Computing and Information Technologies Bachelor of Science Degree
Computing and Information Technologies
Bachelor of Science Degree
Overview for Computing and Information Technologies BS
An information technology degree where you'll implement complex computing systems and become well versed in their management.
Information technology is found in every aspect of our lives: the workplace, our homes, the way we communicate, and in much of the entertainment we consume. IT professionals, therefore, are in great demand and highly valued. IT professionals are solution architects, identifying complex problems and creating custom solutions that help users meet their goals. They play an integral role in any modern organization, working on all phases of IT solutions from conception to development, testing, deployment, security, and management. In this information technology degree, you’ll learn to design, implement, and manage complex IT systems.
Students in the computing and information technologies major are characterized by their hands-on approach to technology. They are designers and builders, but primarily they’re enablers. Students approach complex problems and create custom solutions that help users meet their goals. They play an integral role in any modern organization, often working behind the scenes to deploy technology where it’s needed most.
That versatility is the core principle of our major. People are interacting with computers more than ever before. With that comes a need for professionals that have the broad practical skills to facilitate those interactions across a variety of sectors. Not only do computing and information technology students learn to implement complex systems, but they become well versed in their management as well. Every day, more companies are realizing the benefits that IT professionals bring to the table.
Plan of study
A defining aspect of the computing and information technologies curriculum is the breadth of technologies and the focus on integration. Students learn how to solve problems and find ways to make it work. Course work prepares students to be not just technical wizards, but also communicators and facilitators, enabling them to be successful throughout their career. Building on the core courses, students can further their skills in two separate areas or establish even greater depth in a single area. Possible areas of concentration include web administration, database, networking and communications, web development, and enterprise administration. The major requires students to complete two blocks of cooperative education. Students may pursue co-op placements after completing their second year of study.
Global opportunities
The computing and information technologies degree is offered at RIT’s main campus, in RIT Kosovo, Rochester, NY, and at RIT Croatia's campuses in Dubrovnik and Zagreb. Because the same curriculum is offered in all four locations, students may spend a semester abroad learning about the Albanian or Croatian culture without any negative impact to their schedule of studies. Furthermore, in their senior year all students take Senior Development Project I,II (ISTE-500, 501), a year-long course in which teams are composed of students from RIT’s main campus and all other campuses. Whether students choose to study abroad or remain in RIT Kosovo, they will be working side-by-side with their peers from across the world.
Curriculum for 2024-2025 for Computing and Information Technologies BS
Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements
Computing and information technologies, BS degree, typical course sequence
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Year | |||||
| COMM-142 |
General Education – Elective: Introduction to Technical Communication (WI-GE)
This course introduces students to current best practices in written and visual technical communication including writing effective email, short and long technical reports and presentations, developing instructional material, and learning the principles and practices of ethical technical communication. Course activities focus on engineering and scientific technical documents. Lecture (Fall).
|
3 | |||
| CSEC-140 |
Introduction to Cyber Security
Computer-based information processing is a foundation of contemporary society. As such, the protection of digital information, and the protection of systems that process this information has become a strategic priority for both the public and private sectors. This course provides an overview of information assurance and security concepts, practices, and trends. Topics include computing and networking infrastructures, risk, threats and vulnerabilities, legal and industry requirements for protecting information, access control models, encryption, critical national infrastructure, industrial espionage, enterprise backup, recovery, and business continuity, personal system security, and current trends and futures. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring).
|
3 | |||
| GCIS-123 |
General Education – Elective: Software Development and Problem Solving I
A first course introducing students to the fundamentals of computational problem solving. Students will learn a systematic approach to problem solving, including how to frame a problem in computational terms, how to decompose larger problems into smaller components, how to implement innovative software solutions using a contemporary programming language, how to critically debug their solutions, and how to assess the adequacy of the software solution. Additional topics include an introduction to object-oriented programming and data structures such as arrays and stacks. Students will complete both in-class and out-of-class assignments.
|
4 | |||
| GCIS-124 |
General Education – Elective: Software Development and Problem Solving II
A second course that delves further into computational problem solving, now with a focus on an object-oriented perspective. There is a continued emphasis on basic software design, testing & verification, and incremental development. Key topics include theoretical abstractions such as classes, objects, encapsulation, inheritance, interfaces, polymorphism, software design comprising multiple classes with UML, data structures (e.g. lists, trees, sets, maps, and graphs), exception/error handling, I/O including files and networking, concurrency, and graphical user interfaces. Additional topics include basic software design principles (coupling, cohesion, information expert, open-closed principle, etc.), test driven development, design patterns, data integrity, and data security.
