Adult Degree: Business & Information Technology

The Business & Information Technology track provides students with the key skills and knowledge to master the basics of computer systems and applications that support businesses. This track introduces students to database design and analysis, web systems development, and computer systems security issues and solutions.

Course Descriptions

Required Courses

CIS 204: Computer Information Systems Fundamentals for Non-Business Majors

An introduction to computer-based information systems. Emphasis is placed on the role of computers in organizations and society, computer hardware and software, uses of information systems, computer ethics, and collaboration using computers. Students will use typical business applications. This course is designed to fulfill requirements for the General Business minor. This course may NOT be substituted for COB 204 by business majors or CIS minors. Not open to business majors.

CIS 311: Analyzing Data in Organizations

This course provides an overview of how to work with databases and other data sources in order to access relevant information in a timely and user- friendly manner. It includes discussions of a variety of data representation types, including relational databases, XML documents and cloud data. Students learn essential database concepts and gain practical experience in querying, reporting, and analyzing data. Prerequisite: CIS 204 or equivalent knowledge (instructor permission is needed). Open only to Adult Degree Program students.

CIS 312: Systems Planning & Analysis

Information systems couple both technical (hardware, software, database, telecom) and socio-organizational (business processes, ethics, knowledge, users, developers) subsystems to create rich and available information for the purpose of optimizing business decisions. This course covers the techniques and common tools employed for planning and analyzing these systems. Emphasis will be placed on the system development life cycle, planning and analysis tools, and professional business writing. Prerequisite: CIS 204 or equivalent knowledge (instructor permission is needed). Open only to Adult Degree Program students.

CIS 313: Designing for the Web

This course is an introduction to the design and development of web pages and web sites. Major topics to be covered include: Hypertext Markup Language (HTML5), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), the principles of design for user experience, responsive design, and JavaScript. Prerequisite: CIS 204 or equivalent. Not open to CIS majors or minors.

Select from 2 courses/6 credits

LTLE 370: Instructional Technology

Principles and procedures of a teaching/learning process designed to provide reliable, effective instruction to learners through systematic application of instructional technology. Includes selecting, producing, evaluating and utilizing nonprint media and equipment for application to instructional process.

LTLE 372: Visual Literacy

This foundational course will cultivate the ability to evaluate and create conceptual visual representations. Students will practice the necessary critical attitude, principles, tools and feedback to develop their own high- quality graphics for learning and performance. Topics also include the impact of visual literacy on the learning process related to instructional design, instructional technology, and information presentation.

LTLE 385: Foundations of Instructional Design

This course provides the basic skill level for students in the area of performance analysis and subsequent assessment. Particular emphasis is placed on actual analysis and assessment situations with application to program and curricular design.

IS 300: Sponsored Learning

A structured learning activity related to a student’s area of study and sponsored by an employer, volunteer agency, or other appropriate organization. 1-6 credits.

WRTC 332: Creative Approaches to Digital Storytelling

This course introduces students to the history and methods of digital storytelling and provides them with the opportunity to critically evaluate a range of digital stories and to develop their own digital storytelling projects. Digital stories are narratives that are composed in digital environments using sound, audio, still images, video, and interactive elements like maps, charts and timelines. By the end of the course, students will be able to adapt digital storytelling techniques to suit a variety of genres and audiences. Throughout the course, students learn to assess digital storytelling artifacts, such as short video documentaries and mixed media narratives, and their usefulness for particular audiences and contexts. In addition to these digital composing techniques, students learn to assess and use a variety of online platforms where digital stories can be published, critique and improve their own and others’ work, collaborate with others and create digital storytelling artifacts for clients. Prerequisite: WRTC 200 and WRTC 201 or permission of instructor