An overview of USMA Information Technology

If you are a cadet interested in Information Technology, contact ANY instructor of the Department to be directed to an Academic Counselor.

Our Information Technology program responds directly to the growing need of the Army for officers who can rapidly configure and integrate large collections of new equipment and existing systems to meet operational needs.  Cadets graduating the program have the necessary skills and experience to lead technologically complex operations at all levels. 

Ours is one of the very early IT programs in the nation.

Offered degrees that are seeking accreditation:

• Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
• Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with Honors

The Honors degree provides cadets at the top of their year groups the opportunity to excel and be acknowledged for scholarly accomplishments beyond those of the standard program.

Additional degree offering:

• Bachelor of Science in Electronic and Information Technology Systems (EITS)

EITS is a "design your own" technology major for cadets seeking more choice than possible in a major within the Department.

Our laboratory and fabrication facilities are first rate, including our support staff of dedicated professional technicians.

Outside the classroom, many Information Technology majors participate in clubs and activities that are great fun and professionally rewarding.  A few examples...

• Association for Computing Machinery Student Chapter
    Special Interest Group in Security, Audit and Control (ASM-SIGSAC)

Finally, we sponsor exciting summer opportunities for cadets to apply their knowledge in research and operational settings at locations throughout the world, normally for four to seven week periods.

Five Threads

The Information Technology Major consists of five threads that build on the USMA core program, including the IT core program IT105/IT305.  The are:

• Sensing, Communication, and Robotics
• Modeling and Simulations
• IT Application Studies
• System Integration
• Information Operations

Each of the five threads is 2-3 courses and lead to a culminating Integrative Experience in the First Class year. Some of the threads can be satisfied in more than one way so that the student has several options.

Information Operations

• Design and manage multiple computers connected by a network.
• Defend information resources, networks, and services from attack and compromise.
• Technology, tactics, strategy, and policy of information warfare.
• Learn how to defend against Red Team attackers in a Cyber Defense Exercise.
  

System Integration

• Strong information management skills relevant to junior officers.
• Valuable programming experience.
• Database design using Unified Modeling Language and web-based servers.
• Web site development located on the local computer pulling data from remote servers.

Sensing and Robotics

• Integrate power sources and digital control systems with sensors and electromechanical devices to build systems that work for people.
• Work with sensors, circuits, motors, and power systems to understand, design, and build robots.
  

Modeling and Simulations

• Design, analyze and compare the models that are behind modern information systems.
• Use these models to simulate real world systems behavior and to solve problems.
  

IT Application Studies

• Choose an Information Technology application area to study (systems engineering, geographic information systems, remote sensing, engineering economics) or design your own!

Integrative Experience

• A year long project in the First Class year using Information Technology to solve a real problem for a real client.

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