BS Information Technology Domains

Areas of Study Within the
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology

The WGU Bachelor of Science in Information Technology program was developed in consultation with our IT Council, which is made up of industry experts representing all facets of the discipline from the high-tech business world to national research laboratories. The degree uses industry-endorsed certifications from Microsoft, CompTIA, and CIW to validate a student’s skill competency. Additionally, the competencies in quantitative literacy, language and communications, and problem solving assure that the graduate has the well-rounded educational background that is required in today's challenging environment.

The following section includes the larger domains of knowledge, which are then followed by the subject-specific subdomains of knowledge.

Information Technology Fundamentals Domain

This domain covers the foundations of the field of information technology. It prepares the student for the subject matter domains of the program. To clear a domain, the transcript must show that students have taken equivalent classes in the domain content areas and passed those courses with a C grade or higher at an accredited institution of higher education. Certain industry certifications will also transfer or clear a domain.

IT Fundamentals I
Content focuses on networked resources, hardware and software for the Internet business, and web browser function, use, configuration, and customization. The student will also organize and produce a simple but functioning website.

IT Fundamentals II and III
Content focuses on understanding the personal computer components, and their function, in a desktop system as well as computer data storage and retrieval; classifying, installing, configuring, optimizing, upgrading, and troubleshooting printers, laptops, portable devices, operating systems, networks, and system security; recommending appropriate tools, diagnostic procedures, preventative maintenance and troubleshooting techniques for personal computer components in a desktop system; strategies for identifying, preventing, and reporting safety hazards and environmental/human accidents in a technological environments; and effective communication with colleagues and clients as well as job-related professional behavior.

Foundations Domain

The Foundations domain focuses on basic subject matter knowledge that is typically required for baccalaureate level study.

Foundations
Focuses on application of grammatical standards, reading skills, basic numeracy and calculation skills, basic algebra skills, basic geometry principles, and basic data and probability skills.

General Education Domain

The general education domain focuses on basic subject matter knowledge that is typically included in baccalaureate level programs. Evaluation of your previous college transcripts may clear assessment requirements for some areas of the liberal arts domain, which could shorten your program of study by removing assessments. To waive or clear a subdomain, the transcript must show that you have taken equivalent classes in the subdomain content areas and passed those classes with a C grade or higher at an accredited institution of higher education.

Collegiate Level Reasoning and Problem Solving
Content includes problem identification and clarification, planning and information gathering, identifying assumptions and values, analysis and interpretation of information and data, reaching well-founded conclusions, and identifying the role of critical thinking in the disciplines and professions.

Language and Communication
Content focuses on collegiate reading skills, basic information retrieval skills, writing skills, and speaking and writing skills.

Natural Science
Content focuses on scientific concepts and inquiry as well as key concepts across and within disciplines of natural science.

Geography
Content includes fundamentals of geography, places and regions, physical and human systems, and the environment.

Quantitative Literacy
This sub-domain focuses on the real number system, symbolic logic, number theory, set theory, graph theory and their applications.

Literature, Arts, and the Humanities
Content focuses on content, concepts, terminology, methodology, models, and issues within and across the disciplines of the humanities.

Web Development Fundamentals Domain

This domain focuses on programming web applications, working with data and services, troubleshooting and debugging web applications, client-side scripting, and configuring and deploying web applications.

Web Development Domain

This domain builds competencies in website design and development.

Web Systems and Technologies
Focuses on: using and updating web client software; web page creation and programming languages; dynamic web page fundamentals: e-commerce infrastructure; and identifying suspicious network activity and selecting the appropriate strategy to counter it.

Web Programming
Focuses: on applying characteristics and features of web programming languages; creating, modifying, and utilizing variables and data; decision structures; understanding functions, methods, properties, and events; client side web programming language; custom web programming language objects; controlling windows in a web programming language.

Windows OS Fundamentals Domain

This domain focuses on operating system configurations, installing and upgrading client systems, managing applications, managing files, folders, and devices, and understanding operating system maintenance.

Windows Server Administration Domain

This domain focuses on server installation and roles, active directory, storage technologies, and server performance and maintenance.

Network Fundamentals Domain

This domain focuses on network infrastructures, wired and wireless networks, network hardware, Open Systems Interconnection (OSI), and protocols and services.

Systems Administration and Management Domain

This domain covers operating systems, project management, networking, and information security.

Networks I
Focuses on: network topologies including: protocols, ports, addressing schemes, routing, and wireless communication standards; physical and logical topologies, including wiring standards; differentiating, installing, and configuring network devices; troubleshooting network connectivity and performance issues as well as common security threats; and using hardware and software utilities to track and maintain network performance in optimized state.

Security I
Focus on: basic concepts of security and security threats; recommending security procedures and controlling access by authenticating users and groups; identifying security needs and recommending appropriate security practices and strategies; encryption in network security; procedures for organizational operations; and evaluating risks associated with network security and recommending monitoring strategies and methods.

Project Management
Focuses on skills and concepts students need to know to plan and implement projects. The project initiation and planning process is covered in-depth, culminating in the creation of a project schedule. Learning how to manage business concerns such as cost and risk is balanced by thorough the coverage of best practices in managing people and resources. Students will also learn how to manage change and the steps necessary in closing a project.

Security Fundamentals Domain

This domain focuses on security layers, operating systems security, auditing policies, network security, client security software, and server security software.

Software Development Fundamentals Domain

This domain focuses on the fundamentals of core programming, object-oriented programming, software development, web applications, desktop applications and user interfaces, and databases.

Organizational Behavior and Management Domain

Understanding how to lead and manage in the business environment is critical to a business graduate’s success in the workplace. This domain includes two objective assessments: Principles of Management and Fundamentals of Organizational Behavior and Management. Students are asked to demonstrate the ability to apply these concepts in a series of scenariobased problems in the leadership concepts and applications tasks. Prior coursework does not transfer to meet the requirements of this domain.

Organizational Behavior and Management
Focuses on management and leadership concepts and applications.

Software Development Domain

This domain builds on competencies in software development and practice with the objectoriented language Java.

Introduction to Programming
This subdomain covers skills and concepts students need to know to understand the basic syntax and structure of the Java programming language.

Database Fundamentals Domain

This domain focuses on core database concepts, manipulating data, data storage, and database administration.

Databases Domain

This domain builds on competencies in database theories and practice with relational database concepts.

Database I
This subdomain focuses on: distinguishing between basic database terms and concepts, their usage, and the type of database languages; selecting appropriate database designs, and identifying design solutions that address application needs; normalization techniques in database design; using database design best practices when creating conceptual, logical, enterprise, and physical database design models; describing and applying SQL concepts; using relational algebra to perform database operations; recommending appropriate security-related configuration activities on database systems.

Technical Writing

The technical requirement allows students to demonstrate that they possess the competencies to think and write in a technical and professional setting. These skills will be integrated into practice through preparation of a technical writing project capstone proposal. This subdomain cannot be cleared by a course or certification and must be taken by the student prior to working on either the portfolio or project capstone.

Technical Writing
The technical writing requirement draws from the evidence students have accumulated in improved proficiency in research and professional written communication; the ability to think about and write for different audiences; and improved style, grammar and syntax.