Division of Math, Science, and Technology

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Computer Information Systems Minor

The computer information systems minor is intended for students in any major who wish to acquire more knowledge in programming, database systems, Web programming, and networking.

Computer Information Systems Minor Requirements (17 credits)

CSIS 1900 Computer Programming I (4 credits)
CSIS 2000 Introduction to Database Systems (3 credits)
CSIS 2950 Computer Programming II (4 credits)
CSIS 3020 Web Programming and Design (3 credits)
CSIS 3500 Networks and Data Communication (3 credits)

Career Opportunities

The rapidly expanding fields of information systems and computer science provide many opportunities for individuals with a degree in CIS/CS. Graduates can look forward to challenging careers in the following areas:

Computer Scientists: Generally design computers and conduct research to improve their design or use, and develop and adapt principles for applying computers to new uses.
Database Administrators: Work with database management systems software, coordinating changes to, testing, and implementing computer databases.
Computer support specialists: Provide assistance and advice to users. They interpret problems and provide technical support for hardware, software, and systems.
Network/Systems Administrators: Install, configure, and support an organization's systems
Telecommunications Specialists: Generally involved with the interfacing of computer and communication equipment
Computer Security Specialists: Responsible for planning, coordinating, and implementing an organization's information security measures.
Computer Engineers: Work with the hardware and software aspects of system design and development.
Software Engineers: Design and develop both packaged and system software.
System Analysts: Oversee the development process for new software and hardware and plan the design and structure of the new program in the form of step-by-step instructions. Each step of the process must be specified, including the data to be used, input and output files needed, mathematical and logical operations to be performed, etc. After developing the design for the program, systems analysts prepare flow charts and other diagrams that show the flow of data. (Flow charts are used to track data through an organization as well as through a computer program.) The analyst may also prepare a cost-benefit analysis to help management decide whether the proposed programming project is financially feasible and provides sufficient value to make it worth undertaking.
Computer Programmers: Write computer code; that is, they write the detailed instructions (programs) that tell the computer what to do to perform a certain function. Programmers write programs according to the specifications determined by systems analysts. The Programming Process contain (1) (2) Coding (2) Compiling (3) Debugging (4) Testing (5) Maintenance. Today, many programmers use CASE (Computer Assisted Software Engineering) tools to automate much of the coding process. And programmers often do much more than code. The job of programmer has come to include the kind of problem-solving formerly done by systems analysts.