Associate of Science in Information Technology Overview

As more and more companies and organizations integrate sophisticated technologies into every facet of their operations, the demand for qualified professionals to develop and manage these systems will continue to grow. If you have a flair for computing and a desire to pursue a career in this field, consider an IT degree. Enroll in the South University Associate of Science in Information Technology (IT) online program.

Students who participate in this IT program will have the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of IT and gain the knowledge and capabilities that corporations and organizations are searching for. Our experienced faculty can teach you the skills that will resonate within the real world.

The online AS in Information Technology offers students access to an industry-related, application-oriented educational program focused in:

• Database Design and Development
• Client-Server 3-Tier Development
• Web/Internet Software Development
• Object-Oriented Program Design and Modeling

Graduates receiving information technology degrees from our Associate's IT program will be prepared to pursue entry-level IT positions in virtually any sector, including business, healthcare, finance, government, and education.

Employment Opportunities

Employment of network and computer systems administrators is expected to grow 28 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. Demand for these workers is high and should continue to grow as firms invest in newer, faster technology and mobile networks. Learn more.

Academic Requirements

To be admitted to any of the programs at South University online programs, the prospective student must be a high school graduate from an acceptable high school or the equivalent (e.g. GED) with a minimum CGPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, and be required to complete the University administered placement test during their first session of attendance, or meet the criteria established for acceptance as a transfer student. South University accepts the International Baccalaureate Program diploma as meeting the requirement for high school graduation.

Associate of Science in Information Technology - 92 Total Hours

Students pursuing the Associate of Science in Information Technology degree are required to take a total of 23 courses as follows:

• 10 general education courses - 40 credits
• 7 foundation courses- 28 credits
• 6 major courses - 24 credits

 

General Education Curriculum - 40 Credits
Students are required to take 10 general education courses as follows:

Professional Development - 8 Credits
Students are required to take 2 professional development courses as follows:

ITS1000 - Computer and Internet Literacy

This course is for students to obtain basic knowledge and skills in using computer office production software and internet features. A broad range of software applications, such as word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software, and internet usage concepts will be covered. Students will also use computer and communications technology to develop information literacy skills.

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits: 4

UVC1000 - Strategies for Success

Designed to help entering students develop a more effective approach to college success, this course emphasizes positive self-evaluation, goal-setting, and motivation; practical skills of successful students; effective use of the library and the many sources of information available; and the concepts and tools of critical thinking, and their applications.

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits: 4

Basic Communications - 16 Credits
Students are required to take 4 basic communications courses as follows:

ENG1001 - Composition I

Students will be introduced to college-level writing processes, including theme, composition, and research. Emphasis will be placed on refining individual skills, writing styles and voices, and on writing procedures. Selected readings in prose, drama, and poetry supplement the course and provide topics for discussion and writing assignments.

Prerequisite(s): ENG0099 or Exemption

Credits: 4

ENG1002 - Composition II / Literature

This course is designed to introduce the student to fiction, poetry, and drama and, through literary analysis and interpretation, to develop the life skills of critical thinking and written expression.

Prerequisite(s): ENG1001

Credits: 4

ENG2001 - Composition III

The goal of this course is to refine the student's reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. By analyzing ineffective arguments and constructing effective ones, the student will discover how ambiguity, evasiveness, vagueness, and obscurity weaken his or her credibility as a writer.

Prerequisite(s): ENG1001

Credits: 4

SPC1026 - Public Speaking

Students will develop and refine presentation skills focusing on compiling, organizing and outlining the research material in preparation for the assignments.

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits: 4

Mathematics and Statistics - 4 Credits
Students are required to take 1 mathematics and statistics course as follows:

MAT1500 - College Mathematics

College Mathematics covers the fundamentals of several areas of mathematics, including set theory, logic, geometry, graph theory, probability, and statistics.

Prerequisite(s): MAT0099

Credits: 4

Natural Sciences - 4 Credits
Students are required to take 1 natural sciences course as follows:

BIO1020 - Biology I

Principles of Biology I is the first in a two-course sequence in biology. The course introduces biology, scientific methods, biological chemistry, cells, energy for life, basic genetics, and biotechnology. The course also compares human and plant organization and function. The student will also complete writing assignments that will introduce the student to scientific literature.

Prerequisite(s): and ENG1001 Co/Pre-Requisite MAT0099

Credits: 4

Arts and Humanities - 4 Credits
Students are required to take 1 arts and humanities course as follows:

PHI2301 - Introduction to Philosophy

This course introduces students to critical philosophical thinking. Students will confront fundamental questions of self and identity, of freedom and determinism, of belief and truth, and of ethics and morality. Critical thinking activities will challenge students to incorporate philosophy into their daily lives by applying the questions of philosophy to themselves and their world. As a methodology, this course will use the specifics of current events in the world to give a concrete context for the philosophic topics covered in the study materials.

