Transition Plan - M.S. in Information System

There has been a substantial reorganization of the MS-IS program for the 2004-05 academic year. The previous concentration-based program has been changed to a competency-based modular structure. The newer curriculum allows more flexibility and incorporates new skill sets.

If you entered the MS-IS program on an earlier curriculum, you can stay with that curriculum or you can switch to the newer curriculum. You will be able to complete the older curriculum without difficulty. However, because of changes to the required courses, you must complete the IS 421-422-483 sequence and take the core exam by June, 2005. (See below for more details.)

Switching to the 2004-05 MS-IS curriculum

If you switch to the 2004-05 curriculum, you must meet the new degree requirements. Courses you have already taken will count toward those requirements.

If you have completed the prerequisite phase already, then you do not need to worry about the prerequisite phase of the new curriculum. If you are still in the prerequisite phase, follow this plan:

To meet the foundation phase requirements of the new curriculum, follow this plan:

In other words, if you have already taken a course in the left column, then the corresponding new requirement from the right column is satisfied. If you have not yet taken one of the courses in the left column, you should take the corresponding course from the right column.

The basics of Systems Analysis and Design are required in both the existing and the new curricula. In the existing curricula, this material was covered in the core phase IS 421. In the new curriculum, this material is covered in the prerequisite phase IT 215. In order to avoid imposing an extra prerequisite course, students switching to the new curriculum can either take IT 215 or take IS 421 and have it count as a graduate elective. One or the other must be taken. IS 421 will only be offered through Winter 2005.

If you have taken courses not on this list, they will apply to some competency module, to a customized module, or as electives.

After making these substitutions, you will need to meet all the remaining requirements of the 2004-05 program.

Completing a prior MS-IS curriculum

If you wish to complete a prior year MS-IS curriculum, consult the following chart to see what substitutions will be required:

Because of the restructuring of the foundation phase of the program, the courses IS 421, IS 422 and IS 483 will be offered according to the following schedule:

You must complete these courses and the core exams for these courses by June, 2005. If you are unable to do so, you should switch to the 2004-05 curriculum.

You should be able to complete your concentration courses without difficulty. There are two courses which have been replaced: