Dec 07, 2024  
Rensselaer Catalog 2015-2016 
    
Rensselaer Catalog 2015-2016 [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, 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)


  • 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: (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

Computer Networking

   (hardware focus)

Mechanical/Aeronautical

    Engineering

Computer Science Track

1)       CSCI 2200 Foundations of Computer Science

2)       CSCI 2300 Introduction to Algorithms

3)       CSCI 2500 Computer Organization

Cognitive Science

Computer Networking

    (software focus)

Information Security

Machine and Computational

    Learning

 

Information Systems Track

1)       CSCI 2200 Foundation of Computer Science

2)       CSCI 2500 Computer Organization

3)       Four credits from the following:

  • CSCI 2220 Programming in Java (2 credits)
  • CSCI 2961 Program in Python (2 credits)
  • CSCI 2300 Introduction to Algorithms (4 credits)

Arts

Communication

Economics

Entrepreneurship

Finance

Management Information

  Systems

Medicine

Pre-law

Psychology

STS

Web Science Track

1)       CSCI 2200 Foundations of Computer Science

2)       CSCI 2500 Computer Organization

3)       Web/Data Course approved by ITWS Curriculum Committee

Data Science

Science Informatics

Web Technologies

 

 

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):


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
  • 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:
    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


  • 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


Fall


  • Technical Track Course #3 (see chart in previous section)
  • Concentration Course Credit Hours: 4
  • Life-Science Elective Credit Hours: 4

Spring


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

ITWS Technology Elective (one of):


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
  • Free Elective  Credit Hours:  4
  • HASS Elective Credit Hours: 4
    (See footnote 1 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 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 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.

Footnote


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

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