Major in Information Systems

Tracks

Each Information Systems student must choose from one of the four tracks. The tracks help focus a student’s course work around a real world career goal.

The four current tracks are in:

  • Data Analytics: This track prepares students in fundamental concepts, techniques and tools of data analytics, focusing on real life experience in analyzing data from various domains, solving problems and making decisions based on data.
  • Systems: This track prepares students in conceptualizing and developing robust and reliable information systems with a focus on key technical skills in information system analysis, design and development.
  • Business: This track prepares students in integrating technology with business processes and strategies, focusing on business comprehension, core enterprise functions and the technological challenges in a multitude of businesses.
  • Interface Design: This track prepares students in incorporating design and cognition into technology development with a focus on building screen interface layouts and physical devices that are appropriate for specific users, tasks and environments.

All Information Systems majors must complete 74-77 units of major requirements including coursework from one of the following tracks: Business, Data Analytics, Interface Design or Systems. 

Required Courses
CIS 211FUNDAMENTALS OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS & TECHNOLOGY3
CIS 239ENTERPRISE SYSTEMS AND ARCHITECTURE3
CIS 350TELECOMMUNICATIONS3
CIS 377INTRODUCTION TO CYBERSECURITY3
CIS 379SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND DESIGN3
CIS 435HUMAN-COMPUTER INTERACTION3
CIS 458ORGANIZATIONAL DATABASE MANAGEMENT3
CIS 479SOFTWARE PROJECT MNGT3
COSC 236INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SCIENCE I 1, 24
COSC 237INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SCIENCE II 24
COSC 418ETHICAL AND SOCIETAL CONCERNS OF COMPUTER SCIENTISTS3
ITEC 231FUNDAMENTALS OF WEB TECHNOLOGIES3
Capstone
CIS 475INFORMATION SYSTEMS CAPSTONE3
Required MATH Courses
MATH 211CALCULUS FOR APPLICATIONS 33-4
or MATH 273 CALCULUS I
MATH 231BASIC STATISTICS3-4
or MATH 330 INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICAL METHODS
MATH 263DISCRETE MATHEMATICS3
Required Track Courses21-22
Other Requirements
Must be completed with a grade equivalent of 2.00 or higher.
ENGL 317WRITING FOR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY (Core 9)3
Total Units74-77
1

COSC 175 is a prerequisite for COSC 236.

2

COSC 236 and COSC 237 must be taken together at the same institution. 

3

MATH 273 is required for students in the Systems track. 

Business Track 

Required Courses
ACCT 201PRINCIPLES OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING3
CIS 334DATA ORGANIZATION3
ECON 201MICROECONOMIC PRINCIPLES3
Select two of the following: 6
INTRODUCTION TO DATA ANALYTICS
INTERNSHIP IN CIS
GAMING INTERFACE DESIGN
TEXT ANALYTICS
SELECT TOPICS INFO SYST
SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT / E-COMMERCE
APPLIED DATA MINING AND VISUAL ANALYTICS
INDEPENDENT STUDY IN COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS
CLOUD COMPUTING FOR ENTERPRISES
CYBER SECURITY RISK MANAGEMENT
Select one of the following course pairs: 6
PRINCIPLES OF MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING
and INTERMEDIATE ACCOUNTING I
PRINCIPLES OF MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING
and MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING I
PRINCIPLES OF OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
and SUPPLY-CHAIN MANAGEMENT
PRINCIPLES OF OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
and BUSINESS PROCESS MANAGEMENT
HEALTH CARE IN THE U.S.
and HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
MARKETING AND CREATIVITY
and LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
and MANAGEMENT OF ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR
Total Units21

Data Analytics Track

Required Courses
CIS 328INTRODUCTION TO DATA ANALYTICS3
CIS 334DATA ORGANIZATION3
CIS 428TEXT ANALYTICS3
CIS 468APPLIED DATA MINING AND VISUAL ANALYTICS3
ITEC 336LEGAL AND POLICY ISSUES IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY3
Select two of the following:6
VISUAL BASIC PROGRAMMING
INTERNSHIP IN CIS
SELECT TOPICS INFO SYST
E-GOVERNMENT
INDEPENDENT STUDY IN COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS
CLOUD COMPUTING FOR ENTERPRISES
Total Units21

