The Computer Information Systems major prepares students for careers that integrate state-of-the-art concepts and technologies with a solid foundation in established business computing practice. This combination of disciplines provides students with the skills employers need for maintaining today’s systems as well as the skills required for the development of next-generation systems. Among the positions filled by CIS graduates are Web designer, application developer, network and security specialist, analyst, project manager, user services coordinator, and computer marketing managers. Graduates of the program may also pursue graduate study.
The program is intensely hands-on, as the instructional focus is on building solutions to business problems. Rather than focus on a specific vendor, product, or certification our programs provide students with expertise and understanding in a diverse set of competing products and technologies.
The major offers two tracks. The Web/ Information Systems track allows students to focus on the theory and practice of developing and managing Web applications and information systems in a business environment. Students in this track become proficient in client side (browser), server side, and/or desktop application development tools, techniques and languages. The Networking and Security track allows students to focus on issues in networking (traffic routing and server administration) and security (protecting servers and networks from hackers, examining electronic evidence for inappropriate activity, and preventing information loss due to hacking attacks).
The major encourages students to develop a close working relationship with faculty who are available to help students find their niche. Small class size and a high faculty/student ratio allows us to provide students with exceptional individual attention.
In order to provide students with unfettered access to the latest technology, the CIS department has established relationships with major industry players through the Microsoft Academic Alliance and the IBM Academic Initiative programs. These programs allow us to provide students in the CIS program with a wide range of state of the art software to install on their own computers. These offerings, at no cost to the student, include the latest most up-to-date operating systems such as Windows XP Pro and Windows 2003 Server, server software such as Speech Server and Live Communication Server, development tools such as Microsoft’s Visual Studio .Net and IBM’s Web Sphere Studio, database servers such as Microsoft’s SQL Server and IBM’s DB2, as well as a host of other products such as Visio, Access and Project.
Degree Requirements
In addition to satisfying the University Core Curriculum requirements (WTNG 220 is specified as the second required Writing course), computer information systems majors must complete the mathematics requirement, a set of business courses, nine CIS courses (including an internship) and the requirements of at least one of the two tracks as listed below:
Mathematics Requirement
Successful completion of two courses in Mathematics is required of all majors. Students may select from one of the following sequences:
MATH 120/121 and MATH 122/124 or
MATH 135 and MATH 137 or
MATH 213 and MATH 214
Business Courses
ACCTG 101 Accounting I: Financial
BUSN 100 Enterprise
ECON 101 Principles of Macroeconomics
or
ECON 102 Principles of Microeconomics
CIS Courses
CIS 100 Intro to Personal Computer Hardware
CIS 102 Computer Applications in Business
CIS 200 Digital Thinking: Intro to Programming Logic
CIS 204 Net Programming I
CIS 330 Java 1: Desktop Development
CIS 210 Database Management
CIS 375 Data Communications and Networking
CIS 403 Systems Analysis and Design
CIS 469 Internship
Track Courses (complete all coursework in one track)
Web/Information Systems Track
MRKT 200 Principles of Marketing
MGMT 200 Principles of Management
CIS 101 Intro to Spreadsheets
CIS 206 Computers and the Web I
CIS 310 Client Server Computing
CIS electives (3)
Business Electives (ACCTG, BUSN, FNCE, MGMT or MRKT) (2)
Open electives (3)
Networking and Security Track
CIS 320 Security Techniques
CIS 380 Network Design and Implementation
CIS 420 Computer Forensics
CIS 421 Penetration Testing
COMM 210 Intro to Speech Communication
PHIL 103 Logic or PHIL 203 Symbolic Logic
BUSN 408 Business Ethics or PHIL 200 Ethics
CIS elective (1)
Open electives (5)
The computer information systems minor serves as a value-added component for students whose major is in an area outside CIS. Students gain competence in basic computer packages (spreadsheets, graphics, database, and programming), the elements of business conducted via the Web, and select a subset of the CIS courses that best enhance their education and their professional prospects.
CIS 101 Introduction to Spreadsheets (Excel)
CIS 102 Computer Applications in Business
CIS 206 Computers and the Web: A First Course
Three Computer Information Services (CIS) electives
The eBusiness minor is a hands-on program designed to enhance a student’s ability to express ideas and conduct business using the World Wide Web. Students learn how to combine communications and marketing theory with Web building technology and graphic design principles to create Web sites that engage the visitor and effectively communicate the intended message.
Requirements: Any six of the following:
COMM 101 Introduction to Mass Media
MRKT 200 Marketing Principles
DSGN 100 Introduction to Design Communications
CIS 206 Computers and the Web: A First Course
CIS 306 Computers and the Web: A Second Course
CIS 330 Java I: Desktop Development
CIS/MRKT 360 Marketing on the Web