Information Technology

An Information Technology degree provides students with a strong foundation in programming, problem analysis, problem-solving, and software engineering significantly supplemented with practical experience using hardware and software resources available in contemporary computer laboratories maintained by the Department.

Students pursuing an Information Technology degree may choose to follow one of three concentrations:

• Applied Information Technology
• Computer Networking
• Health Information Technology.

The Applied Information Technology concentration allows for flexibility in a student’s degree. The concentration is adaptable by requiring the student to select a minor that will have the focus to further prepare them to meet their career goals at the time of graduation. The Information Technology concentration provides students with a foundation in business and information systems to complement the core requirements in problem-solving and programming in a business environment. The goal of this curriculum is to prepare the student for the industry as a technically oriented member of an information systems development team.

The Computer Networking concentration focuses on the technical aspects of computer networking. The goal of this curriculum is to prepare the students to be able to analyze and design the different network architectures and security architectures that must be in place. Students will also learn the importance of using different network technologies to be able to protect data. The goal of this curriculum is to prepare the student for the industry as a technically oriented member of an information technology support team or to take on the individual role of a network administrator.

The Health Information Technology concentration focuses on the technical aspects in relation to the medical field. The goal of this curriculum is to prepare the students to be able to analyze, collect, and protect patient information and medical records in addition to gaining knowledge of Information Technology as its foundation. The goal of this curriculum is to prepare the student for the industry as a technically oriented member of a health information technology team.

ASSIST Scholarship Program

We are excited to announce a new scholarship program: Athens State Scholars in STEM (ASSIST). This is a National Science Foundation-funded scholarship available to students majoring in the following: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Information Technology, and Mathematics. Students accepted into this program will receive yearly scholarship funds and access to additional support programs including faculty mentoring, peer support activities, online tutoring, and career development activities such as travel to professional conferences and/or research materials. The goal of this program is to help our STEM students efficiently complete their degrees and enter the workforce and/or graduate school.

Small classes and other big advantages.

All Computer Science and Information Technology degree program classes are taught by full-time faculty members. Class size is small, and you’ll enjoy access to additional resources including the Career Development Center, and a Tutoring Lab specific to Mathematical, Computing, and Natural Sciences.

The Information Technology degree program is ABET-accredited. All classes incorporate service- and project-based learning and faculty members engage students in undergraduate research.