Curriculum

The curriculum consists of the following main components: the core courses, track courses, electives and a master's practicum.

The core courses establish the necessary background and a common competence level, the program courses allow students to specialize and the elective units give students flexibility and breadth in their coursework. 

Finally, the capstone experience is the project practicum, which requires students to apply their knowledge and skills to solve a real-world problem.

Core Course Requirements	60 units
Track Courses (Mobility, Information Security or Software Management)	36 units
Electives	24 units
Master's Practicum	24 units
Total	144 units

Degree Requirements

Core Course Requirements = 60 units

• 14-702: INI MSIT Graduate Seminar = 6 units
• 14-703: INI MSIT Graduate Seminar = 6 units
• 14-740: Fund of Telecomm & Comp Networks = 12 units
• 14-741: Intro to Information Security = 12 units
• 14-774: Managerial Economics = 6 units
• 14-775: Business Management = 6 units
• 96-821: Intro to Software Engineering = 12 units

Track Courses = 36 units

Track courses allow students to specialize their degrees in Information Security, Mobility or Software Management.  While we created a 'List of Possible Track Courses', it is not exhaustive and students are allowed to select other track courses as long as they are relevant to their track. If a student wants to pursue a track course that is not included on the approved list, he or she should file a petition requesting permission to do so.

Elective Courses = 24 units

Students can select any graduate level courses in the INI, Silicon Valley, Heinz College or the Tepper School of Business -- AND/OR -- any courses that are numbered 300 and above in ECE, the School of CS or EPP.

Master's Practicum = 24 units

This course provides the opportunity to consolidate and apply the skills and knowledge developed in previous coursework in a team-based approach to a real problem. A team of students works with a real-world client on a real-world problem of value to the client. Most important, this is an opportunity to apply the team's advanced engineering and management skills, including the specialized knowledge and skills needed to solve a real problem. In particular, team members must learn to work effectively with clients, quickly understand their problem, negotiate deliverables and then select, adapt and apply just the right amount of process and documentation to meet clients' needs and effectively manage the project.

Total = 144 units

Students in the Bi-Coastal MSIT Program have the option to complete the degree requirements in 16 or 20 months. Below are 'Semester-by-Semester Guides' to help students create a course plan for 16 months or 20 months.

16-Month Course Plan (4 Semesters)

1st Fall Semester (in Pittsburgh)

• Students are required to take these courses in the 1st fall semester:

1. 14741:Introduction to Information Security = 12 units
2. 96821:Introduction to Software Engineering = 12 units

• Students must take 12-24 units in addition to the required courses. Here are some options:

1. 14740:Fundamentals of Telecomm & Comp Networks = 12 units (must take in the 1st fall or 1st spring)
2. 14774:Managerial Economics = 6 units (must take in the 1st fall or 1st spring)
3. 14775:Business Management = 6 units (must take in the 1st fall or 1st spring)
4. 15213:Intro to Comp Systems = 12 units (if students want to take 15410:OS in the 1st spring, this will be the only opportunity to take 15213. Students must receive at least a ‘B’ in 15213 to be eligible to take 15410. Also, 15213 will not be considered towards degree requirements)
5. Elective Course(s)
6. Track Course(s)

1st Spring Semester (in Pittsburgh)

• Students are required to take this course in the 1st spring semester:

1. 14702:INI MSIT Graduate Seminar = 6 units

• Students must take 30-42 units in addition to the required course, here are some options:

1. 14740:Fundamentals of Telecomm & Comp Networks = 12 units (must take in the 1st fall or 1st spring)
2. 14774:Managerial Economics = 6 units (must take in the 1st fall or 1st spring)
3. 14775:Business Management = 6 units (must take in the 1st fall or 1st spring)
4. 15410: OS Design & Implementation = 12 units (students must receive at least a ‘B’ in 15213 to be eligible to take 15410 which can potentially be considered as an elective or track course)
5. Elective Course(s)
6. Track Course(s)   

1st Summer Semester (in Silicon Valley)

• Students are not required to take any courses in the 1st summer semester.  However, if a student didn't take 48 units in the 1st Fall, 1st Spring semesters and plan to take 48 units in 2nd Fall semester, then the student will have to take (an) additional course(s)
• Other options for the summer semester include:

1. Elective Course(s)
2. Track Course(s)
3. Internship (students can pursue an internship in Silicon Valley but won’t receive credit for it)

2nd Fall Semester (in Silicon Valley)

• Students are required to take this course in the 2nd fall semester:

1. 14703:INI MSIT Graduate Seminar = 6 units
2. 14798:INI MSIT Project Practicum = 24 units

• Students may take additional courses, here are some options:

1. Elective Course(s)
2. Track Course(s)