Program Description
Information systems are key foundations of the modern business world. As an information systems major at CMU, you’ll learn the management and problem-solving skills needed to design, develop and use highly sought-after systems. You’ll be able to analyze business processes, manage projects, and provide technical support and training.
Points of Pride
- At CMU, you’ll work with software used by companies around the world. You can even complete a concentration in SAP — a set of enterprise software applications used by more than 38,000 organizations in more than 120 countries.
- CMU is the North American leader in SAP certification, thanks in part to the university’s two-week SAP Academy that prepares students for the TERP10 SAP exam. In fact, more CMU students achieve certification than the next three highest-ranked institutions combined.
Put Your Degree to Work
As an information systems graduate, you can work in almost every type of organization, small and large, public and private. Entry-level jobs include the following:
- Systems analyst
- Web developer
- Database analyst
- SAP/ERP analyst
- Process analyst
- Programmer/analyst
- Quality assurance/tester
- Technology trainer
The average starting salary for information systems graduates is among the highest of all business majors, both at CMU and nationally. According to recent graduates, your starting salary could exceed $55,000.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics sample data
| Job | Median Pay | Job Growth through 2022 |
|---|
| Information Systems Manager | $120,950 per year | 15% (50,900 more jobs) |
| Network Administrator | $72,560 per year | 12% (42,900 more jobs) |
| Information Research Scientists | $102,190 per year | 15% (4,100 more jobs) |
Program Overview
The course listings below are a representation of what this academic program requires. For a full review of this program in detail please see our official online academic bulletin AND consult with an academic advisor. This listing does not include the General Education courses required for all majors and may not include some program specific information, such as admissions, retention, and termination standards.
(Click on the course name or number for a complete course description.)
Information Systems Major
Total: 33 semester hours
Common Body of Knowledge Courses I
(6 hours)
BUS 100
Essential Business Skills
3
Introduces students to the concept of a business, its disciplines, and essential business skills including decision making, team work, and oral and written communication. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format.
MGT 499
Integrated Capstone-Strategic Management
3
An integrative capstone course applying and analyzing financial, marketing, supply chain and other business functions within a global strategic management perspective. This course may be offered in an online format. Prerequisites: 86 semester hours completed; BUS 300 or 503QR; BUS 301; MGT/MKT 303; FIN 302; MKT 304; Tier 2 Admission to Professional Business Studies. Preference given to graduating seniors.
Common Body of Knowledge Courses II
(3 hours)
Select one of the following:
BUS 300QR
Applied Business Statistics
3
Applications of statistical analysis to support business decision making. Covers collection of business data, analysis of business datasets, and presentation of results. This course may be taught in an online format. Quantitative Reasoning. Prerequisites: STA 282 or 382; 26 hours completed.
BUS 503QR
Applied Lean Six Sigma
3
This course applies principles and practices of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) and other operations improvements that have been demonstrated to bring value to business. LSS builds on a business statistics foundation. This course may be offered in an online format. Quantitative Reasoning. Prerequisites: STA 282 or 382 and 56 semester hours completed; or graduate school admission.
Required Courses II
(9 hours)
Select one of the following options:
MR2A-INFOSYS
Option A - Enterprise Software
(9 hours)
MR2B-INFOSYS
Option B - Cybersecurity
(9 hours)
MR2C-INFOSYS
Option C - General
(9 hours)
MR2D-INFOSYS
Option D - Business Data Analytics
(9 hours)
Required Courses I
(15 hours)
BIS 228
Applications Development
3
Introduction to business applications development using rapid development programming tools.
BIS 380
Enterprise Architecture
3
Study of infrastructure issues relevant to the design, selection, implementation, and management of an organization's enterprise architecture. Prerequisites: BIS 221 or 255; 56 semester hours completed; admission to Professional Business Studies or listed on a signed major or minor.
BIS 420
Systems Analysis and Design
3
Fundamentals of business systems analysis and design; study of present system, developing system alternatives. Prerequisites: BIS 221 or BIS 255; 56 semester hours completed and admission to Professional Business Studies or listed on a signed major or minor or with approval from the Office of Undergraduate Business Studies.
BIS 422
Database Management Systems
3
Study of database concepts with an emphasis on their application to business systems. Prerequisites: BIS 228; 56 semester hours completed; either admission to Professional Business Studies or listed on signed major or minor.
BIS 425
Information Systems Development Project
3
Project course requiring students to develop and implement a computer- based information system. Prerequisites: BIS 420, BIS 422; 86 semester hours completed; either admission to Professional Business Studies or listed on signed major or minor.