|
4 | |||
| MATH-131 |
General Education – Mathematical Perspective A: Discrete Mathematics
This course is an introduction to the topics of discrete mathematics, including number systems, sets and logic, relations, combinatorial methods, graph theory, regular sets, vectors, and matrices. (Prerequisites: MATH-101, MATH-111, NMTH-260, NMTH-272 or NMTH-275 or a Math Placement Exam score of at least 35.) Lecture 4 (Fall, Spring).
|
4 | |||
| MATH-161 |
General Education – Mathematical Perspective B: Applied Calculus
This course is an introduction to the study of differential and integral calculus, including the study of functions and graphs, limits, continuity, the derivative, derivative formulas, applications of derivatives, the definite integral, the fundamental theorem of calculus, basic techniques of integral approximation, exponential and logarithmic functions, basic techniques of integration, an introduction to differential equations, and geometric series. Applications in business, management sciences, and life sciences will be included with an emphasis on manipulative skills. (Prerequisite: C- or better in MATH-101, MATH-111, MATH-131, NMTH-260, NMTH-272 or NMTH-275 or Math Placement Exam score greater than or equal to 45.) Lecture 4 (Fall, Spring).
|
4 | |||
| NSSA-102 |
Computer System Concepts
This course teaches the student the essential technologies needed by NSSA majors, focused on PC and mainframe hardware topics. They include how those platforms operate, how they are configured, and the operation of their major internal components. Also covered are the basic operating system interactions with those platforms, physical security of assets, and computing-centric mathematical concepts. Lab 2, Lecture 4 (Fall, Spring).
|
3 | |||
| YOPS-10 |
RIT 365: RIT Connections
RIT 365 students participate in experiential learning opportunities designed to launch them into their career at RIT, support them in making multiple and varied connections across the university, and immerse them in processes of competency development. Students will plan for and reflect on their first-year experiences, receive feedback, and develop a personal plan for future action in order to develop foundational self-awareness and recognize broad-based professional competencies. Lecture 1 (Fall, Spring).
|
0 | |||
|
General Education – First Year Writing (WI)
|
3 | ||||
|
General Education – Ethical Perspective
|
3 | ||||
|
General Education – Global Perspective
|
3 | ||||
| Second Year | |||||
| ISTE-99 |
School of Information Second Year Seminar
This course helps students prepare for cooperative employment by developing job search approaches and material. Students will explore current and emerging aspects of IST fields to help focus their skill development strategies. Students are introduced to the Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education, and learn about their professional and ethical responsibilities for their co-op and subsequent professional experiences. Students will work collaboratively to build résumés, cover letters, and prepare for interviewing. (Prerequisites: This class is restricted to HCC-BS or CMIT-BS or WMC-BS or COMPEX-UND Major students with at least 2nd year standing.) Lecture 1 (Fall, Spring).
|
0 | |||
| ISTE-140 |
Web & Mobile I
This course provides students with an introduction to internet and web technologies, and to development on Macintosh/UNIX computer platforms. Topics include HTML and CSS, CSS3 features, digital images, web page design and website publishing. Emphasis is placed on fundamentals, concepts and standards. Additional topics include the user experience, mobile design issues, and copyright/intellectual property considerations. Exercises and projects are required. Lec/Lab 3 (Fall, Spring).
|
3 | |||
| ISTE-230 |
General Education – Elective: Introduction to Database and Data Modeling
A presentation of the fundamental concepts and theories used in organizing and structuring data. Coverage includes the data modeling process, basic relational model, normalization theory, relational algebra, and mapping a data model into a database schema. Structured Query Language is used to illustrate the translation of a data model to physical data organization. Modeling and programming assignments will be required. Note: students should have one course in object-oriented programming. (Prerequisites: ISTE-120 or ISTE-200 or IGME-101 or IGME-105 or CSCI-140 or CSCI-142 or NACA-161 or NMAD-180 or equivalent course.) Lec/Lab 3 (Fall, Spring).
