B.S. in Information Technology and Web Science

Interdisciplinary From Day One.

In a world in which information technology affects virtually everything we do, there is a demand for an academic program that offers students the deepest understanding of the Web.  As an ITWS student, you will investigate issues related to security, trust, privacy, content value, and the development of the Web in the future.

You will take a core set of courses on Web and IT development and management, along with courses in your focus track, selected from more than 20 options, including arts, engineering, management, communications, artificial intelligence, Web systems, and medicine.

 

Curriculum

Completion of the B.S. in Information Technology and Web Science requires a total of 128 - 130 credit hours:

ITWS Core Requirements (24 - 26 credits)
The ITWS core requirements establish a solid foundation for applying ITWS to any discipline.

Focus Track Requirement (44 credits)
The required focus track provides an opportunity for in-depth study of an ITWS application area. Focus track 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 focus track through the selection of courses that match their individual interests.

Rensselaer Degree Requirements (60 credits)
The Rensselaer requirements ensure the degree’s breadth and its consistency with long-established Rensselaer traditions.

 

Program Outcome

Students who successfully complete this program will be able to demonstrate:

  • Skill in core information technology and web science development methods
  • Foundation skill and knowledge in engineering and/or computer science core
  • Knowledge of the management concerns for the effective use of (especially web) technology
  • An ability to be creative and use well-developed problem solving skills
  • Communication, leadership skills and ability to work in teams
  • Knowledge of the social, legal, and ethical issues in employing technology around the world
  • An ability to recognize and respond to human-computer interaction issues to make technology more usable
  • Broad knowledge of science, humanities, and/or business topical courses
  • Application expertise through completion of a chosen focus track
  • An ability to complete the culminating experience designed to prepare graduate for both acceptance into graduate study program and/or direct entry into ITWS career

ITWS Core Requirements (24 - 26 credits)

  • Introduction to Information Technology and Web Science - 4 credits
  • Web Systems Development - 4 credits
  • Database Systems or Data Resource Management (choose 1) - 4 credits
  • Information Technology and Web Science Capstone or Senior Thesis (choose 1) - 4-6 credits
  • Web Science Systems Development - 4 credits
  • Managing IT Resources - 4 credits

Focus Track Requirement (44 credits)

Along with the 8 required courses (32 credits) for your focus track, you must take the corresponding required technical track courses:

TECHNICAL TRACK FOCUS TRACKS COURSES
Computer Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Computer Hardware
  • Computer Networking (hardware focused)
  • Mechanical/Aeronautical Engineering
  • ECSE-2610 Computer Components and Operations
  • ENGR-2350 Embedded Control
  • ECSE-2660 Computer Architecture, Networking and Operating Systems
Computer Science
  • Cognitive Science
  • Computer Networking (software focused)
  • Information Security
  • Machine and Computational Learning
  • CSCI-2200 Foundations of Computer Science
  • CSCI-2300 Introduction to Algorithms
  • CSCI-2500 Computer Organization
Information Systems
  • Arts
  • Communication
  • Economics
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Finance
  • Management Information Systems
  • Medicine
  • Pre-Law
  • Psychology
  • STS
  • CSCI-2200 Foundation of Computer Science
  • CSCI-2500 Computer Organization
  • One of the following:
    • MGMT-2100 Managerial Statistics
    • BIOL-4200 Biostatistics
    • CSCI-2300 Introduction to Algorithms
Web Science
  • Data Science
  • Science Informatics
  • Web Technologies
  • CSCI-2200 Foundations of Computer Science
  • CSCI-2300 Introduction to Algorithms
  • CSCI-2500 Computer Organization

 

Rensselaer Degree Requirements (60 credits)

Math/Science Requirements (24 credits)

  • Calculus 1 - 4 credits
  • Math Elective - 4 credits
  • Computer Science 1 - 4 credits
  • Data Structures - 4 credits
  • Physical Science Elective - 4 credits
  • Life Science Elective - 4 credits

Humanities, Arts and Social Science Requirements (24 credits)

  • IT and Society - 4 credits
  • Intro to Human Computer Interaction - 4 credits
  • Humanities Elective - 4 credits
  • Social Science Elective - 4 credits
  • 2 HASS Electives - 8 credits

Free Elective Requirement (12 credits)

  • 3 Free Electives - 12 credits

Arch

The Arch is a unique approach to education that provides flexibility in the semester schedule, allowing students to pursue professional and personal development opportunities that prepare them to meet the multifaceted challenges of the 21st century. The Arch is a requirement of the Rensselaer curriculum.

Summer Here
During The Arch, students remain on campus for the summer after their sophomore year, taking junior-level classes, and receive focused attention from professors at this pivotal point in their academic progression. 

The World Away
Then, students leave the Troy campus for a semester during the traditional junior year—either fall or spring—to pursue their passions in the form of co-ops, internships, civic engagement, research, or international experiences. Students who pursue these opportunities during their academic career are better prepared for future professional careers and graduate school.

For more information regarding the Arch, please visit https://info.rpi.edu/the-arch

ITWS Minor

The ITWS minor requires a minimum of 16 credit hours that must be approved by the minor advisor in ITWS.

Requirements

  • ITWS-1100 Introduction to ITWS
  • ITWS/IHSS-1220 IT and Society
  • ITWS-2110 Web Systems Development (CSCI 1200 Data Structures is a pre-requisite for ITWS-2110)
  • ITWS-4310 Managing IT Resources1
1 MGMT Majors only – Take ITWS-4100 Information Technology and Web Science Capstone or other course as approved by faculty advisor.

Academic Opportunities

Undergraduate Research

Real-world, hands-on research experience for undergraduate students in ITWS.
Learn More

Gamma Nu Eta

Information Technology Honor Society

Learn More

Dual Majors

It is easy to complete two degrees with the flexibilty of the interdisciplinary ITWS program.
Learn More

Science Ambassadors

Inspiring a younger audience to explore the role of science in society.

Learn More