The College of Information Sciences and Technology, also known as the College of IST at Pennsylvania State University, was established in 1999. Headquartered at the University Park campus in University Park, Pennsylvania, the college's programs are offered at 21 Penn State campus locations. Dr. Andrea Tapia currently serves as the college's dean. The college focuses on the study of issues that exist "at the intersection of information, technology, and society, aiming to prepare leading professionals and scholars who can leverage technology and critical thinking skills to solve the complex challenges of an information society." Work in the college currently focuses on four major areas in education, research, and outreach: data sciences and artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, privacy and security, and social and organizational informatics. The College of IST belongs to a group of i-Schools dedicated to advancing information sciences and informatics. It currently offers six Bachelor of Science degrees; two master's and one doctoral degree at the University Park campus; and several undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates through other Penn State campuses, including Penn State World Campus.
History The School of Information Sciences and Technology was founded in 1997 and approved by the Penn State Board of Trustees in 1998 based on a need perceived by the University and advisors from government and industry for educating students in the emerging fields of information science and technology. The goal was to extend beyond classic computer science, management information systems, and library science to prepare students to meet challenges in the use of computers and networked systems for applications such as intelligent systems, medicine, business, homeland security, environmental monitoring, and control of complex systems. The School was charged with producing graduates who would have basic knowledge of information technologies such as artificial intelligence, computer programming, discrete mathematics, database concepts, human-computer interaction, simulation, and understanding of information system concepts, as well as the capability to work in teams to understand how information technologies can be utilized in real applications involving individuals, organizations, and ultimately national or global enterprises. When it opened in September 1999, the School admitted 105 students, operated 43 courses, and hosted five faculty members. In June 2000, the School offered its first online course. The first class of associate degree students graduated in June 2001, with the first class of doctoral students enrolling in August 2001. The School awarded its first bachelor's degrees to 117 students at the University Park campus in May 2003. The School hosted the first conference of the i-School community in September 2005. The School was renamed as the College of Information Sciences and Technology in 2006 – a designation that signified IST's importance within both the Penn State system and the Commonwealth. The School and then College has coordinated the degree programs in IST across the other Penn State Campuses, allowing students to move between campuses and providing intellectual connections between instructors across the campuses.
Deans Dr. James Thomas (1999-2006) was the founding Dean. Dr. Hank Foley (2007-2009). Dr. David Hall (2009-2014). Dr. Mary Beth Rosson (2014-2016, interim). Dr. Andrew Sears (2016-2023). Dr. Andrea Tapia (2023-present).
Westgate Building (Previously: IST Building) The Westgate Building, formerly known as the Information Sciences and Technology Building, is located on the west campus of The Pennsylvania State University's University Park campus. The building was formally opened in 2004 as the IST Building and became the home to the College of Information Sciences and Technology and the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. The 199,000-square-foot (18,500 m2) building was designed by Rafael Vinoly Architects in New York, New York and Perfido Weiskopf Architects in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The architecture was inspired by the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy. The construction of the building is 199,000-square-foot (18,500 m2) and cost $58.8 million to complete. The building serves as a pedestrian bridge which permits pedestrian and bicycle traffic over Atherton Street. The building houses several classrooms and research laboratories, and collaborative spaces. The largest classroom in the building is the Cybertorium. The Cybertorium seats up to 150 people with stadium seating which faces a large projection screen and a sound system for use by presenters. The IST Building was renamed Westgate Building in 2017.
Undergraduate Education The College of IST offers six bachelor of science degrees, including:
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