The curriculum is shaped not only by Hood's outstanding faculty, but also an advisory board of leaders from businesses and government agencies involved in high technology research, development, and application. A distinctive strength of Hood's program is the flexibility it provides students of differing academic backgrounds in tailoring their course work to meet their academic needs and career goals. The program accepts students with bachelor's degrees in disciplines other than computer science, as well as those who have earned undergraduate degrees in the field. While students receive an extensive grounding in theoretical and conceptual knowledge, there are many opportunities to apply theory. The program is problem solving and applications oriented.
All students take a core of courses designed to provide a solid conceptual foundation.
Program Requirements and Concentrations Open to those who hold a bachelor's degree in any field, the program may be completed in 30 to 42 credit hours, depending on the student's undergraduate academic background. Students may complete the required 12 credits of elective work entirely through course work or through a combination of course work and a 6-credit thesis or project. The program has two concentrations. The Computer Science Concentration is for those who have or will have positions requiring significant technical expertise in computer science. The Information Technology Concentration is for those who will be managing or integrating information in a variety of work environments.