Business Information Systems

Description

Business Information Systems Program Description

The business information systems (BIS) major is designed for students interested in pursuing a career in business with a focus on information technology management or e-commerce technology. The use of information enabled by information systems is an essential element of strategy in organizations where information forms the basis for competing both nationally and globally. The responsibility of the technology manager or e-commerce technologist is to deliver information and information services to the end-user, and to administer the information resources cost-effectively. Organizations need competent technology professionals who are problem solvers and who understand how to leverage the company's technology base to improve its competitive advantage. This program delivers on both counts.

The BIS major consists of core courses in systems architecture and development, networking, and database design, followed by a career-focused track in technology management or e-commerce technology. To prepare for the workplace, students take a series of practical information systems courses where they examine business problems and the array of possible technology solutions. Students also take business administration courses in accounting, management, and marketing. The program's blend of practical business and technology courses prepares the graduate to enter business as a well-rounded professional who knows how to think analytically, assess a business problem, and select the best technology solution. Many graduates of this bachelor's degree program elect to continue their education at the graduate level by pursuing a master's in business and technology management.

E-Commerce Technology Track Description

Growth in the demand for e-commerce technologists is expected to accelerate for the next 20-30 years. Upon completion of the track, students will be able to construct e-commerce solutions using various web architectures and design technologies, assemble electronic collaboration environments, and evaluate social networks in support of business initiatives, propose e-commerce solutions for business problems and new business initiatives, solve server to server web data exchange issues, and explain and propose extensions to e-commerce business models.

Technology Management Track Description

There is strong demand in the marketplace for managers of technology. These individuals have broad knowledge of information systems combined with the ability to address business-related issues as analysts and integrators. Students in this track will focus on data and database management, security, business networks, e-commerce business solutions, and wireless technology.

Objectives

Business Information Systems Program Objectives

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Business Information Systems, graduates will be able to:

  1. Articulate technology skills learned and applied during their academic career.
  2. Perform those information technology tasks essential to their chosen career path in application, network, or database design.
  3. Communicate with confidence technology ideas in team meetings and public forums.
  4. Demonstrate a professional competency in research, analysis, and business writing.
  5. Converse in the languages of application, network, and database design.
  6. Assess business problems using analytical and critical thought processes to identify the best technology solution.
  7. Pursue an IT career as a well-rounded technology professional, able to leverage talents and interests.

E-Commerce Technology Track Objectives

Upon completion of the e-commerce technology track, graduates will be able to:

  • Construct electronic commerce solutions using various web architectures and design technologies.
  • Assemble electronic collaboration environments and evaluate social networks in support of business initiatives.
  • Propose electronic commerce solutions for business problems and new business initiatives.
  • Discuss server to server web data exchange issues.
  • Explain and propose extensions to electronic commerce business models.

Technology Management Track Objectives

Upon completion of the technology management track, graduates will be able to:

  • Assess business problems and identify alternate technology solutions.
  • Explain the role of technology components in a network.
  • Apply key management principles in leading a project.
  • Discuss various IT alternatives with business and technology professionals.
  • Interpret the needs of customers and adapt them to different constituents.

Policies

Students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.00 in the major, and the lowest acceptable grade is a "C" in all major and Stevenson Educational Experience (SEE) courses. No student, regardless of major, will be permitted to advance to the next course without earning a grade of "C" or better in the prerequisite course(s). When a grade below "C" is earned in a major course, the student must repeat that course.

A course may be repeated twice without special permission. Information systems majors must apply in writing to the department chair requesting permission to attempt a course for a third time.

Requirements

The courses listed below are required for completion of the bachelor's degree in business information systems. Students must also complete the requirements for the Stevenson Educational Experience (SEE).

Specific pre- and co-requisites for each course are listed in the course descriptions.

Major Requirements:

FYS 100First Year Seminar

1 credit

ACC 140Financial Accounting

3 credits

IS 135MS Office Applications

3 credits

IS 140Information Systems Architecture and Design

3 credits

IS 150Relational Database Design & SQL with MS Access

3 credits

IS 170Systems Development with UML

3 credits

IS 201Management Information Systems

3 credits

IS 231Network Technologies

3 credits

IS 240Programming Concepts

3 credits

IS 260Presentation Theory and Application

3 credits

IS 301Principles of E-Commerce

3 credits

IS 365Writing for IS Applications

3 credits

MGT 210Business Writing

3 credits

MGT 204Principles of Management

3 credits

MKT 206Principles of Marketing

3 credits

One 300-400 Level INBUS, MGT, or MKT Course

IS 260: BIS Technology Management Track Only

Take three of the following upper level courses:

IS 320Human-Computer Interaction

3 credits

IS 350IS Internship

3 credits

IS 380Information Security for the Organization

3 credits

IS 475Special Topics in Information Systems

3 credits

IS 480Technology Law

3 credits

IS 481Project & Knowledge Management

3 credits

IS 320: E-Commerce Track students must take IS-320 (E-Commerce Track Prerequisite).

IS 380: Technology Management Track students may NOT take IS-380 (Technology Management Track Requirement).

Students must choose and complete the courses for one of the tracks listed below. If a student completes a track offered under computer information systems, the student will be awarded the computer information systems degree.

Technology Management Track:

IS 280Data Management

3 credits

IS 380Information Security for the Organization

3 credits

IS 385Management of Business Networks

3 credits

IS 386E-Commerce Business Solutions

3 credits

IS 387Wireless Technology Solutions for the Office

3 credits

E-Commerce Technology Track:

IS 343Web Architecture & Design Technologies

3 credits

IS 361E-Collaboration and Social Networking

3 credits

IS 386E-Commerce Business Solutions

3 credits

IS 443XML E-Business Applications

3 credits

IS 462Current Topics in E-Commerce

3 credits

Suggested Course Sequence

Suggested Course Sequence BIS E-Commerce Track

Suggested Course Sequence BIS Technology Management Track

Minor in Information Systems

The minor in information systems requires successful completion of a minimum of six courses and 18 credits with an IS prefix. All course prerequisites must be met to be eligible to take the selected course for a minor. Please see an academic advisor for more information. General guidelines regarding minors may be found in the Minors section of the catalog.

Other Options

BS/MS Option: The BS/MS option is available for students majoring in business information systems who wish to combine their bachelor’s coursework with work toward a master’s degree in one of Stevenson’s graduate programs. Students choosing this option may earn their master's degree in as little as one year after their bachelor's degree. Interested students must formally apply for entrance into a BS/MS option in their junior year. Once admitted into this program, students develop an educational plan in consultation with their undergraduate and graduate advisors. For more information on this program see the School of Graduate and Professional Studies catalog.

Course Descriptions

See Information Systems Course Descriptions