Fortune Mhlanga, Director    
ACU Box 28036
Abilene, Texas 79699-9315
Mabee Business Building, Room 272

Phone: 325-674-2569
Fax: 325-674-2507
Email: fsm07a@acu.edu
Web: www.acu.edu/sitc

Faculty
Brian Burton, Assistant Professor
Orneita Burton, Assistant Professor
Robert R. Byrd, Visiting Associate Professor
Timothy Coburn, Professor
Brad Crisp, Assistant Professor
John Homer, Assistant Professor
Fortune S. Mhlanga, Professor
Alfandika Nyandoro, Assistant Professor
Raymond Pettit, Instructor
Brent Reeves, Associate Professor
Dwayne Towell, Assistant Professor

Majors: Computer Science (BS)
               Information Technology (BS)
               Information Systems (BBA)*

Minors: Computer Science                             
              Digital Entertainment Technologies
              Information Technology  

*A collaborative degree offered with the College of Business Administration. See the Department of Management Sciences section of this catalog for details.  

Introduction
Over the last decade, rapid advances in technology, specifically digital technology, have lead to dramatic changes in society and in the global economy. Computer- and technology-related fields claim some of the highest projected job growth in the United States, with software engineering, data communications, networking, security, and systems analysis and administration among the most top-rated careers.

The School of Information Technology and Computing at Abilene Christian University exists to train and educate students in fields of study associated with today’s fast-paced, high tech arena. The School integrates training in computer-related technology at ACU into a single, interdisciplinary administrative unit, encompassing faculty and students with a wide variety of computational and technological interests. The curriculum is flexible and dynamic, with courses available in a broad range of technical subjects and skills.

Two main programs are available: a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science and a Bachelor of Science degree in information technology. The computer science program includes two different options: a traditional computer science option and a software engineering option. The computer science option prepares students for careers in technical or scientific computing and provides the foundation for graduate training, while the software engineering option is more specifically focused on programming and software applications. The information technology degree is centered more on the implementation and administration of physical hardware, software, and communications systems and infrastructure. Designed to be interdisciplinary in nature, this program requires a set of core technology courses, a number of elective courses that allow students to pursue their particular information technology interests, and addiotnal electives in a second field of application that the student can use to customize his/her career direction.

The School of Information Technology and Computing cooperates with the College of Business Administration to offer a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in information systems. This program is available for individuals who want to focus on the development and management of strategic information and technology resources that support business functions and initiatives. Students may elect to include courses in business intelligence and business analytics.

Accelerated Masters of Science in Computer Science
Students with an undergraduate major in computer science may pursue an accelerated master's degree in computer science at Texas Tech University. Through an alliance between the two universities, qualified students may complete both a bachelor of science in computer science at Abilene Christian University and a master's of science degree in computer science at Texas Tech University in five years. A total of 152 semester hours are required for the combined program. Interested students must declare their intentions early in their academic careers and maintain regular communications with their academic advisors.

Facilities and Resources
The School of Information Technology and Computing utilizes up-to-date computer labs with approximately one-hundred seats available for teaching and student use. Included is a lab primarily devoted to digital entertainment technologies. Windows and Unix-based machines, along with Macs are available, with lab equipment being refreshed every three to four years. All classrooms and lecture halls are “smart” facilities, outfitted with Internet connections, video projectors, and other resources that facilitate multi-media instruction. Wireless hot spots are found throughout the academic facilities; and students have access to some of the top applications software used in industry, including SAS, SPSS, and SAP.

Student Organizations
The School of Information Technology and Computing sponsors a student chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). Each year, teams of ACU students participate in the International Collegiate Programming Contest, and ACU periodically serves as a host site.

The School of Information Technology and Computing also hosts the Virtual Planes Users Group (VPUG) - an interdisciplinary student interest group devoted to the development of computer games and other digital entertainment technologies, and student chapters of the Association for Information Technology Professionals (AITP) and the Association for Information Systems (AIS). Students may also be eligible for membership in Upsilon Phi Epsilon, the honor society for computing professionals.

Scholarships and Internships
Outstanding scholarship opportunities are available for students with strong academic credentials and who demonstrate promise for continued success in a technology field. Students with financial need are especially encouraged to apply. All scholarship inquiries should be directed to the School of Information Technology and Computing.

Student participation in internships is one of the most important aspects of the hiring decision of potential employers in the computer technology arena. Excellent internship opportunities are available for qualified students.

Study Abroad Expectations
All students are encouraged to participate in ACU’s Study Abroad program. Classes offered at Study Abroad sites vary depending on the site. Academic advisors can assist students in planning ahead for their Study Abroad experience and should be consulted during the freshman year.

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Bachelor of Science Degree (BS)   

Admission Requirements
Before being admitted to one of the programs offered by the School of Information Technology and Computing, a student must satisfy the requirements listed in the ACT/SAT Placement Information section of this catalog.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (BS)      

Students pursuing the information technology degree are required to select and complete an 18-hour approved area of support as part of their academic program. This requirement can be satisfied by selecting an approved 6-course (18-hour) area of emphasis that compliments information technology. Students interested in business should pursue the BBA in information systems rather than the BS in information technology.

Some approved technical/vocational courses may be transferred from a technical school, junior college, or other two-year degree granting institution. A maximum of twelve semester hours (or four courses) may be transferred for lower-level credit. Up to twelve hours of lower-level credit may also be assigned on the basis of documented work experience, military training, and/or competency testing. The combination of transferred hours or assigned credit may not exceed twelve semester hours

Minors in Information Technology and Computing

A minor in computer science, digital entertainment technology, or information technology may be added to other degrees.

Course Descriptions

Please see the Course Descriptions section of this catalog. Courses offered by the School of Information Technology and Computing include those with the following designations: CS, IT, DET. Courses in information systems offered through the College of Business Administration have the following designation: IS.