|
3 | |||
| ISTE-240 |
Web & Mobile II
This course builds on the basics of web page development that are presented in Web and Mobile I and extends that knowledge to focus on theories, issues, and technologies related to the design and development of web sites. An overview of web design concepts, including usability, accessibility, information architecture, and graphic design in the context of the web will be covered. Introduction to web site technologies, including HTTP, web client and server programming, and dynamic page generation from a database also will be explored. Development exercises are required. (Prerequisites: (ISTE-120 or CSCI-140 or CSCI-141 or NACA-161 or IGME-105 or IGME-101 or NMAD-180) and (ISTE-140 or NACA-172 or IGME-230) or equivalent course.) Lec/Lab 3 (Fall, Spring).
|
3 | |||
| ISTE-499 |
Undergraduate Co-op (summer)
|
0 | |||
| NSSA-220 |
Task Automation Using Interpretive Languages
An introduction to the Unix operating system and scripting in the Perl and Unix shell languages. The course will cover basic user-level commands to the Unix operating system, followed by basic control structures, and data structures in Perl. Examples will include GUI programming, and interfacing to an underlying operating system. Following Perl, students will be introduced to the basics of shell programming using the Unix bash shell. Students will need one year of programming in an object-oriented language. (Prerequisite: ISTE-121 or ISTE -200 or CSCI-142 or CSCI-140 or CSCI-242 or equivalent course.) Lecture 4 (Fall, Spring).
|
3 | |||
| NSSA-221 |
System Administration I
This course is designed to give students an understanding of the role of the system administrator in large organizations. This will be accomplished through a discussion of many of the tasks and tools of system administration. Students will participate in both a lecture section and a separate lab section. The technologies discussed in this class include: operating systems, system security, and service deployment strategies. (Prerequisites: NSSA-241 and (NSSA-220 or CSCI-141) or equivalent courses.) Lab 2, Lecture 4 (Fall, Spring).
|
3 | |||
| NSSA-241 |
Introduction to Routing and Switching
This course provides an introduction to wired network infrastructures, topologies, technologies, and the protocols required for effective end-to-end communication. Basic security concepts for TCP/IP based technologies are introduced. Networking layers 1, 2, and 3 are examined in-depth using the International Standards Organization’s Open Systems Interconnection and TCP/IP models as reference. Course topics focus on the TCP/IP protocol suite, the Ethernet LAN protocol, switching technology, and routed and routing protocols common in TCP/IP networks. The lab assignments mirror the lecture content , providing an experiential learning component for each topic covered. (Prerequisites: NSSA-102 or CSEC-101 or NACT-151 or CSCI-250 or equivalent courses.) Lab 2, Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring).
|
3 | |||
| STAT-145 |
General Education – Elective: Introduction to Statistics I
This course introduces statistical methods of extracting meaning from data, and basic inferential statistics. Topics covered include data and data integrity, exploratory data analysis, data visualization, numeric summary measures, the normal distribution, sampling distributions, confidence intervals, and hypothesis testing. The emphasis of the course is on statistical thinking rather than computation. Statistical software is used. (Prerequisite: MATH-101 or MATH-111 or NMTH-260 or NMTH-272 or NMTH-275 or a math placement exam score of at least 35.) Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring, Summer).
|
3 | |||
|
General Education – Artistic Perspective
|
3 | ||||
|
General Education – Natural Science Inquiry Perspective
|
4 | ||||
|
General Education – Elective
|
3 | ||||
| Third Year | |||||
| ISTE-260 |
Designing the User Experience
The user experience is an important design element in the development of interactive systems. This course presents the foundations of user-centered design principles within the context of human-computer interaction (HCI). Students will explore and practice HCI methods that span the development lifecycle from requirements analysis and creating the product/service vision through system prototyping and usability testing. Leading edge interface technologies are examined. Group-based exercises and design projects are required. (Prerequisite: ISTE-140 or IGME-230 or NACA-172 or equivalent course.) Lec/Lab 3 (Fall, Spring).
|
3 | |||
| ISTE-430 |
Information Requirements Modeling
Students will survey and apply contemporary techniques used in analyzing and modeling information requirements. Requirements will be elicited in a variety of domains and abstracted at conceptual, logical, and physical levels of detail. Process, data, and state modeling will be applied in projects that follow a systems development lifecycle. Object-oriented modeling will be explored and contrasted with data and process oriented modeling. Individual and team modeling assignments will be required. (Prerequisites: ISTE-230 or CSCI-320 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring).
