Information Technology, B.S.
Program Description
La Salle University offers four programs in computing. Two of these programs provide a foundation in the discipline of computer science, one leading to a B.A. and the other to a B.S. Another program leads to a B.S. in Information Technology. The fourth is a B.S. in Cybersecurity.
Mission Statement
The mission of the La Salle's Information Technology (IT) program extends the University's mission with an emphasis on the success of its students. IT students establish a foundation aware of theoretical IT paradigms coupled with current IT practices. This groundwork will provide a basis of continued learning in this dynamic, emerging field. Students analyze technological problems, design team-based solutions to real-world problems, and develop communication plans for both IT experts and non-experts. Students are encouraged to complete internships as well as participate in industry-based research opportunities to understand the broad application of technology within society. Students completing this program are prepared to continue as IT industry professionals and researchers.
4+1 Graduate Program Option
During their senior year, students with a GPA of at least 3.0 may apply for the 4+1 BS/MS Information Technology/Cybersecurity option. Students who are accepted into this program will receive their bachelor's degree once they complete its requirements and will then begin the master's program immediately upon graduation. Up to three courses from the undergraduate program will then count towards the completion of the masters degree. Students must earn a grade of B or higher in any course that is being transferred to the graduate program. Eligible masters programs are as follows:
- Cybersecurity (CYB) - a total of 7 additional classes (21 credits) are required to complete the M.S. in CYB; this degree can be completed in as few as four semesters after graduation (approximately 15 months)
Why Take This Major?
Students who pursue Information Technology as a major are those who enjoy working with computer hardware, networks, security, and databases. Graduates pursue careers as network administrators, computer security specialists, database administrators, and web programmers.
Degree Earned
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Required for Graduation
- Courses
- Major: 17
- Credits
- Major: 52
- Total: 120
- GPA
- Major: 2.0
- Cumulative: 2.0
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- manage and administer computer and network systems
- devise plans and processes to evaluate IT solutions
- execute processes and procedures to help end-users with technology problems
- execute procedures to secure corporate data and networks
- effectively communicate IT-related information to others within an organization
- formulate plans and procedures to manage computer hardware and software
- evaluate and select computer usage and tools in support of IT organizations and needs
- devise and implement IT policies, procedures, and standards to meet organizational strategic plans
Progress Chart
Level One - Core Courses
12 courses and 2 modules required.
Major Requirements
Major requirements include 4 Level Two ILO requirements, fulfilled through the major.
Information Technology B.S. students must complete 17 courses from this major.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Level One - Core Courses | ||
| Universal Required Courses | ||
| Students must complete the following 4 courses. | ||
| ILO 8.1: Written Communication | ||
| ENG 110 | College Writing I: Persuasion | 3 |
| or ENG 111 | Academic Writing & Writing Lab | |
| ILO 5.1: Information Literacy | ||
| ENG 210 | College Writing II: Research | 3 |
| ILO 1.1: Understanding Diverse Perspectives | ||
| FYS 130 | First-Year Academic Seminar 1 | 3 |
| ILO 2.1: Reflective Thinking and Valuing | ||
| REL 100 | Religion Matters | 3 |
| Elective Core Courses | ||
| Students must complete 1 course in each of the following 4 ILOs. | ||
| ILO 3.1a: Scientific Reasoning | ||
| PHY 201 | Computer Electronics | 3 |
| ILO 3.1b: Quantitative Reasoning | ||
| MTH 260 | Discrete Structures I | 3 |
| ILO 6.1: Technological Competency | ||
| CSC 240 | Database Management Systems | 3 |
| ILO 8.1a/12.1: Oral Communication/Collaborative Engagement | ||
| Choose course within ILO | 3 | |
| Distinct Discipline Core Courses | ||
| Students must complete 1 course in each of the following 4 ILOs. Each course must be from a different discipline. (A "discipline" is represented by the 3- or 4-letter prefix attached to each course.) | ||
| ILO 4.1: Critical Analysis and Reasoning | ||
| Choose course within ILO | 3 | |
| ILO 9.1: Creative and Artistic Expression | ||
