Information Technology, BS
Almost every industry needs information technology (IT) professionals. You’ll be equipped to explore the full range of IT careers with an information technology degree from Oakland University. Our IT degree provides you with exceptionally versatile skills, along with hands-on experience that helps you stand out in the IT job market. You’ll tackle real-world information technology challenges on campus and in professional workplaces, working directly with corporate and government partners on industry-sponsored projects. Graduates of our IT degree program have an excellent hiring record, and employers make a point of recruiting Oakland University graduates for IT jobs. Our IT program is accredited by the CAC Accreditation Commission (s) of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Information Technology Program Criteria. You’ll graduate with an ABET-accredited information technology degree, professional experience and contacts, and well-rounded expertise that qualifies you for a broad array of IT careers.
Requirements for the major in Information Technology, B.S. program
The program in Information Technology (IT) leading to a bachelor of science (BS) degree prepares students for a successful professional career in IT, and for graduate study in information technology. The program provides students with the technical foundation of information technology, problem solving skills, and hands-on practice. This will help students create and improve IT solutions by integrating existing and emerging technologies. This program prepares students for graduate studies and lifelong learning by providing them with the theoretical foundations of information technology and exposing them to areas of current and future practices. The pillars of IT include programming, networking, human-computer interaction, databases, information management, and web systems, built on a foundation of knowledge of the fundamentals of IT. The program also includes a strong professional component to develop skills in technical communication, ethics, and team work. The BS in Information Technology program is accredited by the CAC Accreditation Commission (s) of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Information Technology Program Criteria.
Program educational objectives
In the course of their careers, graduates of the Information Technology program will:
- Work productively as problem solvers and providers of integrated IT solutions.
- Remain current in their profession through lifelong learning, including graduate school.
- Exhibit teamwork and leadership as well as exercise their profession with the highest level of ethics and social responsibility.
Course requirements (minimum of 128 total credits)
To earn the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in information technology, students must complete a minimum of 128 credits and meet the following core requirements in addition to OU general ed requirements:
All students must complete the following requirement.
- Professional Ethics: PHL 1310 – Introduction to Ethics in Science and Engineering
In order to graduate on-schedule without taking additional courses, it is highly recommended that students meet with an SECS Undergraduate Academic Adviser concerning the selection of all of their general education courses.
Mathematics and sciences
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- MTH 1554 – Calculus I (4) or MTH 1222 – Calculus for the Social Sciences (4)
- STA 2221 – Introduction to Statistical Methods (4)
- APM 1663 – Mathematics for Information Technology (4)
- Approved science elective (4)*
*Approved science electives for information technology majors are: BIO 1200, BIO 1300, CHM 1440 and CHM 1470, ENV 3080, PHY 1510 and PHY 1100.
Required professional subjects
- CSI 3150 – Web and Mobile Systems (4)
- CSI 3370 – Software Engineering and Practice (4)
- CSI 3450 – Database Design and Implementation (4)
- CSI 3500 – Human Computer Interaction (4)
- CSI 3620 – Data Structures and Algorithms (4)
- CSI 3660 – System Administration (4)
- CSI 4160 – Integrated Computing Systems (4)
- CSI 4410 – IT Project Management (4)
- CSI 4480 – Information Security Practices (4)
- CSI 4999 – Senior Capstone Project (4)
Select two courses from one of the following professional tracks
System Administration Track
Bioinformatics Track
Game Development Track
Cybersecurity Track
Students following older catalogs will be able to count courses under one of the tracks listed above to satisfy their professional track requirements.
Professional electives
Take 8 credits from the following courses:
Select CSI 2320, CSI 2340, CSI 2350, CSI 2360, or any CSI courses at 3000 or higher level. CSI 4950 – Internship cannot be used to fulfill the professional electives requirements. Courses at the 5000-level require approval of the instructor.
Major Standing
To enroll in 3000- or higher level courses and to become candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Science with a major in Information Technology, students must gain major standing. An application for major standing should be submitted prior to intended enrollment in 3000- or higher level courses. Forms may be obtained from the SECS Undergraduate Advising Office or from the SECS website. At the time that major standing is approved, students with majors of Pre-Information Technology will have their major changed to Information Technology. Approval of both a major standing application and change of major to Information Technology is required prior to enrolling in any 3000- or higher-level courses.
To gain major standing Information Technology, students must:
A) have an average GPA of 2.0 in the following mathematics and science courses: Either MTH 1222 or MTH 1554, STA 2221, APM 1663 and approved science elective.
B) have an average GPA of 2.0 in the following information technology core courses: CSI 1210, CSI 1320, CSI 2300, CSI 2440, CSI 2470 and CSI 2999.
C) have no more than two grades below C in the courses listed in A and B above.
D) have not attempted any course listed in A and B above more than three times.
E) have not repeated more than three different courses listed in A and B. Courses in which a W (withdrawal) grade is recorded will not be counted.
Conditional major standing may be granted in the semester in which the student will complete requirements A and B above.
Students who have questions about petition of exception, transfer credit, academic standing, major standing, or any other aspects of their degree programs should consult an academic adviser and other relevant sections of the undergraduate catalog.
Performance requirements
Satisfactory completion of the program requires an average grade of at least 2.0 within each group: mathematics and sciences, information technology core, and professional courses (including required professional subjects, professional track, communications, and professional electives). Within the professional courses at most two different courses may be repeated, a total of three attempts per course is permitted, and at most two grades below C are permitted. A grade of C or better in CSI 4999 (Senior Capstone Project) must be received.