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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:
Concentration options:
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 either in
the standard program or in one of the
IS concentrations. 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.
Grade and GPA requirements
Grades: Students must receive a grade of B- or better in each
prerequisite course and a C- or better in all other courses.
GPA: Students must maintain a graduate level GPA of
2.50 or higher while pursuing their degree. Students will not be
approved for graduation with less than a 2.50 GPA. Students with a GPA
of 3.75 or higher and a designation of distinction on at least two core
examinations and no failed core examination will graduate with
distinction. Prerequisite Phase
The courses in the Prerequisite Phase for the MS in Information
Systems are:
- CSC 211 Programming in Java I
- and CSC 212 Programming in Java II
- or CSC 224 Java for Programmers
- CSC 323 Data Analysis
- CSC 336 User Interface Development
- or ECT 270 The Internet and the Web
- ECT 353 Server Side Web Application Development
CSC 224 is equivalent to both CSC 211 and CSC 212. Only
students with experience in programming languages should take CSC
224.
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 an online Change of Status request when the
Prerequisite Phase is completed to inform the Student Services offices that the block
can be removed. The online request 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 Graduate Phase
of the program. Students may submit the Change of Status request by
logging in to MyCTI.
Core Knowledge Phase
Core Knowledge Courses
Fully admitted students in the Core Knowledge phase may register for
a maximum of four Advanced phase courses. 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 Services and Operations
Core Knowledge Examination
These examinations cover the subject matter of the Core Knowledge
Phase courses. Students have the option of taking one, two, or three
core exams at one time after completion of the applicable course or
courses. Possible grades on the Core Examinations are; Pass with
Distinction, Pass, and Fail. Students are allowed at most two attempts
at each exam. Two failures on one exam results in dismissal from the
graduate program.
To be eligible for core exam application, a student must have completed all prerequisite courses or be registered for the final prerequisite course in the quarter before the core exam for which the student is applying.
Additionally, a student must successfully complete all prerequisite courses (B- or better required) before being allowed to sit for any core exam.
Failure to successfully complete a core class (grade of C- or better required) may result in an administrative cancellation of the student's core exam(s).
Advanced Phase
The Advanced Phase consists of ten courses. The student can
elect the standard program or one of the
IS concentrations during the advanced
phase. The standard program provides students flexibility to
experience a wide range of coursework. The student may also choose one
of six concentrations for course work during the Advanced Phase.
Standard Program
This option provides the greatest flexibility for course selection.
In this program, the students must complete the following three
required courses, and take IS 577 near the end of their studies.
- CSC 449 Database Technologies
- IS 577 Information Systems Capstone
- TDC 425 Voice/Data Network Fundamentals
Students must also complete three of the following
courses:
- CSC 457 Expert Systems
- ECT 455 E-Commerce Web Site Engineering
- IS 450 Enterprise System Implementation.
- IS 511 Social Issues of Computing
- IS 512 Collaborative Technologies for Leading Projects
- IS 540 Global Information Technology
- IS 549 Data Warehousing and Data Mining
- IS 553 Advanced Topics for Systems Development
- IS 556 Enterprise Project Management
- IS 560 Enterprise Systems
- IS 574 Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems
- IS 578 Information Technology Consulting
- IS 596 Topics in Information Systems
- IS 690 Research Seminar
- IS 696 Master's Project
- IS 698 Master's Thesis
- SE 430 Object Oriented Modeling
- TDC 572 Network Security
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
E Commerce Technology
Human-Computer Interaction
Software Engineering
Two elective courses must also be completed (CTI courses in
the range of 420-699)
Information System Concentrations
E-Commerce Technology Concentration
Students will acquire a broad set of skills in developing
E-Commerce technological solutions that supports consumer-oriented
online retailing, intranets, and extranets. All these courses
provide knowledge in business strategies and hands-on development
experiences in different tools and technologies. Additional
skills in database, interface design, networking, and E-Commerce
team management will prepare students to lead firms' e-commerce
strategy and application development. A separate
M.S. degree
program in E-Commerce Technology is also available.
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- CSC 449 Database Technologies
- DS 425 Distributed Systems Fundamentals
- ECT 441 Usability Issues for Electronic Commerce
- ECT 455 E-Commerce Web Site Engineering
- ECT 480 Intranets and Portals
- ECT 481 Internet Supply Chain Management
- ECT 589 E-Commerce Technology Capstone
- TDC 425 Voice/Data Network Fundamentals
Two elective courses must also be completed. See elective
course restrictions below.
