Information Sciences and Technology for Telecommunications, Minor

Program Description

This minor offers students an opportunity to examine the opportunities and challenges presented by convergence of telecommunications and information processing. Internet-mediated services have the potential of fundamentally changing how we communicate and engage in commerce. This convergence offers faster, better, cheaper, smarter, and more convenient services, but also raises a variety of legal, regulatory, political, social, economic, and technology management issues. The IST/Telecommunications minor offers students enrolled in majors outside the College of Information Sciences and Technology an opportunity to examine how telecommunications and information processing technologies and services will impact society as well as their individual circumstances.

What is Information Sciences and Technology for Telecommunications?

The IST for Telecommunications program explores the convergence of electronic media and information technology. Students are introduced to the basic technical aspects of digital communication networks and the internet and learn how those technologies are being used by media and communications firms to develop and deliver new products and services. Broadband access to the internet and the convergence of information processing and telecommunications has changed the delivery of information and entertainment and led to new forms of radio, television, e-commerce, and social media.

You Might Like This Program If...

• You have a strong interest in computer technology and the media and entertainment fields.
• You are analytical and good at problem-solving.
• You are imaginative and curious.
• You can’t decide if you want to choose a technical career or a business career.

Program Requirements

The Telecommunications requirements of this minor constitute three courses (nine credit hours). Students can fulfill this requirement by completing COMM 180 offered by the Telecommunications Department in the Bellisario College of Communications and by completing two additional courses from the following list:

Three IST courses (nine credit hours) constitute the other part of this minor.

Requirements for the Minor

A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10. In addition, at least six credits of the minor must be unique from the prescribed courses required by a student's major(s).

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Prescribed Courses
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
COMM 180	Survey of Electronic Media and Telecommunications	3
IST 110	Information, People and Technology	3
IST 210	Organization of Data	3
IST 220	Networking and Telecommunications	3
Additional Courses
Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better
Select 6 credits of the following:		6
COMM 479	Telecommunication Economics
COMM 484	Emerging Telecommunications Technologies
COMM 490
COMM 491
COMM 492	Internet Law and Policy

Academic Advising

The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.

Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.

READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY

University Park

Brenda Johnson
Administrative Support Assistant  
204 Carnegie Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-1503
bmj11@psu.edu

Contact

University Park

DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA INDUSTRIES
11 Carnegie Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-6416
kpj1@psu.edu