I want to change my major to IT. What do I need to do to start this process?
You will need to email the KFSCIS Advising team at advising@cs.fiu.edu to request a change of major. An email will be sent to you after the KFSCIS Change of Major Committee reviews your request and comes up with a decision. The whole process takes about two weeks.
What happened to COP4009 as an IT elective in the Application Development area of concentration?
COP4009 is no longer offered.
If you are under the requirements that were in effect before Fall 2010, you may take COP4814 (Component Based Software Development) instead. After doing so, you can ask your assigned KFSCIS advisor to make a substitution in your Panther Degree Audit.
If you are on the requirements in effect since Fall 2010, then COP4814 is a core class and may not be used as an elective.
I am under the requirements that went into effect in Fall 2010. The requirements state that I can do an internship to count as my fifth IT elective. How do I set this up?
In Fall 2013 the Knight Foundation School of Computing and Information Sciences eliminated the option that permitted internships to be substituted for IT Elective Credit.
I am under the requirements that were in effect before Fall 2010 and have completed my minor. Why doesn’t my PDA show that my minor is satisfied?
Only the minor advisor can certify the minor. Please check with a minor advisor to be sure you have met the requirements.
Do I need to take CGS 1920?
CGS1920 will be waived for students transferring at least 55 credits or a bachelor’s degree.
Where can I see a list of the interdisciplinary courses?
You will have to do some research to find courses that could be used toward the Interdisciplinary requirement.
One place to get information is to speak with an adviser in the minor or certificate area of your interest. Ask the advisor what courses are needed to complete the minor or certificate, then take nine of those credits.
Another place to look for information is in the FIU Catalog. Go to https://catalog.fiu.edu.
- Select the catalog current year
- Undergraduate
- Admissions and Registration Information
- Academic Programs
This page will list all of the majors, minors, and certificates that are offered at FIU. Select the minor or certificate that interests you and look up the catalog information for it. The minor information will be listed after the major information in the section of the catalog for the department that offers it. All certificates have their own section in the catalog.
Be sure that all nine credits are applicable to the same minor or certificate
My Major is Information Technology (as a single major). Would taking Business Calculus take care of the Pre-Calculus and Trigonometry requirement?
You may complete the Pre-Calculus and Trigonometry requirement for the BS in IT program with any of these options:
- MAC1140 – Pre-Calculus Algebra (only if this course was transferred)
- MAC1147 – Pre-Calculus Algebra and Trigonometry
- MAC2233 – Business Calculus
- MAC2311 or MAC2281 – Calculus 1
Can certifications take the place of courses?
Currently, we could waive some courses with valid proof of completion of a certificate; however, no credit is received towards graduation. When a class is waived, then the requirement is met, but no credits are granted.
Students who declared the major after Summer 2010
CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Linux+
The IT Technician Exams along with the Linux+ exam can be used to waive the CGS3767.
CompTIA Network+
The Network+ exam can be used to waive CGS4285.
CCNA
The CCNA exam can be used to waive CGS4285.
CompTIA Security+
The Security+ exam can be used to waive CNT4403.
Students who declared the major before Fall 2010
CompTIA A+
The IT Technician Exams can be used to waive the classes CGS3767 and CDA3003 (formerly COP3643).
CompTIA Network+
The Network+ exam can be used to waive CGS4285.
CCNA
The CCNA exam can be used to waive CGS4285.
CompTIA Linux+
The CompTIA Linux+ Exam can be used to waive COP3353 (formerly COP3348).
In terms of career, how are the IT and CS degrees different?
With a CS degree, you would probably start your career as a programmer for a large company. As you gain experience, you would move into software development.
With an IT degree, you would be hired as a member of a technical support staff. Some of your responsibilities my include adding user accounts, installing software and hardware, troubleshooting hardware and software, administering a network, database, or web server, etc.
What classes that were taken as a CS major can be applied to the IT degree?
The following CS classes can be applied to the IT program
- COP2210 will satisfy COP2250
- COP3337 will satisfy COP3804
- MAD2104 will satisfy the MAD1100/COT3100 requirement
- MAC2311 will satisfy the Pre-Calculus Algebra with Trigonometry requirement
I am a student at MDC. What classes can I take at MDC that will meet requirements for the IT program?
In the link below you can access the BS in IT MDC Transfer guide. It indicates what MDC courses will satisfy requirements for the IT program.
I am a transfer student with an AA degree. What courses should I take during my first semester at FIU?
All transfer students must sign up and attend a Transfer Orientation. During Transfer Orientation you will meet with a CIS and will be advised courses for your first semester.
I am a student at BC. What classes can I take at BC that will meet requirements for the IT program?
In the link below you can access the BS in IT BC Transfer guide. It indicates what BC courses will satisfy requirements for the IT program.
What are general electives?
Students must complete a minimum of 120 credits to earn a BA or BS degree from the Knight Foundation School of Computing and Information Sciences (KFSCIS). If you complete all of your requirements for the degree in less than 120 credits, then the remaining credits are general electives. You can take just about any course to earn these credits. Check with an advisor if you have a doubt.
How can I find the UCC requirements online?
You can find the University Core Curriculum in the FIU Undergraduate Catalog at https://catalog.fiu.edu/ .
- Select the ‘Course Catalog Year’
- Select ‘Undergraduate’
- Select ‘Admission and Registration Information’
- Select ‘Academic and Career Success’
The UCC can also be found at https://acs.fiu.edu/offices-services/advising/ .
What is the difference between the IT degree and an MIS degree?
MIS is a business degree, with a minor emphasis on computer science. The IT degree will train you to be a technical support professional.
In order to decide which degree you want, imagine the job that you would like when you graduate. If you want to be making decisions about marketing, finance, and accounting while working as a liaison with computer personnel, then choose MIS. If you like to install hardware/software, set up and administer a network, manage a web server, do simple web programming, and administer a database, then choose the IT degree.
What is the difference between the CS degree and the IT degree?
In simple terms, the CS degree will train you to be a programmer, while the IT degree will train you to be a technical support professional.
To decide which degree to pursue, try to imagine the type of job you want when you graduate. If you dream of writing programs for a software development company (Google, Microsoft, …), then choose the CS degree. If you like to install hardware/software, set up and administer a network, manage a web server, do simple web programming, and administer a database, then choose the IT degree.
I am an IT student and would like to declare the Minor in Computer Science. What should I do to add it?
Students majoring in IT cannot declare the Minor in CS.
Could I receive college credit if I sign up for an internship?
Everything that you need to know about internships can be found in the Student Internship Manual.
Completing an internship will not satisfy any KFSCIS major requirements. However, students planning to do an internship could request class permission to register COP3949 or COP4949 to receive general elective credit(s). Please follow the instructions in the link below:
If I complete all my required IT courses, will I be able to graduate?
You still may be missing upper division credits even after completing all the required courses for the Information Technology degree or may be missing other FIU graduation requirements like Global Learning, Foreign Language, etc.
Please contact your assigned advisor to request a review of your Panther Degree Audit.