Systems Development Concentration
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Systems developers are using new tools and methods in developing
applications. Object oriented modeling, workflow and
organization modeling, process modeling, and data modeling, CASE
technology, are part of the tools and techniques for modern systems
development. Developers also need to be conversant in project
management, Internet applications, and networked enterprise
management skills in order to fulfill the dual roles of new
application developer and system integrator. |
- CSC 449 Database Technologies
- ECT 455 E-Commerce Web Site Engineering
- IS 553 Advanced Topics for Systems Development
- IS 556 Enterprise Project Management
- IS 577 Information Systems Capstone
- SE 430 Object Oriented Modeling
- TDC 425 Voice/Data Network Fundamentals
Three elective courses must also be completed. See elective
course restrictions below.
Databases and Data Mining Concentration
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This concentration prepares students in the areas of design and
implementation of databases and the management of data for knowledge
discovery purposes. Students will acquire a broad set of skills in
developing database applications, consolidating data from many
sources, and analyzing data using a variety of sophisticated tools
and techniques. From a business perspective, the goal of data mining
and data warehousing is to gain strategic insights from databases by
identifying relationships and trends that are not otherwise
apparent. Information System professionals who understand how to use
databases in business applications, who are capable of applying data
warehousing concepts effectively, who have broad knowledge and
familiarity with data mining tools, and who are capable of designing
decision support systems are in demand to fill positions as database
designers, as well as data mining and data warehousing analysts.
Such positions frequently occur in business environments, as well as
social and governmental agencies |
- CSC 423 Data Analysis and Regression
- CSC 449 Database Technologies
- CSC 451 Database Design
- CSC 452 Database Programming
- ECT 480 Intranets and Portals
- or ECT 584 Web Data Mining for Business Intelligence
- IS 567 Knowledge Discovery Technologies
- IS 577 Information Systems Capstone
Three elective courses must also be completed. See elective
course restrictions below.
IT Project Management Concentration
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IT project managers are experienced systems analysts who have
in-depth knowledge of business practices, system development
methodologies, project risk management and project control
mechanisms, and a broad range of current technologies. As team
leaders, project managers must understand organizational dynamics,
and be skilled in dealing with users, vendors, consulting firms, and
internal management. Since the systems they install are often
the catalysts for major organizational change, project managers must
understand the process of managing technologically triggered change
within organizations. |
- CSC 449 Database Technologies
- ECT 455 E-Commerce Web Site Engineering
- IS 450 Enterprise System Implementation.
- IS 556 Enterprise Project Management
- IS 560 Enterprise Systems
- or IS 578 Information Technology Consulting
- IS 577 Information Systems Capstone
- TDC 425 Voice/Data Network Fundamentals
Three elective courses must also be completed. See elective
course restrictions below.
Collaborative Technologies Concentration
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This concentration prepares students for the management of
virtual teams and the management of technology that supports virtual
teams, analysis and design of virtual systems, and using
collaboration technologies to undertake organizational or systems
development projects. Students with this skill set
may work as analysts and designers for virtual work process
environments, as BPR and CRM change agents with firms who use
collaborative technology to support the change process, and as
consultant for firms who employ virtual work or virtual teaming
environments. |
- CSC 449 Database Technologies
- IS 450 Enterprise System Implementation.
- IS 512 Collaborative Technologies for Leading Projects
- IS 540 Global Information Technology
- or IS 596 Topics in Information Systems
- IS 574 Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems
- IS 577 Information Systems Capstone
- TDC 425 Voice/Data Network Fundamentals
Three elective courses must also be completed. See elective
course restrictions below.
Networking Concentration
This concentration prepares students interested in an IS career
with a focus on networked information systems. The combination
of courses will provide the student with both solid IS management
skills as well as technical hands-on TDC experience. Students
are prepared to work for organizations that are heavily networked
and require business or systems analysts who are deeply conversant
in network technologies or to manage IS shops where a large
component of the IS technology is network technology. |
- ECT 455 E-Commerce Web Site Engineering
- or IS 540 Global Information Technology
- IS 577 Information Systems Capstone
- TDC 461 Basic Communication Systems
- TDC 463 Computer Networks and Data Systems
- TDC 511 Telecommunications Practicum
- TDC 564 Local Area Networks
- TDC 567 Telecommunication Systems Design and Management
Three 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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