Media Relations
University of South Florida
Polytechnic
3433 Winter Lake Road
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 667-7077
Fax (863) 667-7097
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Contact:
Tom Hagerty
(863)
667-7077
LAKELAND,
FL (July 2, 2007) - After several years of producing successful information technology professionals in central Florida, the University of South Florida Lakeland has expanded its information technology program to Tampa.
This fall, the IT department will offer three courses in Tampa: Introduction to Databases for IT, IT Programming Concepts, and Object-Oriented Programming for IT.
“IT is making its initial landing on the USF Tampa campus,” says Assistant Professor Dave Armitage, Ph.D., interim chair, Department of Information Technology. “These are lower-division courses that students often take at a community college before coming to USF Lakeland. They’re perfect classes for an elective or for the start of an IT major.”
Depending on demand, Armitage anticipates offering upper-division IT courses in Tampa in Spring 2008 or Fall 2008. He also plans to offer more IT courses online.
“We’re taking a cautious approach to marketing these classes in Tampa,” he says. “We plan to start slowly and monitor the growth so we can properly prepare to meet student needs. We plan to expand according to demand.”
During the past 10 years, Armitage notes, IT programs have had a steady rise in enrollment while participation in computer science programs has fallen up to 30 percent nationwide. Those changing enrollment rates likely reflect perceptions of today’s economy.
“Many people perceive IT as being more hands-on than computer programming and less vulnerable to offshoring and outsourcing,” Armitage says. “We look for students who plan to become entry-level IT professionals. We try to do all we can to understand IT, to improve IT and to develop highly marketable IT professionals. We want to help them stand out from other graduates.”
Information Technology is the only multi-campus department in the USF system to have its headquarters at USF Lakeland. The IT program aims to bridge the gap between computer science and the business sector’s use of computers. It emphasizes knowledge-based computer and information technology as well as applications, programming, and networking in an era of rapidly changing technology. Electives let students develop expertise in specific areas of application.
IT graduates will enter a strong job market qualified for a broad range of positions in computer-intensive business and industry. These graduates may obtain positions such as a program analyst, systems analyst, database administrator, network administrator, computer resource manager, systems development manager, and IT manager.
USF Lakeland provides a complete bachelor's degree and two certificate programs in Information Technology. Both certificates are designed for students who hold bachelor's degrees in fields other than IT. For information on the certificate programs call (863) 667-7064 or visit www.lakeland.usf.edu/IT. To register, contact Lisa Wetmore at (863) 667-7064 or email lwetmore@lakeland.usf.edu.
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