Regardless of their career interests, the University's current
and future graduates are likely to hold jobs that are influenced
to some degree by information technology. Business and industry
need employees who can use Web and Internet technologies more effectively
in the workplace. Internet technology continues to reshape the way
business is conducted—as the explosion of e-commerce has shown—and
workers must be able to adapt quickly to these sweeping changes.
When leaders in business and industry told us that they'd like
to see more college graduates enter the work force with some knowledge
of information technology, IT joined forces with other University
colleges to develop an information technology minor for students
from nontechnical disciplines.
In 1998, the College of Liberal Arts, the College of Architecture
and Landscape Architecture, and the College of Human Ecology joined
IT to begin working out a curriculum for the proposed interdisciplinary
minor.
Because IT served as the lead college and assumed primary responsibility
for this process, I'm especially pleased to announce that the new
minor in information technology will be available beginning spring
semester 2000. The minor will provide students with a basic understanding
of Internet and Web technology as well as some hands-on training.
The minor sequence requires completion of five courses—two core
courses and three electives—totaling at least 14 credits.
Students must complete two of three core courses that focus on
communication and information—key elements of the emerging technologies.
These courses are offered through the Department of Computer Science
and Engineering.
In spring 2000, students can take Communication in the Internet
Environment, a core course in which they will learn how the Internet
functions and how it is used for interpersonal and mass communication,
the dissemination of information, entertainment, and e-commerce.
Students with a special interest in computer programming can take
an introductory course in Java programming, also offered next spring.
The third course, Information in the Internet Environment, introduces
students to databases and their application in the Internet environment.
Students can choose their three electives from selected courses
in geographic information systems, new telecommunications media,
mass communications, electronic and interactive media, digital design,
and Internet publishing. The interdisciplinary curriculum is drawn
from several University colleges.
We're very pleased with the scope and structure of the new minor.
Students who complete its course requirements will be well-prepared
to enter the work force as effective users of Web and Internet technology.
The information technology minor is just one of the ways
in which IT and the University are preparing for a future
in which science and technology will play a dominant role.
That vision of the future provided the impetus for one of
the University's boldest ventures ever, a $1.3 billion fundraising
effort called Campaign Minnesota. Launched by President
Yudof in October, the campaign calls for a significant investment
of University resources in scientific and technological
research and education. Read
more about this crucial initiative—and its significance
for IT.
