Information Science & Technology

Dr. Jie Wu, Chair

Ms. Wendy Urban, Faculty Advisor
Wachman Hall, Room 304
215-204-5236
wendy.urban@temple.edu

The undergraduate programs in Information Science and Technology (IS&T) offered by the Computer and Information Science (CIS) Department are intended to provide students with both a detailed knowledge and a broad background in the technology of information systems. Fundamental concepts in mathematics, programming, object-oriented modeling, databases, software systems analysis and design, computer-operating systems and architectures, and networks and communications are stressed in the first two years.  Special topics, including component-based software development and net-centric and client-server computing, are offered as part of the last two years of the program.  A two-semester capstone project course is required.  This course is designed to help students integrate what they have learned in other courses and apply this knowledge in the design and implementation of a software application. 

Students develop the skills and the knowledge necessary to analyze information problems and to apply current technology to their solution.  The emphasis is to develop problem-solving and communication skills.  Substantial laboratory work is required.  Students participate individually and in groups in the design, development, testing and documentation of information systems for a university or an external client.

Bachelor of Arts

Summary of Requirements for the Degree

1. University Requirements (123 total s.h.)

• Mathematics 0701 (4 s.h.) and/or English 0701 (4 s.h.), if required by placement testing.

• All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing intensive courses at Temple at Temple as part of their major.  Following is a list of courses that can be used to satisfy the writing-intensive requirement:  Computer & Information Science 4296 and Computer & Information Science 4396.

• Students must complete the General Education (GenEd) requirement.

• The General Education Curriculum consists of approximately 25-26 s.h.  See the General Education section of the Undergraduate Bulletin for the GenEd curriculum.

2. College Requirements

• 90 credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST) or the College of Liberal Arts (CLA).

• 45 Upper Level (2000+) credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST) or the College of Liberal Arts (CLA).

• Two (2) Upper Level (2000+) Liberal Art courses.

• Second (2nd) Level of a Foreign Language (1002).

3. Major Requirements for Bachelor of Arts (59 s.h.)

• Thirteen (13) Computer & Information Science courses are required (47 s.h.): Computer & Information Science 1001, 1048, 1068, 1166, 2033, 2109, 2168, 2229, 3309, 3329, 3342, 4296 and 4396.

• One (1) Mathematics course is required (4 s.h.): Mathematics 1031* or Mathematics 1041*.

• Two (2) lab science courses are required (8 s.h.): Must select within a Sequence for Lab Science A and Lab Science B.  See the Sequenced Lab Science sheet for the science options.

*NOTE: IS&T majors are required to have completed Mathematics 1022. They can choose either Mathematics 1031 or Mathematics 1041.

Suggested Semester by Semester Plan

Students who complete CST majors typically receive a waiver for 2 Science & Technology (GS) and 1 Quantitative Literacy (GQ) GenEd courses.

Bachelor of Science

Summary of Requirements for the Degree

1. University Requirements (123 total s.h.)

• Mathematics 0701 (4 s.h.) and/or English 0701 (4 s.h.), if required by placement testing.

• All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses at Temple as part of their major. Following is a list of courses that can be used to satisfy the writing-intensive requirement:  Computer & Information Science 4296 and Computer & Information Science 4396.

• Students must complete the General Education (GenEd) requirement.

• The General Education Curriculum consists of approximately 25-26 s.h.  See the General Education section of the Undergraduate Bulletin for the GenEd curriculum.

2. College Requirements

• 90 credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST) or the College of Liberal Arts (CLA).

• 45 Upper Level (2000+) credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST) or the College of Liberal Arts (CLA).

3. Major Requirements for Bachelor of Science (71-75 s.h.)

• Thirteen (13) Computer & Information Science courses are required (47 s.h.): Computer & Information Science 1001, 1048, 1068, 1166, 2033, 2109, 2168, 2229, 3309, 3329, 3342, 4296 and 4396.

• One (1) Mathematics course is required (4 s.h.): Mathematics 1031* or Mathematics 1041*.

• Four (4) Information Science & Technology (IS&T) related electives are required. Select electives from the following list (12-16 s.h.): Computer & Information Science 3281^, 3374, 3376, 4106, 4108, 4282^, 4330, 4340, 4344, 4362, 4376, 4378, or 4382^, as well as other courses communicated to the students from the IS&T Faculty Advisor.
• Students may also select other 3000-level Computer & Information Science courses for which they meet the prerequisites as long as that course is not already used for the IS&T degree.
• No more than two courses that do not have formal classes and a text, such as Independent Study, Directed Study, and co-op may be used to satisfy the elective requirement. In addition, the co-op course may only be taken once.
• Students with senior standing and a minimum overall 3.25 GPA may also request permission from both the IS&T advisor and course instructor to use graduate courses (5xxx level) as electives.

• Two (2) lab science courses are required (8 s.h.): Must select within a Sequence for Lab Science A and Lab Science B.  See the Sequenced Lab Science sheet for the science options.

*NOTE: IS&T majors are required to have completed Mathematics 1022. They can choose either Mathematics 1031 or Mathematics 1041.

