

The Information Systems and Technology Program offers students in the School of Professional Studies an undergraduate major leading to the Bachelor of Science in Information Systems (IS). The Program also offers an undergraduate minor in Information Technology (IT) Systems to students in the School of Professional Studies and the College of Arts and Sciences.

The curriculum is structured according to guidelines issued by the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM), the Association for Information Systems (AIS) and the Association for Information Technology Professionals (AITP). Students develop the skills and knowledge necessary to function in roles such as Systems Analysts, Software Developers, Project Managers, Network Engineers and System Administrators. Students are able to tailor the program to their needs through optional areas of concentration such as Programming, Information Assurance/Security, Web Development, or IS Management. Participants are encouraged and supported to use their experience and training towards the requirements of the degree, especially industry recognized certifications, for example Microsoft, CISCO Novell, and CompTia, through the use of Trinity College's Experiential Learning program (TELL).

The information systems curriculum covers:

  • Professional skills
  • IT hardware and software
  • Networks
  • Databases
  • Software development and Web programming
  • Systems analysis and design
  • Systems integration
  • IT security, strategy and policy
  • Business knowledge and project management

The IT Systems minor provides an opportunity for students of all academic majors to gain essential IT skills. The curriculum introduces students to practical issues in technology, enhances their decision-making skills, and solidifies their abilities to function in a global marketplace marked by rapid technological change.

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Major Requirements

Students majoring in Information Systems and Technology must complete a total of 49 credits of course work distributed among 40 credits of required courses plus 9 credits of electives. Students may also elect to pursue an optional subject concentration.

Required Courses (40 credits) 

ALL of the following courses:

IT 141 Introduction to Programming
IT 223 Theory of Management Information Systems
IT 224 Information Technology I: Hardware
IT 225 Information Technology II: System Software
IT 230 Decision Support Systems
IT 233 Networks I: Networks & Data Communication
IT 307 Database Management Systems
IT 333 Internet Concepts & Architecture
IT 353 Electronic Business
IT 363 Information Systems Security
IT 433 Networks II: Physical Design & Implementation
IT 499 Senior Seminar: Information Systems Analysis & Design

Program Elective Courses (9 credits)

THREE courses chosen from among:

BUA 401 Project Management
IT 241 Intermediate Programming
IT 301 Web Page Design
IT 325 Introduction to UNIX/Linux
IT 385 Data Structures & Algorithms
IT 565 Network Security
IT 306 Introduction to Programming for the Internet
PHI 213 Business & Professional Ethics

Optional Subject Concentrations (9 credits)

Electives can be used to build desired skills and knowledge in different areas or grouped together to build an optional subject concentration within the Information Systems major.

Management Information Systems Concentration

BOTH of the following courses:

MGT 401 Project Management
PHI 213 Business & Professional Ethics

ONE additional course from the list of program elective courses above

Web Development Concentration

BOTH of the following courses

IT 301 Web Page Design
IT 306 Introduction to Programming for the Internet

ONE additional course from the list of program elective courses above

Programming Concentration

BOTH of the following courses:

IT 241 Intermediate Programming
IT 385 Data Structures & Algorithms

ONE additional course from the list of program elective courses above

Information Assurance/Security Concentration

BOTH of the following courses:

IT 565 Network Security
MGT 401 Project Management

ONE additional course from the list of program elective courses above

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Minor Requirements

Students opting to pursue a minor in information technology systems must complete 13 credits of required courses and 6 credits of electives.

Required Courses (13 credits)

ALL of the following courses:

IT 141 Introduction to Programming
IT 222 Theory of Management Info Systems
IT 230 Decision Support Systems
IT 314 Advanced Computer Applications

Elective Courses (6 credits)

TWO courses chosen from among:

IT 215 Computer Applications in Business
MTS 301 Web Page Design
MTS 306 Introduction to Programming for the Internet

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Program Policies

Advanced Placement Policy: Credits earned through AP examinations may fulfill program requirements with the approval of the Program Chair.

CLEP Policy: Credits earned through CLEP examinations may fulfill Program requirements with the approval of the Program Chair. Students wishing to receive credit for CLEP examinations should contact the advising staff.

Cross-listed Courses: Courses that are cross-listed represent identical courses offered with a different program prefix. Students may not enroll in or receive credit for more than one iteration of a cross-listed course even in different semesters.

Grades in Major and Minor Courses: Students are required to earn a grade of "C" (2.0) or better in all courses counted to fulfill requirements of the major or minor

Optional Subject Concentrations: Students may pursue more than one optional subject concentration, but each concentration must consist of nine discrete credits; courses may not double-count among concentrations.

Pass/No Pass: Courses fulfilling major or minor requirements may not be taken Pass/No Pass.

Senior Assessment: All students in the major are required to complete IT 499 Systems Analysis & Design - Senior Seminar at Trinity College.

Study Abroad: Students may meet major and minor requirements with courses taken through a study abroad program with the approval of the Program Chair.

TELL: Students are encouraged to apply for TELL credits to count toward program requirements; all TELL credits must be approved by the Program Chair.

Transfer Credits: Students may apply transfer credits toward program requirements with the approval of the Program Chair.

