College of Information Sciences and Technology: A Comprehensive Overview

The College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) stands as an interdisciplinary hub dedicated to exploring the intricate relationships between information, technology, and society. This college integrates perspectives from diverse fields such as computer and information sciences, psychology, social science, economics, and public policy. Its core mission is to study the interactions between information, technology, and people, to inform the design of innovative information technologies, and their societal impact.

A Brief History

Established in 1999, the College of IST at Pennsylvania State University emerged as a pioneering institution committed to advancing information sciences and informatics. The college's programs are offered at 21 Penn State campus locations. The college admitted its first class of 105 students, operated 43 courses, and hosted five faculty members. The first class of associate degree students graduated in June 2001, with the first class of doctoral students enrolling in August 2001. The School awarded its first bachelor's degrees to 117 students at the University Park campus. In 2006, the School was renamed as the College of Information Sciences and Technology, signifying its importance within both the Penn State system and the Commonwealth.

Locations and Facilities

Headquartered at the University Park campus in University Park, Pennsylvania, the college's programs are offered at 21 Penn State campus locations. The Westgate Building, formerly known as the Information Sciences and Technology Building, is located on the west campus of The Pennsylvania State University's University Park campus. The 199,000-square-foot building was designed by Rafael Vinoly Architects in New York, New York and Perfido Weiskopf Architects in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The architecture was inspired by the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy. The construction of the building cost $58.8 million to complete. The building houses several classrooms and research laboratories, and collaborative spaces. The largest classroom in the building is the Cybertorium.

Academic Programs

The College of IST offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including online options through Penn State World Campus, catering to students with diverse needs and schedules.

Undergraduate Programs

• Information Sciences and Technology (ISTBS): This program prepares students to create, use, and understand the impact of information and technology in everyday life. To be eligible for entrance to the Information Sciences and Technology (ISTBS) major, students must: have completed the following entrance-to-major requirements with a grade of C or better in each: IST 110; IST 140 (or equivalent CMPSC 101 or CMPSC 121) IST 210; and IST 220. have achieved a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 prior to and through the end of the semester during which the entrance-to-major procedure is carried out. For the Bachelor of Science degree in Information Sciences and Technology, a minimum of 125 credits is required: Program Requirements Requirement Credits General Education 45 Electives 8 Requirements for the Major 84 12 of the 45 credits for General Education are included in the Requirements for the Major. This includes 12 credits of General Education courses: 6 credits of GQ courses; 3 credits of GS courses; and 3 credits of GWS courses. To graduate, a student enrolled in the major must earn a grade of C or better in each course designated by the major as a C-required course, as specified by Senate Policy 82-44.

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  Common Requirements for the Major (All Options)

  • Prescribed Courses: ETI 301Information and Organizations3; HCDD 331Foundations of Human-Centered Design3; IST 110Information, People and Technology 3; IST 210Organization of Data3; IST 220Networking and Telecommunications3; IST 230Language, Logic, and Discrete Mathematics3; IST 440WInformation Sciences and Technology Integration and Problem Solving3; IST 495Internship1; STAT 200Elementary Statistics 4
  • Additional Courses: Select one of the following:3 ECON 14Principles of Economics; ECON 102Introductory Microeconomic Analysis and Policy; ECON 104Introductory Macroeconomic Analysis and Policy. ENGL 202CEffective Writing: Technical Writing 3 or ENGL 202D Effective Writing: Business Writing; MATH 110Techniques of Calculus I 4 or MATH 140 Calculus With Analytic Geometry I; Select one of the following:3 CMPSC 101Introduction to Programming; CMPSC 121Introduction to Programming Techniques; IST 140Introduction to Application Development
  • Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Attainment of third-level proficiency in a single world language 112; Select 6 credits of international courses in foreign culture from College-approved list6; Select 3 credits at the 400 level in emerging issues and technologies from College-approved list3

• Data Sciences (Applied Data Sciences): The Data Sciences program at Penn State is part of an intercollege initiative to develop professionals who can make sense of big data.

