IST

IST 311 3 IST 331 3 IST 361 3

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Introduction to academic requirements, career planning & information literacy for students majoring in College of IST. IST 111 Seminar in IST (1)IST 111 introduces the student to the academic requirements, career planning and information literacy for the School of Information Sciences and Technology degree programs. Seminar in Information Sciences and Technology is required of all Information Sciences and Technology Associate degree candidates. Upon completion of the course, the student will have an understanding of the programs and requirements of the School of Information Sciences and Technology and the University, and the career options for which they prepare students. The student will also develop and exercise habits and techniques for continuing self- assessment of learning styles, personality traits, vocational interests, and career plans. The student will learn how to maintain involvement in professional conversations and networks, including local, state, national, international organizations, listservs, etc. Students will have a basic knowledge of professional news literature, and the ability to identify and use reference tools and databases, which provide access to professional knowledge and literature. Finally, the student will have a basic understanding of government plans, policies and actions regarding the information professions including: regulatory agencies of the executive branch, legislative activities, and judicial decisions at local state and national levels. Students will be graded on course attendance, participation, examinations and brief exercises.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

1

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

* MATH 21, 22, 26, 110, 140, 3-4 Option Selection 1 3 SCM 200, or STAT 200 (based on MATH placement) 13-14 15

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

A survey course that explores emerging technologies used to produce and consume popular cultural artifacts. Through individual and team- based learning activities, students will analyze and interact with information and communication technologies across popular culture genres. The course content and the assignments are directed at helping students to both create and critique digital media in ways that demonstrate their understanding of, engagement with, and reflections upon the relationships among people and organizations, emerging technology, and popular culture. Students will also design and produce digital media that demonstrate their ability to integrate and synthesize central concepts and themes from the course. This is an introductory course in IST, and meets the requirements for a General Education course in Arts (GA). This course is delivered with significant student and instructor interaction with computers and digital media. General Education: Arts (GA) GenEd Learning Objective: Crit and Analytical Think GenEd Learning Objective: Integrative Thinking

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

4 IST 210 Organization of Data 3

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

The Invasion of Technology from a 21st Century Perspective introduces students to the world of technology from a humanistic point of view. Students will embark on a journey starting in the early 20th century to explore technology and relationships between technology and society and what the varying theoretical and historical underpinning about "human progress" in respect to these relationships. They will then sojourn through the years to learn about the advances of technology for better or worse. Students will develop an understanding of how individuals and social groups shape and are shaped by technological change and how human societies create means for both social control and freedom, with a focus on ethics and morality as related to the use of technology and its resulting consequences. Students will also be introduced to the latest technology and current collaboration with other professionals. They will gain a better understanding of the historical perspective and the societal, political, cultural and economic issues relative to technology. This course is a multidimensional, interactive course, which allows students to explore the nuances of modern technology as it pertains to security, medicine, education, employment, treatment, military defense and social media. Students will create/invent a design proposal for a scalable and usable application that focuses on topics related to the humanities and social sciences, which may ultimately find its way into the marketplace. Students will also conduct an interview with a grandparent or equivalent to gain a better understanding of people's impact on technology and visa- versa. General Education: Humanities (GH) General Education: Social and Behavioral Scien (GS) General Education - Integrative: Interdomain GenEd Learning Objective: Effective Communication GenEd Learning Objective: Creative Thinking GenEd Learning Objective: Crit and Analytical Think GenEd Learning Objective: Integrative Thinking

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

"What is Information?" considers the material and social nature of information in historical and contemporary contexts. How has information been managed and valued? How have information infrastructures served as sites of social and political connection or antagonism? How have ideas about information changed over time and how have they remained the same? The course integrates perspectives from the social sciences and the humanities, and prepares students to think about (and act in) a world in which information (and its linked concepts, like data) play an increasingly important social and political role. The course addresses the history of information as both a concept and as a matter of social practice, and then focuses on three major topics: how information is presented, how information is organized, and how information is put to social and political use. Moving from the earliest periods of human history and their "information ages" (including the birth of writing and the dawn of printing and mass literacy), the course leads students into our contemporary "information society," and the ways in which both the use and manipulation of information shape our lives. Cross-listed with: CAS 170N Bachelor of Arts: Humanities Bachelor of Arts: Social and Behavioral Sciences General Education: Humanities (GH) General Education: Social and Behavioral Scien (GS) General Education - Integrative: Interdomain GenEd Learning Objective: Crit and Analytical Think GenEd Learning Objective: Integrative Thinking GenEd Learning Objective: Key Literacies

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 9 Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject that may be topical or of special interest.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

9

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 12 Courses offered in foreign countries by individual or group instruction.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

12

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

IST/COMM 234N Digital Cultures 3

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

or SRA 231 Decision Theory and Analysis Select 6 credits from the following: 6

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

This course combines theory and practice to help students develop a contextualized understanding of community as a conceptual lens for understanding human history and human experience. This course

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Preparation for PC hardware support: Students learn data recovery and how to build, configure, upgrade, troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair PC's. IST 225 PC Hardware Basics (3) IST 225 covers materials needed to prepare students to function as PC support technicians in business and industry. In a hands-on laboratory environment, students learn to build, configure, upgrade, troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair PC hardware. Course modules cover all the basic hardware components of the PC - their functions, interactions, installation, configuration, upgrading, repair, and replacement. Detailed coverage of system BIOS, CMOS setup, and the boot process is also included. Preventive maintenance and data recovery procedures are also studied. IST 225 is one of four courses required for the Networking Option in the Associate degree in Information Sciences and Technology (IST).The IST 225 is designed to help the student to thoroughly understand all the basic hardware and firmware PC components, from PC resources, their function (BIOS and CMOS setup) and interaction, to diagnosing and resolving resource conflicts. The IST student should be able to install, configure, troubleshoot, repair, recover data, correct errors or replace all basic hardware components. The student should also be able to make appropriate hardware recommendations, purchases and upgrade decisions, as well as, determine appropriate preventive maintenance procedures. Finally, the Information Sciences and Technology major will learn how to foster communications, interpersonal, and group interaction skills through appropriate collaborative and active learning projects, laboratory exercises, and related experiences.Achievement of knowledge objectives will be evaluated by examinations. Ability to perform hands- on support activities will be evaluated by grading appropriate group and individual hands-on laboratory projects, scenarios, and case studies.The majority of campuses offering the Associate degree in Information Sciences and Technology will have 20-30 students enrolled in the course. The course will be offered one semester each academic year. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: IST 220

