College Catalog

This major helps prepare students for careers in software development, designing, programming, and maintaining of e-commerce and websites, and developing and using database applications with Web front-ends on various platforms and servers.

Career Opportunities

Depending upon the concentration, graduates will have an opportunity to pursue positions as Web administrators, Web site developers and specialists, database developers or analysts, systems administrators or analysts, network architects or engineers, data communications analysts or information systems administrators, operating systems programmers/analysts, software development engineers, information technology engineers, network administrators or analysts, cyber security specialists and antivirus software managers and related positions that continue to emerge in the information technology field. Exact titles and responsibilities relate to the academic and experiential requirements of the specific positions.

Recommended High School Subjects

A strong background in English, mathematics through at least algebra, and science is desired. A familiarity with computer equipment and software is also desired.

Special Equipment Needs

LAPTOP REQUIREMENT: laptop/notebook computer required for enrollment in IT major courses CIT 160 and higher. Specifications are available at www.pct.edu/schools/BCT/comp_sci

Remediation Strategies

Students should remediate any deficiencies prior to enrollment. Students must remediate English, mathematics and reading deficiencies within the first academic year. Mathematics remediation should be the highest priority. Eligibility to enroll in CIT 160 or higher is determined by placement test results.

Transfer Procedures

All transfer credits will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis to determine where they would fit into the curriculum sequence. Students must have earned a grade of 'C' or better in courses transferred into the major.

Program Goals

Graduates of an Information Technology (IT) bachelor-degree major should be able to:

• assess the needs of an IT related problem and select, develop, integrate, and administer an appropriate solution including the appropriate application of security to protect the user's interests.
• demonstrate proficiency in the core Information Technologies.
• identify and explain the underlying principles upon which the core information technologies are based and how information is generated and disseminated to address user requirements.
• identify and explain the importance of users and their requirements in the development and deployment of IT solutions.
• practice organizational and project planning skills.
• use critical thinking and problem-solving skills to address IT needs and solve IT problems.
• communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing, using language appropriate for the intended audience.
• practice sufficient skill with the mathematics and science that underlie the core information technologies and the technologies specific to the selected majors of interest.
• apply necessary collaborative skills.
• employ accepted practices and standards within the IT industry.
• identify and explain standards of professionalism as they pertain to personal and work-related endeavors.
• identify and explain the social, ethical and legal implications of Information Technology.
• identify, evaluate and explain how changes in the IT discipline affect business, industry and their work environment.
• identify and explain the need for continuing professional development in the IT discipline.
• understand the basic financial principles of business and how it affects the IT industry.

Graduates identify, develop, implement, maintain and support the computing and information needs of enterprise users. Specifically, graduates of the Information Technology Web & Application Development Concentration should be able to:

• evaluate user requirements and adapt emerging technologies to meet user needs.
• demonstrate the ability to formulate a design specification to address a specified problem.
• exhibit mastery of object-oriented design and programming skills.
• demonstrate proficiency in all technical aspects of a website, including performance issues such as speed of access, and for approving site content.
• develop design/implementation standards based upon factors such as performance, benefits, and drawbacks.
• choose from a variety of programming languages, databases and platforms, as appropriate to the application design.
• present oral and written proposals at the conclusion of each step of the analysis and design process.
• create prototypes to demonstrate the scope of the solution.
• use a cost/benefit analysis in the specification of the solutions.
• exhibit a portfolio of course assignments and projects at the conclusion of degree work.

Curriculum