IT is the study, design, and creation of computer systems and computer applications. It is part of a branch of engineering that uses computers to gather, store, and send information in various forms. Some of the means used to send and receive data are telecommunications and office systems, such as voice, network, data, and satellite software and hardware.
A bachelor's degree in IT is usually a bachelor's in science degree. It is a four-year higher educational program and is available in both online and campus-based formats. Students will gain both broad and specialized experience in the IT industry. Study in areas such as computer operation systems, network administration, and fiscal management will give undergrads direct knowledge in the latest technologies. It depends on the specific program, but some IT programs strongly suggest that students do not take more than two courses a semester for their first two years and no more than three courses a semester their last two years.
The first two years of a bachelor's degree in information technology introduce students to the field. Some typical courses students might take include introduction to information systems and introduction to programming. Students will also take math and writing-based classes such as pre-calculus, mathematics, and technical and scientific communication, which emphasize the importance of a mathematical background and technical communication skills in information technology.
The last two years of an IT degree will be filled with electives paired with just a few required courses. Students will continue learning about information systems by taking courses such as Discrete Structures and Information Systems I & II, which teach students the basic of creating and designing a computerized system. Some of the electives students can choose from include Introduction to XML, Introduction to DHTML, Visual Basic.NET, Graphics for Multimedia and the WWW, and JavaScript. All electives impart skills relevant to specific career goals.
A bachelor's degree in information technology could open doors to more employment chances. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, information technology-centered jobs, such as systems administrators and computer specialist, will increase more than 18 percent from 2006 to 2016. IT specialists can find work in government, schools, businesses, and anywhere computer networks are maintained. Typical jobs for someone with a bachelor's in IT include applications developer, network manager, IT auditor, and intelligence analyst.