APPENDIX A
THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA
NOTIFICATION OF INTENT TO PLAN A NEW BACCALAUREATE, MASTER’S, OR C.A.S. PROGRAM
Please submit this form electronically, using
http://www.northcarolina.edu/content.php/apps/acadplan/appendixa.php.
THE PURPOSE OF ACADEMIC PROGRAM PLANNING: Planning a new academic degree program
provides an opportunity for an institution to make the case for need and demand and for its ability to
offer a quality program. This notification, and the planning activity to follow, does not guarantee that
authorization to establish will be granted.
Date: January 28, 2008
Constituent Institution: UNCW
CIP Discipline Specialty Title: Information Technology
CIP Discipline Specialty Number: 11.0103 Level: Baccalaureate
Exact Title of the Proposed Program: Information Technology
Exact Degree Abbreviation (e.g. B.S., B.A., M.A., M.S., C.A.S.): B.S.
Does the proposed program constitute a substantive change as defined by SACS? Yes__ No X
a) Is it at a more advanced level than those previously authorized? Yes__ No X
b) Is the proposed program in a new discipline division? Yes____ No X
Approximate date for submitting the Request to Establish proposal (must be within one year of date
of submission of notification of intent to plan): May 2008
Proposed date to establish degree: month: August year: 2009 (Date can be no sooner than six
months after the date of notification of intent to plan and must allow at least three months for review
of the request to establish, once submitted.)
1. Describe the proposed new degree program. The description should include:
a. a brief description of the program and a statement of educational objectives
The Department of Computer Science in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of
Information Systems and Operations Management in the Cameron School of Business will offer
a well rounded, multi-disciplinary program leading to a BS degree in Information Technology.
The program will closely follow the guidelines set forth for such programs by professional
societies such as the Association for Computing Machinery and the IEEE Computer Society.
The proposed program will consist of a core of roughly 30 hours, 26 hours of collaterals, and a
minimum of 6 hours of electives (total 62). The goals of this program are to develop students’
skills in the critical and practical understanding of information technology and to prepare them
for information technology-related work and/or further study at the graduate level. The
interdisciplinary nature of this program provides a unique balance of advanced scientific
knowledge, commonly found in the computer science field, and the development of systems and
solutions, applied in a business environment, usually considered the focus of the information
systems field. This unique blend will provide a foundation for information technology
professionals to have a broader perspective of the rapidly expanding and evolving science of
technology and how it can be managed and leveraged to support and further commerce and trade
activities.
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b. the relationship of the proposed new program to the institutional mission and how the
program fits into the institution’s strategic plan
With its commitment to intellectual growth and development of problem-solving skills, the
mission of the proposed degree program is fully consistent with the mission of UNCW. Like the
university of which it is a part, it will be dedicated to excellence in teaching, learning, research,
academic achievement, and service to local and global communities. Further, its tie to one of
southeastern North Carolina’s more productive sources of economic development underscores its
relevance to the regional interests of this university.
The mission statement of UNCW states that it is a “…public comprehensive university dedicated
to learning through the integration of teaching and mentoring with research and service.” It
further emphasizes its commitment to providing “…an extensive array of programs at the
baccalaureate and master’s levels…“, to enrich its quality of life, economy, and education. The
proposed program will expand upon existing programs by taking advantage of the extensive
faculty expertise in computer science and information systems already available at UNCW. It
will provide students with an exciting new degree option in a discipline that is synonymous with
the mission of UNCW.
Finally, UNCW’s University Strategic Goal I is “Create the most powerful learning experience
for our students”. Establishment of a new BS program in information technology would support
this goal.
c. the relationship of the proposed new program to other existing programs at the institution
The proposed program will complement the existing minor in Information Technology, the BS in
Computer Science, and the BS in Management Information Systems. It also builds on the
working relationship and collaboration between two different departments in the Master of
Science in Computer Science Information Systems.
d. special features or conditions that make the institution a desirable, unique, or appropriate
place to initiate such a degree program.
Establishing a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology is a logical next step for the
UNCW as it reaches out to students and the community in this highly computerized world.