Prerequisite(s): ENG1002 or ENG2001

Credits: 4

Social and Behavior Sciences - 4 Credits
Students are required to take 1 social and behavior science course as follows:

SOC1001 - Introduction to Sociology

This course, a scientific study of human social activity, will provide the student with a new way of looking at the world. In learning about the sociological perspective, the student will be challenged to see the general in the particular, the strange in the familiar, and the importance of the global perspective.

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits: 4

Foundation Curriculum - 28 Credits
Students are required to take 7 foundation courses as follows:

ACC1001 - Accounting I

ACC1001 is the first of a three-course sequence focusing on how stakeholders rely upon accounting information to assist them in their decision making activities. ACC1001 introduces accounting as the "language of business"—the tool used to communicate the effects of an organization's business activities on its income, financial position, and cash flows. The course provides an overview of the financial accounting system, including: the role of accounting in business; the format, content, and use of financial statements; the impact of transactions on the financial statements; the regulatory environment of accounting; and the accounting standard-setting process.

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits: 4

BUS1101 - Introduction to Business

An introduction to business functions and their opportunities. Students will also be given information about resources available to them through a variety of sources, including the university.

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits: 4

BUS2023 - Business Communications

This course is designed to prepare students to organize and compose effective business correspondence and technical writing. The basic principles of writing and approaches for writing various types of communications are stressed.

Prerequisite(s): ENG1001

Credits: 4

ITS1101 - Foundations of Information Technology

This course introduces students to Information Technology in a non-programming context and provides students with a solid foundation in computer organization, computer systems, operating systems, safety issues and technologies.

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits: 4

ITS1103 - Ethics and Information Technology

This course examines ethical dilemmas specific to the IT industry through a systematic approach of the basic principles of ethics and the relationship of these principles to a technological and global society. Ethical decision making and practical applications of ethics in a contemporary society is also explored.

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits: 4

ITS1105 - Theory of Computation

This course introduces students to the foundations of computational theory.  Topics that will be covered include truth tables, Boolean logic, state-based computing, logic, computability, algorithms, and computational complexity.  This course will deliver the foundational information for further study of computer architecture and software engineering.

Prerequisite(s): ENG1002 ITS1101

Credits: 4

MGT2037 - Principles of Management

The latest major approaches and techniques of management are studied, including planning, systems management, new organizational concepts, computer influence, controlling, and quantitative measurement.

Prerequisite(s): BUS1101

Credits: 4

Major Curriculum - 24 Credits
Students are required to take 6 major courses as follows:

ITS2103 - Networking Fundamentals

This course introduces students to the study of basic networking terminology, concepts, components (hardware) and basic network design. Investigation of functions required to operate computer communications networks will also be addressed.

Prerequisite(s): ITS1101

Credits: 4

ITS2104 - Programming Logic

This course introduces the beginning programmer to structured program logic without focusing on any particular language. Much emphasis is placed on developing sound programming techniques including flowcharting, modularization, and pseudo code.

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits: 4

ITS2105 - Programming I

This course builds on the foundation developed in Programming Logic. Students are introduced to the elements of structured programming related components such as overall program design, constraints, variables, functions, procedures, logic and code control, error trapping, error handling, interactive coding techniques, etc

Prerequisite(s): ITS2104

Credits: 4

ITS2108 - Human-Computer Interface

This course introduces Interaction Design, a broad scope of issues, topics and paradigms, which has traditionally been the scope of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Interaction Design (ID). Students will formulate a design project, using interactive designs appropriate for the client and/or target audience.

Prerequisite(s): ITS1101

Credits: 4

ITS2110 - Database Design & Development

This course introduces students to database basic concepts, conceptual data models with case studies, common data manipulation languages, logical data models, database design, normalization, facilities for database security/integrity, and applications.

Prerequisite(s): ITS1104 ITS2104

Credits: 4

ITS2111 - Multimedia Web Development

This course will provide a basic understanding of the methods and techniques of developing a simple to moderately complex Web site. Using the current standard Web page language, students will be instructed on creating and maintaining a Web site. After the foundation language has been established, the aid of an internet editor will be introduced. A second Web-based language will be included to further enhance the Web sites.

Prerequisite(s): ITS1101

Credits: 4

Developmental Courses

Placement tests in Algebra and English are administered to determine if a student needs additional preparation in either of these areas.  If a need is indicated, accepted applicants are placed in developmental courses on the basis of their entrance/placement test scores and/or transfer credit.  Students must successfully complete or place out of developmental courses in order to progress in the program. Developmental course credits do not count towards the total number of credits for graduation however, they do count in determining the maximum time frame and incremental completion rate calculations.

ENG0099 - Principles of Composition

Principles of Composition provides students with a brief review of grammar and mechanics, and an in-depth introduction to writing. The focus is on writing as a process, finding and organizing ideas, composing a first draft, and rewriting subsequent drafts and proofreading.

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits: 4

MAT0099 - Principles of Algebra

This course introduces those principles of algebra that are needed for intermediate and college algebra. Students must earn the grade of C to pass this course. Note: This course is offered for institutional credit only.

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits: 4

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