Overview
Science and technology are the foundations of our future. The Department of Computer and Information Sciences (CIS) is focused on the understanding of fundamental scientific principles and the application of these principles to solving complex problems, using computing technology.
Students in the Bachelor of Arts in Information Science and Technology (IS&T) 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 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.
Campus Location: Main
Program Code: ST-IST-BA
Distinction in Major
To graduate with distinction in this major, a student must satisfy the following criteria:
- have a minimum 3.50 major GPA and
- have a minimum 3.50 cumulative GPA.
Undergraduate Contact Information
Jamie Payton, Chair
Science Education and Research Center, Room 304
215-204-8450
Gene Kwatny, Vice Chair
Science Education and Research Center, Room 304
215-204-8450
Dominic Letarte, Faculty Advisor
Science Education and Research Center, Room 372
215-204-6439
istadvsr@temple.edu
Learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in Information Science and Technology.
These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2024-2025. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2024 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.
Bachelor of Arts Requirements
Summary of Requirements for the Degree
- University Requirements (123 total s.h.)
- Students must complete all University requirements including those listed below.
- All undergraduate students must complete at least two writing-intensive courses for a total of at least six credits at Temple as part of their major. The specific writing-intensive course options for this major are:
Course List Code Title Credit Hours CIS 4296 Information Systems Analysis and Design 4 CIS 4396 Information Systems Implementation 4 - 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.
- College Requirements
- A minimum of 90 total credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST), the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), and/or the College of Engineering (ENG).
- A minimum of 45 of these credits must be upper-level (courses numbered 2000 and above).
- A minimum of 6 of these credits must be upper-level (courses numbered 2000 and above) CLA credits.
- Successful completion or waiver from the second level of a foreign language.
- Complete a one-credit first-year or transfer seminar.
- A minimum of 90 total credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST), the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), and/or the College of Engineering (ENG).
- Major Requirements for Bachelor of Arts (64 s.h.)
At least 7 courses required for the major must be completed at Temple. At least 6 CIS courses must be completed at Temple.Course List Code Title Credit Hours Computer & Information Science CIS 1001 Introduction to Academics in Computer Science 1 CIS 1051 Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming in Python 4 or CIS 1057 Computer Programming in C CIS 1068 Program Design and Abstraction 4 or CIS 1968 Honors Program Design and Abstraction CIS 1166 Mathematical Concepts in Computing I 4 or CIS 1966 Honors Mathematical Concepts in Computing I CIS 2109 Database Management Systems 4 CIS 2168 Data Structures 4 CIS 2229 Architecture, Operating Systems and Networking 4 CIS 3309 Component-Based Software Design 4 CIS 3329 Network Architectures 4 CIS 3342 Server-Side Web Application Development 4 CIS 3344 Client-Side Scripting for the Web 4 CIS 4296 Information Systems Analysis and Design 4 CIS 4396 Information Systems Implementation 4 Mathematics MATH 2031 Probability and Statistics 3 Select one of the following: 1 4 Differential and Integral Calculus Calculus I Honors Calculus I Laboratory Science courses Two (2) laboratory science courses 2 8 Total Credit Hours 64
Sequenced Information Science and Technology Laboratory Science Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Biology Sequence | ||
Select one Biology Lab Science A: | ||
| General Biology I | ||
| Introduction to Organismal Biology | ||
| Honors Introduction to Organismal Biology (S) | ||
Select one Biology Lab Science B: | ||
| General Biology II | ||
| Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes | ||
| Honors Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes | ||
| Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology | ||
| Honors Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology (F) | ||
| Chemistry Sequence 1 | ||
Select one Chemistry Lab Science A: | ||
| Introduction to Chemistry I and Introduction to Chemistry Laboratory I | ||
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Laboratory I | ||
| Honors General Chemical Science I and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory I | ||
Select one Chemistry Lab Science B: | ||
| Introduction to Chemistry II and Introduction to Chemistry Laboratory II | ||
| General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Laboratory II | ||
| Honors General Chemical Science II and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory II | ||
| Earth & Environmental Science Sequence 2 | ||
Select this Lab Science A: | ||
| Physical Geology | ||
Select one Lab Science B: | ||
| Mineralogy I (with CHEM 1031 prerequisite) | ||
| Sedimentary Environments (no CHEM 1031 prerequisite) | ||
| Introduction to Geochemistry (with CHEM 1031 prerequisite) | ||
| Physics Sequence 3 | ||
Select one Physics Lab Science A: | ||
| Introduction to General Physics I | ||
| Elementary Classical Physics I | ||
| Honors Elementary Classical Physics I (F) | ||
| General Physics I | ||
| Honors General Physics I (F) | ||
Select one Physics Lab Science B: | ||
| Introduction to General Physics II | ||
| Elementary Classical Physics II | ||
| Honors Elementary Classical Physics II (S) | ||
| General Physics II | ||
| Honors General Physics II (S) | ||
- 1
Students can choose to mix-and-match the Chemistry Sequence A and B courses. However, they must take at least 1 course from Chemistry Sequence A and 1 from Chemistry Sequence B. Note: Chemistry courses consist of a three-credit lecture plus a one-credit lab.
- 2
For the EES Sequence, two of the three Lab Science B options require students to take CHEM 1031 as a prerequisite, but EES 2021 does not.
- 3
Students can choose to mix-and-match the Physics Sequence A and B courses. However, they must take at least 1 course from Physics Sequence A and 1 from Physics Sequence B.
Suggested Academic Plan
Bachelor of Arts in Information Science and Technology
Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2024-2025 Academic Year
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| CIS 1001 | Introduction to Academics in Computer Science | 1 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming in Python | ||
| Computer Programming in C | ||
| Select one of the following: 1 | 4 | |
| Differential and Integral Calculus | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Honors Calculus I | ||
| SCTC 1001 | CST First Year Seminar | 1 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| CIS 1068 or CIS 1968 | Program Design and Abstraction or Honors Program Design and Abstraction | 4 |
| CIS 1166 or CIS 1966 | Mathematical Concepts in Computing I or Honors Mathematical Concepts in Computing I | 4 |
| ENG 0802 | Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] or Analytical Reading and Writing: ESL [GW] or Honors Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] | 4 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| MATH 2031 | Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| CIS 2168 | Data Structures | 4 |
| IH 0851 or IH 0951 | Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] or Honors Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| CIS 2109 | Database Management Systems | 4 |
| CIS 2229 | Architecture, Operating Systems and Networking | 4 |
| IH 0852 or IH 0952 | Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3-4 | |
| Elective | 1-0 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| CIS 3309 | Component-Based Software Design | 4 |
| CIS 3344 | Client-Side Scripting for the Web | 4 |
| IST Laboratory Science A | 4 | |
| Foreign Language 1001 - First Level | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| CIS 3329 | Network Architectures | 4 |
| CIS 3342 | Server-Side Web Application Development | 4 |
| IST Laboratory Science B | 4 | |
| Foreign Language 1002 - Second Level | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| CIS 4296 | Information Systems Analysis and Design [WI] | 4 |
| Upper-level CLA Course (numbered 2000 and above) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| CIS 4396 | Information Systems Implementation [WI] | 4 |
| Upper-level CLA Course (numbered 2000 and above) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 123 | |