Information Science & Technology, B.S.

Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Information Science and Technology.

Students in the Information Science and Technology (IS&T) curriculum develop the skills and the knowledge necessary to analyze information problems and to apply current technology to their solution. The emphasis is to develop problem-solving and communication skills.

The technologies and methods include databases, web and mobile application development, client-server computing, network security, project management, software engineering principles, and quality assurance methodologies. A two-semester capstone project course is required. This course is designed to help students integrate what they have learned in other courses and apply this knowledge in the design and implementation of a software application. The B.S. program gives students the further opportunity to explore their interests in the variety of electives available to them.

The program is targeted for students who have a strong interest in applying computing technologies to solving problems in business, education, science, and government agencies. Our IS&T graduates are also involved in innovative product developments. They hold jobs as consultants, network engineers, business and systems analysts, database administrators, and web and application developers.

Undergraduate Contact Information:

Dr. Jamie Payton, Chair
Science Education and Research Center, Room 304
215-204-8450

Dr. Gene Kwatny, Vice Chair
Science Education and Research Center, Room 304
215-204-8450

Dr. Dominic Letarte, Faculty Advisor
Science Education and Research Center, Room 372
215-204-6439
istadvsr@temple.edu

Bachelor of Science 

Summary of Requirements for the Degree

  1. University Requirements (123 total s.h.)

    • Students must complete all University requirements including those listed below.

    • All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses at Temple as part of their major. The specific writing-intensive course options for this major are:

      CIS 4296Information Systems Analysis and Design4
      CIS 4396Information Systems Implementation4
    • Students must complete the General Education (GenEd) requirements.
      • See the General Education section of the Undergraduate Bulletin for the GenEd curriculum.
      • Students who complete CST majors receive a waiver for 2 Science & Technology (GS) and 1 Quantitative Literacy (GQ) GenEd courses.
    • Students must satisfy general Temple University residency requirements.
  2. College Requirements

    • 45 Upper Level (2000+) credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST), the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), or the College of Engineering (ENG).

    • 90 credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST), the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), or the College of Engineering (ENG).

    • All students in the College of Science and Technology are required to take a one credit first year seminar. SCTC 1001 CST First Year Seminar is the appropriate course option for every entering first year CST major. Transfer students should use SCTC 2001 CST Transfer Seminar to fulfill this requirement. Other courses that fulfill this requirement may be found on the CST College Requirements page.

  3. Major Requirements for Bachelor of Science (76 s.h.)
    At least 9 courses required for the major must be completed at Temple. At least 8 CIS courses must be completed at Temple.
    Computer & Information Science
    CIS 1001Introduction to Academics in Computer Science1
    CIS 1051Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming in Python4
    or CIS 1057 Computer Programming in C
    CIS 1068Program Design and Abstraction4
    or CIS 1968 Honors Program Design and Abstraction
    CIS 1166Mathematical Concepts in Computing I4
    or CIS 1966 Honors Mathematical Concepts in Computing I
    CIS 2109Database Management Systems4
    CIS 2168Data Structures4
    CIS 2229Architecture, Operating Systems and Networking4
    CIS 3309Component-Based Software Design4
    CIS 3329Network Architectures4
    CIS 3342Server-Side Web Application Development4
    CIS 3344Client-Side Scripting for the Web4
    CIS 4296Information Systems Analysis and Design4
    CIS 4396Information Systems Implementation4
    Mathematics
    MATH 2031Probability and Statistics3
    Select one of the following: 14
    MATH 1031
    		Differential and Integral Calculus
    MATH 1041
    		Calculus I
    MATH 1941
    		Honors Calculus I
    Information Science & Technology Related Electives
    Select 12 credits from the following IS&T elective courses:12
    CIS 3281
    		Cooperative Education Experience in Information Science & Technology 2
    CIS 3374
    		Quality Assurance & Testing (F)
    CIS 3376
    		Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Design and Implementation
    CIS 3441
    		Software Security
    CIS 3515
    		Introduction to Mobile Application Development
    CIS 3603
    		User Experience Design
    CIS 3605
    		Introduction to Digital Forensics
    CIS 3715
    		Principles of Data Science
    CIS 3775
    		Information Technology Project Management
    CIS 4105
    		Information Technology Process Management (F)
    CIS 4106
    		System Development Process
    CIS 4108
    		Emerging Technologies and Tools for Enterprise Management (S)
    CIS 4282
    		Independent Study 2
    CIS 4330
    		Current Topics in Information Science & Technology
    CIS 4340
    		Seminar in Information Science & Technology (S)
    CIS 4344
    		Advanced Web Application Design & Scripting
    CIS 4350
    		Seminar on Topics in Computer Science (F)
    CIS 4362
    		Application System Development Using Relational Technology (Not offered every year)
    CIS 4376
    		E-Commerce System Development
    CIS 4378
    		Computer and Network Security
    CIS 4419
    		Securing the Internet of Things
    CIS 4515
    		Advanced Mobile Application Development
    CIS 4615
    		Ethical Hacking and Intrusion Forensics
    CIS 4625
    		Audit and Compliance for Security and Digital Forensics
    Other courses communicated to the students from the IS&T Faculty Advisor.
    Laboratory Science courses
    Two (2) laboratory science courses 38
    Total Credit Hours76
    (F) - Fall only course
    (S) - Spring only course
  • Students may also select other 3000-level or higher Computer & Information Science courses for which they meet the prerequisites as long as that course is not already used for the IS&T degree.
  • No more than two courses that do not have formal classes and a text, such as Independent Study, Directed Study, and co-op may be used to satisfy the elective requirement. In addition, the co-op course may only be taken once.
  • Students with senior standing and a minimum overall 3.25 GPA may also request permission from both the IS&T advisor and course instructor to use graduate courses (5xxx level) as electives.