|
3 | |||
| ISTE-499 |
Undergraduate Co-op (summer)
Students perform paid, professional work related to their program of study. Students work full-time during the term they are registered for co-op. Students must complete a student co-op work report for each term they are registered; students also are evaluated each term by their employer. A satisfactory grade is given for co-op when both a completed student co-op report and a corresponding employer report that indicates satisfactory student performance are received. (Enrollment in this course requires permission from the department offering the course.) CO OP (Fall, Spring, Summer).
|
0 | |||
|
CIT Concentration Courses
|
9 | ||||
|
General Education – Social Perspective
|
3 | ||||
|
General Education – Scientific Principles Perspective
|
4 | ||||
|
General Education – Immersion 1
|
3 | ||||
|
Open Electives
|
6 | ||||
| Fourth Year | |||||
| ISTE-500 |
Senior Development Project I
The first course in a two-course, senior level, system development capstone project. Students form project teams and work with sponsors to define system requirements. Teams then create architectures and designs, and depending on the project, also may begin software development. Requirements elicitation and development practices introduced in prior coursework are reviewed, and additional methods and processes are introduced. Student teams are given considerable latitude in how they organize and conduct project work. (This class is restricted to WMC-BS, HCC-BS, CMIT-BS students with a minimum of 2 terms of co-op completed.) Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring).
|
3 | |||
| ISTE-501 |
Senior Development Project II (WI-PR)
The second course in a two-course, senior level, system development capstone project. Student teams complete development of their system project and package the software and documentation for deployment. Usability testing practices introduced in prior course work are reviewed, and additional methods and processes are introduced. Teams present their developed system and discuss lessons learned at the completion of the course. (Prerequisites: ISTE-500 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring).
|
3 | |||
|
CIT Concentration Courses
|
9 | ||||
|
General - Immersion 2, 3
|
6 | ||||
|
Open Electives
|
9 | ||||
| Total Semester Credit Hours |
126
|
||||
(WI) Refers to a writing intensive course within the major.
* Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information. Students completing bachelor's degrees are required to complete two different Wellness courses.
Concentrations
Networking and communications
| Required course | |
| NSSA-245 |
Network Services
This course will investigate the protocols used to support network based services and the tasks involved in configuring and administering those services in virtualized Linux and Windows internet working environments. Topics include an overview of the TCP/IP protocol suite, in-depth discussions of the transport layer protocols, TCP and UDP, administration of network based services including the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), Domain Name Service (DNS), Secure Shell (SSH), and Voice Over IP (VoIP). Students completing this course will have thorough theoretical knowledge of the Internet Protocol (IP), the Transport Control Protocol (TCP), and the User Datagram Protocol (UDP), as well as experience in administering, monitoring, securing and troubleshooting an internet work of computer systems running these protocols and services. (Prerequisites: NSSA-241 and (NSSA-220 or CSCI-141) and NSSA-221 or equivalent courses.) Lab 4, Lecture 4 (Fall, Spring).
|
| Choose two of the following: | |
| NSSA-242 |
Wireless Networking
This course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of the protocols, principles and concepts of radio communication as they apply to wireless data networking (802.11) for local area networks and peripherals. As its basis it uses the fundamental concepts and technologies learned in Introduction to Routing and Switching, and expands upon them to include other contemporary and emerging technologies. Topics including WLANs, wireless network operation, network integration, construction and network design will be discussed. Modulation techniques, measurement standards, nomenclature, equipment and theory behind transmissions in this portion of the electromagnetic spectrum will be examined. (Prerequisites: NSSA-241 or equivalent course.) Lab 2, Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring).
|
| NSSA-370 |
Project Management
This course teaches the student the essential project management basics needed by CIT and WMC majors. Exposure to project lifecycles and a sampling of PM best practices will be covered. (This class is restricted to students with at least 3rd year standing.) Lecture 3 (Spring).
|
| NSSA-441 |
Advanced Routing and Switching
Advanced Routing and Switching covers advanced networking technologies available to enterprises. Protocol options and their evolutions over the years, the growth in complexity and its impacts are explored in depth. Topics include: VLANs and VLAN Hierarchies, Loop- Avoidance in customer, provider and provider backbone networks such as RSTP and Shortest Path Bridging, , IPv4 and IPv6 coexistence issues, Routing protocols with IPv4 and IPv6 for inter and intra-AS routing, MobileIP, queuing and Quality of service routing and congestion control in the Internet, MultiProtocol Label Switching, Routing and Switching in wireless networks (Prerequisites: NSSA-241 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Spring).
