2025-2026 Academic Catalog
Welcome to Virginia Tech! We are excited that you are here planning your time as a Hokie.
Welcome to Virginia Tech! We are excited that you are here planning your time as a Hokie.
The Department of Business Information Technology offers an undergraduate major in business information technology with options in computer-based decision support systems, operations and supply chain management, and cybersecurity management and analytics. The department also offers and staffs business courses such as business analytics and modeling, systems analysis, database management, and data governance, privacy and ethics. Specific Business Information Technology (BIT) courses are listed below.
The department participates in the Cooperative Education Program in which qualified students may alternate semesters of study with semesters of professional employment.
The curriculum in business information technology is designed to provide the student with expertise in the quantitative and technological aspects of management, specifically the extensive use of computers for solving business problems and making managerial decisions. The name business information technology implies the application of scientific principles and techniques, mathematics, and computing to the management function with the objective of increased efficiency and productivity. Thus, the student of business information technology not only learns various quantitative techniques and models to apply to managerial problems, but also a logical and scientific approach to managerial decision-making. The curriculum provides training both for individuals interested in pursuing careers in business or government and for individuals interested in pursuing graduate or professional degrees. Students majoring in business information technology may choose one of three options reflecting their particular career objectives and interests.
This option educates the student in the design, implementation, and use of computerized information systems, decision support systems, and artificial intelligence to support contemporary business managers in the decision-making process. Special emphasis is placed on increased productivity and effectiveness through the use of models, quantitative data, and analytics embedded within a computerized decision support system. Graduates of this program will be prepared to pursue careers in business and industry where information technology, data analytics and computer-aided decision-making is an essential component of the managerial function.
This option educates students in the management of activities directly related to the creation and distribution of goods and services. The curriculum of Option II is designed to provide students with expertise in the planning and control of business processes within a firm and across its global supply chain. Emphasis is placed on applying IT, analytics and process analysis skills to improve the quality and productivity of business firms and their supply chain partners. Graduates of this program will be prepared to pursue careers as operations managers, business process managers, project managers, supply chain analysts, and quality, logistics, inventory or procurement managers in business, industry, and government.
This option emphasizes business processes and data analytics as applied to cybersecurity management. BIT-Cyber students will gain proficiency in the business management of cybersecurity within an organization, including knowledge management, setting cyber policies, risk management, incident business response, using data to understand attacks on business assets, and overall management of the cybersecurity function within a business. Graduates of the program will be prepared for jobs as analysts, auditors, managers and planners within the cybersecurity function.
Head: Q.J. Nottingham
Arthur Andersen & Co Alumni Professor: A. Wang
R. B. Pamplin Professor of Management Science: C.W. Zobel
Sonny Merryman Professor of Business Information Technology: L.Z. Khansa
Suzanne Parker Thornhill Professor of Business Information Technology: P.B. Lowry
Verizon Professor of Business Information Technology: V. Venkatesh
Professors: P. Ghandforoush, T.L. James, R.S. Russell, A.O. Vance, A.G. Wang
Associate Professors: A.S. Abrahams, I. Adjerid, J.K. Deane, B.J. Hoopes, Q.J. Nottingham, O. Seref
Assistant Professors: R. Aljafari, M.M. Gordon, A.Jang, J. Liu V. Mindel and W. Shen
Collegiate Professor: M.M.H. Seref, D.G. Simpson
Collegiate Associate Professor: A .Arnette, W.H. Baker, , J.M. Teets
Collegiate Assistant Professor: H. Zhang
Associate Professor of Practice: B.M. Fraticelli, J. Sudweeks
Assistant Professors of Practice: M. Flora, J.D. Kern, J.W. Monday, R. Raman, D.C. Simundza
Senior Instructor: L.L. Clark
Assistant Director of BIT-Cyber Program in Northern Virginia: K. Wrightsman
Career Advisor: Q.J. Nottingham (540-231-6596)
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