Beginning 1998, the Department of Computer Science separated from the Department of
Mathematics and Statistics to recognize the need to focus and prepare students for working in
computer science. A bachelor of science in Computer Science was created with two major
options. The first option emphasizes the study of computers as systems. The second option
emphasizes the use of computers as a tool for industrial or business applications. Both options
prepare students for graduate study or to enter the workforce as programmers, software analysts
and system analysts.
The Information Systems and Operations Management Department in the Cameron School of
Business was created in 2000. It evolved from the Production and Decision Sciences Department
in the Cameron School. Students graduate with a B.S. in Business Administration with a
concentration in Management Information Systems. Students are prepared for graduate school as
well as managerial positions in Information Systems, systems analysis, databases and estrategies.
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Technology areas have continued to expand and a new area has arisen in the area of information
technology (IT). IT is defined by the Information Technology Association of America as the "the
study, design, development, implementation, support or management of computer-based
information systems, particularly software applications and computer hardware." Students who
have inquired into receiving a degree in IT have been denied the chance to receive a complete
education in the field but have had the opportunity to receive a minor in the field. Currently, an
interdisciplinary degree minor in IT is offered at UNCW. The need for a degree in IT has come
from the work setting. In this highly computerized society, employers find they are in need of
individuals who are skilled in a broader perspective of computer knowledge than might be
acquired through one of the current degree options offered by UNCW. Employers specifically
are looking for individuals with skills in data management, computer networking, database
design, software design and more. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists jobs in the IT field to
include software publishers; Internet publishing, broadcasting; Internet service providers, Web
search portals, and data processing services; as well as telecommunications and publishing.
The UNC Tomorrow report projects the demand for new computer and technology workers to be
23,000 by 2014. This is the third highest growth profession for North Carolina.
2. List all other public and private institutions of higher education in North Carolina currently
operating programs similar to the proposed new degree program.
At present, six North Carolina institutions offer undergraduate degrees in or associated with
Information Technology. However, three of the degrees are more ‘engineering focused’.
1. East Carolina University: Offers a B.S. in Design and a B.S. in Information & Computer
Technology, both housed in the Department of Industrial Technology.
2. Elizabeth City State University: The degree program in Engineering Technology offers
specializations in Computer and Information Technology and Mechanical and Automation.
Housed in the School of Mathematics, Science and Technology.
3. University of North Carolina at Pembroke: B.S. in Business Administration, Information
Technology Management (ITM) track housed in the Department of Accounting and Information
Technology.
4. North Carolina A&T State University: Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics Technology
with a concentration in Information Technology.
5. University of North Carolina Charlotte: Bachelor of Arts in Software and Information Systems Information Technology Track. Housed in the Department of Software and Information Systems
of the College of Computing and Informatics.
6. University of North Carolina Greensboro: MS in Information Technology and Management
offered by the Bryan School of Business and Economics, also a minor in Information
Technology.
The proposed program at UNCW, however, will offer the only B.S. undergraduate UNC degree in
information technology that combines the strength of two academic departments across schools and
colleges to offer a degree in information technology.
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3. Estimate the number of students that would be enrolled in the program during the first year of
operation: Full-Time: 25
Part-Time: 0
4. If there are plans to offer the program away from campus during the first year of operation:
N/A
a. Briefly describe these plans, including potential sites and possible method(s) of delivering
instruction.
b. Indicate any similar programs being offered off-campus in North Carolina by other institutions
(public or private)
c. Estimate the number of students that would be enrolled in the program during the first year of
operation: Full-Time______
Part-Time______
5. List the names, titles, e-mail addresses and telephone numbers of the person(s) responsible for
planning the proposed program.


Dr. Ron Vetter, Professor, Department of Computer Science, vetterr@uncw.edu; 910-962-2160
Dr. Tom Janicki, Associate Professor, Department of Information Systems and Operations
Management; janickit@uncw.edu; 910-962-4077
This intent to plan a new program has been reviewed and approved by the appropriate campus
committees and authorities, including the Chief Academic Officer.
Yes ___
Contact Name _________________________________________________
Contact Title __________________________________________________
Contact Email Address __________________________________________
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