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Concepts for peer-to-peer and server-based network:International Organization for Standardization-Open Systems Interconnection (ISO- OSI) reference model, industry standards, troubleshooting, performance monitoring, and optimization. IST 226 Networking Essentials (3) IST 226 e covers basic networking concepts such as network types, cable types, wireless technologies, and network adapters. It discusses network models, including the ISO-OSI reference model and all industry standard network architectures. Both peer-to-peer and server-based commercial network operating systems are introduced with hands-on laboratory h experience provided. Basic network administration issues are introduced. Internetworking/enterprise networking devices and architectures are also covered, as are network troubleshooting, performance monitoring, and optimization. IST 226 is one of four courses required for the Networking Option in the Associate degree of Information Sciences and Technology (IST).Achievement of knowledge objectives will be evaluated by examinations. Ability to perform hands-on network administration and support activities will be evaluated by grading appropriate group and individual hands-on laboratory projects, scenarios, and case studies.Upon completion of this course, the students will be able to understand both cabled and wireless media types and be able to select appropriate media. The student will also understand the ISO-OSI and IEEE models and other industry standards, the roles of drivers and protocols and network architectures. The student will have experience with the installation, configuration and administration of basic server-based networking, as well as, an understanding of wide area/enterprise networking, performance monitoring and network troubleshooting. Most important, the student will learn how to foster communications, interpersonal, and group interaction skills through appropriate collaborative and active learning projects, laboratory exercises, and related experiences.The majoriety of campuses offering the Associate degree in Information Sciences and Technology will have 20-30 students enrolled in the course. The course will be offered one semester each academic year. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: IST 220

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

1) *

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

TCP/IP planning, installation, configuration: IP addressing, subnetting, routing, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), Windows Internet Naming Service (WINS), address/name resolution, Domain Name System (DNS); database, web, mail server management. IST 228 Advanced Network Administration (3) IST 228 covers the essential knowledge and skills required to successfully administer TCP/IP networks and applications servers such as database servers, web servers, and mail servers. Hands-on experience with commerical software such as SQL Server, Exchange Sever, and Internet Information Server is an important course component. Topics covered include TCP/IP planning, installation, and configuration, IP addressing, subnetting, IP routing, DHCP, WINS, address and name resolution protocols, DNS, and management of database, web, and mail servers. IST 228 is one of four courses required for the Networking Option in the Associate degree of Information Science and Technology (IST).Upon completion of this course, the IST students will be able to plan, install, configure and troubleshoot TCP/IP. The student will also understand IP addressing, subnetting, supernetting, routing and configuration. The student will have practical experience installing and configuring DHCP, WINS, and various protocols. Finally, the IST student will have administrative skills with database, server and web software, as well as, the ability to foster communications, interpersonal, and group interaction skills; through appropriate collaborative and active learning projects, laboratory, exercises, and related experiences.Achievement of knowledge objectives will be evaluated by exam. Ability to perform hands-on network administration and support activites will be evaluated by grading appropriate group and individual hands-on laboratory projects, scenarios, and case studies.The majority of campuses offering the Associate degree in Information Sciences and Technology will have 20-30 students enrolled in the course. The course will be offered one semester each academic year. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: IST 226

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

edits MATH 311W Concepts of Discrete Mathematics Select 3 credits from the following: 3 STAT/MATH Elementary Probability 318 STAT/MATH Introduction to Probability Theory 414 STAT/MATH Introduction to Probability and Stochastic 418 Processes for Engineering Supporting Courses and Related Areas Select 12 credits from the lists of Application Focus courses; 6 12 2 credits must at at the 300- or 400-levels.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

This introductory course will combine theory and practice to help students develop a rich understanding of the constantly evolving US digital culture. We will survey a variety of information and communication technologies (ICTs), and their modes of production, distribution, and consumption by individuals and institutions including traditional media, business, and government. Specifically, we will examine the impact of social and mobile technologies on how we consume, share, resist, and participate in digital culture. Students will also develop basic technical and media creation skills. The general theme of the course is analyzing contemporary cases to understand the significance of new ICTs in shaping our identities, behaviors, language, imaginations, and society. Students will read texts authored by some of the most formative thinkers examining the impact ICTs on society, and apply these core concepts in our analysis of digital cultures. Students will actively use microblogging, RSS feeds, social networking and other Web 2.0 tools to produce and consume content, interact with peers, and reflect critically

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Integrates information technology and gender studies. Overview issues and socio-cultural shaping of gender in the IT field. Cross-listed with: WMNST 235 United States Cultures (US)

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

IST 301 3

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

redits IST 242 Intermediate & Object-Oriented Application 3 3 Development 1 IST 261 Application Development Design Studio I 3 3 IST 402 Emerging Issues and Technologies 3 Information and Cybersecurity Sciences Code Title Credits

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Intermediate application development including algorithms, data structures, and object-oriented concepts. IST 242 Intermediate & Object-Oriented Application Development (3) This is a second course in application development. It will focus on the intermediate knowledge needed to create applications that use high level programming languages, combining original code with existing code libraries and application programming interfaces (APIs). The perspective will be of application development that takes place within a human and organizational context; in this sense data structures will be construed as representations of organizational entities and information, and algorithms as a reflection of human and organizational processes and activity. Students will also learn about common application architectures and design patterns. This is a hands-on, practical course designed for IST design and development option undergraduate students and others as an elective. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: C or better in IST 140 or IST 240 or CMPSC 121 or CMPSC 131

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

15 15

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

(GN) CAS 100A, 100B, or 100C 3 ENGL 202C or 202D (GWS) ‡† (GWS) ‡

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

3 (Inter-Domain) 15 15

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

IST 256 may count in the major requirements or the option, but may not double count toward both requirements.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

