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APPLIED BUSINESS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (ABIT)

The BAS in Applied Business and Information Technology (ABIT) program offers a unique hybrid degree that emphasizes business, entrepreneurship and technology skills. Upon completion of the ABIT program many students apply for graduate programs, launch an entrepreneurial start-up, or accept employment in a small to large-sized company. It can be completed in 4 years* (8 full-time semesters).

DEGREES THAT CAN BE EARNED

Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) Degree

*Program length depends on student placement and credit load.

Program Mission

The Applied Business & Information Technology (ABIT) program, leading to a baccalaureate degree, offers options to students seeking preparation in small to mid-sized business management, information technology, and related or integrated career opportunities. The mission of the program is to prepare graduates to be productive professionals who can make responsible business decisions and use information technology wisely in a changing world. The curriculum emphasizes business and stresses the effective use of information technology. The program also includes a strong interdisciplinary liberal arts program with courses in the humanities, social sciences, English, communication, and mathematics.

Although this degree can be earned in four years taking 15-17 credits per semester, students taking a lighter load will take longer to complete the requirements. Students interested in the ABIT program are encouraged to contact the ABIT counselor, program coordinator, or faculty member about program requirements.

Only courses numbered 100 or above, and taken with a letter grade, may be applied to the ABIT degree; and for upper division courses only those with a grade C or better may be applied.

Contact program coordinator, Dr. Debasis Bhattacharya, at 984-3619 or by email at debasisb@hawaii.edu for more information.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the ABIT Program, the student should be able to:

  • 1.1 Demonstrate in written or oral form appropriate knowledge of the principles of the essential business disciplines of accounting, economics, finance, law, management, and marketing.
  • 1.2 Apply knowledge of essential business disciplines and use business research methods to analyze information in order to develop solid business plans and strategies, and make effective and efficient business decisions.
  • 1.3 Use leadership and interpersonal skills to promote business ethics, values, and integrity related to professional activities and personal relationships.
  • 2.1 Demonstrate in written or oral form appropriate knowledge of the principles of computer literacy, computer troubleshooting, networking, computer applications and e-commerce.
  • 2.2 Utilize technological tools (e.g., the internet) to conduct business-related research.
  • 2.3 Demonstrate knowledge of operating system, database, word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and web development applications by designing, creating, viewing, saving, retrieving and editing appropriate files.
  • 2.4 Apply knowledge of Graphical User Interface (GUI) and Event-Driven Programming (EDP) to designing, creating, and testing computer programs.
  • 2.5 Apply knowledge of E-commerce by designing, creating, and testing appropriate E-commerce sites using development tools.
  • 3.1 Apply critical thinking skills to evaluate information, solve problems, and make decisions.
  • 3.2 Use information retrieval and technology.
  • 3.3 Apply quantitative reasoning to enhance independent or group decision-making skills.
  • 3.4 Communicate effectively with others utilizing appropriate forms of oral communication methods including multimedia presentations that applying information technologies and serve particular audiences and purposes.
  • 3.5 Demonstrate an appropriate level of written communication.

Lower division requirements for ABIT Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) Degree: 62-63 credits

A student may apply for admission as a classified ABIT major upon successful completion of the following three admission requirements: ENG 100, ICS 101 or BUSN 150, and MATH 103 (all with a grade C or better).

Full-time lower division students would take courses in this sequence:

Freshman Year (Fall)
ECON 131 Principals of Economics: Macroeconomics
ICS 101 or BUSN 150 Intro to Computing
HIST 152 World Civilizations II
ENG 100 Composition I
MATH 103 College Algebra
Total
Credits
3
3
3
3
3
15
Freshman Year (Spring)
ECON 130 Principal of Economics: Microeconomics
PSY 100 or SOC 100
Hawaiian emphasis course
ENG 209 Business & Managerial Writing
MATH 135 Pre-Calculus: Elementary Functions
Total
Credits
3
3
3
3
3
15
Sophomore Year (Fall)
ACC 201 Financial Accounting
ICS 110 Intro to Computer Programming
SP 251 or equivalent oral communication course
MATH 115 Statistics
Natural Science elective with lab
Total
Credits
3
3
3
3
4
16
Sophomore Year (Spring)
ACC 202 Managerial Accounting
BLAW 200 Legal Environment of Business
ICS 111 Intro to Computer Science
ICS 200 Web Technology
MATH 203 or 205 Business/regular Calculus
Total
Credits
3
3
4
3
3-4
16-17