| Choose course within ILO | 3 | |
| ILO 10.1: Ethical Understanding and Reasoning | ||
| Choose course within ILO | 3 | |
| ILO 11.1: Cultural and Global Awareness and Sensitivity | ||
| Choose course within ILO | 3 | |
| Universal Required Modules | ||
| Students must complete the following 2 non-credit modules. 2 | ||
| ILO 7.1a | ||
| Health Literacy Module | ||
| ILO 7.1b | ||
| Financial Literacy Module | ||
| Major Requirements | ||
| Level Two | ||
| Students must complete 1 course/learning experience in each of the 4 commitments. | ||
| ILO 2.2: Broader Identity (Capstone Course/Experience) | ||
| CSIT 380 | Applied Technology Systems (ILO 2.2) | 3 |
| Select one ILO from 3.2a, 3.2b, 4.2, 5.2, 6.2, 7.2a, or 7.2b: Expanded Literacies | ||
| CSC 301 | Computer Architecture (ILO 6.2) | 3 |
| ILO 8.2b: Effective Expression (Writing-Intensive Course) | ||
| CSIT 321 | Client Support (ILO 8.2b) | 3 |
| Select one ILO from 10.2, 11.2, or 12.2: Active Responsibility | ||
| CSIT 422 | Information Security (ILO 10.2) | 3 |
| All Other Required Courses | ||
| CSIT 220 | Data Communication | 3 |
| CSIT 300 | Computers, Ethics, And Social Values | 3 |
| CSIT 320 | LANs and Network Administration | 3 |
| CSIT 321 | Client Support | 3 |
| CSIT 327 | Administrative Scripting | 3 |
| or CSC 349 | Mobile Computing | |
| CSIT 380 | Applied Technology Systems | 3 |
| CSIT 422 | Information Security | 3 |
| CSIT 460 | Internship | 3-4 |
| CSC 230 | Programming Concepts and User Interfaces | 4 |
| CSC 240 | Database Management Systems | 3 |
| CSC 301 | Computer Architecture | 3 |
| CSC 340 | .Net Programming | 3 |
| or CSC 341 | Open-Source Application Development | |
| CSC 343 | Client-Side Scripting | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
One CSC/CSIT elective numbered 280 or higher 3 | ||
| Organizational Behavior and Skill Development | ||
| One CSC/CSIT elective numbered 280 or higher 3 | 3 | |
| MTH 260 | Discrete Structures I | 3 |
| PHY 201 | Computer Electronics | 3 |
| Free Electives | ||
| In addition to the requirements listed above, students must take enough courses to the fulfill graduation credit requirements for their School and major. | ||
- 1
NOTE. The following students use Level 2 Capstone Experience in Major instead of FYS 130 First-Year Academic Seminar: Honors, BUSCA, Core-to-Core, Transfer, and Non-Traditional/Evening.
- 2
The Modules are not required for Transfer Students, Core-to-Core Students, or BUSCA Students. BUSCA students are required to take modules if/when they pursue a bachelor’s degree.
- 3
CSIT 299 may not be used to fulfill this requirement
Recommended Course Sequence
The following is a sample course sequence for the required major-level courses. It is possible that the order in which you take the courses will vary due to when certain courses are offered. The typical student should take five courses each semester, filling out the remaining slots with Core courses and/or free electives.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Credits | |
| CSIT 220 | Data Communication | 3 |
| CSC 230 | Programming Concepts and User Interfaces | 4 |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| CSC 240 | Database Management Systems | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| MTH 260 | Discrete Structures I | 3 |
| CSIT 300 | Computers, Ethics, And Social Values | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| CSC 343 | Client-Side Scripting | 3 |
| PHY 201 | Computer Electronics | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Third Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| CSIT 320 | LANs and Network Administration | 3 |
| CSC 340 or CSC 341 |
.Net Programming or Open-Source Application Development |
3 |
| CSIT/CSC Elective #1 1 | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 9-10 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| CSIT 327 | Administrative Scripting | 3 |
| CSIT 422 | Information Security | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| CSIT 380 | Applied Technology Systems | 3 |
| CSIT/CSC Elective #2 2 | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 6-7 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| CSIT 321 | Client Support | 3 |
| CSIT 460 | Internship | 3 |
| CSC 301 | Computer Architecture | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 52-54 | |
- 1
Any CSIT course numbered 300 or higher, any CSC course numbered 280 or higher, or BUS 203
- 2
Any CSIT course numbered 300 or higher or any CSC course numbered 280 or higher
Dual Major Requirements
Students in the Information Technology program may consider a double major or minor in Computer Science. Please see the Department Chair for more information on our double major offerings.
