Information Technology (B.S.)
Marymount's information technology (IT) program offers a solid foundation of knowledge across the system life cycle — defining requirements, developing software, administering and securing a computer network, and successfully managing IT projects. The curriculum addresses hardware, software, databases, networks, security, quality assurance, and project management. Students will focus on one of the following specialties:
Applied Cybersecurity
This specialization is primarily for transfer students who have transferred three or more specific cybersecurity courses from a community college or four-year program. It can also be selected by students who wish to enter the many parts of the cybersecurity field that do not need a strong computer networking focus.
Applied IT
This specialization is for students who do not want to specialize in one of the other specialties or who are transferring in IT classes that do not correlate to classes in any one specialty.
Cloud Computing
This specialization is for students who wish to specialize in architecting, developing, and managing systems in the cloud computing environment.
Computer Science
This specialization is for students who would like to design and build software products or design and build complex, secure networks.
Data Science
This specialization is for students who wish to develop knowledge, skills, and abilities to collect, store, find, and interpret "big data."
Forensic Computing
This specialization is for students who wish to investigate computer incidents and prepare evidence for use in a court of law.
Game Design and Development
This specialization is for students who wish to develop high-quality games for a variety of media in the gaming industry and beyond.
Information Systems
This specialization is for students who wish to provide technical support to system users and design and manage websites, usually in a business context.
Interactive Media
This specialization is for students who would like to design websites using audio and video components.
Networking and Cybersecurity
This specialization is for students who wish to specialize in network administration and the protection of today's computer systems.
Upon successful completion of the information technology program, students will be able to
- analyze problems in business and society, and identify and define the digital technology appropriate to the solution;
- design, implement, and evaluate a digital solution as a system, process, component, or program to meet the defined needs;
- select and use appropriate current techniques, skills, and tools necessary for today's digital age;
- demonstrate knowledge of programming principles and proficiency in at least one programming language;
- work successfully in a team environment both as a team leader and as a participant of a team;
- communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences, non-technical and technical;
- demonstrate an awareness of professional, ethical, legal, security, social issues, and responsibilities and be able to determine the most ethical response to common dilemmas in the digital age;
- recognize the need for and an ability to engage in continuing professional development to adapt to an ever-changing global technological and business environment; and
- conduct evidence-based research on contemporary information technology issues in today's digital world.
Students are also prepared for industrywide certification, such as Net+ from CompTia, and Certified Software Tester (CSTE) from the QA Global Institute. Students who specialize in forensic computing study the field using topics required for the International Society of Forensic Computer Examiner’s Certified Computer Examiner certification. Students who specialize in networking and cybersecurity are prepared for the Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT) and the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certifications for Cisco Systems and the Security+ certification from CompTia. The computer science specialty provides the preparatory work necessary to enter Marymount’s M.S. in information technology’s software engineering track and prepares students for the IEEE Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP). Students in the Cloud Computing specialty are prepared to take the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification. Students who have passed one of these certifications within the past three years and can show evidence to the program director will be able to substitute a higher-level course, approved by the program director, for the required course.
Students are advised to consider a minor depending upon their specialty. Students choosing the applied IT or applied cybersecurity specialty should consider a minor such as data science. Students specializing in computer science might consider a minor in mathematics, offered through the School of Design, Arts, and Humanities or a minor in data science. Students specializing in forensic computing or networking and cybersecurity may wish to minor in criminal justice. Students specializing in information systems should consider a minor in business administration. Students specializing in interactive media should consider the web design minor.
The full-time faculty for this program conduct research in cybersecurity, data management, open source software, natural language processing, human computer interaction, technology for health care, mobile application development, and other areas. Adjunct faculty work in areas such as requirements analysis, computer crime investigation, hardware design, software development, database management, cybersecurity, and operations management. Students can benefit from a breadth of research and experience in the IT field and participate in cybersecurity and programming competitions and undergraduate research.
Internship Prerequisites: A minimum of 90 credits with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 and a grade of C or better in IT 323 Junior IT Seminar are required to register for the internship.
Minimum Grade Requirements: A minimum grade of C is required in all IT courses except for IT 110. A minimum grade of C+ is required for IT 423 Senior IT Seminar and IT 489 Capstone Project.
