Software Development & Information Management

Bachelor of Science Degree (B.S.)
Students working in the lab

About this program

Technology connects us. It opens lines of communication. And introduces new levels of efficiency. At Penn College, you’ll study all the details that go into solving today’s common and complex IT issues. Working in labs outfitted with the industry’s latest hardware and software, students are building the technical skills that will innovate the future.

Next steps...

You're on your way to becoming a tomorrow maker.

93%

Overall Placement

45%

Hired BEFORE Graduation

17

Average Class Size

Careers

  • Software developer
  • Programmer
  • Database administrator 
Courses

At Penn College, we believe your educational experience should go beyond specialized skills. Real-world ready means taking a broader approach that builds communication skills, inspires collaboration, and encourages exploration of arts, history, and science.

​​Specialization requires in-depth knowledge and high-level proficiency. Students learn and apply major-specific concepts, skills, and methods.

  • Introduction to Programming (CIT160)
  • Principles of Management (MGT115)
  • Networking I (EET145)
  • Programming II (CIT260)
  • Introduction to Database (CIT180)
  • Fundamentals of Information Security (CIT230)
  • Secure Database Development (CIT281)
  • Data Structures & Algorithms (CIT360)
  • Introduction to UNIX/Linux (CIT240)
  • Discrete Structures in Computer Applications (CIT243)
  • Web Systems & Technologies (CIT351)
  • System Analysis I (CIT246)
  • Software Engineering Concepts (CIT285)
  • Operating Systems Concepts I (CIT344)
  • SQL Server & .NET Framework (CIT386)
  • Directed BSI Elective (BSI)
  • Programming for Mobile Devices (CIT382)
  • System Analysis II (CIT342)
  • Secure Software Development & Testing (CIT368)
  • Legal Issues in Information Security Management (LAS350)
  • Data Science Principles (CIT482)
  • Senior Project (CIT498)
  • Advanced Topics in Programming (CIT460)
  • Advanced Database Management (CIT480)
  • Management of Organizational Behavior (MGT410)

​Perspectives are points of view, offering a variety of ways of understanding, interacting, and influencing the world. Students identify, explain, and utilize the approaches used by academics and professionals to study, analyze, or understand problems, and offer solutions.

  • Core Social Science Perspective (SSP)
  • Science Elective (SCI)
  • Core Arts Perspective (ARP)
  • Science Elective with lab (SCL)
  • Core Historical Perspective (HIP)

​​Foundations are the practical, intellectual, and social skills: communication, collaboration, critical and ethical thinking, quantitative thinking, and technological literacy that are crucial to every student at every stage of education and at every stage of life.

  • Information, Technology & Society (CSC124)
  • English Composition I (ENL111)
  • Technical & Professional Communication (ENL201)
  • Calculus I (MTH240)
  • Speech Elective (SPC)
  • Statistics for STEM Fields with Computer Applications (MTH161)
View Goals & Course List

What's the difference between Information Technology and Computer Science?

Computer science is more theoretical, with increased math requirements. Many tend to focus on programming or cutting-edge computing, like artificial intelligence and augmented reality.

IT is focused on supporting the user. It is more people-focused, making the tools of computing accessible to fit the needs of people and organizations, as well as creating computing tools and systems to meet the user's needs.

Virtual Tour

Information Technology

Get a glimpse inside the labs where future IT professionals learn how to install, configure, and maintain computing systems. Meet Dr. Sandra Gorka, Associate Professor of Computer Science. And check out everything from gaming and simulation spaces to the hands-on labs decided to cyber security, networking, database management, and Linux systems.

IT Labs
Facilities

IT Labs

Apply theory to the real thing in our specialized IT labs. Here, you’ll have access to both physical and virtual labs designed for networking, IT security, operating systems, and gaming. Apply the principles of ethical hacking, intrusion detection, and digital forensics in both physical and virtual environments. Labs also allow students to create 3D models, investigate hypervisors, build networks from bare metal to full production, and simulate a host of applications and network configurations.

Maker Profiles
Women In STEM
Featured Video

Women In STEM

What does it take to succeed in a STEM career? Curiosity. Critical thinking. A can-do spirit. And an educational experience that meets your passion head-on. Here, you’ll meet a community of innovators. Future pioneers who are learning by doing. Breathing new life into old concepts. Testing theories. And breaking barriers. Because the more you explore, the more you grow. And the bigger difference you can make.

Tour Schedule

Seeing is believing.

Think Penn College might be a good fit for you? Make plans to visit and discover what hands-on learning is all about.

