Required Information Technology Courses

IT301
Introduction to Information Technology (3 cr.)
Prerequisites: None
This course provides an overview of the basic components of information systems. It examines the essential hardware and software building blocks that comprise an information infrastructure. Various organizational structures and management processes that support information technology are examined. Ethical issues, implications of technical diversity, and career opportunities in the Information Technology field are explored.

IT302
Networks and Telecommunications (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: IT 301
This course provides a business and technical overview of voice, data and video communication systems. It focuses on basic definitions such as information sources, media, transmission systems, circuit, packet and other switching methods. Network architectures and models are reviewed. The business importance of networks and examples of networked applications are examined. The implications of managing a network infrastructure are introduced.

IT303
Data and Database Management Systems (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: IT301
This course provides an overview of methods used to analyze, capture, process and manage data resources. Database structures and models are examined. Design and normalization of data, database management systems, relational models and query interfaces are also studied.

IT304
Systems Analysis and Design (3 cr.)
Prerequisites: IT301, IT302, IT303
This course provides an overview of the analysis and design of information systems for businesses. Students explore methods for analyzing business needs to come up with effective information systems solutions. This course examines cost/benefit techniques, systems development life cycles, and analysis and documentation methodologies.

IT305
Business Systems Development and Implementation (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: IT304
This course examines the technologies and techniques used to construct information systems. It presents an overview of programming concepts, languages and tools. Algorithm planning, processing concepts and data validation methods are reviewed.

IT306
Applications of Information Infrastructure (3 cr.)
Prerequisites: IT301, IT302, IT303
This course explores the use and value of the information infrastructure in business. End to end solutions used in the finance, manufacturing and retail industries are examined. The business case, workflow and technology underpinnings of enterprise resource planning and supply-chain systems are explored.

IT490
Bachelor of Science Completion Capstone (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: All required IT courses complete
This course provides an opportunity for students to integrate knowledge and skills developed in the Information Technology program and to apply them to a relevant topic. Students select a problem or controversial issue in their area of specialization, research the issue, analyze and critique material related to the topic, and design an application or approach that addresses the issue. Additionally, students demonstrate the educational outcomes of the Information Technology program. The capstone is presented in a business context.

Required Management Courses

MG306
Information Ethics (3 cr.)
This course provides a foundation in the moral and ethical issues of doing business in the technological age. Topics include the role of information in an organization, ownership of information, and the rights of the corporation and the rights of the employees. Moral and political implications of doing business globally in an economically sustainable and culturally sensitive way are also covered.

MG408
Project Management (3 cr.)
This course emphasizes leadership concepts related to project management. Students learn the skills and procedures needed to take a project from definition through completion.

Required Communications Courses

CM310
Oral Communications (3 cr.)
Communication skills pertinent to organizational settings form the foundation of this course. Students practice a methodology for speech design and delivery, interpersonal communication skills, networking skills, and effective meeting strategies

CM409
Technical Writing (3 cr.)
This course deals with expository writing for a select audience. Students learn documenting techniques and will analyze and interpret scientific data for written briefs, reports, proposals, and other technical communication pieces.

Specialty Track Courses

E-Commerce Track

IT410
E-Business Fundamentals (3 cr.)
Prerequisites: IT305, IT306
This course provides an overview of the business issues and drivers behind e-business. It examines e-business models and reviews examples of successful and unsuccessful ventures. Students explore ethical, legal, and contractual implications of e-business and e-commerce.

IT411
E-business Integration (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: IT410
This course examines the relationship between business and application integration. It reviews the approach, methods and tools used to solve business integration problems. The development of overall technology strategies is emphasized.

IT412
E-Business and Distributed Systems Technologies (3 cr.)
Prerequisites: 411
This course provides an overview of the technologies and standards used to conduct e-business. It examines architecture, platform, application, middleware, network and integration technologies and standards. In addition, security issues for e-business applications are reviewed.

IT413
E-Business Systems Management (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: IT411
This course examines the business considerations and tools used to manage e-business systems. The course emphasizes the complexity of managing a business in which the owner does not have complete control over the distribution or delivery channel. The course provides a comprehensive review of the tools and techniques used to manage content, monitor traffic and insure security, availability and performance.

Networking Track

IT420
Digital Systems (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: IT 302
This course covers the theory and operation of digital switching and transmission systems used in advanced communication networks. It focuses on understanding the technical detail behind the practical issues to allow the student to be in a better position to analyze options and design networks. Encoding, modulations, Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) network models and communication protocols are examined. Practical issues such as bandwidth, bit rate, clocking, interfaces and multiplexing are explored. Various architectures and solutions are examined and compared.

IT421
Local Area Networks (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: IT 420
This course provides an overview of the design, implementation, and management of local area networks. Basic software and hardware components are examined. Students explore LAN topologies, encoding schemes, access methods, and signaling techniques of a LAN operation and compare network architectures, operating systems, and products.

IT422
Internetworking and Wide Are Networks (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: IT 420
This course provides an overview of the wide area networking solutions available to end user organizations. The essential functions of routers and routing protocols are examined. Students examine historical perspectives, applications, and costs of WAN solutions such as leased lines, X.25, ISDN, frame relay, ATM and VPNs. Tariff and regulatory matters are considered.

IT423
Network Planning and Design (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: IT 421
This course provides an overview of the process and methods used to create an enterprise network plan. Students examine inputs, business drivers and deliverables of the planning process. The course emphasizes practical issues such as business requirements, IT architecture, cost justification, implementation, migration planning and vendor selection.

IT430
Information Security (3 cr.)
Prerequisites: IT 302, IT 303
This course provides an overview of information security principles, problems and solutions. Industry trends and objectives of information security are examined. Students explore designs of infrastructure and the implementation of controls and countermeasures.

IT431
Network Management (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: IT 302
This course focuses on the challenges unique to managing data, voice, and video communications. Emphasis is placed on the technologies and products used to manage networks. This course examines network management standards and protocols with attention on Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) and Remote Monitor (RMON).

IT432
Systems Management I: Concepts Models and Processes (3 cr.)
Prerequisite: IT 431
This course provides an overview of the management of computer systems, networks, databases, information and business applications. It examines organizational structures, management of information models and functional processes. Students examine the varied dimensions of systems management including costs, risks, systems of development and people.

IT433
Systems Management II:
Tools and Application (3 cr.) Prerequisite: IT 432
This course provides an overview of solutions to systems and service management problems. In emphasizes the selection and use of point solutions and framework products to support management strategies and processes explored in Systems Management I.

Industry Certification
Industry Certification consists of 12 credits earned through computer industry certification prep courses. These courses are offered by a Saint Mary's University College Partner. Prep courses for certification include coursework in Microsoft, Cisco or Oracle. The student is responsible for taking the Certification exam within six months of completing the prep courses. Credit from Saint Mary's University is received once the student has passed the Certification exam. Contact the Program Director for more information on this track.