Mar 28, 2024  
Rensselaer Catalog 2012-2013 
    
Rensselaer Catalog 2012-2013 [Archived Catalog]

Information Technology and Web Science


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Completion of the B.S. in Information Technology and Web Science requires a total of 128-130 credit hours, of which 56-58 credits constitute an ITWS Core and 32 credits are devoted to a concentration. The remaining credit hours fulfill Rensselaer degree requirements. The ITWS core requirements establish a solid foundation for applying ITWS to any discipline. The Rensselaer requirements ensure the degree’s breadth and its consistency with long-established Rensselaer traditions. The required concentration provides an opportunity for in-depth study of an ITWS application area. Concentration options include arts, communication and networks, law, management information systems, medicine, psychology, and numerous others. In consultation with a faculty adviser, students may also design their own concentration through the selection of courses that match their individual interests.

The specific requirements for the B.S. in Information Technology and Web Science are illustrated below.  Both a professional and research track are offered for the B.S. in ITWS degree.  For the research track, the capstone course is replaced with a two-semester thesis.

Math and Science Requirements: (24 credits)


  • Math Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Physical-Science Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Life-Science Elective Credit Hours: 4

Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences Requirements (HASS): (24 credits)


  • Humanities Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Social Science Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • HASS Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • HASS Elective Credit Hours: 4

Free Elective Requirements: (12 credits)


  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 4

ITWS Core Requirements: (40-46 credits)


Pick either the ECSE 2610/ENGR 2350/ECSE 2660 (see footnote 2 below) sequence or the CSCI 2300/2500 sequence:

  • ECSE 2610 - Computer Components and Operations Credit Hours: 4
  • ENGR 2350 - Embeded Control Credit Hours: 4
  • ECSE 2660 - Computer Architecture, Networks, and Operating Systems Credit Hours: 4
    or
  • CSCI 2300 - Introduction to Algorithms Credit Hours: 4
  • CSCI 2500 - Computer Organization Credit Hours: 4

 Pick either:

  • ITWS 2960 - Creativity and IT Credit Hours: 4
    (See footnote 1 below)
    or
  • ITWS 4960 - IT for Arts and Performance Credit Hours: 4
    (See footnote 1 below)

 Pick either:

  • ITWS 4100 - Information Technology and Web Science Capstone Credit Hours: 4
    (Professional track)
    or
  • ITWS 4990 - Senior Thesis Credit Hours: 6
    (Research track)

 

ITWS Technology Elective (one of):


  •  MGMT 4170 - Data Resource Management Credit Hours: 4

Student-Selected Concentration: (32 credits)


  • Concentration Course Credit Hours: 4
  • Concentration Course Credit Hours: 4
  • Concentration Course Credit Hours: 4
  • Concentration Course Credit Hours: 4
  • Concentration Course Credit Hours: 4
  • Concentration Course Credit Hours: 4
  • Concentration Course Credit Hours: 4
  • Concentration Capstone Experience Credit Hours: 4

Concentration Information


The Concentrations from which students may choose are as follows:

  • Arts
  • Civil Engineering
  • Cognitive Science
  • Communication
  • Computer Networking
  • Computer Hardware
  • Economics
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Finance
  • Information Security
  • Machine and Computational
    Learning
  • Management Information Systems
  • Mechanical/Aeronautical
    Engineering
  • Medicine
  • Pre-law
  • Psychology
  • Science and Technology Studies:
    Information and Society
  • Science Informatics
  • Special Interest
  • Web Technologies


The above list, and the associated required courses for each Concentration are available on the ITWS program Web page itws.rpi.edu. The list expands as new Concentrations are developed. Students wishing to design a special interest Concentration specific to individual interests should consult their faculty advisers.

Course Schedule


Below is a typical, but not required, eight-semester course schedule for obtaining the B.S. in ITWS.

First Year


Fall


  • Concentration Course Credit Hours: 4

Spring


  • Math Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Physical-Science Elective Credit Hours: 4

Second Year


Fall


     

  • Free Elective Credit Hours:  4

 

One of:


(See footnote 2 below)

  • ECSE 2610 - Computer Components and Operations Credit Hours: 4
    and ENGR 2350 - Embedded Control Credit Hours: 4
    or
  • CSCI 2500 - Computer Organization Credit Hours: 4

One of:


  • ITWS 2960 - Creativity and IT Credit Hours: 4 (See footnote 1 below)

          or

  • ITWS 4960 - IT for Arts and Performance Credit Hours: 4 (See footnote 1 below)

Spring


  • Concentration Course Credit Hours: 4

Third Year


Fall


  • HASS Elective Credit Hours: 4
    (See footnote 3 below)
  • Concentration Course Credit Hours: 4
  • Life-Science Elective Credit Hours: 4

Spring


  • HASS Elective Credit Hours: 4
    (See footnote 3 below)
  • Concentration Course Credit Hours: 4
  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 4

ITWS Technology Elective (one of):


  • MGMT 4170 - Data Resource Management Credit Hours:  4

Fourth Year


Fall


Pick either:

  • ITWS 4100 - Information Technology and Web Science Capstone Credit Hours: 4
    (Professional track)
    or
  • ITWS 4990 - Senior Thesis Credit Hours: 3
    (Research track)

 

  • Concentration Course Credit Hours: 4
  • Concentration Course Credit Hours:  4
  • HASS Elective Credit Hours: 4
    (See footnote 3 below)

 

Spring


  • ITWS 4990 - Senior Thesis  Credit Hours: 3
    (Research track only)
  • Concentration Capstone Course/Experience Credit Hours: 4
  • Concentration Course Credit Hours: 4
  • HASS Elective Credit Hours: 4
    (See footnote 3 below)
  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 4

Additional Information


Co-terminal students would replace ITWS 4100 Information Technology and Web Science Capstone with ITWS 4980 - Special Projects course which will be the culminating experience.

Only free electives and six credits of the HASS electives may be taken with the Pass/No Credit option.

If a student chooses to pursue a dual degree with Information Technology and Web Science as one of the degrees, the dual degree must be the area that is closest to the student’s Concentration. For example, if a student’s Concentration is Psychology, then the dual degree would need to be in Psychology.

Footnotes


  1. A special topics course.
  2. Students must select either the ECSE 2610, ENGR 2350, ECSE 2660 sequence or the CSCI 2500, CSCI 2300 sequence. Students cannot mix courses from these sequences. Students interested in pursuing the M.S. in IT degree should take the CSCI 2500, CSCI 2300 sequence. CSCI 2300 is required for admission into the M.S. in IT program. If the CSCI sequence is chosen, the math elective in Semester II must be Math 2800 Intro. to Discrete Structures.
  3. See HASS elective requirements in the HASS section of this catalog.

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