• Information Systems: Design & Development Option: Available at the Harrisburg and World Campus locations, this option focuses on expanding the skills needed to develop advanced information technology systems using state-of-the-art tools and techniques. The emphasis is on providing the student with both knowledge in the design, implementation, testing and evolution of complex software systems as well as a set of project-oriented, team-programming experiences. Requirements for the Option (24 credits): HCDD 311Object-Oriented Design and Software Applications3; IST 242Intermediate & Object-Oriented Application Development 13; IST 261Application Development Design Studio I3 or HCDD 361 Application Development Design Studio II; Select 6 credits of the following:6 HCDD 411Distributed-Object Computing; HCDD 412The Engineering of Complex Software Systems; HCDD 413Usability Engineering; Select 9 credits from College-approved list (at least 3 credits must be at the 400-level)9. Students in the Information Systems: Design and Development Option are expected to take IST 242 prior to taking the prescribed and additional courses for that option.

• Information Technology: Integration & Application Option: Available at the Harrisburg campus, this option is designed to prepare students to use information technology to realize a variety of system-based goals (e.g., reliability, accessibility, efficiency, etc.). It is focused on developing a theoretical foundation and the skill set needed for integrating information technology into different systems for the purpose of enhancing system performance.

• Security and Risk Analysis (SRA)

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Graduate Programs

• Ph.D. in Informatics: A 38-credit program that takes five years to complete on a full-time basis. The program was renamed from a doctorate in Information Sciences and Technology.

• Master of Science in Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations: A 30-credit program which takes two years to complete on full-time basis.

• Master of Science in Informatics: A 30-credit program which takes two years to complete on full-time basis.

General Education

Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts. General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense of aesthetic appreciation. These are requirements for all baccalaureate students and are often partially incorporated into the requirements of a program.

• Foundations: (grade of C or better is required and Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.) Quantification (GQ): 6 credits; Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits
• Breadth in the Knowledge Domains: (Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.) Arts (GA): 3 credits; Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits; Humanities (GH): 3 credits; Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 3 credits; Natural Sciences (GN): 3 credits
• Integrative Studies Inter-Domain Courses: (Inter-Domain): 6 credits; Exploration GN, may be completed with Inter-Domain courses: 3 credits GA, GH, GN, GS, Inter-Domain courses.

University Degree Requirements

• First Year Engagement: All students enrolled in a college or the Division of Undergraduate Studies at University Park, and the World Campus are required to take 1 to 3 credits of the First-Year Seminar, as specified by their college First-Year Engagement Plan. Other Penn State colleges and campuses may require the First-Year Seminar; colleges and campuses that do not require a First-Year Seminar provide students with a first-year engagement experience. First-year baccalaureate students entering Penn State should consult their academic adviser for these requirements.
• Cultures Requirement: 6 credits are required and may satisfy other requirements; United States Cultures: 3 credits; International Cultures: 3 credits
• Writing Across the Curriculum: 3 credits required from the college of graduation and likely prescribed as part of major requirements.
• Total Minimum Credits: A minimum of 120 degree credits must be earned for a baccalaureate degree. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 credits. Students should consult with their college or department adviser for information on specific credit requirements.
• Quality of Work: Candidates must complete the degree requirements for their major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within their degree program.
• Limitations on Source and Time for Credit Acquisition: The college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned. Credit used toward degree programs may need to be earned from a particular source or within time constraints (see Senate Policy 83-80).

Academic Advising

The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers. Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.

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Research Focus

Faculty research at the College of IST spans a wide array of areas, including:

• Artificial intelligence
• Informatics (social informatics, health informatics, security informatics, and community informatics)
• Big data
• Human-computer interaction
• Security and privacy
• Cognitive science
• Socio-technical systems

Student Life and Opportunities

The College of IST actively cultivates a thriving community of learners and innovators. A great way to collaborate, gain support, and to foster new innovations, student organizations are connected nationally. The Student Success Program, in the School of Information Technology, is designed to empower each SoIT student for optimal academic success throughout their academic career. The college offers various clubs and organizations to enhance student engagement and networking. Students are required to complete one internship but may complete three. IST 495 Internship: (1) Supervised work experience where the student is employed in a position related to the student's major. An internship is typically completed the summer after the junior year, but it may be completed at any time during the student’s academic career. A grade of C or better must be earned in this course.

Penn State Startup Week

The event grew to include other colleges and units across campus, and it was renamed to Penn State Startup Week in 2017. Penn State Startup Week is a weeklong series of events that brings entrepreneurs and innovative thought-leaders to campus for presentations, workshops, mentorship, and student pitch competitions.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its education programs or activities, including admissions and employment. The University prohibits any form of retaliation taken against anyone for reporting discrimination, harassment, or retaliation for otherwise engaging in protected activity.

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