Interface Design Track 

Required Courses
ART 1022D PROCESS FOR NON-ART MAJORS3
or ART 103 2D PROCESS
ART 217IMAGEMAKING: DIGITAL PROCESS3
CIS 328INTRODUCTION TO DATA ANALYTICS3
CIS 334DATA ORGANIZATION3
CIS 445UNIVERSAL USABILITY: DESIGNING COMPUTER INTERFACES FOR BLIND USERS3
Select two of the following: 6
DESIGN FOR THE WWW
INTERNSHIP IN CIS
DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS
GAMING INTERFACE DESIGN
TEXT ANALYTICS
SELECT TOPICS INFO SYST
E-GOVERNMENT
APPLIED DATA MINING AND VISUAL ANALYTICS
INDEPENDENT STUDY IN COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS
INTRODUCTION TO DEAF STUDIES
CYBER SECURITY RISK MANAGEMENT
Total Units21

Systems Track 

Required Courses
CIS 328INTRODUCTION TO DATA ANALYTICS3
COSC 336DATA STRUCTURES AND ALGORITHM ANALYSIS4
COSC 412SOFTWARE ENGINEERING3
COSC 436OBJECT-ORIENTED DESIGN & PROGRAMMING3
COSC 484WEB-BASED PROGRAM3
Select two of the following: 6
INTRO TO BUSINESS PROGRAMMING
VISUAL BASIC PROGRAMMING
INTERNSHIP IN CIS
GAMING INTERFACE DESIGN
TEXT ANALYTICS
SELECT TOPICS INFO SYST
SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT / E-COMMERCE
APPLIED DATA MINING AND VISUAL ANALYTICS
INDEPENDENT STUDY IN COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS
SCRIPTING LANGUAGES
EMERGING INTERNET TECHNOLOGIES
CLOUD COMPUTING FOR ENTERPRISES
CYBER SECURITY RISK MANAGEMENT
Total Units22

Data Analytics Track Sample Four-Year Plan

The selected course sequence below is an example of the simplest path to degree completion. Based on course schedules, student needs, and student choice, individual plans may vary. Students should consult with their adviser to make the most appropriate elective choices and to ensure that they have completed the required number of units (120) to graduate.

Freshman
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
COSC 1113CIS 2113
Core 1 or Core 23COSC 2361, 24
Core 43MATH 211 or 273 (Core 3)3-4
Core 63Core 2 or Core 13
Core 113Core 53
 15 16-17
Sophomore
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
CIS 2393CIS 3343
COSC 23724CIS 3793
ITEC 2313ENGL 317 (Core 9)3
MATH 231 or 3303-4MATH 2633
Core 103Core 74
 16-17 16
Junior
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
CIS 3283CIS 3773
CIS 3503CIS 4283
CIS 4353CIS 4793
CIS 4583Elective (from CIS/ITEC list)3
Elective (from CIS/ITEC list)3Core 84
 15 16
Senior
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
CIS 4683CIS 4753
ITEC 3363COSC 418 (Core 14)3
Core 123Core 133
Elective3Elective2
Elective3 
 15 11
Total Units 120-122
1
 
COSC 175 is a prerequisite for COSC 236.
2

COSC 236 and COSC 237 must be taken together at the same institution. 

Business Track Sample Four-Year Plan

The selected course sequence below is an example of the simplest path to degree completion. Based on course schedules, student needs, and student choice, individual plans may vary. Students should consult with their adviser to make the most appropriate elective choices and to ensure that they have completed the required number of units (120) to graduate.