1

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 12 Supervised student activities on research projects identified on an individual or small-group basis.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

12

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 3

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 3

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 18 Creative projects, including research and design, that are supervised on an individual basis and that fall outside the scope of formal courses.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

18

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 9 Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject that may be topical or of special interest.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

9

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 9 Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject that may be topical or of special interest.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

9

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 12 Courses offered in foreign countries by individual or group instruction.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

12

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Subject

IST

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Select 6 credits of the following: 6

Subject

IST

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Analysis of audience data for traditional and new media to create metrics for advertising, content marketing and audience analysis. COMM (IST) 310 Digital Media Metrics (3) The emergence of a converged marketplace where all media are now digital, including broadcasting, websites and social media, has created enormous new opportunities for advertising, promotions and content distribution. The proliferation of media has made the marketplace much more competitive, but simultaneously the availability of data too has increased significantly making possible the much more precise and segmented distribution of messages and content. For media practitioners in this new environment, a familiarity with audience data, metrics and dimensions is essential. This course is an introduction to the methods for collecting, analyzing and utilizing audience data for traditional and new media. The class will cover the fundamentals of traditional media audience analysis, web metrics, and social media metrics, specifically as they relate to audience measurement, advertising campaign evaluation and content distribution. Students will learn the methods of data collection, analysis and use for traditional broadcast media, and the transformation of these practices in the newly digitized and converged multiplatform, multiscreen environment. The course will also cover the basics of data capture for new media (at an appropriate technical level), and the use of this data for the design of metrics appropriate for various purposes such as monitoring traffic, conversions and revenue generation. The r use of metrics in pricing models for advertising, sales generation and content distribution will also be covered. Students will be introduced to data sources for digital media audience analysis, with a special focus on Google Analytics. Students passing this class would be able to pass the Google Analytics Individual Qualification test. Cross-listed with: COMM 310

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

or CMPSC 221 Object Oriented Programming with Web-Based

Subject

IST

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

e IST 440W Information Sciences and Technology Integration 3 and Problem Solving

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

This course introduces the student to the applications, technologies, and tools for entrepreneurs engaging in or considering engaging in a start-up or running a small-to-medium size business. Although there will be some consideration of product concept development and implementation, much of the course will be devoted to the tools and infrastructure need to support a start-up up a small-to-medium size business. These concepts and skills will also support entrepreneurs looking to develop new applications to open new market opportunities. This will be a very hands- on and active class that relies on approaches such as problem-based learning (PBL), "flipped" classrooms, and learning by doing. Students will spend time outside class learning key concepts and time inside class applying them. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: IST 237

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Subject

IST

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Leadership in college instructional settings; teaching and learning principles; instructional technologies; and best practices in coaching, team facilitation, learning assessment. This course prepares undergraduate students for their role as Learning Assistants (LA's) in the College of IST. In this course, LA's will prepare to assist in instructional environments that encourage students to participate actively in their learning. LA's will be immersed in activities that introduce them to some of the teaching methods aimed at promoting active learning in College of IST classrooms, while being prepared for leadership responsibilities such as coaching, providing feedback, evaluating, monitoring academic integrity, fostering inclusive learning environments, and supporting teams. Students will also learn about information technologies designed for managing courses and increasing student engagement. Outside of class meetings, students will serve as instructional assistants in an assigned course. They will be mentored, supervised, and evaluated on the job by their assigned faculty member. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: IST 110 or SRA 111. Co-requisite: Employment as a Learning Assistant in the College of IST.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

4

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Interdisciplinary course to introduce students to the issues, concepts and skills involved in successfully transitioning into professional life. IST 390 Introduction to Professional Development (1) IST 390 focuses on introducing the students to professionalism and professional development in the field of IT. Emphasis will be placed on the theories and skills required for planning, developing, implementing, and managing professional skills. For example, students will attempt to master relationship skills such as client relationship management and interpersonal communication, business skills such as presentation planning and scheduling; leadership skills such as decision making and goal setting; and career management skills such as networking and interviewing. Additional focus will be placed on the various resources and strategies available for pursuing a successful job search. Students will be given opportunities to practice the concepts, theories, and methodologies learned in class by working in teams on real-world case studies (many derived from corporate partners). Students will be periodically assessed through examinations, case studies, individual and group assignments and projects, and other performance indicators where appropriate.The audience is students who are ready to enter the work force. For those pursuing Baccalaureate Degrees, this would mean a class standing of Junior or Senior. For those pursuing Associate Degrees, this would mean a second year standing.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

1

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 9 Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject that may be topical or of special interest.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

9

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 9 Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject that may be topical or of special interest.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

9

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 12 Courses offered in foreign countries by individual or group instruction.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

12

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

or ETI 423 Enterprise Information Management and Storage

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Graduate - The Pennsylvania State University 2026-2027 275

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Supporting Courses and Related Areas Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better Select 6 credits at the 300 or 400 level in Advanced IT courses from College approved list. Business Applications Option (19-21 credits) Available at the following campuses: Abington, Altoona, Beaver, Berks, Brandywine, DuBois, Greater Allegheny, Hazleton, Lehigh Valley, Mont Alto, New Kensington, Schuylkill, Scranton, Shenango, York Code Title Credits 3 Additional Courses Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

1

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Subject

IST

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Subject

IST

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Via problem-based learning, students define new business ventures to meet current market needs, develop business models, and present to various stakeholders. The goal of New Venture Creation is to better prepare undergraduate students to be leaders in adaptive, globally- minded, technology-savvy organizations. The course is structured so students develop skills that are of high value in any workplace: leadership skills, self-efficacy, creativity and the ability to deal with ambiguity. Upon course completion, students will have a working knowledge of traditional and non-traditional ways for identifying a new product or business opportunity, quantifying the potential, understanding the key competitive factors, researching the audience, and producing a convincing plan for financing and launch. Students who want to augment the skills and knowledge from their major with the ability to develop a new product/ service/process, will find New Venture Creation a valuable course. This is a novel problem-based learning (PBL) course, where the learning is student-centered, with faculty acting primarily in the role of facilitators. Active/Experiential learning happens in this course because students develop ownership of their venture concepts and are fully responsible for the genesis of ideas. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: (ECON 102 or ECOn 104 or ECOn 14 or MGMT 215) and (CAS 100 or CAS 138T or EMSC 100S) Cross-listed with: ENGR 425, MGMT 425

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Working with Penn State inventions selected by the Intellectual Property Office, student teams define an optimum commercialization path each technology. ENGR 426ENGR (MGMT/IST/ENTR) 426 Invention Commercialization (3) The goal of ENGR (MGMT/IST/ENTR) 426 is to have students understand why invention commercialization is complicated and difficult by participating in the process. For example, the inventor rarely has insights into the markets for his/her invention, is often

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

IST 446 3 IST 454 3 IST 456 3

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

. Science and Technology

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

IST 237 is prerequisite for IST 437.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

1

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

and Problem Solving Supporting Courses and Related Areas Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better A student must complete 12 credits from a single Application Focus. 12 For most focuses, at least 3 of those credits must be at the 400-level. As an alternative to the pre-defined application focuses, a student may select 12 credits, with at least 3 credits at the 400-level from any courses offered by the university if done so in consultation with an academic adviser and with approval of a teaching faculty member of the Enterprise Technology Integration major.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

1

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

IST 446 or HCDD 446 - An Introduction to Building Computer/Video Games (3)

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

International concepts to improve strategies for the design, dissemination, and use of information technology. IST 442 Information e Technology in an International Context (3) (IL) IST 442 focuses on the implications of the international context for the design, diffusion and use of information technology. The course will provide students with an understanding of the three crucial IT-related characteristics of the international context: 1. information infrastructure, 2. the economic and policy environment, and 3. social and cultural structures. Students will develop analytic skills that will enable them to predict the implications of the international context for information technology and will apply these skills in a final project that addresses a problem in the areas such as information systems integration, interface design, or management of information technology projects. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: IST 110

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

This course covers trends in globalization and their influence on U.S. policy making as well as the role of the U.S. in international issues. Recommended Preparation: 6 credits of honors course work.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Digital advertising has transformed many industry activities related to buying and delivering advertising. Information technology and big data have revolutionized the way media and content providers interact and negotiate with advertisers, agencies and third parties. This course will explore the digital advertising and media ¿ecosystem,¿ identify key players and trends, and review performance analysis and evaluation. Particular attention will be paid to sources, management, storage, analysis and visualization of data. Trends in industry regulation and ethics will be explored. This includes ad industry selfregulation and data privacy regulations. The implications of big data and artificial intelligence on industry ethics is discussed. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: COMM 310 or IST 310 or COMM 422 Cross-listed with: COMM 450

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 3 This project-oriented course provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct sponsored advertising-based marketing campaigns. This course offers students an opportunity to gain knowledge and hands-on experience on sponsored search and email advertising. Strategies for developing successful digital advertising campaigns will be discussed, including qualifying and researching clients, account and campaign structure, identifying and organizing keywords, bidding strategies and budgeting, and targeting approaches (including geo, time-based, audience, content and domain targeting), and conversion tagging, tracking and attribution. Students will earn certifications for Google Search and Display, and gain experience with the Google Ads platform, including use of the keyword planning tool,

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

3 IST 454 Computer and Cyber Forensics 3 Select one of the following: 3

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

IST 454 or CYBER 454 - Computer and Cyber Forensics (3) University Requirements and General Education Notes:

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Legal, regulatory and public policy environment of computer and network forensics that constrain investigatory and monitoring activities in computer and network environments. IST 453 Legal, Regulatory, Policy Environment of Cyber Forensics (3) This course covers the major legal, regulatory and policy issues in cyber-forensics including, pre-trail discovery, production of electronic documents (electronic data discovery or EDD), custody, EDD cost balancing, admissibility of electronic evidence, "business records," expert witness roles and qualification, constitutional rights to privacy and confidentiality, privilege, litigation support, forensic service providers, document retention standards, legal constraints on electronic records management, EDD employment policies, key EDD laws, civil, criminal and regulatory procedure and evidence, litigation holds, spoliation, obstruction of justice, interaction with inside and outside service providers and counsel, EDD strategy, audit trails, and multi-disciplinary relations with computer and network forensic experts. Students are exposed to the failure and successes of particular cyber forensic techniques in the dominant legal and regulatory forums. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: IST 110 and sixth semester standing or higher.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Supporting Courses and Related Areas Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better Select 6 credits at the 300 or 400 level in Advanced IT courses from 6 College-approved list. Security and Risk Analysis Option (18 credits) Available at the following campuses: Altoona, Berks, Brandywine, Lehigh

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

cified KINES 492W Programming for Business and Agencies

Subject

IST

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Seminar course focused on approaches to studying information and communication technologies and writing theses and other research reports. IST 489 Research Methods for the Information Sciences and Technology (3) IST 489 provides students the opportunity to learn and experience: 1) Conceptualizing what are information and communications technologies. 2) Approaches to conducting research on, and reporting results of studies, of ICT. 3) The research process and its academic context. The course is designed around a series of ill- structured, contemporary, problems that require students to develop responses by applying research approaches to ICT. At the end of the course, students will be able to: 1) Apply different conceptualizations of ICT to common problems. 2) Select and initiate research on ICT. 3) Begin writing research-oriented work such as theses and papers.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Technology (3) IST 489H provides students the opportunity to learn and experience: 1) Conceptualizing what are information and communications technologies. 2) Approaches to conducting research on, and reporting results of studies, of ICT. 3) The research process and its academic context.The course is designed around a series of ill-structured, contemporary, problems that require students to develop responses by applying research approaches to ICT. At the end of the course, students will be able to: 1) Apply different conceptualizations of ICT to common problems. 2) Select and initiate research on ICT. 3) Begin writing research- oriented work such as theses and papers. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: IST 110 Changes Effective Summer 2026:

Subject

IST

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 12 Supervised student activities on research projects identified on an individual or small-group basis.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

12

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 12 This course is the mechanism by which students in the Schreyer Honors College who are conducting research with a faculty member affiliated with the IST undergraduate major will register for thesis credits. The course includes activities related to research, scholarship, and/or writing necessary for the completion of an approved honors thesis.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

12

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

1

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 18 Creative projects, including research and design, that are supervised on an individual basis and that fall outside the scope of formal courses.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

18

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 9 Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject that may be topical or of special interest.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

9

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 9 Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject that may be topical or of special interest. IST 499: IST 499: Foreign Studies 1-12 Credits/Maximum of 12 Courses offered in foreign countries by individual or group instruction

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

9

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

undergraduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Study of major methodological, normative, and theoretical issues in philosophy of science related to reserach in information sciences and technology. IST 503 Foundations for IST Research (3) This course is a study of major methodological, normative, and theoretical issues in the philosophy of science related to research in information science and technology. A significant part of this course will involve coordinating issues and problems customarily associated with the philosophy of science in general with current research in information science and technology (IST) in particular. In order to achieve this coordination, the study of classical texts in the philosophy of science will be interspersed at appropriate places with lectures and topics that exhibit relevant faculty research in various IST related disciplines.The course focuses on the main arguments that have been advanced in Anglo-American philosophy of the science for the period beginning about seventy years ago up to the present. The course contradicts the view of a single unitary "philosophy of science." It shows a series of positions and arguments that continue to lead on to still deeper questions. Usually the student will have adopted one of the classical positions without having examines it or defended it rigorously. Readings will progress in a historical fashion through arguments that attempt to provide a justification for the truth claims of science. The course will begin with a consideration of logical positivism in its early forms, i.e. the ideas of the Vienna Circle, and the early Wittgenstein's theory of meaning. The course will go on to the writings of Karl Popper especially as found in his Logic of Scientific Discovery. Continuing the historical development, Kuhn's "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions" will be considered. The discussion will then progress to the Popper-Kuhn debates involving the sophisticated falsificationists (Lakatos) and eclectic approaches like Feyerabend's. Finally, Richard Bernstein's book, Beyond Objectivism and Relativism is reviewed summarizing the debate. This final view strives to uncover the strong points in the opposing positions reviewed early in the course. Then it sets a hermeneutical position which he derives principally from the philosophy of Hans Georg Gadamer. This position amounts to a new and interesting view on how knowledge is attained in science and in life in general. The course relates the debates in the arguments in the philosophy of science to research issues in IST. Concurrent: IST 501

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Information Sciences and Technology Research

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Foundational theories and techniques in general computational informatics.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Prerequisite

IST 501

Introducton to theoretical, computational, and practical issues involved in managing textual, spatial, temporal, and multimedia information in a computerized system. IST 511 Information Management: Information and Technology (3) The objective of IST 511 is to provide an introduction to the theoretical and computational issues involved in managing textual, spatial, temporal, and multimedia information. The course will survey the nature of information in various application contexts (digital libraries, digital government, healthcare information, environmental information, etc) and seek to understand their generic and specific requirements for information management. Students will be exposed to major principles and technologies for information management that are drawn from database systems, and information retrieval (IR) and spatial/geographical information systems literature. Special emphasis will be given to the problems of managing heterogeneous information sources with different ontology, representation, scales, and error characteristics.This course is required of all Information Sciences and Technology (IST) graduate students under both research Master and Ph.D. degrees. It is a foundation course that should be taken in the first or second year of graduate study. IST 501 is the prerequisite for this course.For hands-

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Foundational theories in Human-Centered Interactions used for Human- Centered Design.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Prerequisite

IST 501

Users, models of users, developing the models, technology for creating interfaces; examples of good research and implications for Human- Computer Interface (HCI) design. IST 521 Human-Computer Interaction: The User and Technology (3) This course introduces students to the broad area of human-computer interaction and the idea of a theory driven interface, an underlying concept in HCI. To do this, the course starts by outlining relevant aspects of human behavior with respect to technology and how interfaces are developed, the two raw components. Students are then exposed to a tool for creating interfaces and a variety of theories of how users interact with technology on a variety of levels. These theories are validated and supplemented by usability studies. The course completes with a group project based on the readings and theories introduced in the first 12 weeks.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Prerequisite

IST 501

IST 525 introduces theories, empirical findings, evaluation methods, and design frameworks in computer-supported cooperative work.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Subject

IST

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Foundations in social theories used in the study of the human context within which information and information technology exists.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Prerequisite

IST 501

Assists IST researchers in their efforts to learn about and employ appropriate qualitative methods in their research. IST 541 Qualitative Research in Information Sciences and Technology (3) As information and communication technologies (ICTs) have evolved, so too has our understanding of the role of the human contexts within which information technologies are situated. This has led to the need for appropriate methods of studying information systems and technologies in their context of use. There is a growing consensus that qualitative methods offer important research opportunities for this type of study. Therefore, researchers in such fields as the information sciences and technologies, communication technologies and information systems should have an understanding of the various types of qualitative methods so that they can determine ones that are most appropriate for addressing their particular research problems. The course is complementary to quantitative methods courses, in that it addresses problems that are not amenable to those approaches. For example, studies involving very small groups, individuals, societal level concepts and others often lend themselves to qualitative research techniques.This course begins by considering research topics that lend themselves to the choice of qualitative research methods. It then proceeds to examine the steps , involved in conducting qualitative research. These include: developing the research question(s); choosing a particular research method (such as ethnography, case study or action research); making decisions about approaches to data collection (such as interview or focus group) and analysis (such as coding technique); and producing and publishing the results.This course explores concrete issues that researchers have encountered in their use of qualitative methods. It does this by drawing upon the collective expertise of distinguished scholars who employ qualitative methods in their own research. The course will examine published work that focuses on research findings as well as that which discusses methodological issues.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

