AIT becomes new Bachelor program
Shannon Siders
Issue date: 10/21/09 Section: Entertainment
By Shannon Siders
Applied Information Technology (AIT), a program previously only offered at Bellarmine as a Masters program, is now available for students wishing to earn a Bachelors Degree. The program aims to provide a practical, career-based approach and state of the art technology. The department will also be a University Alliance partner with SAP AG, a German company that is the largest enterprise resource planning software vender in the world.
There are currently eight Bellarmine students, all freshmen and sophomores, registered as AIT majors. Two courses are currently offered under the AIT program, with twelve students in each course.
Teamwork and collaboration are emphasized as part of the program. Professor Dick Jones, who is an Assistant professor of IT and has been at Bellarmine since July 2008, said that business IT managers often tell him, "We really can't teach the soft skills." Bellarmine's focus on teamwork helps set apart Bellarmine AIT majors from those at other schools.
Nick Lowe, a sophomore AIT major, said, "I love the way Prof. Jones laid out the class because there is a lot of teamwork and class discussion which you will need in the IT world."
The department plans to be connected closely with the local business community. This will allow students to meet professionals in the field and to establish contacts for internships.
Jones explained that through the SAG AP partnership, Bellarmine will receive millions of dollars worth of software to use for very little money through the Internet. Students can also look forward to interesting hands-on projects such as working to design, create, and market iphone apps.
AIT graduates are some of the most highly paid compared to other majors. Depending on the location of the job, students can generally expect a great starting salary.
"I joined the program because of my brother who is an IT-Consultant. I liked the way my brother operates at his job because he can pick the hours he works and can work from his house which comes with an AIT major," said Lowe.
The AIT major includes a minor in Business Administration. The program has an entrepreneurship focus that teaches students skills that are important for starting their own business.
An AIT minor is also in the works. The minor will be made up of 18 credit hours and is intended for students of other majors who have an interest in AIT.
The AIT masters program, which was started in 2002, is a cohort-run program, with 10-12 students in each cohort. Two cohorts run at a time.
For more information on the AIT program, contact Jones at rcjones@bellarmine.edu, or Dr. Michael Mattei, Dean of the department and Chair of the AIT program, at mmattei@bellarmine.edu.
Applied Information Technology (AIT), a program previously only offered at Bellarmine as a Masters program, is now available for students wishing to earn a Bachelors Degree. The program aims to provide a practical, career-based approach and state of the art technology. The department will also be a University Alliance partner with SAP AG, a German company that is the largest enterprise resource planning software vender in the world.
There are currently eight Bellarmine students, all freshmen and sophomores, registered as AIT majors. Two courses are currently offered under the AIT program, with twelve students in each course.
Teamwork and collaboration are emphasized as part of the program. Professor Dick Jones, who is an Assistant professor of IT and has been at Bellarmine since July 2008, said that business IT managers often tell him, "We really can't teach the soft skills." Bellarmine's focus on teamwork helps set apart Bellarmine AIT majors from those at other schools.
Nick Lowe, a sophomore AIT major, said, "I love the way Prof. Jones laid out the class because there is a lot of teamwork and class discussion which you will need in the IT world."
The department plans to be connected closely with the local business community. This will allow students to meet professionals in the field and to establish contacts for internships.
Jones explained that through the SAG AP partnership, Bellarmine will receive millions of dollars worth of software to use for very little money through the Internet. Students can also look forward to interesting hands-on projects such as working to design, create, and market iphone apps.
AIT graduates are some of the most highly paid compared to other majors. Depending on the location of the job, students can generally expect a great starting salary.
"I joined the program because of my brother who is an IT-Consultant. I liked the way my brother operates at his job because he can pick the hours he works and can work from his house which comes with an AIT major," said Lowe.
The AIT major includes a minor in Business Administration. The program has an entrepreneurship focus that teaches students skills that are important for starting their own business.
An AIT minor is also in the works. The minor will be made up of 18 credit hours and is intended for students of other majors who have an interest in AIT.
The AIT masters program, which was started in 2002, is a cohort-run program, with 10-12 students in each cohort. Two cohorts run at a time.
For more information on the AIT program, contact Jones at rcjones@bellarmine.edu, or Dr. Michael Mattei, Dean of the department and Chair of the AIT program, at mmattei@bellarmine.edu.
Be the first to comment on this story