IT Major

Description

Information Technology is a technical discipline that solves real-world problems using a variety of computing resources. IT professionals help meet peoples' needs within an organizational and societal context through the selection, creation, application, integration and administration of computing technologies (see IT ACM Curriculum 2008 for more details). The IT program at BYU is among the leading programs in the nation, with faculty who have helped define this exciting and growing field. Our students take a range of experiential learning courses emphasizing technical excellence, hands-on experience, and problem solving in a rigorous, yet intimate and collegial atmosphere.

Program Requirements

Below are links to find out the specification of the major, past and present flowcharts, and other information about the program and graduation. If there are more questions, please view the advisement center contact information here.

• Course Flowcharts
• Program Requirements
• Expected Learning Outcomes
• Graduation Requirements

Program Educational Objectives

1. Practice as a competent professional in IT or enrolled in an appropriate graduate program
2. Demonstrate leadership by positive influence on others towards shared goals
3. Collaborate and communicate effectively in diverse team environments
4. Show sensitivity for global, societal, organizational issues, compliant with the moral standards of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the application of technology.

Emphases

Students in the IT major often choose courses related to a certain emphasis area. While these emphases don't appear on a student's diploma, they often map to job skills and careers.

User Experience Design (UXD)

Usability engineers and human-computer interaction specialists work at the interface of people and computing technology.

Mobile & Web Development

Web and mobile app developers work to create the digital solutions we know and love.

System & Network Administration

System and network administrators manage an organizations technical infrastructure.

Internet of Things (IoT)

Cyber-physical systems (Internet of Things) interact both with the real world, through sensors and actuators, and with computer networks.

Undergraduate IT Technical Electives

Capstone

During their final year of the IT program, students must successfully work together in groups to meet the technical needs of a client as part of a 2-semester long capstone project. Each project has a faculty coach who works with the team. Additionally, the Industrial Advisory Board members provide feedback to each group midway through the project and at the culmination of the project. Capstone projects have received media attention, won competitive awards, and helped companies and organizations solve vexing problems in innovative ways.

Companies interested in sponsoring a capstone project should contact a faculty member during the summer in order to help craft a viable project. Sponsors are able to pitch their project ideas to students at the beginning of the Fall semester, after which students choose which projects they'd like to work on. Projects cover a wide range of topics that are compatible with our degree and emphases areas. For example, prior projects include the development of a novel cattle management infrastructure that used mobile devices, RFID readers, and cloud services; the development of an augmented reality glasses prototype to help deaf children view a sign-language interpreter while also viewing the planetarium exhibit; the development of a music dictation mobile app; and many more.