Minors

Minor in Information Technology (IT)
(Not open to Computer Science, IT and Engineering Majors)

Purpose of Program

As technology's role in society increases, people who possess a strong understanding of technology are becoming assets in almost every field. The IT Minor allows students to continue to choose their professional or career directions from the wider range of major options at GMU, and yet obtain certification that they are information technology literate. Given the extensive use of IT by various sectors of society, the natural question is "What then is IT literacy?" There is no absolute definition of what IT literacy is because its meaning may vary considerably, depending on several factors, including discipline and location of the technical employer. Here within GMU and in today's Washington, D. C. metropolitan area's technological community, the concept of IT literacy is virtually synonymous to "computer literacy." For the technical company, the term "computer literacy" refers to some minimum level of competence that any entry-level technical professional should have with respect to computer applications. If one is to be truly computer literate, one must be able to recognize problems for which computer solutions are appropriate. The following are among the goals of a curriculum designed to develop basic technological literacy:

• The ability to use modern operating systems and an understanding of the concepts underlying modern networks and communication systems.
• The ability to use basic computing applications such as word processors, spreadsheets, database management systems, and presentation software.
• The ability to use information retrieval tools to gain access to information resources found on electronic networks.
• The ability to understand basic programming and data base concepts.

Additional evidence of information technological literacy may include knowledge of technical courses upon which the acquisition of technical tools can be based, skill and comfort in the use of technical hardware and software packages and programs, understanding of the ethical issues related to technology, and an understanding of technology's impact on society. Information technological literacy also implies increased attention to lifelong learning skills, both for learning new technologies and for managing the vastly expanded and growing information resources made accessible through technology. The IT Minor is not open to computer science, IT and engineering majors.

IT Minor Requirements (15 credits)

The IT Minor requires 9 semester hours of core courses and six semester hours of electives. The list of elective courses from which the student may choose is under the control of The Volgenau School of IT&E Undergraduate Studies Committee, and is reevaluated periodically. Elective courses selected for the IT Minor must be approved by The Volgenau School of IT&E program advisor for the IT Minor (Summer: Science & Tech Building II, room 17). Additionally, students who find that there is a strong degree (i.e., more than 2 courses) of overlap between the proposed IT Minor Plan of Study and their major (or another proposed minor) must notify the IT Minor Advisor and obtain prior approval of their proposed IT Minor Plan of Study.

REQUIRED COURSES (9 Credits)

IT 101 - Introduction to Information Technology (3:3:0). (If taken prior to Summer 2001, MIS 420 can substitute for IT 101). Introduces students to the fundamental concepts in information technology that provide the technical underpinning for state-of-the-art applications. A perspective on the range of information technology is presented. Historical development and social implications of efforts in information technology form an integral part of the course.

IT 103 Introduction to Computing (3:1:2). Prerequisite: Knowledge of High School Algebra. Introduction, using both lecture and laboratory practice, to the nature and uses of computers. Widely used computer applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentation software, and computer communications and networking are studied. Laboratory projects are required in these areas. Additional lectures address computer systems organization, computer communications and networking, legal and ethical considerations, security, artificial intelligence, the future of computing, and the Internet. Students will not receive credit if they already have credit for INFT 103 or CS 103.

IT 108 Programming Fundamentals (3:2:1). Prerequisite: IT 103. Introduction to programming fundamentals. Software development process is presented. Students learn to program in a high level language. (IT Minor students may take both IT 108 and CS 112 for credit.) Students will not receive credit if they have already taken INFT 103 or CS 108.

Note: Some courses designed for engineering and computer science majors may be substituted for some of the core courses. Please direct inquiries to The Volgenau School of Information Technology and Engineering:

Sci/Tech Building II, room 17, phone: (703) 993-3565, e-mail bsitinfo@gmu.edu

APPROVED LIST OF ELECTIVE COURSES (6 credits, minimum)
Updated for Fall 2003

CS 112 (4) Computer Science I; prerequisite: High school algebra and trig, completion of Math Placement Test or grade C or better in MATH 105.