Residency Requirement: Students must complete 21 credits of their IT major or specialty courses at Marymount.
Degree Requirements — Information Technology
This degree requires from 120 to 122 total credits.
Liberal Arts Core and University Requirements
See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core for details.
Major Requirements
To fulfill the requirements of the major, all students in this program will take the following coursework in a sequence determined in collaboration with a faculty advisor. Some courses also satisfy Liberal Arts Core and/or University Requirements.
| IT 110 | Information Technology in the Global Age * | 3 |
| IT 120 | Cybersecurity Principles * | 3 |
| | | |
| IT 130 | Java Programming | 4 |
| | OR | |
| IT 125 | Web Development | 3 |
| | | |
| IT 205 | Computer Technology * | 3 |
| IT 210 | Software Engineering * | 3 |
| IT 223 | Sophomore IT Seminar | 1 |
| | | |
| IT 230 | Advanced Java Programming | 4 |
| | OR | |
| IT 225 | Advanced Web Development | 3 |
| | OR | |
| IT 227 | Mobile App Development | 3 |
| | OR | |
| IT 229 | Python Scripting | 3 |
| | | |
| IT 305 | Computer Networking | 3 |
| IT 310 | Database Technology | 3 |
| IT 323 | Junior IT Seminar | 1 |
| IT 345 | Human Computer Interaction | 3 |
| IT 355 | Software Testing, Documentation, and Quality Assurance * | 3 |
| IT 490 | IT Internship | 3 |
| IT 423 | Senior IT Seminar | 1 |
| IT 489 | Capstone Project * | 3 |
| MGT 123 | The Business Experience | 3 |
| MSC 345 | Project Management | 3 |
| MA 132 | Statistical Analysis * | 3 |
| | | |
| MA 121 | Math for Liberal Arts * | 3 |
| | OR | |
| MA 171 | Calculus with Precalculus A * | 4 |
| | OR | |
| MA 181 | Calculus * | 4 |
| | OR | |
| MA 260 | Discrete Mathematics for Information Technology * | 3 |
| | OR | |
| MSC 300 | Advanced Business Statistics * | 3 |
| | OR | |
| MSC 310 | Decision Analysis | 3 |
| | | |
| PH 305 | Business Ethics * | 3 |
| | OR | |
| PH 313 | Cyberethics * | 3 |
| | | |
| | Two (2) Information Technology Electives | |
All majors also complete coursework in a chosen specialty as follows:
Applied Cybersecurity Specialty
Two (2) to five (5) courses of cybersecurity transfer credits
| IT 229 | Python Scripting | 3 |
| IT 315 | Operating Systems and Virtualization | 3 |
| IT 321 | Cloud Computing | 3 |
| IT 331 | On-Premise and Cloud System Administration | 3 |
| IT 335 | Corporate Cybersecurity | 3 |
| IT 351 | Cloud Security and DevSecOps | 3 |
| IT 357 | Malware Analysis | 3 |
| IT 360 | Topics in Information Technology | 3 |
| IT 370 | Computer Forensics | 3 |
| IT 389 | IT Field Experience | 3 |
| IT 390 | Cybersecurity: Attack and Defend | 3 |
| MSC 325 | Data Analytics | 3 |
Applied IT Specialty
Five (5) courses (IT, MSC, or MA) approved by the program director. At least three (3) courses must be IT courses not required in the major requirements.
Cloud Computing Specialty
| IT 315 | Operating Systems and Virtualization | 3 |
| IT 321 | Cloud Computing | 3 |
| IT 331 | On-Premise and Cloud System Administration | 3 |
| IT 341 | Data in the Cloud | 3 |
| IT 351 | Cloud Security and DevSecOps | 3 |
Computer Science Specialty
| IT 315 | Operating Systems and Virtualization | 3 |
| IT 320 | Structure of Programming Languages | 3 |
| IT 340 | Data Structures and Algorithms | 3 |
| MA 181 | Calculus * | 4 |
| | One (1) information technology or mathematics elective | |
Data Science Specialty
Forensic Computing Specialty
| ACT 201 | Principles of Accounting I | 3 |
| CJ 209 | The Criminal Justice System * | 3 |
| CJ 310 | Policing in American Society | 3 |
| CJ 320 | Cybercrime and Digital Terrorism | 3 |
| IT 370 | Computer Forensics | 3 |
Game Design and Development
| IT 322 | Game Design | 3 |
| IT 324 | Story and Narrative Development for Video Games | 3 |
| IT 325 | 3-D Modelling and Animation | 3 |
| IT 326 | Game Development and Production | 3 |
| IT 328 | Mobile Gaming | 3 |
Information Systems Specialty
| ACT 201 | Principles of Accounting I | 3 |
| LA 248 | Business Law I | 3 |
| MGT 304 | Organizational Management | 3 |
| IT 380 | Electronic Document and Record Management | 3 |
One election from any of the following disciplines: accounting, information technology, graphic design, management, management science, or marketing.