^Note: A maximum of two courses may be taken from Computer & Information Science 3281, Computer & Information Science 4282, and Computer & Information Science 4382. Computer & Information Science 3281 may be taken once within this two-course maximum.

Suggested Semester by Semester Plan

* Four (4) Information Science & Technology (IS&T) related electives are required. Select electives from the following list (12-16 s.h.): Computer & Information Science 3281^, 3374, 3376, 4106, 4108, 4282^, 4330, 4340, 4344, 4362, 4376, 4378, or 4382^, as well as other courses communicated to the students from the IS&T Faculty Advisor.

^Note: A maximum of two courses may be taken from Computer & Information Science 3281, Computer & Information Science 4282, and Computer & Information Science 4382. Computer & Information Science 3281 may be taken twice within this two-course maximum.

Students who complete CST majors typically receive a waiver for 2 Science & Technology (GS) and 1 Quantitative Literacy (GQ) GenEd courses.

Information Science & Technology Minor Requirements

Students desiring a minor in Information Science and Technology are required to satisfy the following:

• Computer & Information Science 1001 (Introduction to Academics in Computer Science)
• Computer & Information Science 1048 (Introduction to IS&T)
• Computer & Information Science 1068 (Program Design & Abstraction)
• Computer & Information Science 2109 (Database & File Management Systems)
• Computer & Information Science 2168 (Data Structures) OR Computer & Information Science 2229 (Architecture, Operating Systems & Networking)
• IS&T related elective from any department at the 3000-level or above, chosen in consultation with the faculty advisor since prior permission is required.

Five-Year Master's Program

Five-Year B.A. or B.S./M.S.

Information Science & Technology majors at the beginning of their junior year may apply for admission to the fifth-year M.S. Program. Upon admission to the program and satisfactory completion of the program requirements, the student is assured of having a master's degree at the end of the fifth year. Interested students should contact their advisor for details.

Calculation of Major GPA

The list of courses that are used to calculate major GPA is determined by the department. Students should consult with their academic advising unit for the applicable courses. In general, courses that could not apply toward the major as an elective or a required course are not counted for the major GPA. This would include Computer & Information Science 1056, for example.

Distinction in Major

To graduate with Distinction in Major, students are required to have a 3.50 or higher grade point average (GPA) both in the major and overall, as well as be recommended by the department of Computer & Information Science.

Minor in Digital Media Technologies

For more information about this minor, contact:

Dr. Justin Y. Shi, Advisor

Department of Computer & Information Science

Wachman Hall, room 350

215-204-2030

shi@temple.edu

Dr. Patrick Murphy, Advisor

Annenberg Hall, room 205

215-204-3876

murphy.p@temple.edu

The Digital Media Technologies Minor is a 21-23 semester hour interdisciplinary minor offered through the Department of Media Studies and Production (MSP) within the School of Media and Communication and the Computer and Information Sciences (CIS) Department within the College of Science and Technology. It is designed to expand students' knowledge of the information age and to empower them to understand how to communicate using emerging media and computer technologies. The ability to tell stories through emerging digital media technologies will be critically and analytically explored as students examine the science of those technologies. The algorithms of communicating via emergent technologies will be at the core of this minor. This program addresses serious gaps in the current curriculum because current students of media have little understanding of the science of digital media and fast evolving interactive web-based information sharing technologies.

The minor is available to undergraduate students in Media Studies and Production, Computer & Information Science, as well as other departments and colleges. Upon completion of the minor, students should be able to demonstrate the following competencies:

1. Utilization of the hardware, software and technologies for integrating content for computers, the Internet, and mobile devices;
2. Critical analysis of decisions made regarding the use of technology specifically in the social and ethical arenas;
3. Understand the impact of current and emerging technologies locally and globally;
4. Design and implementation of content for various media digitally;
5. Ability to evaluate the science of technology as it impacts communications;
6. Develop and refine presentation, analytical, problem solving and writing skills.

Transfer credits are not accepted for credit for the minor.

Students must receive the permission of their advisor before starting in this program. Minor credit is not given for MSP grades below C. Students must maintain at least a 2.00 grade point average in the program for successful completion of the minor. Students with averages under 2.00 for more than two semesters will be dropped from the program. Students with averages under 2.00 may not begin the program.

Requirements for the minor in Digital Media Technologies are as follows:

*Other requirements:

• For Media Studies & Production students, at least one (1) Computer & Information Science elective is required.
• For Computer & Information Science students, at least one (1) Media Studies & Production elective is required.
• For students of other backgrounds, at least one (1) Media Studies & Production and one (1) Computer & Information Science elective are required.
• All prerequisites must be completed or permission by instructor received to enroll in minor courses.
• Example Computer & Information Science Elective: Computer & Information Science 2305 (Mobile Computing Technologies). This course accepts Computer & Information Science 1052-1056 sequence as prerequisites.
• Permitted Substitute Elective: Biology 3333
• For students taking the Digital Media Technologies minor, 5 courses applied toward completion of minor requirements must be distinct from the major requirements. As such, additional electives will be accepted in place of courses that are listed for both the major and the minor. For Media Studies & Production majors taking this minor, Media Studies & Production 2701 or 2751 will be accepted in place of the required Media Studies & Production 1701.