| The master’s degree program in Information Systems provides advanced
training in systems development methodology and the use of information
technology in enabling organizational transformation and competitive
strategies. Students in this program will become conversant in both new
technologies and business strategies. Future career possibilities include
systems analysts, project leaders, IT consultants, and information
resource managers, who can integrate people, process, and organization to
provide creative information technology solutions.
The program follows a three-phase sequence, with each phase preparing
the student for the subsequent phase. The master’s degree program
consists of:
Upon acceptance into the master’s degree program, the student will
meet with a faculty advisor to discuss required courses for the
Prerequisite Phase. The Prerequisite Phase is intended to ensure that all
students enter graduate courses with an equivalent background. While
completing this phase, a student is considered a conditionally admitted
master’s student. In the Core Knowledge Phase, a student will follow a
sequence of courses to acquire an understanding of the technological and
theoretical foundations for the particular degree. In the Advanced Phase
of the program, the fundamental information learned previously allows a
student to study advanced topics within their chosen degree. This phase
adds depth to the work completed in the Core Knowledge Phase. Individual
interests and needs are also addressed through a series of elective
courses chosen in consultation with the student’s faculty advisor.
Prerequisite Phase
|
The courses in the Prerequisite Phase for the
MS in Information Systems are:
| CSC
215 |
Introduction
to Structured Programming using C++ |
or CSC
225
|
C++
for Programmers
(CSC 225 is equivalent to both CSC 215 and CSC 310.Only
students with experience in programming languages should take this
course.) |
| CSC
240 |
Personal
Computing for Programmers |
| CSC
203 |
COBOL
Programming |
| or CSC
260 |
Client Interface Programming |
| CSC
323 |
Data Analysis and Statistical Software I |
| IS
404 |
Business Fundamentals for IS |
| CSC
415 |
Foundations of Computer Science I |
By taking these courses and receiving a grade of a B- or better in
each, the student will have completed the requirements of the Prerequisite
Phase. All or part of the Prerequisite Phase may be waived if a student
has the equivalent academic background. Alternatively, students with
practical experience may complete a Graduate Assessment Examination (GAE)
to show competency in a prerequisite. All students are blocked from
enrolling in Core Knowledge Phase courses prior to completing their
prerequisites. The student must submit a Change of Status request when the
Prerequisite Phase is completed to inform the Student Services offices
that the block can be removed. The form must be submitted two weeks before
the student intends to register for graduate level classes. The student
will then be considered a fully admitted student, and may pass to the Core
Knowledge Phase of the program. |
Core Knowledge Phase
Core Knowledge Courses.
Students must complete the Prerequisite Phase before beginning the Core
Knowledge Phase. However, while completing the Prerequisite Phase courses,
students may take Core Knowledge Phase courses with consent of their
faculty advisor. Fully admitted students in the Core Knowledge Phase may
register for a maximum of four Advanced Phase courses prior to passing the
Core Knowledge Examination. A student must receive a grade of C- or better
in each of the Core Knowledge Phase courses, and also in subsequent
courses in the degree program. The Core Knowledge Phase courses for the MS
in Information Systems are:
| IS
421 |
Information Systems Analysis |
| IS
422 |
Information Systems Design |
| IS
483 |
Information Systems Management |
Core Knowledge Examination
This examination covers the subject matter of the Core Knowledge Phase
courses. Students take this examination following successful completion of
the Core Knowledge Phase course requirements. The Core Exam is offered
three times during the academic year. Students are allowed at most two
attempts at this examination. Two failures result in dismissal from the
graduate program. Possible grades on the Core Exam are Pass, Fail and Pass
with Distinction. Students who pass the Core Exam with distinction and
maintain a 3.75 grade point average will graduate with distinction. The
student must submit a written application three months before taking the
Core Exam. A student must finish the Prerequisite Phase in order to be
eligible for the Core Exam. There is no charge for the Core Exam. |
Advanced Phase
A student must complete 40 credits (10 courses) in the Advanced Phase
to earn the MS in Information Systems. Students in the Core Knowledge
Phase may register for a maximum of four Advanced Phase courses prior to
passing the Core Knowledge Examination.
Students must complete the following three required courses, and
take IS 577 after completion of the Core Knowledge Phase.
| CSC
449 |
Database Systems |
| TDC
461 |
Basic Communications Systems |
| IS
577 |
Information Technology Policies and Strategies |
Students must also complete three of the following
courses:
| IS
482 |
Legal Aspects of Data Processing |
| IS
511 |
Social Issues of Computing |
| IS
512 |
Groupware and Virtual Collaboration |
| IS
549 |
Data Warehousing and Data Mining |
| IS
553 |
Advanced Topics for System Development |
| IS
554 |
Information Engineering |
| IS
555 |
Design and Strategies for Internet Commerce |
| IS
556 |
Project Management |
| IS
560 |
Enterprise Resource Planning |
| IS
574 |
Decision Support Systems and Executive Information Systems |
| IS
575 |
Information Retrieval |
| IS
578 |
Information Technology Consulting |
| IS
596 |
Topics in Information Systems |
| SE
430 |
Object-Oriented Modeling |
| CSC
457 |
Expert Systems |
| TDC
572 |
Network Security |
| IS
690 |
Research Seminar |
| IS
696 |
Master’s Project |
| IS
698 |
Master’s Thesis |
Students must also choose two courses from one of the following
areas in consultation with their faculty advisor:
|
Communications |
|
Computer Vision/Graphics |
|
Database Systems |
|
Distributed Systems |
|
Human-Computer Interaction |
|
Software Engineering |
Two elective courses must also be completed. See elective course
restrictions below. |
Elective Course Restrictions
Elective courses are in the range of 420-699 and must be from the
school of CTI. Credit for courses taken outside of the school will only be
given if approved by a faculty advisor. Courses suggested for any
Prerequisite Phase in any concentration do not count for elective credit.
Any course required for the student’s concentration but taken as part of
the requirements of another degree earned by the student may be waived,
but cannot be used for elective credit.
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