All contemporary organizations have problems that can best be solved with the use of computers, databases, networking and other information technologies. To develop these solutions, organizations need people who understand both their organization and the technology. The Computer Information Technology degree prepares graduates to fill these roles by providing them with a blend of technology and business backgrounds.
The Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Technology provides depth in both the computing technology and business aspects demanded by today's problems.
Information Technology is just one of a range of computing degrees offered at Vermont Technical College. Degrees in Software Engineering provide more focus on programming and software development. Degrees in Computer Engineering complement the programming work with a solid grounding in computer hardware. Software Engineering students may request to transfer to Information Technology after the first semester without needing any additional courses. Transferring to Information Technology after the first year may require additional course work, possibly extending the time required for the degree.
The Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Information Technology requires all students to develop an understanding of a range of topics:
- Computer Programming: All graduates must be fluent in multiple languages, including one object-oriented language and one scripting language.
- Computer Hardware: All graduates must understand the fundamentals of computer hardware.
- Web: All graduates must be able to develop and manage complete websites.
- Networking: All graduates must understand the behaviors and implementation of computer networking and be able to develop systems that utilize computer networking.
- System Development: All graduates must understand the requirements for developing and deploying high quality large scale software systems.
- User Interfaces: All graduates must be able to design, implement and evaluate a user interface for a computer system.
- Databases: All graduates must understand the security issues surrounding information technology and the appropriate tools and techniques to safeguard that security.
- System Administration: All graduates must understand how to manage systems, including UNIX based computers.
- Theory: All graduates will have a sufficient background in the theory of computing to understand and fulfill the other requirements.
- Context: All graduates must understand the professional, historical and social context of information technology and be able to make reasoned judgments about the social and ethical implications of their actions.
In addition, all graduates must actively participate in the design, development and evaluation of a sizable software system and present the results of that effort.
Students can enter the degree program with a wide range of backgrounds. Students may apply directly to the bachelor's degree program. Alternatively, students successfully completing the associates degree in either Computer Information Technology or Software Engineering at Vermont Technical College may continue directly ion to a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Technology. Students may apply into the program following the completion of an associates degree in a related field at another institution. Such students may require additional time to complete all the requirements.
The student, in conjunction with the Department Chair, may develop a sequence of courses to best met his/her background and needs that satisfies these requirements. The typical curriculum taken by students is given below. Due to the dynamic nature of the information technology field, the recommended sequence of courses is subject to change.
The minimum number of credits to complete a Bachelor's degree is 127.
Curriculum: