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Campus IST students gain valuable real-world experience

Campus IST students got valuable real-world work experience this summer working with the campus' Information Technology staff, helping to upgrade and install computers, wiring and other technology, as part of the Dawson Building's first-floor renovation project.
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We are no longer accepting students into the IST program. Students admitted to Penn State after the Fall 2021 semester will need to pursue the Information Technology B.S. Degree.

Are you interested in information technology?

The IST degree curriculum provides a solid foundation for learning while challenging the student. The digital age has made the world smaller, faster, more interactive and increasingly mobile.
But no matter how fast and smart machines become, they still rely on the power of human creativity. It's people that create new ways to look at and evaluate the infinite opportunities of the digital age.
IST draws on a variety of knowledge disciplines to help individuals unlock the power of their own creativity and fuel the world's most powerful problem solving machine—the human mind.
six students holding Lego robots
 
Baccalaureate Degree in Information Sciences and Technology (IST).
The IST bachelor of science (BS) degree program integrates skills connected with people, information, and technology. The program helps students prepare for careers connected with the ways people create, modify, and use information technologies and how those technologies affect individuals, organizations and societies.

The IST BS program covers topics from software development to social media to business applications for technology. You will feel prepared to step into a career, full speed ahead, after learning to solve real-life issues from many different angles.

View the suggested academic plan
for IST Degree.

Design and Development Option

Build Information Systems
With this course of study, you'll design software, develop applications for corporations or smart-phones, become an ace at troubleshooting, and solve complex technology challenges.

All four years of this option may be completed at Penn State Scranton.

Types of Jobs: Applications Developer, Software Engineer, UI Interaction Designer, Service Engineer, Software Developer

Integration and Application Option

Use information systems to solve problems
In this program, you’ll look at the role of information technology within and between businesses. You’ll analyze the needs of an organization, formulate and implement technology-based solutions, and evaluate the outcomes.

All four years of this option may be completed at Penn State Scranton.

Types of Jobs: Business Technology Analyst, Business Intelligence & Data Analytics Developer, Network Engineer

Information Context Option

Understand the impact of information systems
Do you use social media to promote causes that are important to you? Can you think of better uses for technology that already exists?

Students must transfer to another campus after two years to complete this option.

Types of Jobs: Business Analyst, Technology Project Solutions Manager, Software Implementation Analyst

We are no longer accepting students into the IST program. Students admitted to Penn State after the Fall 2021 semester will need to pursue the Information Technology B.S. Degree.

smiling Danielle Aiello in graduation cap and gown

I always wanted to go Penn State, so I am so excited to be graduating from here! I graduated high school in 2007 and didn’t start right away, but it’s what I always wanted to do. I think starting later helped me focus more on my studies. I originally thought I might go for biology, but I had one class with Fred Aebli and he’s why I chose this major. He made it so interesting and fun.

Danielle Aiello, '22 , Information Sciences & Technology, B.S., Hometown: Jessup, PA