Mar 28, 2024  
Rensselaer Catalog 2020-2021 
    
Rensselaer Catalog 2020-2021 [Archived Catalog]

Information Technology and Web Science


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs

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, computer networking, data science, law, information security, management information systems, medicine, psychology, web technologies 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)


See HASS elective requirements in the HASS section of the catalog.

  • HASS Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • HASS 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: (36-38 credits)


Technical Track - Three 4-credit courses:  Credit Hours:  12

  • Students select a technical track based on their chosen concentration

 

 

 

 

Technical Track Courses

 

 

 Concentrations

Computer Engineering Track

1)       ECSE 2610 Computer Components and Operations

2)       ENGR 2350 Embedded Control

3)       ECSE 2660 Computer Architecture, Networking and Operating Systems

Civil Engineering

Computer Hardware

Mechanical/Aeronautical

    Engineering

Computer Science/Web Science Track

1)       CSCI 2200 Foundations of Computer Science

2)       CSCI 2300 Introduction to Algorithms

3)       CSCI 2500 Computer Organization

Cognitive Science

Computer Networking

Data Science

Information Security

Machine and Computational

    Learning

Science Informatics

Web Technologies

Information Systems Track

1)       CSCI 2200 Foundation of Computer Science

2)       CSCI 2500 Computer Organization

3)       One of the following:

  • BIOL 4200 Biostatistics
  • CSCI 2300 Introduction to Algorithms 
  • MGMT 2100 Statistical Methods

Arts

Communication

Economics

Entrepreneurship

Finance

Management Information

  Systems

Medicine

Pre-law

Psychology

STS

 

Choose 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):


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/Structural Engineering
  • Cognitive Science
  • Communication
  • Computer Hardware
  • Computer Networking
  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Finance
  • Information Security
  • Machine and Computational
    Learning
  • Management Information Systems
  • Mechanical/Aeronautical
    Engineering
  • Medicine
  • Pre-law
  • Psychology
  • Science and Technology Studies
  • 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


  • Technical Track Course #1 (see chart in previous section)
  • Concentration Course Credit Hours:  4
  • HASS Elective Credit Hours: 4
    (See footnote 1 below)

Spring


  • Technical Track Course #2 (see chart in previous section)
  • HASS Elective Credit Hours: 4
    (See footnote 1 below)

Third Year


The Arch Summer Semester*


*For students who have applied for and been granted the exception, The Arch Summer courses would be taken during the fall semester.  For listing of the exception process go to: http://info.rpi.edu/arch/students/#ExceptionProcess.

  • Concentration Course Credit Hours: 4
  • Concentration Course Credit Hours: 4
  • Life Science Elective: Credit Hours: 4
  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 4

Fall OR Spring


  • Technical Track Course #3 (see chart in previous section)
  • HASS Elective Credit Hours: 4 (see footnote 1 below)

ITWS Technology Elective (one of):


Fourth Year


Fall


Choose 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
  • Free Elective  Credit Hours:  4

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 1 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 6 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.

Footnote


  1. See HASS elective requirements in the HASS section of this catalog.

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs