Computer Science

The B.S. degree in Computer Information Technology is designed for students who are interested in a professional career that involves solving the informational technology infrastructure needs of companies and organizations. An IT professional is able to understand computer systems and solve the computer-related problems of the people they serve. An IT professional assumes responsibility for selecting, installing and maintaining hardware and software products to meet organizational culture and needs. The Computer Information Technology degree consists of a set of core requirements plus a Domain Emphasis Package that is effectively a minor in another field of study. The program focuses on the technology and service aspects of the industry rather than information content. Graduates of the program will have an applied knowledge of such fields as web programming, system infrastructure, databases, networking, e-business, project management, data center management, security and information assurance.

The B.S. in Computer Information Technology program requires a total of 120 units, including General Education requirements, major core courses and a 15-unit sequence of elective courses referred to below as the Domain Emphasis Package. To graduate, a student must complete a minimum of 18 residency units from the list of upper division required courses listed below in addition to all other institutional residency requirements.

Special Grade Requirements

No grade lower than a “C” will be accepted on transfer from another institution to satisfy the graduation requirements in Information Technology. Where specific grade requirements are not specified, no CSUN grade lower than a “C-” will be accepted for courses required in the B.S. CIT program.

1. Lower Division Required Courses (24 units)

CIT 101/L CIT Fundamentals (2/1)
CIT 160/L Internet Technologies (2/1)
CIT 210/L Deployment and Management of Operating Systems (3/1)
CIT 270/L Integrative Programming (3/1)
COMP 110/L Introduction to Algorithms and Programming with Lab (3/1)
COMP 122/L Computer Architecture and Assembly Language and Lab (1/1)
COMP 182/L Data Structures and Program Design and Lab (3/1)

2. Lower Division Electives (14-19 units)

a. Math Course (3-5 units)

Select one of the following courses:

MATH 103 Mathematical Methods for Business (3)
MATH 150A Calculus I (5)
MATH 255A Calculus for the Life Sciences I (3)

b. Statistics Course (3-4 units)

Select one of the following courses:

MATH 140 Introductory Statistics (4)
SOM 120 Basic Business Statistics (3)

c. Science Courses (8-10 units)

Select one of the following sequences:

3. Upper Division Required Courses (33 units)

CIT 360/L CIT System Management and Lab (2/1)
CIT 384/L Web Development and Hosting and Lab (2/1)
CIT 425/L Information and Systems Security and Lab (2/1)
CIT 480/L CIT System Design and Implementation I (2/1)
CIT 481/L CIT System Design and Implementation II (2/1)
COMP 485 Human-Computer Interaction (3)
IS 312 Information Systems for Business Managers(3)
IS 431 System Analysis and Design (3)
IS 435 Business Data Communications and Networking (3)
IS 441 Database Management Systems (3)
IS 451 Systems Development Project (3)

4. Domain Emphasis Package (15-18 units)

Computer Information Technology has applications in nearly all areas of human endeavor. A major objective of the B.S. CIT program is to prepare graduates to work effectively with people from other domains. To this end, students in the B.S. CIT program are required to engage in deeper studies of an application domain other than computing that uses computing in a substantive way.

This requirement can be satisfied by completion of one of the following:

1. Completion of an appropriate minor at CSUN that does not include courses offered by the Department of Computer Science or the College of Business and Economics. The intent of the minor is to focus studies in a domain in which the graduate plans to start their career. Students interested in focusing their studies on business are advised to explore the Information Systems degree options offered by the Department of Accounting and Information Systems. A minor must consist of at least 18 units, but some requirements in a minor might also be applied toward meeting General Education requirements.
2. Completion of a cohesive set of classes, called the Domain Emphasis Package, determined though consultation with the student’s faculty advisor and requiring approval by the department chair prior to enrollment in any course contained in the package. This package should focus on a specific domain in which the graduate plans to start their career. Such a package shall consist of 15 units, with no more than 6 units of lower division classes chosen strategically to meet the prerequisites of the other classes also included in the package. The package cannot contain courses offered by the Department of Computer Science or the College of Business and Economics.

By the time COMP 110/L is completed, B.S. CIT majors must meet with a faculty advisor to determine the classes in a customized domain emphasis package or to select a minor to fulfill the Domain Emphasis requirement.

5. General Education (48 units)

Undergraduate students must complete 48 units of General Education as described in this Catalog.
B.S. CIT majors follow a modified General Education program, depending upon the year they enter the program and their enrollment status as a college student. Returning and transfer students should consult an academic advisor before planning their general education programs. B.S. CIT students are required to take courses in the following GE sections: Analytical Reading and Expository Writing (3 units), Oral Communication (3 units), Social Sciences (6 units), Arts and Humanities (6 units), Comparative Cultural Studies (6 units), and U.S. Government and History (6 units). Nine units of the GE requirements must be upper division (300-plus) courses that are certified as writing intensive. Two GE courses must meet the Information Competence requirement. All other GE requirements are met through completion of courses in the major. All students should discuss Plan R requirements and plan class schedules with their academic advisor.

Total Units in the Major: 86-94

General Education Units: 33

Additional Units: 0-1

Total Units Required for the B.S. Degree: 120