CS 211 (3) Computer Science II; prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CS 112.

CS 310 (3) Computer Science III; prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CS 211.

DESC 301 (3) Decision Models in Business and Operations Management; prerequisite: Completion of at least 60 semester hours including MATH 108 and DESC 210.

ECE 201 (3) Introduction to Electrical Engineering; prerequisite: MATH 113.

ECE 301 (3) Digital Electronics; no prerequisite.

ENGR 183 (3) Engineering Computer Graphics; prerequisite: ENGR 107 or permission of instructor.

GEOG 300 (3) Quantitative Methods for Geographical Analysis; prerequisite: 30 credits, including GEOG 102 and 103 or permission of instructor and permission of department.

GEOG 311 (3) Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

GOVT 400 (3) Political Research and Data Analysis; prerequisite: GOVT 300.

INFS 310 (3) Program Structure and Design for Business Applications; prerequisite: MIS 201, IT 103 or CS 161

INFS 311 (3) Database Management; prerequisite: INFS 310, CS 112 or IT 108.

INFS/IT 462 (3) Info Security Principles; prerequisite: INFS 312, IT 212, or equivalent

INFS/IT 466 (3) Network Security; prerequisites: INFS 312, IT 212, or equivalent

IT 212 (3) How Computers Work; no prerequisites.

IT 213 (3) Computer Graphics and Multimedia; prerequisites: IT 103, IT 108

IT 214 (3) Data Base Fundamentals; prerequisite: IT 103

IT 221 (3) Introduction to Information Security Technologies; prerequisite: IT 108

IT 222 (3) Introduction to Information Security Policy and Management; prerequisite: IT 103

IT 250 (3) Introductory Statistics I; prerequisite: High school algebra.

IT 362 (3) Introduction to Computer Statistical Packages; prerequisite: STAT 250 or equivalent

MATH 125 (3) Discrete Mathematics I; no prerequisite.

MUSIC 415/515 (3) Music in Computer Technology; prerequisite: Music 319 or permission of instructor

NCLC 249 (3) The Internet: Literacy, HTML Tools, and Virtual Community.

NCLC 345 (3) Introduction to Multimedia; prerequisite: permission of instructor. No programming experience required. Students cannot present both IT 213 and NCLC 345 for the IT Minor.

NCLC 445 (3) Multimedia Design; prerequisite: NCLC 345

OR 435 (3) Computer Simulation Modeling; prerequisite: A course in probability and statistics and a scientific programming language.

OR 441 (3) Deterministic Operations Research; prerequisite: MATH 203 or permission of instructor.

SOCI 313 (4) Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences; prerequisite: SOCI 101 or permission of instructor

STAT 350 (3) Introductory Statistics II; prerequisite: STAT 250

SYST 101 (3) Systems; no prerequisites

SYST 301 (3) Systems Methodology and Design; prerequisite: 60 undergraduate hours.

SYST 430 (3) Integration of Hardware and Software; prerequisite: CS 211 and 60 undergraduate hours.

SYST 451 (3) Knowledge Based Systems Design and Engineering; prerequisites: CS 211 and 60 undergraduate hours.

SYST 470 (3) Human Factors Engineering; prerequisites: SYST 301, STAT 344, PSYC 100.

CEIE 290 (3) Engineering Computation and Design II; prerequisite: ENGR 183.

CEIE 301 (3) Engineering and Economic Models in Urban Systems Engineering; prerequisite: USE 300.

Students receiving credit through the TAP program for CAS 395 or NCLC 395 may be able to substitute 3 credits for an IT Minor elective subject to prior approval by an IT Minor advisor and program coordinator.

Please direct inquiries to The Volgenau School of Information Technology and Engineering, AIT Office:

Science and Technology II, room 17
Phone: (703) 993-3565
E-mail: bsitinfo@gmu.edu

Prince William Contact Information:

Prince William I, room 328
Phone (703) 993-8461

revised: April 2007

Minor in Software Engineering