Information Technology is concerned primarily with the application of existing computing technologies to the information needs of organizations and individual computer users. Potential careers include network administrator, database administrator, system administrator, and webmaster.

IT programs aim to provide IT graduates with the skills and knowledge to take on appropriate professional positions in information technology upon graduation and grow into leadership positions in the field. Specifically, within five years of graduation a student must be able to:

Within five years of graduation a student should be able to:

(1)      apply the full range of core IT concepts and techniques to fill the IT needs of an organization and be prepared to assume managerial and other advanced responsibilities,

(2)      confront new problems effectively and anticipate the changing directions of technology,

(3)      communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders as well as function appropriately in a team environment,

(4)      navigate within the complex relationships between IT and larger organizational goals, and

(5)      understand the pervasive and changing role of computing technology in global society, and participate responsibly as both IT professional and citizen.

For information on student outcomes click here.

The B.S. in Information Technology degree program was approved by the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences in May 2008 and the USNH Board of Trustees in fall 2008. The university welcomed its IT first class in fall 2009. Note: the B.S. in Information Technology degree program has not yet been accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology because ABET requires new programs to graduate students before they are eligible - the CS department will apply for accreditation when it graduates its first class in May 2012.

Information Technology majors must maintain an overall grade-point average (GPA) of 2.00 or better in all required information technology, and Computer Science-required courses in order to graduate. If at the end of any semester, including the first, a student's cumulative GPA in these courses falls below 2.00, the student may not be allowed to continue as an IT major. All required IT courses offered by the CS department at the 400-600 level must be passed with a C- or better.

If a student wishing to transfer into the Information Technology major has any coursework that is applicable to the major, the grades in those courses must satisfy the minimum grade requirements for the B.S. degree in Information Technology. The student must have an overall grade-point average of 2.00 or better in all courses taken at UNH.

The IT major requires students to take the equivalent of ten courses within the CS department that constitute the core coverage of the breadth of IT topics. In addition, students much choose a depth track, consisting of three courses that focus on a more specialized area within the IT field. The CS department currently offers a Web Track and an Admin Track. Students who choose the Web Track must take IT 604, Intermediate Web Development; IT 775, Database Technology, and IT 704, Advanced Web Topics. Students who opt for the Admin Track must take IT 609, Network/System Administration; IT 725, Network Technology; and IT 775, Database Technology.

The IT curriculum includes a number of courses outside of the CS department. Two courses in mathematics are required - Calculus I (MATH 425) and a statistics course (MATH 439). A two-semester lab science sequence is also required, as are a philosophy course (PHIL 424) and a technical writing course (ENGL 502).

In addition, by the end of the sophomore year, each student must choose a Second Discipline – a particular domain outside of IT to which the student’s IT skills can be applied. Second Disciplines (typically five courses) have been defined by the CS department in such areas as Business Administration, Health Management and Policy and Justice Studies. If a student is interested in an area that is not currently defined, the option of a student-designed Second Discipline is also available.

The following is a sample schedule depicting the necessary requirements and the layout of the curriculum. Students must consult with their advisers in order to come up with the proper schedule for themselves.

 

As a guide to course selection you may use the following course guidelines:

 

• Discovery program requirements apply ot all students admitted for Fall 2011 or later and to students admitted as first year students admitted as first year students for fall 2011 or spring 2011 click here.

• General Education requirements for first year students prior to fall 2010 as well as transfer students admitted fall 2010 or spring 2011 click here.