UMUC

School of Undergraduate Studies

Information Systems Management

Major in Information Systems Management

The information systems management major develops students' abilities to conceptualize and manage the design and implementation of high-quality information systems. The curriculum focuses on the concepts, methods and practical applications of information systems in the workplace. Students are provided the skills needed to make substantive contributions to the use of information systems in corporate decision making.

Objectives

The student who graduates with a major in information systems management will be able to

  • Define and explain the concepts, theories and practices in the development and use of information systems in organizations.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of computing system architectures, operating systems software and interconnection of information resources through networking.
  • Analyze problems and determine system requirements for developing a logical design of an information system.
  • Identify basic elements of programming languages and the relationships between programming languages and information systems.
  • Implement an information system in a database management system or emerging development environment.
  • Develop classroom products that demonstrate a working understanding of the management of information systems functions, system integration and project management to ensure project quality.
  • Evaluate ethical issues related to information systems, work productivity and human factors.

Degree Requirements

A degree with a major in information systems management requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework, including 30 credits for the major; 41 credits in general education requirements; and 49 credits in the minor, electives and other degree requirements. At least 15 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).

Course Requirements for the Information Systems Management Major

Coursework for a major in information systems management includes the following:

  • Required foundation courses (15 credits): CMIS 141/141A (or other programming language course) and IFSM 300, 310, 410 and 461
  • Core courses (9 credits): Any upper-level IFSM courses (3 credits must be in 400-level coursework)
  • Supplemental major courses (6 credits): Any IFSM, CMIS, CMIT, CMSC or CMST courses
  • Required related courses (3 credits), which may be applied anywhere in the degree: STAT 200

Recommended Sequence

The following course sequence will fulfill all the requirements for the BS in information systems management. Since some recommended courses fulfill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may make it necessary to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Students should consult an advisor whenever taking advantage of other options.

Coursework for the major is indicated by ‡

First Courses (to be taken within the first 18 credits)

Note: Placement tests are required for math and writing courses.

  • EDCP 100 Principles and Strategies of Successful Learning (3) (strongly recommended as first course)
  • LIBS 150 Information Literacy and Research Methods (1)
  • WRTG 101/101X Introduction to Writing (3)
  • MATH 106 Finite Mathematics (3) or higher-level math course

Introductory Courses (to be taken within the first 30 credits)

  • IFSM 201 Introduction to Computer-Based Systems (3) (prerequisite to later courses)
  • CMIS 102 Introduction to Problem Solving and Algorithm Design (3) or CMIS 102A Fundamentals of Programming I (fulfills the interdisciplinary issues/computing requirement: prerequisite to later courses)
  • PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3) or ENGL 240 Introduction to Fiction, Poetry and Drama or other ARTH, ARTT, HIST, HUMN, MUSC, PHIL, THET, dance, literature or foreign language course to fulfill the arts and humanities requirement
  • Both BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3) and BIOL 102 Laboratory in Biology (1) or BIOL 103 Introduction to Biology or other course(s) to fulfill the biological and physical sciences lecture and laboratory requirement
  • WRTG 291 Expository and Research Writing (3) or other course to fulfill the communications/ writing requirement
  • GVPT 170 American Government (3) or other ANTH, BEHS, ECON, GEOG, GVPT, PSYC, SOCY or eligible AASP, CCJS, GERO or WMST course to fulfill the first behavioral and social sciences requirement

Foundation Courses (to be taken within the first 60 credits)

  • STAT 200 Introduction to Statistics (3) (related requirement for the major)
  • CMIS 141 Introductory Programming (3) or CMIS 141A Fundamentals of Programming II or other programming course
  • PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3) or SOCY 100 Introduction to Sociology or other course to fulfill the second behavioral and social sciences requirement (discipline must differ from first)
  • NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3) or ASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy or other course to fulfill the biological and physical sciences lecture requirement
  • HIST 142 Western Civilization II (3) or HIST 157 History of the United States Since 1865 or other ARTH or HIST course to fulfill the arts and humanities requirement in historical perspective (discipline must differ from other humanities course)
  • IFSM 300 Information Systems in Organizations (3)
  • ANTH 344 Cultural Anthropology and Linguistics (3) or a foreign language course (recommended elective)
  • SPCH 100 Foundations of Speech Communication (3) or WRTG 390 Writing for Managers or other course to fulfill the communications/ writing or speech requirement
  • IFSM 304 Ethics in the Information Age (3) (recommended elective)

Additional Required Courses (to be taken after introductory and foundation courses)

  • WRTG 393/393X Advanced Technical Writing (3) or other course to fulfill the communications/ upper-level advanced writing requirement
  • IFSM 310 Software and Hardware Concepts (3)
  • IFSM 410 Database Concepts (3)
  • IFSM 461 Systems Analysis and Design (3)
  • IFSM 303 Human Factors in Information Systems (3) or other core course for the major
  • IFSM 430 Information Systems and Security (3) or other core course for the major
  • IFSM 438 Project Management (3) or other core course for the major
  • IFSM 433 Information Security Needs Assessment and Planning (3) or other supplemental major course
  • IFSM 450 Telecommunication Systems in Management (3) or other supplemental major course

Minor and/or Elective Courses (to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses) (37)

Recommended Minors

Recommended Elective

  • MATH 140 Calculus I (for students who plan to go on to graduate school)

Total credits for BS in information systems management: 120