Computer Information Systems Major

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Description

Computer Information Systems is the study of the use of computers for systematic organization of data that supports efficient and accurate collection, processing, analysis, and retrieval of information. An information system specialist applies existing technology to solve real-world problems. At SUNY Brockport, the Computer Information Systems (CIS) major trains students in state-of-the-art computing technology, applications, and business practices, with appropriate exposure to underlying fundamentals. The emphasis is on the use of computers in an organization to increase effectiveness and efficiency.

The Computer Information Systems major is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org. This major is recommended for students with a strong interest in business applications of computing.

Useful information for students, such as career guidance, advisement, sample plans of study, student awards, and scholarships can be found at the department website.

Admission to the Program

Any undergraduate student can declare this major. The first courses in the program are CSC 203 (Problem Solving with Objects) and CIS 202 (Fundamentals of Information Systems). The prerequisites for these courses are CSC 120 (Introduction to Computing), CIS 116 (Introduction to Excel), and MTH 122 (Pre-calculus), or equivalents by permission of the instructor.

Students completing the Business Administration option of the IS Environment must take BUS 325. The pre-requisites for that course include a course in Economics. CIS majors may complete that pre-requisite by taking ECN 100 (Contemporary Economic Problems), which also satisfies General Education Social Science requirements

  • Students without these prerequisite courses should plan on one or two preparatory semesters in which to take them.
  • Students demonstrating appropriate preparation may be waived off one or more of these prerequisite courses, allowing them to enroll directly in the courses in the program.
  • Students who complete the Advanced Placement (AP) Exam in Computer Science (A) with a score of 3 will receive credit for CSC 120. Students who complete the Advanced Placement (AP) Exam in Computer Science (A) with a score of 4 or 5 will receive credit for CSC 203.

Program Requirements

Students in the computer information systems major pursue a Bachelor of Science degree, and must complete its requirements.

In addition to the course requirements below, students must meet the following:

  1. Earn an average grade of "C" or higher in core and elective courses.
  2. The grade earned in each of CSC 203, 205, 209, and CIS 202, 206 and 303 must be "C" or higher.
  3. At least 18 of the credits used to satisfy the core or elective requirements in the major must be earned at Brockport.
  4. Credits (1-4) for, at most, one course can be earned as "departmental credit by examination."

General Education Requirements (44 credits)

Major Departmental Requirements (43 credits)

Core Courses 

  • CSC 203 Problem Solving with Objects (4 credits)
  • CSC 205 Fundamentals of Data Structures (4 credits)
  • CSC 209 UNIX Tools (1 credit)
  • CSC 312 Cybersecurity (3 credits)
  • CSC 356 Life in the Digital Age (3 credits)
  • CSC 486 Junior/Senior Seminar (3 credits)
  • CIS 117 Introduction to Web Development (1 credit)
  • CIS 202 Fundamentals of Information Systems (3 credits)
  • CIS 206 IT Tools (1 credit)
  • CIS 303 Information Technology Hardware and Software (3 credits)
  • CIS 309 IT Hardware and Networking Lab (1 credit)
  • CIS 317 Analysis and Logical Design of Information Systems (4 credits)
  • CIS 419 Computer Networks and Internet Applications (3 credits)
  • CIS 422 Physical Design and Implementation with DBMS (3 credits)
  • CIS 427 Project Management and Practice (3 credits)
  • CIS 442 E-commerce Systems (3 credits)

Elective Courses (6 credits)

  • TWO CIS courses numbered 400-489, selected through advisement.

Cognate or Additional Requirements 22 credits

Mathematics Corequisites (7 credits)

  • MTH243 Elementary Statistics (3 credits)
  • MTH281 Discrete Mathematics I (4 credits)

IS-Environment Corequisites (15 credits)

  • Students choose either the Business Administration or the Healthcare Administration environment (12 credits)
  • CIS 472 Enterprise Architecture and IS Strategy (3 credits)

Business Administration Environment

  • BUS325 Principles of Finance (3 credits)
  • BUS335 Principles of Marketing (3 credits)
  • BUS365 Principles of Management (3 credits)

Healthcare Administration Environment:

  • BUS365 Principles of Management (3 credits)
  • HCS310 Healthcare Systems (3 credits)
  • HCS464 Operations Management in Healthcare (3 credits)

Pre-requisites (0-15 credits)

  • MTH 122 Pre-Calculus (4 credits)*
  • CSC 120 Introduction to Computing (4 credits)
  • CIS 116 Introduction to Excel (1 credit)
  • ECN 100 (3 credits)
  • MTH 111-College Algebra (3 credits)

Electives (0-11 credits)

Total Credits (120-124 credits)

Additional Degree Requirements

  • Earn an average grade of "C" or higher in core and elective courses.
  • The grade earned in each of CSC 203, 205, 209, and CIS 117, CIS 202 and 206 must be "C" or higher.
  • At least 18 of the credits used to satisfy the core or elective requirements in the major must be earned at Brockport.
  • Credits (1-4) for, at most, one course can be earned as "departmental credit by examination."
  • Completion of all college-wide degree requirements
*denotes courses that meet both major and general education requirements

Program Educational Objectives

The graduates of the undergraduate degree program in Computer Information Systems are expected to have:

  1. Attained, within a few years of graduation, a higher level of expertise in computing through productive employment in computing technology application fields, with job designations such as Database Designer, IT Support, Network Administrator, Project Manager, Security Specialist, Systems Analyst, and Web Designer, or through successful pursuit of advanced graduate studies in computing or related disciplines,
  2. Adapted and grown as work conditions and responsibilities changed with technology and globalization, and
  3. Engaged ethically in collaborative teams, communicating effectively with team members and others.

These objectives are accomplished by providing our students:

  1. A broad-based education in core areas of information systems, including application development, data and information management, IT infrastructure, systems analysis, design and acquisition, project management, the role of information systems in organizations, and security of information systems, with an appropriate blend of theory and practice,
  2. Opportunities to specialize in a variety of areas of information systems through a selection of elective courses, and an information systems environment,
  3. Opportunities to broaden educational experiences through independent studies, theses, internships, career exploration experiences, and study abroad programs, and
  4. A deep foundation in professional ethics and communication skills.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

  1. Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
  2. Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program's discipline.
  3. Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
  4. Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
  5. Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program's discipline.
  6. Support the delivery, use, and management of information systems within an information systems environment.