Academic Catalog 2023-2024 
    
    Oct 01, 2023  
Academic Catalog 2023-2024

Bachelor of Science: Computer Information Technology


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The Computer Information Technology degree empowers students with a computer skill set relevant to today’s IT field. The degree takes a “business requirements” approach and includes areas as diverse as computer programming; database development and administration; software and application design;  database design; enterprise architecture using the Zachman Framework; Internet development; and computer information security. The program incorporates both open source and traditional languages and platforms. Students will actively learn how to meet business and communication needs utilizing best computing practices.

In addition to technical mastery, CIT majors will also be equipped with a core business education, all with a Christ-centered perspective enabling them to demonstrate excellence in the workplace and in their lives beyond the classroom. With this technical skill set, CIT majors will find themselves prepared for careers in a variety of potential areas such as computer programming, database development and management, technical support, application design and information securities, as well as other emerging technical fields.

The Computer Information Technology degree offers six separate degree emphasis options from which to choose. Additional information and degree requirements listed below.

  • Computer Information Technology: non-emphasis track
  • Computer Information Technology: with an emphasis in Cyber Security
  • Computer Information Technology: with an emphasis in Data Engineering
  • Computer Information Technology: with an emphasis in Database Management
  • Computer Information Technology: with an emphasis in Networking
  • Computer Information Technology: with an emphasis in System Analyst

In addition to courses required for the major, all students must complete a selection of General Education courses, listed below.

Classes are taught online providing greater flexibility in completing assignments outside the classroom.

The Computer Information Technology degree requires completion of the following 120 hours:
General Education Core (39 hours)
CIT Foundations Core (18 hours)
Major Core (36 or 39 hours)
Electives (24 or 27 hours)

General Education Core (39 credit hours)


Integrative Studies (3 credit hours)


Required Foundations Core for the Bachelor of Science Degree: Computer Information Technology


CIT Foundations Core (18 credit hours)


Select one of the Following Areas of Emphasis


Required Major Courses for the Computer Information Technology: Non-emphasis (39 credit hours)


The B.S. in Computer Information Technology equips students with both technical skills and business knowledge to take computer technology and put it to use in commercial environments to aid a company, non-profit, or governmental organization in its decision-making processes. The information technology courses focus on applications, solving and improving processes with computer technology, and general system use. The non-emphasis track allows students to choose a combination of courses that provide a broad exposure to technology, creating greater flexibility and fit within students’ individualized CIT career paths.

Required Major Courses for the Computer Information Technology: Cyber Security Emphasis (36 credit hours)


The Cyber Security emphasis is designed to provide the CIT candidate with soft skills in theoretical aspects within the cyber world. Students will cover the concepts of cyber security based on foundations of introduction to business and information security principles. Students will complete the foundations course in Cyber Security and can choose to further study two of the three areas: ethics and design of a cyber-based business model, the principles and mindset of cyber criminology, or creating security policy and governance.

Students in the Cyber Security emphasis complete nine graduate-level credit hours that can be used to satisfy requirements in the Master of Science in Cyber Security 

Elective Requirements (27 credit hours)


Choose 27 hours of elective credits.

Required Major Courses for the Computer Information Technology: Data Engineering Emphasis (36 credit hours)


The data engineering emphasis has as its focus the creation of large database systems useable by all stakeholders especially data scientists.  This emphasis combines big data and data science with programming, web development and traditional and opensource databases to provide a holistic approach to understanding the opportunities available through the associations, patterns and trends that can be found in extremely large data sets.  The data engineering emphasis challenges individuals in theory and practice with the structured and unstructured concepts of big data, data science and managing databases in the trillions of records.  This approach equips students with the technical and analytical skills necessary to stretch beyond small databases to an understanding of what modern big data requires.

Required Major Courses for the Computer Information Technology: Database Management Emphasis (36 credit hours)


The Computer Information Technology degree with a Database Emphasis empowers students with a computer skill set relevant to today’s IT field.  The program explores the design, development and administration of both standard and unique databases, but also includes computer programming, software and application design, systems analysis and design, and computer information security for a well-rounded IT knowledge base. Students will actively learn how to meet business and communication needs utilizing best computing practices. In addition to technical mastery, CIT majors will also be equipped with a core business education, all with a Christ-centered perspective enabling them to demonstrate excellence in the workplace and in their lives beyond the classroom.  With this technical skill set, CIT majors with this emphasis will find themselves prepared for careers in a variety of potential areas, such as computer programming, web development, database design, management, technical support, application design, and information securities as well as other emerging technical fields.

Required Major Courses for the Computer Information Technology: Networking Emphasis (36 credit hours)


The Networking Emphasis has as its focus “networking as a technical discipline” This emphasis combines networking with programming and databases to provide a holistic approach to computer information technology.  The networking emphasis challenges individuals academically and intellectually with hands on experimentation in networking and networking design. This approach equips students to influence the technical world at the network level while being able to converse with software and data engineers to provide robust solutions to complex technical issues.

Required Major Courses for the Computer Information Technology: System Analyst Emphasis (36 credit hours)


The system analyst emphasis has as its focus the creation of system solutions using the tools of analysis and technology to fulfill the needs of the stakeholders.  This emphasis combines the development of critical thinking, behavior of people and systems within a programming environment, and the benefits of databases to provide a holistic approach to the field of systems analysis.  The system analyst emphasis challenges individuals academically and intelligently with hands on programming, database development, a deeper dive into system analysis and a broader scope of interpersonal skills.  This approach equips students with the technical, analytical and personal skills necessary to interface with all stakeholders of an organization to provide documented robust solutions to complex technical issues.

Graduation Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree: Computer Information Technology


The faculty recommends students in the B.S. in Computer Information Technology to the Board of Trustees as candidates for graduation when they have completed the following requirements:

  1. Completion of a total of 120 credits, including all general education, electives, business foundations core, and major core requirements.
  2. A letter grade of D or better and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better in all CCU coursework.
  3. Meet the CCU Residency requirements .
  4. Formal and timely application for graduation by the date specified by the University Registrar.
  5. No outstanding financial obligation to the University.

 

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