This course teaches the principles and practice of software security. The course gives an overview of the foundations of computation models and languages. It then builds on this foundation by teaching students how to address software security issues using fundamental techniques such as type systems and program analysis. The course also covers the practical side of software security, such as memory safety issues including buffer overflow, code injection, and code reuse attacks, as well as some of the latest security problems. Through this course, the students will gain a concrete understanding of principles and practices of software security and be prepared for research on software security related problems.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Essential skills and knowledge for effectively utilizing networks and Internet technologies to facilitate, manage and secure data communications and applications. IST 554 Network Management and Security (3)Information technology is an integral part of today's organizations and services. As information systems and networks continue to grow and evolve we are becoming more and more dependent, individually and socially, on them to provide support for the economy, military, education and business. Because of this dependence, network- based information and communication systems are attractive targets for those who would compromise information or disrupt services for economic, social or political purposes.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Distributed decision making theories and agent-based technologies, models and systems with applications in command and control, emergency and resource management. IST 555 Intelligent Agents and Distributed Decision Making (3)This course introduces the theory and design of intelligent agents for distributed decision making with applications in grid computing, command and control, emergency management and sensor management. Emphasis will be placed on understanding theories of decision making and using them to model and build relevant agent-based distributed systems for supporting decision making.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

This course will introduce data mining techniques, including frequent pattern and association rule mining, some basic background on classification and clustering, and applications of data mining techniques in specific domains. The emphasis will be on applications in specific domains rather than fundamental methodologies. IST 557 Data Mining: Techniques and Applications (3) The course will begin with an introduction of data mining field, including why data mining, what is data mining, what kinds of data can be mined, what kinds of patterns can be mined, an overview of technologies, the major issues in data mining, and a brief history of data mining community. The three key lecture topics are: (1) mining frequent patterns and association rules; (2 classification: basic concepts and techniques, and (3) cluster analysis: basic concepts. For topic (1), we will introduce frequent item set mining methods including Apriori and FPGrowth. We will also teach advanced frequent pattern mining methods such as pattern mining in multi- dimensional space, constraint-based frequent pattern mining, mining high-dimensional data, sequential pattern mining, and graph pattern mining. For topic (2), we will teach how to formulate a real-world problem into a classification problem, how to apply classification models on real data and how to analyze the results. The classification models covered in our class include decision tree, random forest, boosting, support vector machine and kernels, naive bayes classifier, and KNN. Students will learn how to evaluate classification methods using different measures. We will be brief on the fundamental classification methods and will focus more on the applications of such methods on various kinds of data. For topic (3), we will cover the clustering topics including partitioning methods, hierarchical methods, density-based methods, grid-based methods and evaluation of clustering results. We will be brief on the fundamental clustering methods and will focus more on the applications of such methods on various kinds of data. Four weeks will be used for lectures on special topics such as text mining, time series mining, spatial data mining, graph mining, image mining, and emerging subjects in data mining. The purpose of the special topics is to help students learn about real-world data mining problems and applying state-of-the-art solutions to them. Instructor will select a few topics based on students' project proposals. Instructor and students will work together on the literature survey and prepare for the presentation. Potential key special topics include: Mining text data. We will introduce basic preprocessing methods such as tokenization, stemming, and stopwords filtering and basic textual features such as tf-idf. We will teach text mining topics including sentiment analysis, topic modeling, and entity extraction. Mining temporal data. We will introduce basic techniques in mining temporal data, such as measuring time series similarity, periodicity analysis, and trend prediction. Mining spatial data. We will introduce basic spatial models, clustering of spatial locations, spatial outliers, co- location patterns, and location prediction. There will be five discussion classes. Instructor will use these classes to talk with individual students and teams, help them with the problems they encounter in assignments and projects, and better personalize the learning experience.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Prerequisite

Programming, Data Structures, Algorithms, Basic Statistics

Advanced data mining techniques: temporal pattern mining, network mining, boosting, discriminative models, generative models, data warehouse, and choosing mining algorithms. IST (STAT) 558 Data Mining II (3)This course is the second course in a two-course sequence on data mining. It emphasizes advanced concepts and techniques for data mining and their application to large-scale data warehouse. Building on the statistical foundations and underpinnings of data mining introduced in Data Mining I , this course covers advanced topics on data mining; mining association rules from large-scale data warehouse, hierarchical clustering, mining patterns from temporal data, semi-supervised learning, active learning and boosting. In addition, to computational aspects of algorithm implementation, the course will also cover architecture and implementation of data warehouse, data preprocessing (including data cleansing), and the choice of mining algorithms for applications. In addition to discriminative models such as CRF and SVM models, the course will also introduce generative models such as Bayesian Net and LDA. A term project will be developed by each student to apply an ) advanced data mining algorithm to a multi-dimensional data set. Classes will include lectures, paper discussions, and project presentations. Paper discussions will allow students to discuss state-of-the-art literature

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

The study and application of data mining/machine learning (DM/ML) techniques in multidisciplinary design. CSE 561 / EDSGN 561 / IE 561 /

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

This course introduces the theoretical foundations of information science, with applications in communication, signal processing, machine learning, and pattern recognition. IST 562 Theoretical Foundations of Information Science (3)This course introduces the theoretical foundations of information science, with applications in communication, signal processing, machine learning, and pattern recognition. Emphases will be placed on theories of communications and compression. Theories of probabilities and inference, learning methodologies, and graph theory. probability theory or consent of the instructor

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Prerequisite

Familiarity with college-level linear algebra, calculus, and

This course examines the fundamental elements of crisis, disaster, risk and emergency management. Graduate - The Pennsylvania State University 2026-2027 1211

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

This course provides students with tools and techniques for processing and extracting meaning and knowledge from a large volume of text data, with a focus on applying contemporary research findings in human language technologies. The course begins with a brief overview of human language technologies (HLT), with the goal of covering the foundations of HLT to students with a diverse background. The course then covers three topics of contemporary interest in human language technologies: sentiment analysis, computational semantics, and computational discourse. Students will evaluate and compare ideas from recent research. Recommended Preparations: Machine learning, probability and statistics,

