Master of Science in Information Science and Technology

Academic Program

Information technology has transformed every aspect of our economy and society. The rapid spread of technology has generated the need for highly trained professionals to implement and maintain information systems. The MS in Information Science and Technology is designed to educate students in the design, development, and successful application of information systems in organizations.

Research Opportunities

Students in the IST, MS program have a number of opportunities to get involved in a research project. First, many classes are project based and include research projects. Second, students may work individually with faculty for special problems and research credit. Those particularly interested can persue the thesis option working closely with a faculty mentor. Such collaborations often lead to journal publications and/or presentations at national and international meetings. (See the faculty section below for faculty research interests).

The Center for Entrepreneurship provides a number of research opportunities and resources. In addition, the IST department includes the Human Computer Interaction Research and Networking/Telecommunications Laboratories and plays an important role in Missouri S&T's Instructional Software Development Center.

Career Opportunities

Systems analysis, computers science, and database administration are expected to be among the fastest growing occupations through 2010. Employment of computer specialists is expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations as organizations continue to adopt and integrate increasingly sophisticated technologies. Growth will be driven by very rapid growth in computer and data processing services, which is projected to be the fastest growing industry in the U.S. economy.(source: US Bureau of Labor and Statistics - Occupational Outlook Handbook)

With a BS or MS in Information Science and Technology, you are prepared to take advantage of the exponential growth in the number of jobs within the Information Technology industry. Virtually every profession now has an information technology component. Your job opportunities will include (but are not limited to): system and network administration and maintenance, web development, design, and administration, e-commerce design and administration, usability and human-computer interaction specialist, user support services, information and database architect, and consulting across a variety of IT contexts.

• Computer Software Application Engineer
• Computer Support Specialist
• Telecommunications Network Administration
• Network and Computer Systems Administrator
• Desktop Publisher
• Database Administrator
• Systems Analyst
• Business Analyst
• Information Systems Manager
• Usability Engineer
• Web Designer

Professional Societies

Association for Computing Machinery
Association for Information Systems
American Society for Information Science and Technology

Admissions Requirements

Students must complete the general portion of the Graduate Record Examination with:

Content of the following courses is required:

• Programming Language (IST 51/CSc 53)
• Data Structures (IST 151/CSc 153)
• Information Systems (IST 141)
• Computer Architecture (IST 231)
• Calculus
• Statististics
• Architecture (IST 231)
• Calculus
• Statistics
  

Description of Master of Science in Information Science and Technology(Fact Sheet)