|
Catalog
& Student Handbook 2008-2009
Department of Engineering and Science
Information Technology
Master of Science in Information Technology
Program Objective
The primary intent of the Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) program is to
prepare graduates for professional practice in information technology.
Although the term "information technology" may
be subject to many interpretations, we consider it to mean "applied computer
science." Therefore, the program provides students with exposure to a practical
application of technology within an area of specialization. To this end,
students will gain a broad exposure to technology by completing a set of
core courses and an in-depth exposure to the application of technology
in a particular discipline through courses in a student-selected application
area.
Admission Requirements
Students enter the Master of Science in Information
Technology program with diverse backgrounds. Ideally, a student entering
the program will have completed undergraduate courses which provide a background
in the following areas:
- Computer programming in a high-level procedural language
(e.g., COBOL, C)
- Computer programming in an object-oriented language
(e.g., C++, Eiffel)
- Data structures and algorithm design
- Discrete mathematics
Student lacking a background in any of the above areas
may need to take one or more of the following immigration courses:
- CISH-4010 Discrete Mathematics and Computer Theory
- CISH-4020 Object Structures
Academic Requirements
To meet the requirements for the MSIT, students
must be formally admitted to the program and must complete an approved
Plan of Study that meets the following requirements:
- A minimum of 30 credits
- A minimum of 18 credits of advanced graduate-level course work (6000-level courses)
- Five core courses in Information Technology
- A minimum of 12 credits in an approved Application Area (see below)
- A culminating/integrating experience
An additional requirement is that no more than half
of the credits used toward the MSIT degree be taken from courses offered
by the Lally School of Management and Technology. These courses have the
prefix "MGMT."
Core Courses
The core areas include database systems, telecommunications,
software design, management of technology, and human-computer interaction.
| IT Core Area |
Course Number and Name |
Term(s) Offered |
| Database Systems |
CSCI-4380 Database Systems |
Spring |
| Telecommunications |
ECSE-4670 Computer Communication Networks |
Fall/Spring |
| Software Design |
ECSE-6770 Software Engineering I |
Fall |
| Management of Technology |
MGMT-6810 Management of Technical Projects |
Fall/Spring |
| Human Computer Interaction |
COMM-6420 Foundations of HCI Usability |
Fall |
If a student is granted a waiver from any Core area, an additional elective
course (approved by the student's advisor) must be taken.
Application Areas
An in-depth experience in the application of information
technology to a particular discipline is achieved through courses in a
student-selected application area. Because technology changes so rapidly,
the application of technology also changes frequently. The available application
areas in the MSIT program reflect these changes. Below is a list of application
areas currently available to students attedning Rensselaer.
To obtain an updated list and the course requirements, consult the
IT Program home page, www.rh.edu/does/it_degree.html.
- Networking
- Database Systems Design
- Software Design
- Management Information Systems
Networking
Requirements: IT Core course in Telecommunications, at least
three of the following courses, plus a culminating experience:
- ECSE-6660 Broadband Networks
- CISH-6230 Network Management
- CISH-6220 LANS, MANS, and Internetworking
- CISH-6960 Cryptography and Network Security
Database Systems Design
Requirements: IT Core course in Database Systems plus at least
three of the following plus a culminating experience (maximum of 3 credits if Master's Project is chosen):
- CSCI-6460 Advanced Database Management Topics
- CISH-6110 Object-Oriented Database Systems
- CISH-6120 Distributed Database Systems
- CISH-6960 Data Warehouse Systems
Software Design
Requirements: IT Core course in Software Design, at least
three of the following courses, plus a culminating experience:
- ECSE-6780 Software Engineering II
- CISH-6010 Object-Oriented Programming and Design
- CISH-6050 Software Engineering Management
- CISH-6510 Web Application Design and Development
Management Information Systems
Requirements: IT Core course in Management, at least
three of the following courses, plus a culminating experience:
- MGMT-6170 Advanced Systems Analysis and Design
- MGMT-6180 Strategic IS Management
- MGMT-6710 Designing, Developing, and Staffing High-Performance Organizations I
- MGMT-6750 Legal Aspects of E-Business and Information Technology
Culminating Experience
The culminating experience may be satisfied by either
of the following, depending on the application area and the approval of
adviser:
- Master's Project (ITEC-6980, 3-6 credits)
- Professional Project (CISH-6970, 3 credits)
Return to Catalog Table of Contents
Back to top
|
