Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT)
Become one of tomorrow’s digital problem-solvers with Georgia’s best Information Technology degree.*
Information technology professionals lead America’s fastest growing career field. Want to join them?
#1 in 2022 for Best Schools for Bachelor’s Students to Study Information Technology in Georgia by CollegeFactual
#1 for 2022 Best Information Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Georgia by CollegeFactual
Format: In person on the Statesboro and Armstrong Campuses
Credit Hours: 124
Entry Terms: Fall, Spring, Summer
Accreditation: Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
Our Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
The Georgia Southern Bachelor of Science in Information Technology curriculum was developed after extensive consultation with industry leaders to provide the best preparation for our graduates. Our BSIT program includes a strong information technology core and allows students to select a specialization area, all with hands-on engagement and experience.
Degree specialization areas include: web and mobile; information management; network and data center; cyber security; health informatics.
All IT students complete an internship and gain valuable real-world experience, making our graduates career-ready upon graduation.
Ready to Apply?
Or, you can:
BSIT Concentration in Data Science
Format: In person on the Statesboro Campus or the Armstrong Campus in Savannah
Credit Hours: 124
Specializing in the skills needed to manage big data, the BSIT with a concentration in Data Science includes the common and fundamental information technology courses and then expands your knowledge into data visualization, mining, analytics and programming. As an aspiring data scientist, this degree will ensure that you are ready to:
- Analyze big data sets to gain actionable insights to help businesses work smarter and make better decisions.
- Gain a solid understanding of the life cycle approach to data analytics.
- Use the tools and techniques necessary to solve problems in big data and data analytics.
Students in the Data Science concentration will complete a capstone project analyzing big data sets to potentially gain actionable insights for an organization.
BSIT Concentration in Data Science Details
The Department of Information Technology offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology with a concentration in Data Science at the Statesboro Campus.
As an aspiring data scientist, you are the force driving our ability to use big data. As an IT student with a concentration in data science you will:
- Analyze big data sets to gain actionable insights to help businesses work smarter and make better decisions.
- Gain a solid understanding of the life cycle approach to data analytics.
- Use the tools and techniques necessary to solve problems in big data and data analytics.
Read more about big data and the emerging data science scene at Georgia Southern.
View the BSIT Data Science concentration in the university catalog.
What’s Different About the Data Science Concentration?
In addition to common IT core courses, the data science degree also requires courses that focus on the skills needed to manage big data:
Data Visualization
IT 3230 Data Visualization – This course introduces students to the field of data visualization. The course covers basic design and evaluation principles to prepare and analyze large datasets, and standard visualization techniques for different types of data. The course prepares students to communicate clearly, efficiently, and in a visually compelling manner to a variety of audiences.
Data Mining
IT 4136 Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining – The course covers the process of automatically extracting valid, useful, and previously unknown information from data sources and using the information to make decisions. This course is designed to provide students with a solid understanding of the knowledge discovery process and the use of data mining concepts and tools as part of that process.
Data Analytics
IT 5135 Data Analytics – This course covers the basic issues involved in building and populating a data mart to support the planning, designing and building of business intelligence applications and data analytics. Core concepts related to business intelligence and analytics are covered. For graduate students a significant research project will be assigned as a culminating experience.
CISM 4237 Business Intelligence – This course is an introduction to business intelligence and business analytics. Students will be exposed to recent technological developments in these areas, as well as best practices.
CISM 4239 Advanced Business Analytics with SAP HANA – This course covers advanced practices and concepts in the areas of business intelligence and business analytics. The course will emphasize more the data foundation required to support business intelligence and business analytics, rather than associated applications. Special emphasis will be given to the SAP HANA big data platform.
Data Programming
IT 2430 Data Programming 1 – The course provides students with an introduction to the main concepts in programming including variables, expressions, statements, conditional execution, functions, iteration, strings, and files.
IT 2431 Data Programming 2 – The course provides students with an introduction to the main concepts in programming related to data. The course focuses on data storage, using regular expressions to search data, interaction with a database, and visualization of data.
IT 3432 Advanced Analytics Programming – The course provides students with the necessary tools and techniques to manipulate, process, clean and analyze data at an advanced level using Python. Specifically, students will use IPython, NumbPy, and pandas to load, clean, transform, visualize and analyze data.
Big Data Capstone
IT 4137 Data Science and Big Data Analytics Capstone Project – This course covers the process of analyzing big data sets to potentially gain actionable insights for an organization. This course provides students with a solid understanding of the life cycle approach to data analytics and the tools and techniques necessary to solve problems in big data and data analytics.
Minors
Cyber Security Minor
Cyber Security Minor
Add a cyber security minor to your undergraduate degree with just six courses. Cyber security is one of the most sought-after skills in today’s workforce. Add 18-hours of coursework to any undergraduate degree at Georgia Southern to bring an understanding of safe computing and internet security practices to your future workplace.
Information Technology Minor
Information Technology Minor
Add an information technology (IT) minor to your undergraduate degree with just six courses. The importance of IT in today’s market is undeniable–and it pairs well with virtually every profession you can imagine. Strengthen your resume with an IT minor and understand basic principles and practices of programming, web page development, system administration.
Earn a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) from Georgia Southern University and you will:
- Establish and maintain computer networks.
- Design interactive websites and mobile applications.
- Maintain and manage databases.
- Help businesses work smarter and make better decisions.
- Share information around the world through data communications.
- Help businesses and governments secure networks, data and information.
- Solve problems in big data when you choose the new Data Science concentration.
Careers in Information Technology
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow 15% from 2021 to 2031 — more than double the national average — and command a median salary of more than $97,000 per year.
Career areas in information technology include:
- Architecture
- Security
- Business analysis
- Network and system administration
- Database
- Software Development
- Data Science
Network with IT Industry Partners
Georgia Southern has working partnerships with many major local, state and national companies. As a BSIT student, you will have opportunities to interact with business leaders and executives from our partner companies that include:
- Gulfstream Aerospace
- AT&T
- The Coca-Cola Company
- Norfolk Southern
- CSX Corporation
- General Motors
- BMW
- The Home Depot
- Southern Company
- Safe Systems
- Rails Machine
- Apple
- Progressive
- CGI Inc.
With our Academic Alliances with industry partners VMware Academy, Linux Professional Institute and Microsoft Academic Alliance, we are able to provide you with experience using state-of-the-art equipment with access to professional-level software.
Center for Applied Cyber Education
Did you know Georgia Southern University is home to the Center for Applied Cyber Education (CACE) on the Armstrong Campus in Savannah?
Designated a National Security Agency/Department of Homeland Security Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education, CACE maintains a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the US Army Cyber Center of Excellence at Ft. Gordon as an academic training partner for the US Army Cyber workforce. Focusing on digital forensics, cryptography, and network analysis, Georgia Southern and the Army Cyber Center collaborate to provide cyber education training to local, regional and national military constituents.
Have Questions? Contact us!
Department of Information Technology
Georgia Southern University
P.O. Box 8150 Statesboro, GA 30460
Phone: 912-478-ITIT (4848)
Fax: 912478-7883
ITMajors@georgiasouthern.edu
*CollegeFactual
Related Programs
Last updated: 5/18/2023