Course Descriptions
Information Technology
This course will address current methods and practices in the use of computer networks to enable communication; physical layers, architectural layers, design, operation, management, and the ISO standards. Local, cloud and wide area networks are examined. Student projects may include introductory LAN design, implementation and administration.
The course will help students explore career decisions, prepare resumes, develop effective networking techniques, practice interviewing strategies, and explore other job search techniques. We will be working with members of the Computer Science Advisory Board in a mentoring role. The course format will include individual assignments, guest presentations, and role modeling. Students considering internships and future careers in technology would benefit from this course.
The topics in this course include privacy and information use/misuse offline and online, intellectual property, the First Amendment, e-waste, accuracy of information, ethics, effects of computers on work and society, responsibilities and risks of computing, current issues such as credit cards and associated debt, cyberwar, and cloud computing. (offered in alternate years)
This course is an introduction to computer architecture and hardware;
underlying structures needed to accomplish tasks electronically; and
hardware and software architecture components relative to memory
management, I/O control, and processing capabilities.
This course provides a practical approach to network administration methodology using current technologies; network hardware; Network Operating System installation; account management; file sharing; network printing; protocol and services configuration; client connectivity and troubleshooting; network application support; server maintenance; and cross-platform integration. One hour of lecture and two hours of laboratory are scheduled per week. (offered in alternate years)
Topics in this course include installation, maintenance, and customization of a PC client operating system (OS), additional system and application software and hardware installation. The course will also provide a survey of OS utilities, services, and settings, including command-line instructions, menus, start-up processes, purposes of essential OS files, browser options, the task manager, the registry, firewall, etc. (offered in alternate years)
Production environments use scripts because of the rapid deployment and their "hands-off" nature, which is lacking in GUIs. The main focus is the use of scripts to automate installation, maintenance, and analysis of operating systems, networks, and applications. This course will examine popular scripting languages that are used in Windows and Linux environments. (offered in alternate years)
This course focuses on legislation related to digital forensics, the role of a computer forensics examiner, evidence preservation, and computer forensic tools. This course provides a comparative study of legislation related to civil and criminal cases using digital forensics, evidence analysis, chain of custody, and data retrieval from computer hardware and software applications. Students will have hands-on labs examining network intrusion and digital evidence preservation using various computer forensic tools.
This course is an introduction to specialized research in computers and computing, concentrating on one particular aspect of information technology. The subject matter will vary from term to term.
This course will provide an overview of software systems used in a business environment. The course will discuss the network architecture needed to support these environments, including specific issues related to licensing, metrics, infrastructure, and environmental requirements. (offered in alternate years)
Topics in this course include basic computer security concepts, terminology, and issues, including network security, Windows security, and Linux security; hardening, TCP/IP, scanning, sniffing, IPSec, public key infrastructure, Kerberos, certificates, cryptography, firewalls, intrusion detection systems, security policies, and processes. (offered in alternate years)
This course systematically covers the skills in penetration testing: the act of attempting to penetrate a computer system on behalf of the owners of the system for the purpose of discovering security vulnerabilities that can be exploited by the hacker. The topics of this course include reconnaissance, scanning, enumeration, vulnerability assessment, escalation, workflow of penetration testing, and legal aspects of ethical hacking.
This course covers a series of current cloud computing technologies, including technologies for Infrastructure as a Service, Platform as a Service, Software as a Service, and Physical Systems as a Service. For different layers of the cloud technologies, students will work with current technologies to create, deploy, and administer the service. The course will provide a foundation for development and exploration of cloud resources.
This course provides the student with an opportunity to do research with a faculty member. The student and the faculty member agree on the research project before the student registers for the course.
This course is a continuation of the 444 research course. It provides the student with an opportunity to continue to conduct research with a faculty member.
Part-time, paid or non-paid employment in a cooperating site will provide practical experience in the discipline. Working under professional supervision for at least 20 hours per week, students learn how to apply their education to the everyday demands of the world of work. Students will meet regularly with a faculty member and will be encouraged to reflect on the relationship between course work and their internship experience.
Program Contact Information
Timothy Highley, Chair
highley@lasalle.edu
Holroyd Hall 123
(215) 951-1130