Bachelor of Science in Information and Telecommunication Systems Major, ECT (VR/AR) Track

Whenever you use the Internet, stream video or music, make a voice call, use your mobile device, or play an online game, information network technology is at work. Advanced network applications like live video, audio, or gaming frequently demand specific services from the network infrastructure. As the transport of advanced network applications increases, networks must understand the nature and specific needs of the traffic they carry, and advanced applications must understand the resources and capabilities available from networks. Cutting-edge applications like live video and gaming are a function of not only the type of data that is being transferred but of the transmission requirements of the information and the location of the information being exchanged. 

Augmented and virtual reality are two examples of applications that may demand specific services from networks. Such applications also need to know from where the required information can be delivered by the network to the end user. To address this technology transformation, the J. Warren McClure School of Emerging Technologies has instituted this separate track within our existing ITS degree.

 This VR and Game Development track in the ITS degree is dedicated to emerging communication technologies production, e.g., virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) while also covering information networking and telecommunication systems. Students possessing both networking and content production skills have a competitive advantage in the marketplace. The VR and Game Development track in the ITS major allows our students to develop this competitive edge by combining courses that build competency in both networking and content production.

Curriculum

Through the ECT track in our ITS degree, you will gain both a foundational and advanced skill set to solve problems and create solutions in both the virtual reality & game development industry and the information networking industry.

In addition to Ohio University's general education courses, you will have the opportunity to take:

• 4 introductoryclasses that will provide you with an understanding of the basis of VR & game design, the tools used to create immersive experiences and the basis of how data and information networks operate and are used to solve different types of problems.
• 2 coreclasses that will enable you to start planning and designing your own immersive experiences.
• 4 of our school's ITS or ECT electivesclasses from a variety of topics (at least three electives need to be in the ECT VR & Game Development are) in areas that cover multiple aspects of both fields. In the ECT field you can explore topics such as immersive audio, cineVR, basic and advanced game development or storytelling. In the ITS field you can explore topics such as cybersecurity, Internet of things, cloud engineering or Internet engineering.
• 5 course area of concentration (AoC) sequence. These courses will let you explore opportunities and gain skill sets in other fields you have personal interest in and that will complement your major and professional goals. These courses are selected in coordination with your academic advisor.
• Finally, all of our ECT track in ITS students complete a sequence of non-ITS classesthat allow them to earn a Business Minor and gain foundational expertise in coding, statistics, economics and public speaking.

| 4 introductory classes | 2 core classes | 5 electives | 5 AoC | Other requirements |

The details of our ECT track in ITS undergraduate program and courses are directly available through this link to the entry in the undergraduate catalog.

Admissions Information

Our VR/AR track in ITS has no requirements beyond University admission requirements. If you are interested in transferring to our VR/AR track, please contact our undergraduate director Dr. Charles Linscott or schedule a meeting via Handshake with Success Advisor Tori Swarm. Students need a minimum GPA of 2.5 to transfer into the VR/AR track. To complete this program, students must meet all  University wide graduation requirements and the  College-Level Requirements for the Scripps College of Communication . The major code is BS5400.

Career Opportunities

Information network technology is the lifeblood of modern business. The intersection of networking technology, VR/AR, and business practices encompasses a wide variety of jobs, and ITS graduates can be found in many different roles. The School’s blend of theoretical study, production expertise, and practical experience continues to prove attractive to employers, including Fortune 500 companies, throughout the United States.

The VR and Game Development track in the ITS degree provides career opportunities in a variety of settings.  Major companies operate sophisticated business networks, and ITS graduates manage the operations and security of networks at companies in the insurance, banking, consumer product, industrial, government, and retail sectors. Companies that have hired ITS graduates include Progressive Insurance, Nationwide Insurance, Kroger, Marathon Petroleum, JP Morgan Chase, Cardinal Health, Fifth Third Bank, Xerox, and Abercrombie & Fitch. VR/AR students have gone on to work for Warner Brothers, Sony, Disney, Bethesda, Microsoft, Unity, and many other major tech and entertainment companies. ITS graduates are also employed in branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and in state and federal government offices.

Further, ITS graduates have found employment at major telecommunication and information service providers or vendors such as AT&T, Cincinnati Bell, CenturyLink, Verizon, Sprint, Cisco Systems, Time Warner Telecom, Level 3 Communications, Microsoft, IBM, EMC, Google, PowerNet Global, and XO Communications. Our students have also acquired positions with consulting companies like Accenture, Booz Allen Hamilton, Deloitte, PwC, and Capgemini. When combining VR/AR development skills with a focus on managing and engineering networks, overseeing network security, and selling information and telecommunication products and services, McClure graduates have boundless career opportunities.

The School’s placement rate is among the highest in the Scripps College of Communication. Our graduates enjoy substantial starting salaries.