|
| NSSA-443 |
Network Design and Performance
This course will examine the design and performance of networks. Students will learn to design networks based on identified needs and analyze the performance of that network. The designs include site, campus, and enterprise. WAN technologies will be combined with LAN technologies in the design of enterprise networks. A simulation tool may be used to implement the design as a network model and evaluate the performance of the network model. (Prerequisites: NSSA-241 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Spring).
|
| NSSA-445 |
Mobile Ad-Hoc and Sensor Networks
This course will help students to identify the major challenges in deploying mobile adhoc and sensor networks. Students will explore current ad-hoc/sensor technologies by researching key areas such as algorithms, protocols and applications. Students will learn to investigate how some of the challenges are addressed by researching publications. At the end of this course students will gain knowledge on the latest technological advances in wireless ad hoc and sensor networks, their significance in multiple applications and solutions to challenges that still require to be addressed. (Prerequisites: NSSA-242 and ISTE-101 or ISTE-121 or equivalent courses.) Lecture 3 (Fall).
|
Web development
| ISTE-340 |
Client Programming
This course will explore the analysis, design, development, and implementation of client-side programming in the context of Internet technologies, mobile devices, Web-based client systems and desktop applications. Students will learn to design and build usable and effective interactive systems, clients, and interfaces. Key features addressed will include browser and platform compatibility, object reusability, bandwidth and communications issues, development environments, privacy and security, and related technologies and APIs. Programming is required. (Prerequisites: (ISTE-240 or IGME-330) and (ISTE-121 or ISTE-200 or CSCI-142 or CSCI-140 or IGME-106 or IGME-102) or equivalent courses.) Lec/Lab 3 (Fall, Spring).
|
| ISTE-341 |
Server Programming
This course provides in-depth work in server-side programming. Students will develop dynamic, data centric web pages and systems, and server-side information services that will be available to clients implemented in a variety of software technologies. Topics include XML parsing, generation, and consumption; web configuration and security; design patterns; web service structures, and application security. Programming projects are required. (Prerequisites: ISTE-340 and (ISTE-230 or CSCI-320) and (SWEN-383 or SWEN-262) or equivalent courses.) Lec/Lab 3 (Fall, Spring).
|
| SWEN-383 |
Software Design Principles and Patterns
Quality software designs and architectures reflect software engineering principles that represent best contemporary practice. This course focuses on explicating these fundamental principles, examining a set of design and architecture patterns that embody the principles, and applying patterns appropriate to a design problem in a given context. Restricted to IST majors only. (Prerequisites: ISTE-240 or equivalent course. Co-requisite: ISTE-340 or equivalent course.) Lec/Lab 3 (Fall, Spring).
|
Admissions and Financial Aid
Freshman Admission
In order to be considered for admission at RIT Kosovo (A.U.K) students need to demonstrate their proficiency in English and Math, as well as proof of successful completion of high school at a high standard.
Students are classified in two different enrollment categories based on the entrance exam results:
-
Admission:
Students who have demonstrated above average knowledge in English and Mathematics are granted direct enrolment at RIT Kosovo (A.U.K). At this level, they start directly with the Writing Seminar and Interdisciplinary Math I classes, which are considered to be the highest level classes for a freshmen student. In addition, they are allowed to register up to three other RIT credited classes. -
Conditional Admission:
Students, who have demonstrated that they need additional preparation in English, writing and comprehensive skills, are granted enrollment in this level. In the first academic semester, students take intensive English and Math classes. After successful completion, students take the Writing Seminar and Interdisciplinary I classes. In addition, they get to take up to two other RIT credited classes, based on their assigned class schedule.
For more details and info: Admissions
Transfer Admission
Transfer course recommendations without associate degree
Courses in computer science, calculus, liberal arts; calculus-based physics, chemistry, or biology
Appropriate associate degree programs for transfer
AS degree in computer science, engineering science, or liberal arts
Financial Aid and Scholarships
100% of all incoming first-year and transfer students receive aid.
RIT’s personalized and comprehensive financial aid program includes scholarships, grants, loans, and campus employment programs. When all these are put to work, your actual cost may be much lower than the published estimated cost of attendance.
Learn more about financial aid and scholarships
Contact
Office of Admissions
Phone: + 383 38 66 00 00
E-mail: admissions@auk.org