Skills and Perspectives for the Digital World, Cognate - CEPS, UNH

Undergraduate

Skills and Perspectives for the Digital World

Develop essential skills across multiple areas of information technology—from digital systems and data analysis to critical thinking and problem-solving in tech environments.
2026
Degree
Cognate
Location
Durham, NH
Courses
3
Credit
12 hrs.
Full-time
Varies
Part-time
Varies
Students working together at a computer

COmputer Science

The Skills and Perspectives for the Digital World cognate at UNH offers a comprehensive foundation in digital literacy and technical proficiency for today's technology-driven world. Here you'll be able to develop essential skills across multiple areas of information technology—from digital systems and data analysis to critical thinking and problem-solving in tech environments. 

With a focus on integrating cutting-edge digital tools with real-world applications, hands-on projects, and industry-relevant experiences, this program prepares you for success across any career path in our increasingly digital workplace.

Computer Science Department

Why pursue a cognate in skills and perspectives for the digital world?

This interdisciplinary cognate will allow you to engage with and reflect on the technology associated with the digital world. You’ll receive a foundation in technical and critical skills aligned with one of the 21st century’s defining areas: information technology. A recent statement by General Electric’s CEO asserts that if you join the company today, as opposed to 20 years ago, you’re going to learn to code even if you are in sales, finance or operations. This cognate gives students and future employees a fundamental introduction into technologies that are necessary for high functioning in today’s world, both in the workplace and beyond.

Why pursue this cognate in skills and perspectives for the digital world at UNH?

The skills and perspectives for the digital world cognate allows students who are interested in exploring the digital world to receive recognition of their work on their transcript. This interdisciplinary cognate combines courses from the computer science, anthropology, women’s studies and English departments. The curriculum consists of coursework to strengthen understanding of the technologies that drive the World Wide Web, to explore computer programming, to consider the impact of the technologies on society. This program gives you a way to develop wide-ranging and adaptable professional skills while pursuing a different major.

Potential career areas

  • Business management
  • Database administration
  • Librarian
  • Marketing
  • Public relations
  • Social media
  • Technology writing
  • Web content
  • Web design

Curriculum & Requirements

01
Program Description
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Engage with and reflect on the technology associated with the digital world. This cognate provides a foundation for the development of technical and critical skills aligned with one of the 21st century’s defining areas: information technology. A recent statement by General Electric’s CEO asserts that if you join the company today, as opposed to 20 years ago, you’re going to learn to code even though you may be in sales, finance or operations. This cognate gives students and future employees a fundamental introduction into technologies that are necessary for high functioning in today’s world, both in the workplace and beyond.

The curriculum consists of coursework designed to strengthen understanding of the technologies that drive the World Wide Web, explore computer programming, and consider the impact of the technologies on society.

02
Requirements for the Program
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Credit toward the cognate will only be given for courses passed with C- or better, and a 2.00 grade-point average must be maintained in courses for the cognate. Courses taken on a pass/fail basis may not be used for the cognate. 

Students need to complete a certification of completion of cognate form at the beginning of their final semester.  

Required Courses
IT 403Introduction to Internet Technologies4
CS 410CIntroduction to Scientific Programming/C4
or CS 410P Introduction to Scientific Programming/Python
CS 408Living in a Networked World: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly4
Total Credits12