Overview

Carol Freeman,* Chair

Daniel Cass, Ryan Gantner, Kris H. Green, Nadine Hanebutte, Scott Harrison, Erica Johnson, Elizabeth Leboffe, Mark McKinzie, Donald L. Muench, Marybeth Napoli, Bernard Ricca, Rebecca Tiffin, Gerald Wildenberg,* Erik Winarski

*On leave, Spring 2012

Majors will no longer be accepted into the Applied Information Technology major following the fall 2011 semester. APIT courses for students currently enrolled in the major and for courses servicing the Informational Technology minor will continue to be offered by the Department of Mathematical and Computing Sciences.

The Applied Information Technology major lies within the Department of Mathematical and Computing Sciences at St. John Fisher College. This administrative department and its majors emphasize critical thinking, problem-solving and communication while stressing interdisciplinary learning.

The Applied Information Technology major focuses on the application of communication, information, and system technologies in a student-chosen application area called a “second discipline.” It is designed especially for students with an interest in technology but with passions in other areas to which information technology can be applied. Students emerge from the program prepared to pursue a rewarding career or graduate education in a disciplinary or interdisciplinary field.

Graduates of the St. John Fisher College Applied Information Technology program have the ability to:

• Use and apply current technical concepts and practices, databases, and web technologies to analytical and problem-solving projects and tasks.
• Analyze, identify, and define requirements and then design and integrate an effective IT-based solution via the creation of an effective project plan.
• Identify and evaluate current and emerging technologies and discuss their applicability to help solve fundamental business issues.
• Analyze the impact of technology on individuals, organizations, and society, including ethical, legal, and policy issues.
• Demonstrate independent critical-thinking and problem-solving skills along with the ability to collaborate in teams and communicate effectively and efficiently with clients and peers both orally and in writing, using appropriate terminology.
• Recognize the need for continued learning throughout their career.

Requirements for the B.S. in Applied Information Technology include the completion of the Applied Information Technology courses and the courses required for the second discipline. A student can pursue a double major, such as in Applied Information Technology and Mathematics, subject to the approval of the student’s advisor, respective department chairs, and the Applied Information Technology major committee.

Minor

Information Technology Minor

Information Technology is a term often used to denote the computer and communications industries and the application of computing and communications technologies in business, industry, government, and entertainment. The minor in Information Technology provides the general student with the opportunity to acquire an understanding of the impact and applications of computing and communication technologies. Students study networks as communication systems, concepts of data and how information is derived from the data, and fundamental web technologies.

The applications software in the minor are tools that are widely available and important in the workplace. Organizations rely heavily on the use of these tools and on the people who use this software competently and professionally. Regardless of a student’s major, knowledge about these applications is important.

Students who complete this minor satisfactorily should be able to use and apply current technical concepts and practices in the core information technologies, including programming, computer networking and hardware, databases, and web technologies and issues.

The minor consists of:

*Students may not mix courses in these elective groupings.

Note: A grade point average of 2.00 is required for all courses taken in residence that may be applied to the minor.

Program Requirements

Requirements for the B.S. in Applied Information Technology

For students majoring in Applied Information Technology, all courses required for the major are included in the determination of the grade point average in the major. At least half of these credits must be taken at St. John Fisher College.

Second Disciplines

Each student is required to select a second discipline from: Anthropology, Biology, Communication/Journalism, Economics, or Mathematics. Students must officially declare their second discipline before registering for their first semester junior year. At least half of these credits in the second discipline must be taken at St. John Fisher College. A grade point average of 2.00 is required of all courses taken in residence that may be applied to the second discipline.

Anthropology

Biology

The three upper-division electives chosen from the six biology course offerings are intended to match a student’s interests and career goals.

Alternate 300- and 400-level biology courses may be considered pending approval of the student’s advisor or the advisor and the chair of the Biology Department.

Please note that some of the required biology courses, as well as some upper-level electives, may have chemistry prerequisites.

Communication/Journalism

Economics

Mathematics

Course Descriptions

Course descriptions for required CSCI, COMM, ENGL, MATH, and MSTI courses, as well as all second discipline courses, may be found under appropriate academic department sections.