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

The ubiquity of computing systems and information technology has made security and privacy become a central issue in the "information age." More and more evidence revealed that technology alone is not sufficient to solve security and privacy problems. Humans are often thought of as "the weakest link in the chain of various security and privacy issues." Thus, it is essential for security and privacy experts to have an understanding of the human factors of security and privacy, e.g., how people will interact with the systems they develop. This course is designed to provide students an overview of the theoretical foundations and empirical findings of human factors of security and privacy and give them experience in understanding and designing studies aimed at helping evaluate usability and user-interface issues in security and privacy systems. The course is suitable for students interested in privacy and security who would like to learn more about the human aspects, and for students interested in human factors/HCI who would like to learn more about security and privacy. Recommended Preparations: IST 501; IST 504

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Students apply theoretical skills and knowledge to critically assess solutions to "real world" Cybersecurity problems. This course combines synthesis and analysis of responses to Cybersecurity event simulations with critical thinking to resolve and extend solutions. Students conduct a series of laboratory assignment milestones. Each milestone generates a recommended literature-based resolution (i.e., tools, techniques, and methodologies) to prevent and control real world Cybersecurity attacks. Peer review exposes students to alternative exercise solutions, permitting a critical reflection. Analysis of each milestone is documented and compiled to create a final portfolio of lessons learned, along with new and emerging theoretical responses to the simulated Cybersecurity events. Each milestone in the final portfolio emphasizes literature-based research reflection, enabling the student to expand the frontiers of knowledge through creation of a final scholarly work product.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Prerequisite

IST 554, IST 815, IST 820

Select 9 credits from the program-maintained list of foundational 9 courses. Select 18 credits of research methodology and specialization 18 courses in consultation with your adviser to support progress on your dissertation research. Total Credits 32 To complete a Ph.D. degree, students must in their first semester take the 3-credit introduction to interdisciplinary research methods course (IST 501) and one credit of graduate colloquium (IST 590). In their second semester, students must take a second credit of graduate colloquium. During their first two semesters, students must complete a selection of three foundational courses that provide interdisciplinary perspectives on research, a focus in the Qualifying Exam that takes place at the end of the first year. As a complement to these first-year requirements, doctoral students must complete 18 credits of research methodology and specialization courses selected to increase proficiency in methods and topics relevant to their doctoral research agenda. Finally, all students must be competent in the English language, with demonstrated skills in the communication of ideas both verbally and in writing commensurate with the requirement of scholarly and professional work. The Qualifying Examination will be used as an occasion to assess English proficiency and may result in a plan for remediation (including additional courses, mentoring, or experiences) for all students. Students must have completed 18 graduate credits before taking the Qualifying Exam and must pass the exam within three semesters. Students must pass the Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination after completion of most of their course work, usually after the student's second year in the program. A research-based dissertation must be completed under the direction of the Ph.D. committee, with the student submitting a dissertation proposal and defending that proposal in the defense examination. To earn the Ph.D. degree, doctoral students must write a dissertation that is accepted by the Ph.D. committee, the head of the graduate program, and the Fox

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

2

Credits (max)

2

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 18 Supervised student activities on research projects identified on an individual or small group basis.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

18

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 9 Creative projects, including nonthesis research, that are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

9

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 999 Formal courses given on a topical or special interest subject which may be offered infrequently; several different topics may be taught in one yea or semester.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

9

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

3 Total Credits 30 Thesis, Scholarly paper, or Capstone course (3-6 credits) Students may choose a thesis, scholarly paper or capstone course option. Students who choose the thesis option must register for 6 credits of IST 600 or IST 610, write a satisfactory thesis accepted by the master’s 3 committee, the head of the graduate program, and the Graduate School, and pass a thesis defense. The thesis should focus on a well-defined problem relevant to the information sciences. Students who choose the thesis option must also complete IST 505. Student who choose 33 the scholarly paper option must register for 3 credits of IST 594 and complete the scholarly paper. The scholarly paper will be a focused piece of technical work that applies the student’s expertise and knowledge base, and that is documented and presented as a scholarly paper report. Students who choose the capstone course option must register for IST 584 to complete the capstone course requirement. Students who choose the scholarly paper option or capstone course option must complete at least 18 credits at the 500 level. Integrated Undergrad-Grad Programs Integrated B.S. in Cybersecurity Analytics and operations and M.S. in Cybersecurity Analytics and

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

6

Credits (max)

6

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

0 Credits/Maximum of 999 No description.

Subject

IST

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 6 No description.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 999 No description.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

15

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

0 Credits/Maximum of 999 No description.

Subject

IST

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

This graduate course builds foundational knowledge in students new to cybersecurity. This course covers operating systems, cybersecurity (OSI Model, TCP/IP suite, hardware, etc.), networking, database, and cloud concepts, as well as topics in security, risk, analysis, and cybersecurity

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

This graduate course improves understanding in an organizational setting of the principles and practices of cyber forensics as well as the management of information security. Foundational Cybersecurity forensic software and hardware analyses is accompanied by information security management in an organization. Conducting basic Windows and Linux computer forensic investigative processes, discussion, analysis, and legal aspects are covered in the first part of the course. The second part of the course covers various information security functions of an organization such as laws, ethics, planning, governance, risk management, policy creation, crisis, and incidence response.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

IST 820

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

The growth and use of the web is increasing at a remarkable rate. The web is a huge evolving system with data full of uncertainties and has become a critical part of everyday life of modern societies. This course will cover fundamental techniques used in building and maintaining the web. The focus will be on the practical aspect of the web's backbone techniques. Topics to be covered include: basic web and internet technologies, modern applications based on the web techniques, and an integrated presentation of theory, examples, exercises, and applications.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Integrated B.S. in Cybersecurity Analytics and operations and M.P.S. in Cybersecurity Analytics and

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

This graduate level course provides students with a foundation in Cloud Computing including its supporting network infrastructure. Key parts of this type of infrastructure are examined with respect to their vulnerabilities. The focus of the class addresses inherent cyber vulnerabilities in cloud computing. Approaches and techniques for securing data, hardware and software in the cloud are then discussed. Finally, topics such as disaster recovery and deployment models are . explored. Recommended Preparation: IST 815 and IST 820 and IST 554

