Nov 17, 2024  
Rensselaer Catalog 2024-2025 
    
Rensselaer Catalog 2024-2025

Information Technology and Web Science B.S.


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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 36-38 credits constitute an ITWS Core and 32 credits are devoted to a Focus Track. 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 Focus Track provides an opportunity for in-depth study of an ITWS application area. Focus Track options include arts, computer networking, data science, pre-law, information security, management information systems, medicine, psychological science, web technologies and numerous others. In consultation with a faculty advisor, students may also design their own Focus Track 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 Focus Track

 

 

 

 

Technical Track Courses

 

 

 Focus Tracks

Computer Engineering Track

1)       ECSE 2610  

2)       ENGR 2350  

3)       ECSE 2660  

Civil Engineering

Computer Hardware

Mechanical/Aeronautical

    Engineering

Computer Science/Web Science Track

1)       CSCI 2200  

2)       CSCI 2300  

3)       CSCI 2500  

Cognitive Science

Computer Networking

Data Science

Information Security

Machine Learning

Science Informatics

Web Technologies

Information Systems Track

1)       CSCI 2200  

2)       CSCI 2500  

3)       One of the following:

Arts

Communication

Economics

Entrepreneurship

Finance

Management Information

  Systems

Medicine

Pre-law

Psychological Science

STS

 

Choose either:

ITWS Technology Elective (one of):


Student-Selected Focus Track: (32 credits)


  • Focus Track Course Credit Hours: 4
  • Focus Track Course Credit Hours: 4
  • Focus Track Course Credit Hours: 4
  • Focus Track Course Credit Hours: 4
  • Focus Track Course Credit Hours: 4
  • Focus Track Course Credit Hours: 4
  • Focus Track Course Credit Hours: 4
  • Focus Track Capstone Experience Credit Hours: 4

Focus Track Information


The Focus Tracks 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 Learning
  • Management Information Systems
  • Mechanical/Aeronautical
    Engineering
  • Medicine
  • Pre-law
  • Psychological Science
  • Science and Technology Studies
  • Science Informatics
  • Special Interest
  • Web Technologies

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

Course Schedule


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

First Year


Fall


Spring


Second Year


Fall


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

Spring


Third Year


Please note: The third year of the program varies depending upon which semester the student chooses to take away following The Arch Summer Semester classes. Please note the following differences in curriculum:

  • If students are going to be away during the Fall semester of their junior year, they should take the listed courses for each term and any courses under the Fall Away Track for year three of their program.
     
  • If students are going to be away during the Spring semester of their junior year, they should take the listed courses for each term and any courses under the Spring Away Track for year three of their program.

The Arch Summer Semester*


*For more information on the ARCH process, please click here: The Arch 

  • Focus Track Course Credit Hours: 4
  • Focus Track 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  1

ITWS Technology Elective (one of):


Fourth Year


Fall


Choose either:

  • ITWS 4100  - Credit Hours: 4
    (Professional track)
    or
  • ITWS 4990  - Credit Hours: 3
    (Research track)
  • Focus Track Course Credit Hours: 4
  • Focus Track Course Credit Hours: 4
  • Free Elective  Credit Hours:  4

Spring


  • ITWS 4990  - Credit Hours: 3
    (Research track only)
  • Focus Track Capstone Course/Experience Credit Hours: 4
  • Focus Track 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  with ITWS 4980  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 Focus Track. For example, if a student’s Focus Track is Psychological Science, then the dual degree would need to be in Psychological Science.

Footnote


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

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