Freshman
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
ACCT 2013CIS 2113
COSC 1113COSC 2361, 24
ECON 201 (Core 6)3MATH 211 or 273 (Core 3)3-4
Core 1 (or Core 2)3Core 2 (or Core 1)3
Core 43Core 53
 15 16-17
Sophomore
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
CIS 2393CIS 3343
COSC 23724CIS 3793
ENGL 317 (Core 9)3MATH 231 or 3303-4
ITEC 2313Core 74
MATH 2633Core 103
 16 16-17
Junior
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
CIS 3503CIS 3773
CIS 4353CIS 4793
CIS 4583Core 84
Elective (from CIS/ITEC list)3Elective (from CIS/ITEC list)3
Elective3 
 15 13
Senior
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
Core 113CIS 4753
Core 123COSC 418 (Core 14)3
Elective (1 of 2 from Course Pair List)3Core 133
Elective3Elective2
Elective3Elective (2 of 2 from Course Pair List)3
 15 14
Total Units 120-122
1

COSC 175 is a prerequisite for COSC 236.

2

COSC 236 and COSC 237 must be taken together at the same institution. 

Systems Track Sample Four-Year Plan

The selected course sequence below is an example of the simplest path to degree completion. Based on course schedules, student needs, and student choice, individual plans may vary. Students should consult with their adviser to make the most appropriate elective choices and to ensure that they have completed the required number of units (120) to graduate.

Freshman
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
COSC 1113CIS 2113
MATH 119 (optional - see footnote)14COSC 2362, 34
Core 1 (or Core 2)3MATH 211 or 273 (Core 3)3
Core 43Core 2 (or Core 1)3
Core 53Core 63
 16 16
Sophomore
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
CIS 2393CIS 3793
COSC 23734COSC 3364
ENGL 317 (Core 9)3MATH 231 or 3303-4
ITEC 2313Core 74
MATH 2633 
 16 14-15
Junior
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
CIS 3503CIS 4793
CIS 4353COSC 4363
CIS 4583COSC 4843
COSC 4123Core 103
Core 84 
 16 12
Senior
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
CIS 3283CIS 3773
Core 113CIS 4753
Core 123COSC 418 (Core 14)3
Elective (from CIS / ITEC List)3Core 133
Elective (from CIS / ITEC List)3Elective3
 15 15
Total Units 120-121
1

 Prerequisite for MATH 273: qualifying score on Math Placement exam or MATH 119.

2

COSC 175 is a prerequisite for COSC 236.

3

COSC 236 and COSC 237 must be taken together at the same institution. 

Interface Design Track Sample Four-Year Plan

The selected course sequence below is an example of the simplest path to degree completion. Based on course schedules, student needs, and student choice, individual plans may vary. Students should consult with their adviser to make the most appropriate elective choices and to ensure that they have completed the required number of units (120) to graduate.

Freshman
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
ART 102 or 103 (Core 4)3ART 2173
COSC 1113CIS 2113
Core 1 (or Core 2)3COSC 2361, 24
Core 53MATH 211 or 273 (Core 3)3-4
 Core 2 (or Core 1)3
 12 16-17
Sophomore
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
CIS 2393CIS 3343
COSC 23724CIS 3793
ENGL 317 (Core 9)3MATH 231 or 3303-4
ITEC 2313Core 74
MATH 2633Core 113
 16 16-17
Junior
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
CIS 3503CIS 4453
CIS 3773CIS 4793
CIS 4353Core 63
CIS 4583Core 84
Elective3Elective3
 15 16
Senior
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
CIS 3283CIS 4753
Core 103COSC 418 (Core 14)3
Elective (from approved list)3Core 123
Elective (from approved list)3Core 133
Elective3Elective2
 15 14
Total Units 120-122
1

COSC 175 is a prerequisite for COSC 236.

2

COSC 236 and COSC 237 must be taken together at the same institution. 

  1. Students can use their proficiency in information systems principles, practices and analytical techniques to solve a variety of problems.
  2. Students can explain the technological, organizational and behavioral principles that underlie information systems.
  3. Students will understand the ethical and societal concerns and dilemmas facing information systems professionals and can formulate appropriate solutions and courses of action.
  4. Students can work effectively in teams and communicate effectively.