Interactive Media Specialty
Networking and Cybersecurity Specialty
| IT 229 | Python Scripting | 3 |
| | OR | |
| IT 315 | Operating Systems and Virtualization | 3 |
| | | |
| IT 335 | Corporate Cybersecurity | 3 |
| IT 372 | Cisco Networking I | 3 |
| IT 375 | Cisco Networking II | 3 |
| | | |
| IT 351 | Cloud Security and DevSecOps | 3 |
| | OR | |
| IT 360 | Topics in Information Technology | 3 |
| | OR | |
| IT 370 | Computer Forensics | 3 |
| | OR | |
| IT 390 | Cybersecurity: Attack and Defend | 3 |
Sample Degree Plan — Information Technology
Please note that this is a sample plan; all students must consult with an advisor in making course selections.
Year One — Fall
Year One — Spring
| IT 110 | Information Technology in the Global Age * | 3 |
| | | |
| IT 130 | Java Programming | 4 |
| | OR | |
| IT 125 | Web Development | 3 |
| | | |
| EN 102 | Composition II * | 3 |
| PH 100 | Introduction to Philosophy * | 3 |
| | Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course * | 3 |
Year Two — Fall
| IT 205 | Computer Technology * | 3 |
| IT 210 | Software Engineering * | 3 |
| IT 223 | Sophomore IT Seminar | 1 |
| | | |
| MSC 310 | Decision Analysis | 3 |
| | | |
| EN | Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course * | 3 |
| PH 305 | Business Ethics * | 3 |
| | OR | |
| PH 313 | Cyberethics * | 3 |
Year Two — Spring
| IT 230 | Advanced Java Programming | 4 |
| | OR | |
| IT 225 | Advanced Web Development | 3 |
| | OR | |
| IT 227 | Mobile App Development | 3 |
| | OR | |
| IT 229 | Python Scripting | 3 |
| | | |
| HI | Introductory History (HI-1) core course * | 3 |
| | Natural Science (NS) core course with lab * | 4 |
| TRS 100 | Theological Inquiry * | 3 |
| | One (1) information technology elective | |
Year Three — Fall
| IT 305 | Computer Networking | 3 |
| IT 310 | Database Technology | 3 |
| IT 323 | Junior IT Seminar | 1 |
| | One (1) specialty course | |
| | Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course * | 3 |
| | Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced Literature (LT-2), or Advanced History (HI-2) core course * | 3 |
Year Three — Spring
| IT 345 | Human Computer Interaction | 3 |
| IT 355 | Software Testing, Documentation, and Quality Assurance * | 3 |
| MSC 345 | Project Management | 3 |
| | One (1) specialty course | |
| | Introductory Social Science (SS-1) or Natural Science (NS) core course * | 3 |
Year Four — Fall
| | Two (2) specialty courses | |
| IT 490 | IT Internship | 3 |
| IT 423 | Senior IT Seminar | 1 |
| | One (1) information technology elective | |
| | Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced Literature (LT-2), or Advanced History (HI-2) core course * | 3 |
Specialty Course: See Major Requirements above for specialty options and course selections.
Year Four — Spring
| | One (1) specialty course | |
| IT 489 | Capstone Project * | 3 |
| | Advanced Social Science (SS-2) core course * | 3 |
| | Theological Ethics (TRS-E) core course * | |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Specialty Course: See Major Requirements for specialty options and course selections.
* Fulfills Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements. See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core and the Course Descriptions for further information.