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Course Descriptions

IT 101 Introduction to Computers
Introduces computers for the novice user. Explaining basic computer concepts and how to use them.
3 credits

IT 141 Introduction to Programming
Provides an exposure to algorithm development, programming, computer concepts and the design and application of data and file structures. It includes the use of logical and physical structures for both programs and data. Cross-listed as MAT 141.
3 credits
Prerequisite: IT 101 or MAT 104 or permission of instructor

IT 215 Computer Applications in Business
Teaches personal productivity skills through the use of common computer applications used in business offices, such as word processors, spreadsheets and Internet browsers. Cross-listed as BUA 215.
3 credits

IT 223 Theory of Management Information Systems
Provides an introduction to systems and development concepts, information technology, and application software. The course explains how information is used in organizations and how information technology enables improvement in quality, timeliness, and competitive advantage. Cross-listed as BUA 223.
3 credits

IT 224 Information Technology I: Hardware
Examines the main hardware components that make computing possible (CPU, memory, motherboard, storage, peripherals, I/O); introduction to system administration tasks. Students learn the basic terms, concepts and functions of system components and gain familiarization in their installation, configuration and troubleshooting.
4 credits
Prerequisite: IT 215 or permission of instructor

IT 225 Information Technology II: System Software
Examines software concepts - operating systems, window managers, file systems and their operations in computer / network architectures. Installation, configuration, basic networking and troubleshooting are covered.
4 credits
Prerequisite: IT 215 or permission of instructor

IT 230 Decision Support Systems
Provides an understanding of organizational systems, planning, and decision process, and how information is used for decision support in organizations. It covers quality and decision theory, information theory, and practice essential for providing viable information to the organization. It outlines the concepts of IS for competitive advantage, data as a resource, IS and IT planning and implementation, change and project management. Cross-listed as BUA 230.
3 credits
Prerequisite: IT 223 or equivalent

IT 233 Networks I: Networks & Data Communication
Examines how the underlying hardware and software components in networks of information systems, make it possible to access data and services across remote computers; the overall structure of a network, including description of the functionality of different protocols and standards. The course will cover topologies, protocols, the OSI model, performance issues, and software for LANS/WANS.
3 credits
Prerequisites: IT 215 or permission of instructor

IT 241 Intermediate Programming
Provides a continuation of the development of object-oriented design and implementation using a current programming language. Inheritance, polymorphism, error-handling, I/O, advanced graphical user interfaces, and data representation. Cross-listed as MAT 241.
3 credits
Prerequisite: IT 141 or MAT 141 or permission of instructor

IT 301 Web Page Design
Examines publishing on the World Wide Web (WWW). Included topics will be theory on design, navigation, the use of multimedia as well as an overview of security and legal issues. Students will learn HTML and common authoring tools. Cross-listed as MTS 301.
3 credits
Prerequisite: IT 101 or permission of instructor

IT 306 Introduction to Programming for the Internet
Teaches practical web development and programming for business and internet transactions. Covers programming techniques used to create multimedia intensive and interactive web sites. Cross-listed as MTS 306.
3 credits
Prerequisite: IT 301 or equivalent

IT 307 Database Management Systems
Teaches concepts of database systems and their design and impact on information systems. Studies data structures and their relationships, the relational database model, SQL and database languages. Cross-listed as MAT 307.
3 credits
Prerequisite: IT 141 or permission of instructor

IT 314 Advanced Computer Applications in Business
Provides a continuation of IT 215 and covers advanced topics of software packages that include spreadsheets, database, and project management for business applications. In addition, presentation software is reviewed, and hands-on experience with the software is provided. Cross-listed as BUA 314.
3 credits
Prerequisite: IT 215 or BUA 215 or permission of instructor

IT 325 Introduction to UNIX/LINUX
Introduces the UNIX/LINUX operating systems, their differences from Windows systems and environments in which they are used. Students will learn basic usage of UNIX, its file systems structure, system organization, command set, syntax, UNIX tools, pipes and shells as will as basic administration.
3 credits
Prerequisite: IT 225 or permission of instructor

IT 333 Internet Concepts and Architecture
Teaches the design of internets and intranets. Topics include bridges, routers, switches and gateways - the way in which they work and their functions in a networked environment. An overview of network performance tuning; privacy, security, firewalls and reliability will be given.
3 credits
Prerequisite: IT 233 or equivalent

IT 353 Electronic Business
Examines the linkage of organizational strategy and electronic methods of delivering products, services and exchanges in inter-organizational, national, and global environments. Information technology strategy and technological solutions for enabling effective business processes within and between organizations in a global environment are considered.
3 credits
Prerequisite: IT 223

IT 363 Information Systems Security
Provides the student with an understanding of the rationale for network security. Examines threats originating from internal and external sources, and the value of information to organizations. Explores technologies, security procedures and strategies necessary to protect information.
3 credits
Prerequisite: IT 223

IT 385 Data Structures and Algorithms
Studies the design and analysis of efficient algorithms. Covers the implementation of data structures, including linked lists, stacks, queues, and trees, as well as the sorting, searching, hashing, and merging of data. Cross-listed as MAT 385.
3 credits
Prerequisite: IT 141 or MAT 141 or equivalent

IT 433 Networks II: Physical Design and Implementation
Examines the installation, configuration, and troubleshooting of networks and their components. The installation and configuration of LAN and WAN networks; monitoring of networks. The course includes the Domain Name System, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, remote access, network protocols and IP routing.
4 credits
Prerequisite: IT 233 or equivalent

IT 499 Senior Seminar: Information Systems Analysis and Design
Students pursue the analysis and design for a networked environment or information system based on the needs of an organization. Among the areas which students must consider are cost-benefit, quality, connectivity and the impact of their design. Students synthesize and apply their mastery of information systems knowledge through the evaluation, selection and even implementation of different options within an organization.
3 credits
Prerequisite: IT 353

IT 565 Network Security
Provides the essential concepts and methods for network security. Topics covered include physical security technologies / access control and data encryption/decryption. A survey of commercial and free products, security capable browsers, cryptography, certificates, and firewalls is also provided.
3 credits
Prerequisite: IT 233 or equivalent

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