*Note: Students completing these 62-63 credits are encouraged to apply for the AAS in Business Careers Option III, after also completing BUS 120

Upper division requirements for ABIT Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) Degree: 60 credits

Accounting 300(3)
Business 310(3), 311(3), 320(3), 393v(3), 495(3), 496(3)
Communication 459(3)
ICS 319(3), 352(3), 360(3), 385(3), 418(3)
Humanities 400
Management 310(3)
Marketing 300(3), 400(3)
Philosophy 301(3) or 323(3)
English 316(3)

Full-time upper division students would take courses in this sequence:

Junior Year (Fall)
ACC 300 Intermediate Financial Acct I
ICS 319 Operating Systems
ICS 352 Networks and Security
MGT 310 Principles of Management
MKT 300 Principles of Marketing
Total
Credits
3
3
3
3
3
15
Junior Year (Spring)
BUS 318 Principles of Finance
BUS 320 Entrepreneurship
ICS 360 Database Design and Development
ICS 385 Web Development and Administration
ENG 316 Advanced Research & Writing
Total
Credits
3
3
3
3
3
15
Senior Year (Fall)
BUS 310 Statistical Analysis for Business Decisions
BUS 495 ABIT Capstone I
ICS 418 Systems Analysis and Design
MKT 400 Digital Marketing
HUM 400 Changes and Choices
Total
Credits
3
3
3
3
3
15
Senior Year (Spring)
FIN 311 Investments
BUS 393v Cooperative Education project
BUS 496 ABIT Capstone II
PHIL 301 Ethical Theory or PHIL 323 Professional Ethics
COM 459 Intercultural Communication II
Total
Credits
3
3
3
3
3
15

ABIT Graduation Requirements

1. Pre-ABIT: 9 credits
Completion of pre-ABIT courses as outlined in (a) above.

2. Business Core: 39 credits
ACC 201, 202, 300; BLAW 200; BUS 310, 311, 318, 320; ECON 130, 131; MGT 310; and MKT 300, 400.

3. Information Technology Core: 25 credits
ICS 110, 111, 200, 319, 352, 360, 385, and 418.

4. General Education: 36 credits
COM 459; ENG 209, 316; Hawaiian Emphasis; HIST 152; HUM 400; MATH 115, 135, 203 or 205; PHIL 301 or 323; PSY 100 or SOC 100; SP 251 or equivalent oral communication.

5. Required Coop Project: 3 credits
A 3-credit BUS 393v cooperative ed project is required.

6. Capstone Course: 6 credits
BUS 495 and 496 to be taken the last year with approval of the ABIT Committee.

7. Natural Science: 4 credits
Four credits including a lab.

8. Writing Intensive: 15 credits
Minimum of 15 credits of writing intensive courses at the 100-level or higher; at least 6 credits in 100-299 level courses; and at least 6 credits in 300-level or higher.

9. Minimum of 122 non-repeated qualifying credit hours: ABIT majors are required to earn a letter grade (e.g., A,B,C, etc.) in all upper division courses required for the ABIT program.

10. Grade Point Average:
At least a 2.0 UH Maui College cumulative GPA, as well as a 2.5 GPA in courses required for the ABIT major. Grade C or better is required in all upper division courses applied to the ABIT degree.

11. Graduation Requirement:
To be awarded the BAS degree, students must complete an Application for Graduation form obtained from Student Services. See Academic Calendar for deadline.

12. Residency Requirement:
A minimum of 30 credit hours must be taken at UH Maui College and a minimum of 8 upper division courses (24 credits) in Business or Information Technology including the Capstone course.