Master of Science in MIS

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The Master of Science in Management Information Systems (MS/MIS)

Information Systems

Program Information	Applying for MS/MIS	Prerequisites
Program of Study		Contact Information

Degree Program Requirements

The program requires 33 hours of coursework and may be taken either full-time or part-time. Full-time students who already have taken all required prerequisites may be able to complete the program in one full year (3 semesters) of study. Part-time students and full-time students who need prerequisites will typically need from 1 1/2 to 3 years to complete the degree.
Early in the first semester, a student and the program advisor will work together to complete a formal Program of Study that will define a coherent sequence of courses to satisfy the student’s objectives. A student may have the option to complete a Master’s Thesis or a Practicum project, depending upon the availability and approval of a faculty sponsor.

Technical Core (9 credits)
The following three courses provide a solid understanding of state-of-the-art research and practice in technical areas of Information Systems.
1. ISM 6124 (3 credits) - Advanced Systems Analysis and Design
Students learn to manage and perform activities throughout an information systems development life cycle, from the analysis of system requirements through system design to system implementation and operation. Advanced system development processes, methods, and tools are presented. This course is continually revised to include the latest theories and tools. A group project using advanced CASE tools is an integral portion of the course.

2. ISM 6218 (3 credits) - Advanced Database Administration
Advanced practice and research in database systems, to include entity-relationship modeling, relational databases, object-oriented databases, performance issues, and management of the database administration (DBA) function. State-of-the-art database systems will be used for individual and group projects.

3. ISM 6225 (3 credits) - Distributed Information Systems
Students learn technological as well as managerial aspects of telecommunication systems and distributed systems. Important topics covered include telecommunications fundamentals, voice and data communications, local and wide area networks, Internet, wireless technologies, and distributed systems.

Capstone Course (3 credits)
ISM 6155 (3 credits) – Enterprise Information Systems Management
An advanced study of information system management to include system planning, project selection, project management, and organizational information management policies. This course is the capstone of the MS/MIS program and as such it must be taken during one of the last two semesters of the student's program.

Electives (21 credits)
Seven elective courses may be selected from additional Information Systems courses or (with prior approval by the MS/MIS program academic advisor) other related areas of specialization such as areas of Management, Decision Science, Computer Science, Entrepreneurship, or Logistics.

			Existing Course Offerings
BA	QMB	ISM 6124	Advanced Systems Analysis and Design	3
BA	QMB	ISM 6125	Software Architecture	3
BA	QMB	ISM 6145	Seminar on Software Testing	3
BA	QMB	ISM 6155	Capstone Course	3
BA	QMB	ISM 6218	Advanced Database Management	3
BA	QMB	ISM 6225	Distributed Information Systems	3
BA	QMB	ISM 6305	Managing the Information System Function	3
BA	QMB	ISM 6382	International Aspects of Information Systems	3
BA	QMB	ISM 6405	Decision Support Systems Applications	3
BA	QMB	ISM 6480	Electronic Commerce	3
BA	QMB	ISM 6905	Independent Study	1-6
BA	QMB	ISM 6930	Selected Topics in MIS	1-6
BA	QMB	ISM 6971	Thesis: Master's	2-6

In addition to the courses listed above the following courses have been offered and are in the process of being formalized as regular course offerings.

ISM 6930            Project Management
ISM 6930            Web Based Applications
ISM 6930            Data Mining
ISM 6930            Data Warehousing

In addition, the following Special Topics are being offered:

ISM 6930            Information Security & Risk Management
ISM 6930            Enterprise Resource Planning and Business Process Management
ISM 6930            Multimedia Applications

Thesis Option:
The master’s thesis option requires six credits of ISM 6971, which count as six of the 21 MIS elective credits. The thesis must make a well-defined contribution to the research and development in an area of Information Systems.

Practicum Option:
The practicum option requires an investigation or development of a new information technology artifact. The project typically occurs in the student’s place of employment and is jointly supervised by a faculty member and a manager in the company. Based upon the magnitude of the project, either three or six hours of credit in ISM 6905 would be taken. The practicum would count for three or six hours of the 21 hours of MIS electives.