Sequenced Information Science and Technology Laboratory Science Requirements

Biology Sequence
Select one Biology Lab Science A:
BIOL 1011
General Biology I
BIOL 1111
Introduction to Organismal Biology
BIOL 1911
Honors Introduction to Organismal Biology (S)
Select one Biology Lab Science B:
BIOL 1012
General Biology II
BIOL 2112
Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
BIOL 2912
Honors Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology (F)
Chemistry Sequence 1
Select one Chemistry Lab Science A:
CHEM 1021
& CHEM 1023
Introduction to Chemistry I
and Introduction to Chemistry Laboratory I
CHEM 1031
& CHEM 1033
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry Laboratory I
CHEM 1951
& CHEM 1953
Honors General Chemical Science I
and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory I
Select one Chemistry Lab Science B:
CHEM 1022
& CHEM 1024
Introduction to Chemistry II
and Introduction to Chemistry Laboratory II
CHEM 1032
& CHEM 1034
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry Laboratory II
CHEM 1952
& CHEM 1954
Honors General Chemical Science II
and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory II
Earth & Environmental Science Sequence 2
Select this Lab Science A:
EES 2001
Physical Geology
Select one Lab Science B:
EES 2011
Mineralogy I (with CHEM 1031 prerequisite)
EES 2021
Sedimentary Environments (no CHEM 1031 prerequisite)
EES 2061
Introduction to Geochemistry (with CHEM 1031 prerequisite)
Physics Sequence 3
Select one Physics Lab Science A:
PHYS 1021
Introduction to General Physics I
PHYS 1061
Elementary Classical Physics I
PHYS 1961
Honors Elementary Classical Physics I (F)
PHYS 2021
General Physics I
PHYS 2921
Honors General Physics I (F)
Select one Physics Lab Science B:
PHYS 1022
Introduction to General Physics II
PHYS 1062
Elementary Classical Physics II
PHYS 1962
Honors Elementary Classical Physics II (S)
PHYS 2022
General Physics II
PHYS 2922
Honors General Physics II (S)

Calculation of Major GPA

Courses listed under the major requirements for the degree will be included in the calculation of the major GPA. Courses that could not apply toward the major as an elective or required course would not be counted in the calculation of the major GPA. This would include CIS 1056, for example. 

Distinction in Major

To graduate with Distinction in Major, students are required to have a 3.50 or higher grade point average (GPA) both in the major and overall, as well as be recommended by the department of Computer & Information Sciences. 

Suggested Academic Plan

Bachelor of Science in Information Science & Technology

Requirements for New Students starting in the 2022-2023 Academic Year

Year 1
FallCredit Hours
CIS 1001Introduction to Academics in Computer Science1
Select one of the following:4
Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming in Python 
Computer Programming in C 
Select one of the following:14
Differential and Integral Calculus 
Calculus I 
Honors Calculus I 
SCTC 1001CST First Year Seminar1
GenEd Breadth Course3
GenEd Breadth Course3
 Term Credit Hours16
Spring
CIS 1068 or 1968Program Design and Abstraction4
CIS 1166 or 1966Mathematical Concepts in Computing I4
ENG 0802, 0812, or 0902Analytical Reading and Writing [GW]4
GenEd Breadth Course3
 Term Credit Hours15
Year 2
Fall
MATH 2031Probability and Statistics3
CIS 2168Data Structures4
IST Laboratory Science A4
IH 0851 or 0951Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY]3
Elective1
 Term Credit Hours15
Spring
CIS 2109Database Management Systems4
CIS 2229Architecture, Operating Systems and Networking4
IST Laboratory Science B4
IH 0852 or 0952Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ]3
 Term Credit Hours15
Year 3
Fall
CIS 3309Component-Based Software Design4
CIS 3344Client-Side Scripting for the Web4
Information Science & Technology Elective23-4
GenEd Breadth Course3-4
Elective2-0
 Term Credit Hours16
Spring
CIS 3329Network Architectures4
Information Science & Technology Elective23-4
GenEd Breadth Course3
Elective3
Elective2-1
 Term Credit Hours15
Year 4
Fall
CIS 4296Information Systems Analysis and Design [WI]4
CIS 3342Server-Side Web Application Development4
Information Science & Technology Elective23-4
Elective3
Elective2-1
 Term Credit Hours16
Spring
CIS 4396Information Systems Implementation [WI]4
Information Science & Technology Elective23-4
Elective3
Elective3
Elective2-1
 Term Credit Hours15
 Total Credit Hours: 123