Program Overview

The Master of Science in Information Technology degree provides a unique interdisciplinary curriculum that is the product of the collaboration between the Business and Computer Science programs of the University.

The Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) degree program recognizes the need for both "hard," technical expertise and "soft," business skills to meet the ever-changing needs of today's businesses.  It emphasizes information systems and project management for planning, budgeting, staffing, and resource allocation; data mining for meaningful patterns in large databases; knowledge management for strategic management of information resources, team building and group collaboration; machine learning and intelligent systems for process automation and learning from experience; web programming and electronic commerce; human-machine interaction to increase productivity and human performance; business communications; statistics and research;  and a capstone project. The capstone course provides a culminating experience grounded on both research and other computer and business theories covered in the study plan coursework.  

The program emphasizes practical applications through real-world case studies and projects to reinforce learning and comprehension of concepts and theories. Courses are designed to bridge the gap between business and computer theories, building a firm foundation of essential concepts, principles, and strategies for information technology professionals.

Graduates will become highly skilled professionals with a multi-faceted understanding of how a business can deploy and manage technologies to gain a strategic edge and enable its members to access and share information, plan and collaborate. They will master the technical, business, and human skills needed to create successful innovations with information technologies.

The Master of Science in Information Technology consists of 10 courses to be completed in 1 year with students taking two courses per term.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The Master of Science in Information Technology degree provides a unique interdisciplinary approach to technology. It is the result of collaboration between the business and Computer Science programs of the University.

The MSIT curriculum emphasizes applied-theories and hands-on learning and prepares graduates to design, develop, and manage integrated systems to automate business processes and operations; organize and structure data and resources for strategic decision making and knowledge discovery; and research and critically analyze information sources to derive scientifically-founded recommendations and solutions.

The key objectives of the Barry University 's MSIT program are:  

• To build practical knowledge in the use of theories by emphasizing hands-on learning and real-world experience through research projects, case studies, and internships.
• To equip students with the people, business and technical skills.
• To take a leadership role when managing people and enterprises.
• To use various scientific methods and techniques to critically evaluate business needs, examine its constraints and challenges, identify opportunities and risks, and propose creative solutions using cutting-edge technologies.
• To prepare students to effectively communicate ideas and present academically founded solutions using appropriate oral and written communications.
• To effectively assess business and technical issues and develop feasible solutions according to proven scientific models.
• To refine student abilities to make strategic decisions through data mining, knowledge management, statistical analysis, and research.
• To design computer interfaces and models that accord with business requirements and learn from human interaction and experience.
• To develop an understanding of the enterprise computing models with the ability to integrate systems and applications using various programming languages.
• To apply different algorithms and techniques to interconnect heterogeneous data sources and facilitate the exchange and sharing of data and resources.
• To research and develop academic and technical reports consistent with criteria accepted in the computing and business fields.

OUTCOMES

Students who successfully complete the MSIT program will be able to:

• Evaluate the implications, relevance, and significance of today's events, trends and developments in the computer industry on management practices and global changes (IT515).
• Analyze primary research materials dealing with organizational and technical issues and make effective decisions using strong quantitative, technical, and problem-solving tools. (IT535).
• Implement secure and reliable distributed systems that accord with the data and object communication standards (CS503).
• Utilize web development tools and e-business processes in constructing information technology based system solutions (IT640).
• Use project management and leadership skills to effectively plan activities, staff projects, build teams, and allocate resources (IT680).
• Employ data mining techniques for pattern recognition and learning from user-machine interaction (IT610D).
• Construct database applications using relational and object-oriented data modeling and evaluate the different architecture of database systems (CS560)
• Evaluate the interaction between major computer system components for both hardware and software and develop technical solutions for system-wide integration (IT620).
• Apply the principles of user-centered design and collaborative system development techniques to increase user productivity and system usability (IT675).
• Present information technology problem summaries, analyses, designs, and recommendations professionally - both in written and oral formats (IT699).