Mission Statement

The Computer Information Systems and Management Science program prepares students for careers in designing, developing, implementing, and managing information systems. The field of CIS, using the latest computer-based technology, centers on significant problems in organizing, representing and manipulating data, information and knowledge.
Students majoring in CIS will have the opportunity to study a variety of programming languages, internet technologies, object-oriented concepts, database design, computer security, networking, telecommunications, and mathematical modeling. The course work focuses on business applications and analysis. Students are offered the opportunity to gain practical technical experience through internships and co-op programs.
The CIS & MS faculty use a variety of teaching methods including lectures, cases, projects, and business simulations to prepare graduates with strong technical, analytic, and problem-solving skills, effective communication and presentation skills, hands-on experience, and the ability to work effectively in individual and team-oriented environments.

Objectives

Students will demonstrate proficiency in the programming of object-oriented, event-driven, database-enabled applications with graphical user interfaces in at least two modern programming languages. Programming proficiency will include conceptual design, elegant and efficient coding, complete testing and debugging, and meaningful documentation.
Students will demonstrate understanding of database concepts and proficiency in developing effective data models, designing and implementing relational databases, and manipulating data using structured query language.
Students will demonstrate the ability to use appropriate systems analysis and design tools and techniques.
Students will understand the concept of systems life cycle and the importance of involving users in systems design.
Students will demonstrate proficiency in understanding system architectures, including hardware components, operating systems, data representations, administration, and performance monitoring. Demonstration of this proficiency will include conceptual knowledge and practical applications. Students will demonstrate advanced proficiency in using at least one software application.
Students will demonstrate proficiency in understanding technical fundamentals of telecommunications, data, and voice communications, with particular focus on communications networks and transmission media. Students will gain in-depth experience of networking and telecommunications fundamentals including local area networks, metropolitan area networks, wide area networks, intranets, the Internet, and the World Wide Web. Students will practice the installation, configuration, systems integration, and management of infrastructure technologies in hands-on lab sessions.
Students will demonstrate the communication, interpersonal relationship, management, problem solving, and professional skills needed to effectively complete assignments independently and in groups.

Career Opportunities

Consultant
Information systems manager
Software engineer
Systems analyst
Web developer

Co-curricular Activities and Organizations

Association of Information Technology Professionals

Degree and Major Requirements

Bachelor of Business Administration in Computer Information Systems

The B.B.A. in computer information systems requires a minimum of 123 credit hours of undergraduate work. Sixty credit hours must be taken outside the College of Business. In counting the 60 credit hours of non-business courses, B.B.A. students may include all hours taken in General Education (usually 41-44), up to a total of nine hours in economics (GECON courses must be counted as economics) and three hours of COB 191, Business and Economic Statistics. The remaining hours must be taken from any department outside the College of Business. Students should carefully select these non-business electives to help them gain additional knowledge and expertise for their careers and personal lives. The credit hour requirements for each of the program components are listed below.

Degree Requirements

	Credit Hours
B.B.A. core courses ¹	39
CIS major requirements	28
General Education courses ²	44
Non-business electives	12-15

	123-126

1 Assumes that MATH 205 and GECON 200 are taken as General Education courses.
2 The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. The number of credit hours necessary to fulfill these requirements may vary.

Major Requirements

Core Courses	Credit Hours
CIS 221. Introduction to Computer Programming	3
CIS 301. Information Technology Tools and Methods	1
CIS 304. Information Technology	3
CIS 320. Telecommunications and Information Processing	3
CIS 331. Intermediate Computer Programming	3
CIS 430. Database Design and Application	3
CIS 454. Systems Analysis and Design	3
CIS 484. Advanced Computer Programming	3
Two computer information systems electives	6

	28

Computer Information Systems Electives	Credit Hours
CIS 324. COBOL Programming	3
CIS 344. C Programming	3
CIS 354. Advanced Visual BASIC Programming	3
CIS 364. Decision Support Systems	3
CIS 366. Web Development	3
CIS/MKTG 370. Electronic Commerce	3
CIS 383. Introduction to UNIX and PERL	3
CIS 404. Advanced Computer Information Systems	3
CIS 420. Computer-Based Networking	3
CIS 424. Computer Security Management	3
CIS 466. Advanced Web Development	3
CIS 498. Special Topics in Computer Information Systems	3

