Master of Science in Information Technology

This course addresses information systems, to include their nature and role as key management resources. This course covers the information systems infrastructure, to include databases, knowledge management systems, enterprise information portals, telecommunications, the Internet, and wireless technology. It examines the topics of e-commerce, information systems in the global economy, managing global systems, securing information systems, and ethical and social issues in information systems. This course has been evaluated by the American Council on Education. Credit Recommendation - at the graduate level, 3 semester hours in Management Information Systems or Management.

This course examines the principles, practices, and methodologies of enterprise database systems from conceptual design to implementation; this includes architectures, models, design, management, implementation, and security. Included is a total life-cycle database design and implementation project that entails conceptual design, data modeling, normalization, optimization, and implementation. This course appraises object-relational and relational databases, examines Entity-Relationship (ER), Extended Entity-Relationship (EER), and Unified Modeling Language (UML) data models, and investigates relational algebra, calculus, dependencies, keys, relationships, cardinality, and referential integrity. It also evaluates query processing, performance tuning, transaction processing, concurrency, data integrity, database recovery, data security, data warehousing, data mining, and emerging technologies. Prior knowledge in a procedural database language such as PL/SQL or T/SQL using Oracle or MSSQL respectively is highly recommended.

This course is a study of computer networks and the evolution of modern communication systems. It examines the various layers of the basic reference models such as the five-layer IP model or the seven-layer OSI model, by scale, connection method, network architecture, or topology. This course also includes an in-depth analysis of transmission protocols, communications systems, and networks. A prior knowledge of networks and networking is recommended.

Information Security includes an evaluation of the techniques, policies and strategies to ensure that data stored in an organization's computers cannot be accessed or processed without the consent of the organization. Also included, is an analysis of Information Security & Risk Management, Access Control, Physical Security, Security Architecture & Design, Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery Planning, Telecommunications & Network Security, Application Security, Operations Security, Law, Compliance & Investigations. This course also reviews the building blocks of information systems and cryptography is provided to reinforce the scope of security management.

REQUIRED AS FIRST PROGRAM COURSE; MAY TAKE ANOTHER COURSE WITH IT. This course focuses on the research methods, tools, instruments, and devices used in Information Sciences and Information Technology; it appraises the logic of the scientific method, research design, qualitative and quantitative analysis of data for the purpose of conducting and reporting basic research in a scholarly and academic setting. Through concentration-based case studies, it investigates current trends, legal and ethical issues, global and societal impact, policies, and applications in the fields of information technology, information security, cyberlaw, digital forensics, and media management. This course evaluates methods to collect, classify, categorize, evaluate, assess, and report research data, to formulate valid research questions, and to derive logical conclusions. The principles, practices, tools, and methodologies presented in this course are applicable throughout the program of graduate studies.

This course explores successful project management for information technology projects. The System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) models are defined including the waterfall, spiral, incremental release, and prototyping models. Students will differentiate between these models and apply corresponding project management methods to identify critical checkpoints and reviews. Risk management, as applied to technology projects, is examined. Key project indicators are discussed, and students will explore defining measurement criteria for determining critical success factors on a project. The course defines the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities and includes a tutorial for Microsoft Project. Emphasis is placed on the three dimensions of the information technology project constraints: scope, time, and cost. Students are recommended to have access to Microsoft Project. Course software requirements with the appropriate versions are listed under the course materials site.

Object oriented analysis and design is an essential precursor to developing the new generation of information systems. This course uses sound academic principles coupled with a pragmatic methodology to perform object-oriented analysis and design (OOAD). This course appraises and applies the widely adapted Unified Process framework, the Unified Modeling Language (UML), and various analysis and design methodologies subscribed to by acknowledged modeling experts. This course examines various OOAD technologies, performance analysis techniques to optimize performance, and methods to correct performance deficiencies. The course also assesses the principles and processes for gathering, defining, and analyzing the requirements (including the stakeholders’ interviews), system architecture, and software design.

This course appraises the object-oriented approach to application design and development of information systems. The course examines software development and design methodologies; it also assesses the principles, benefits, techniques and practical applications to measure the quality of object-oriented design and development. It also applies object-oriented application design and development techniques such as Unified Modeling Language (UML), Unified Process, use case analysis, problem domain analysis, activity diagramming, interaction diagramming, design heuristics, and design patterns to improve system adaptability and component reuse.

The course examines the use of unified modeling language (UML) across various object-oriented application implementation technologies; it specifically addresses implementation factors, such as: components, composite structure, and deployment diagrams. It appraises the processes and the potential pitfalls related to application delivery. This course also assesses relevant, real-world approaches to distributed, object-oriented application development delivery and operations. This course also analyzes component testing, application testing, integration planning, incremental builds, test plans, build testing, staging, and configuration management. This course also appraises the principles of communicating with users and performing strategic, just-in-time training to effectively utilize the applications.

The course is an advanced study of enterprise software and its role in meeting the needs of an organization and solving business problems. The course also examines the phases, processes, and deliverables in various enterprise software development methodologies; it also assesses related concepts such as enterprise resource planning, customer relationship management, operational risk management, enterprise content management, and enterprise architectures. The course also appraises the procedures, practices, and challenges in collaborative development of enterprise software applications.

This course appraises emerging data warehousing technologies that play a strategic role in giving business organizations the competitive edge. This course assesses phases, processes, strategies, deliverables, and challenges of the extract, transform, and load (ETL) process to populate data warehouses to enable data analysis. It analyzes the principles of data modeling for multi-dimensional databases and it assesses the processes, practices, and tools of Master Data Management (MDM) to aggregate, assure quality, persist and distribute data. It examines data mining techniques and the process used to facilitate decisions and to find patterns and relationships in data. The course analyzes the principles of decision sciences, decision support systems and architectures, decision process models, computer-supported decision making, decision tables, and decision trees, and applies these principles to improve organizational performance

Capstone course of studies completed toward the graduate degree in Information Technology. The student will complete a thesis, a major research paper, or project that demonstrates mastery and application of advanced research and analytic skills related to the learning outcomes of this degree program. The student must submit a research proposal, preferably two months prior to enrolling in the course, and obtain approval from the Director of Graduate Information Technology Programs.