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

This course provides an overview of techniques to assess and ensure the security of web applications and services that drive modern e-commerce transactions. The course first presents foundational knowledge of security technologies, web servers, web applications, and web services. Building on this foundational knowledge, various code review and testing techniques to identify and evaluate vulnerabilities in web applications, web services, and databases are covered through comprehensive hands- on exercises. Besides, the best practices to prevent common flaws, misconfigurations, and vulnerabilities in web applications and services are discussed. The course emphasizes threat modeling as a critical security evaluation approach of web applications and services.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

This course provides students with the principles of project management and knowledge of the project management skills and processes needed to select, initiate, and plan a project. Students will employ various elements of the project management process, software, tools and techniques in a complex cybersecurity environment. In addition to learning basic project management topics, including creating the project charter, developing project scope statements, creating the project schedule and budget, assigning project resources, and risk planning, students will explore more advanced topics in the area of cybersecurity project management, including cybersecurity risk management and assessment and agile project management. Students will learn the sophisticated techniques and management designs used to effectively manage risk and uncertainty, financial exposure and human constraints. Recommended Preparations: Students taking this course are expected to be familiar with cybersecurity concepts.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

This course provides a foundation in information systems and technology for improvement of healthcare. Cross-listed with: NURS 836

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Introductory course on search engines and information retrieval. Search, indexing, ranking, and search evaluation are formally defined, explained, and used. IST 841 Search Engines & Information Retrieval (3) This is introductory course on the principles of information storage and retrieval systems and databases. Students will learn how effective information search and retrieval is interrelated with the organization and description of information to be retrieved. Students will also learn to use a set of open source tools and procedures for organizing information, will become familiar with the techniques involved in conducting effective searches of print and online information resources and will build a vertical/specialty search engine. Search, indexing, ranking, and search evaluation are formally defined, explained and used. Graduate - The Pennsylvania State University 2026-2027 1213

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

/Maximum of 999 This course provides a foundation in knowledge management concepts and paradigms, emphasizing computational methodologies and tools for supporting data and knowledge management practices.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

This course focuses both on monitoring systems and networks for real-time threats and on "ethical" hacking tools and techniques. Both topics allow students to recognize the need for the constant collection and analysis of Cybersecurity data and provide the insight on how to accomplish such. Students in the first part of the course practice techniques, and put into use various tools, for identifying Cybersecurity threats. Students in the second part of the course test systems, networks, and policies for vulnerabilities and exploit them while recognizing how to prevent such real attacks from hackers.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Prerequisite

IST 554 and IST 815

This course covers the fundamental principles, methods, and tools of visual analytics that enable data and security analysts to synthesize information and derive insight from data. When dealing with complex decisions, analysts are faced with a continuously growing set of data originating from a wide range of sources and in a wide variety of formats. Such data needs to be analyzed to characterize a situation and to take actions promptly. Visual Analytics (VA) represents a human- centered approach in designing interactive data visualizations and dashboards that enables full cycles of data analysis, from making sense of data, assessing situations, detecting unexpected patterns, as well as communicating findings and informing actions. The objective of this course is to introduce a set of data visualization and interaction methods that enhance the analytical skills of students in solving problems. Students will gain skills and knowledge in designing interactive visual dashboards that support analytical reasoning with data. Upon completion of this course, students should develop skills in (1) choosing proper data visualization methods (e.g., bar charts, line charts, tree maps, scatter plots, histograms, bullet charts) to reveal patterns in quantitative and categorical data; (2) designing visualization of spatial and temporal data for exploring geo-temporal patterns; (3) creating customizable and dynamic visualizations for exploratory data analysis; (4) creating interactive dashboards for investigative analysis; (5) applying visual analytic skills in applications such as detecting risk or threats in security investigation or monitoring pandemic spreads.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Understanding the concepts, techniques, and issues surrounding the fusion of information from multiple sensors and sources of data. IST 885 Introduction to Multisensor Data Fusion (3)Rapid advances in nano and micro-scale sensors, ubiquitous wide-band wireless communications and improvements in computing provide the opportunity to collect and disseminate huge amounts of data and information from sensors, humans acting as observers, and emerging data available on the web. Applications for this data are widespread and include areas such

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

design and development of mobile computing-based applications and services utilizing current and emerging mobile computing technologies. The purpose of this course is to provide students with an advanced and hands-on exploration of mobile computing paradigms. Mobile computing addresses the mobility needs of business operations and management in organizations, with the increasing trend of leveraging a variety of deployed enterprise information systems. Hence, well- designed and developed mobile applications can meet the needs of business mobility on both the service provider and the customer sides. This course is designed to explore and discuss approaches to the design and development of mobile applications. It builds an awareness of the business need for operational agility and mobility, and the value of existing IT investments in organizations. Specifically, this course investigates the fundamental design and development of mobile applications and services using platform technologies; area topics include mobile application and services design patterns, user interface, animation, location & mapping, and integration. Through working on exercises, labs, and projects, students will be able to identify and apply appropriate mobile platform technologies in their assignments and will gain skills and coding experience in the development of adaptable and sustainable mobile application solutions. Consequently, with this course, students will learn mobile development environments, application and service design and development, device emulators, data and mobility management, and enterprise solution-based integration. Cross Listings: IST 888 will be added as a cross-listed course. Cross-listed with: SWENG 888

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

This course is a laboratory-based course that requires students to apply skills and knowledge from previous coursework to "real world" cybersecurity scenarios and problems. The course combines analyses of cybersecurity issues with the critical thinking required to resolve them. Students will be faced with a variety of laboratory assignments spanning a wide range of cybersecurity vulnerabilities and scenarios they must deal with. Each module's laboratory assignment requires a thorough analysis in order to apply the proper tools and techniques for a successful resolution. Peer reviews of work ensure that students grow in their understanding of the skills involved for a given exercise and in their f ability to judge alternate approaches to resolution.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Prerequisite

IST 554 and IST 815 and IST 820

/Maximum of 9 Creative projects with a professional orientation, including nonthesis research, that are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal course.

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

9

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu

Forman courses given on a topical or special interest subject with a professional orientation that may be offered infrequently. Information Systems - CA (INFSY)

Subject

IST

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

9

Credit unit

Credits

Type

course

Edition

graduate

Source

bulletins.psu.edu