Nov 3

Undergraduate Open House

Sunday, November 39 AM - 3 PM

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Mar 1

Undergraduate Open House

Saturday, March 19 AM - 3 PM

Register

Apr 6

Undergraduate Open House

Sunday, April 69 AM - 3 PM

Register

More tour dates are on the way.

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Internship

Your knowledge in practice

Internships are key for career preparation. Apply your knowledge to the workplace and learn about the industry first-hand.

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Related Programs

Follow your passion

Student Life

Lead and put your skills to the test

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Association of Professional Programmers (APP)

Association of Professional Programmers is a club of programming students who get together to discuss current and new technologies and techniques related to computer programming.
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Gamers’ Guild

Gamers’ Guild

Gamers' Guild is devoted to the continued enjoyment of classic games ranging from pen and paper RPGs like Dungeons and Dragons to classic console games, such as Nintendo and other major game producers.  

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Student Organizations at Penn College

Student Organizations at Penn College

Your college experience is about more than the classroom. Join one of 65+ clubs and organizations, or create your own.

Get Involved
Penn College News
IT professor presents at national conference
10.21.2024

IT professor presents at national conference

A Pennsylvania College of Technology information technology professor addressed a recent national conference for IT educators. Sandra Gorka, professor of computer information technology, presented at SIGITE 2024, the Association for Computing Machinery’s 25th annual conference on information technology education.

Read Article
Teachers receive cyber education at Penn College
07.26.2024

Teachers receive cyber education at Penn College

Nineteen middle and high school educators from throughout the state received a free education in cybersecurity, courtesy of the recent GenCyber Camp conducted by Pennsylvania College of Technology. Supported by the National Security Agency and National Science Foundation, the goal of the GenCyber program is to build a strong cybersecurity workforce by igniting interest in the field at the secondary level. The teachers learned actionable cybersecurity concepts to share in their classrooms this fall.

Read Article
Penn College cybersecurity grad serves the nation
07.18.2024

Penn College cybersecurity grad serves the nation

James P. Thomas considers himself lucky. He found his passion, nurtured it and made it his profession. Today, the beneficiaries of his zest and expertise are countless. The Pennsylvania College of Technology alumnus supports national security by mitigating cyber risks for the U.S. military. The 2020 graduate is an information systems security engineer for the Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific.

Read Article
Gain global experience
Study Abroad

Gain global experience

See the world via Williamsport. Take your education abroad and get hands-on experience learning about your industry on a global scale.

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More Information

Students must complete all required major courses in the Software Development & Information Management major (those courses with the alpha designator CIT, EET, LAS, and MTH) with a grade of "C" or higher. Additionally, any course approved for use as a Directed BSI Elective must also be completed with a grade of "C" or higher.

Students seeking entrance through transfer into this major should strive to take courses at their respective institutions that provide competency in the following areas: pre-calculus, programming (two semesters minimum - same language preferred); database; Web technologies; networking; Unix and/or Linux. Students transferring from institutions that have articulation agreements with Penn College should seek advisement from their respective institutions. See also, the transfer standards established by the College.

View general transfer information

A laptop/notebook computer is required for enrollment in all Information Technology major courses CIT 160 and higher. Laptop specifications

Uniforms and tools are available for purchase through The College Store and Penn State Computer Store .

Alternative Credit refers to academic credits earned through means other than traditional college course completion, including: credit by exam, articulation, proof of competency gained in high school, work/life experience, and advanced placement.

Visit the Alternative Credit Options page for requirements and procedures and for information on credit through Advanced Placement.

  • Mr. James R Ankers, CISSP, CISA, IT Specialist (INFOSEC), United States Navy
  • Mr. Daniel J Clarke, '07, Senior Solutions Architect, Arraya Solutions
  • Dr. Todd W Griffith, Chief Technology Officer, Discovery Machine Corporation
  • Mr. Brandon J Howe, '01, Sr. IT Analyst, Anadarko Petroleum Corp.
  • Dr. Karl M Kapp, Assistant Director, Institute for Interactive Technologies, Bloomsburg University
  • Dr. Krish Pillai, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Lycoming College
  • Mr. Mark J Watson, '85, Administrative Director, Corporate Information Technology, Susquehanna Health
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Admissions Office

  • Career Fair Connections

    Career Fair Connections

    Penn College graduates are in high demand. Employer participation at the Career Fair is proof. Attracting 400+ organizations, this popular event is hosted twice per year and introduces students to all types of businesses from startups to Fortune 500 companies. 

    Learn More About Career Fair

The future needs you

If you put more into today, could you get more out of tomorrow? If you create your future at Pennsylvania College of Technology, the answer is yes.

With open and rolling admission, applying is easy.

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