Concentrations

Concentration in Cooperative Education

Dr. Donald L. Musselman, Coordinator

The cooperative education concentration in CIS & MS offers highly qualified undergraduate majors the opportunity to participate in a six- to eight-month professional experience with well-recognized industry leaders in information technology and operations. Students will be awarded 12 hours of academic credit that will substitute for two required courses in the CIS & MS curriculum and for six credits of special topics (CIS 498 or MS 498). Substitution for the two specific courses will be made based on the structure and context of the co-op experience and in cooperation with the co-op firm. Students must demonstrate competency via examination in the two required courses selected in order to receive credit in those courses. Students who have at least a 3.0 grade point average, are majors in CIS and have fulfilled all of their COB core requirements (except COB 487. Strategic Management) are eligible to apply on a competitive basis through the CIS & MS office.
Students who want to participate in a co-op program must apply both to the CIS/MS program office and the participating firm at least three months in advance of the start of the co-op. Co-ops typically begin in January or May and last six to eight months. Course substitutions must be approved in conjunction with the co-op coordinator in the CIS/MS office and the co-op coordinator in the firm.
A program of study must be placed on file for each student who is accepted for a co-op prior to beginning the co-op experience. Students may participate in a co-op during their junior or senior years, but they are limited to one co-op. Students who want to participate in a co-op as postgraduates may do so as special students. These students will receive a certificate on successful completion of the co-op experience. Prerequisite: CIS majors with junior standing and a minimum 3.0 grade point average.

Minor Requirements

Computer Information Systems Minor

Required Courses	Credit Hours
COB 204. Introduction to Information Systems	3
CIS 221. Introduction to Programming	3
CIS 304. Information Technology	3
CIS 430. Database Design and Application	3
CIS elective	3

	18

Management Science Minor

Dr. Scott P. Stevens, Coordinator

The minor in management science is a general quantitative methods in business minor designed to meet the needs of non-CIS majors who have an interest in applied quantitative approaches to improve decision making in a business environment. The minor consists of 9 credit hours of required course work and 9 credit hours of elective course work selected from those regularly offered by the CIS & MS program.

Required Courses	Credit Hours
COB 191. Business and Economic Statistics	3
COB 291. Introduction to Management Science	3
CIS 221. Introduction to Programming	3
Electives (choose three of the following):	3
MS 363. Simulation	3
MS 391. Selected Topics in Management Science	3
MS 393. Data Analysis and Experimental Design in Business Applications	3
MS 483. Strategic Decision Making	3

	18

Recommended Schedule for Majors

Computer information systems majors should follow the course schedule described here to complete the final two years of their program. It is possible to deviate from this program, but care must be taken to ensure that all course prerequisites are met.

First Two Years

Students normally take the 29- to 30-hour lower-division B.B.A. core curriculum along with most of the General Education curriculum. All lower-division core requirements must be completed before enrolling in the upper-division core courses.

Third Year

First Semester	Credit Hours
COB 300A. Integrated Functional Systems: Management	3
COB 300B. Integrated Functional Systems: Finance	3
COB 300C. Integrated Functional Systems: Operations	3
COB 300D. Integrated Functional Systems: Marketing	3
CIS 221. Introduction to Information Technology (if not previously completed)	3

	15

Second Semester	Credit Hours
CIS 301. Information Technology Tools and Methods	1
CIS 304. Information Technology	3
CIS 320. Telecommunications and Information Processing	3
Two General Education electives	6

	13

Fourth Year

First Semester	Credit Hours
CIS 331. Intermediate Computer Programming	3
CIS 430. Database Design and Application	3
CIS 454. Systems Analysis and Design	3
One Computer Information Systems elective	3
One General Education or non-business electives	3

	15

Second Semester	Credit Hours
COB 487. Strategic Management	3
One Information Technology elective	3
CIS 484. Advanced Computer Programming	3
Two General Education or non-business electives	6

	15

Program of Computer Information Systems and Management Science

Dr. Richard G. Mathieu, Head

Mission Statement

Objectives

Career Opportunities

Co-curricular Activities and Organizations

Degree and Major Requirements

Bachelor of Business Administration in Computer Information Systems

Degree Requirements

Major Requirements

Concentrations

Concentration in Cooperative Education

Dr. Donald L. Musselman, Coordinator

Minor Requirements

Computer Information Systems Minor

Management Science Minor

Dr. Scott P. Stevens, Coordinator

Recommended Schedule for Majors

First Two Years

Third Year

Fourth Year

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