Programs and Course Information
The MSIS program is a STEM-designated 30-36 hour program designed to provide expertise in key areas of information systems. As a STEM degree, the MSIS program qualifies international students for an optional practical training extension. The structure of the program allows you to choose coursework that brings you closer to your career goals in data analytics, information security, application development, or consulting/management of information technology.
An undergraduate degree in business is not required to join the MSIS program. However, students without an undergraduate degree in business may be required to take accelerated foundational courses offered by the MBA program prior to the beginning of the first Fall semester, in addition to their MSIS program courses.
Learning Outcomes
At the conclusion of the MSIS Program, students can expect to:
- Be able to effectively develop computer programs
- Be able to effectively develop a data model
- Be able to administer and analyze data in a relational database using SQL commands
- Possess the ability to develop effective strategies and countermeasures needed for information assurance with an understanding of risk factors including crime, espionage, and conflict
- Be able to articulate ideas and information effectively and persuasively in providing sound recommendations to information challenges and opportunities
Career Options
The MSIS program can lead to careers in areas such as systems and data analysis, systems design, business analytics, client/server applications development, system implementation, systems integration, IT consulting, global information systems, information and cyber security, or business process re-engineering.
Program Length
The flexible nature of the program curriculum allows you to choose course offerings that enhance the skills you wish to develop. The number of course hours depends on if you elect to complete a thesis and whether Business Frameworks is required. Most students complete the program within 17 months.
If you desire to pursue a PhD, the thesis option is an opportunity to build a competitive resume by conducting original research. For admitted students who have activated their Bear ID, more information about the thesis option is available HERE.
- Non-Thesis Option (36-40 hours)
- 24 hours of MIS/ISEC Courses
- 12 hours of electives
- 4 hours of Business Frameworks (only required for non-business undergraduates)
- Thesis Option (30-34 hours)
- 18 hours of MIS/ISEC courses
- 6 hours of electives
- 6 hours, Thesis
- 4 hours of Business Frameworks (only required for non-business undergraduates)
Degree Plans and Course Offerings
Non-Thesis Option
REQUIREMENT | 36 HOURS | |
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I. MIS/ISEC Courses | ||
Required Courses | 18 hours | |
ISEC 5305 Seminar in Information Security MIS 5301 Seminar in Object Oriented Business Programming MIS 5335 Information Systems Analysis & Design MIS 5340 Database Management Systems MIS 5355 Management of Information Systems Two of the following programming courses: MIS 5315 .Net Systems Development MIS 5317 Seminar in Java Development MIS 5322 Advanced Python for Analytics Equivalent coursework from undergraduate degree can satisfy above requirements allowing additional elective credit |
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Choose 2 MIS/ISEC electives from the following: | 6 hours | |
ISEC 5310 Cyber Security Human Factors ISEC 5320 Cyber Security Technology Factors ISEC 5330 Information Assurance Planning and Management ISEC 5340 Cyber Warfare, Threats, Vulnerabilities and Countermeasures MIS 5319 Mobile Application Development MIS 5331 Project Management MIS 5342 Business Intelligence MIS 5343 Data Visualization MIS 5345 Decision Making Using Excel MIS 5346 Data Warehousing MIS 5V95 Internship in Information Systems (Required if less than 2 years work experience) |
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II. Additional Electives | ||
Choose 4 business classes from outside of MIS/ISEC or additional courses from MIS/ISEC (suggested business courses below): | 12 hours | |
ACC 5331 Fraud Examination BL 5310 Cyberlaw ECO 5351 Data Science I FIN 5335 Seminar in Integrated Business Risk Management MGT 5310 Management of Organizational Behavior MGT 5340 Negotiation and Conflict Resolution MKT 5310 Marketing Strategy MKT 5398 Customer Analytics MKT 5398 Global Business Development PSC 5335 Seminar in National Security Decision Making |
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36 hours |
Thesis Option
REQUIREMENT | 30 HOURS | |
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I. MIS/ISEC Courses | ||
Required Courses | 18 hours | |
ISEC 5305 Seminar in Information Security Foundations MIS 5301 Seminar in Object Oriented Business Programming MIS 5335 Information Systems Analysis & Design MIS 5340 Database Management Systems MIS 5355 Management of Information Systems Two of the following programming courses: MIS 5315 .Net Systems Development MIS 5317 Seminar in Java Development MIS 5322 Advanced Python for Analytics Equivalent coursework from undergraduate degree can satisfy above requirements allowing additional elective credit |
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II. Thesis | ||
Enroll in MIS 5V99. | 6 hours | |
III. Electives | ||
Choose 2 business classes from outside of MIS/ISEC or additional courses from MIS/ISEC (suggested business courses below): | 6 hours | |
ACC 5331 Fraud Examination BL 5310 Cyberlaw FIN 5335 Seminar in Integrated Business Risk Management MGT 5310 Management of Organizational Behavior MGT 5340 Negotiation and Conflict Resolution PSC 4395 Terrorism PSC 5335 Seminar in National Security Decision Making |
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30 hours |
MIS Courses
MIS 5301 | Seminar in Object-Oriented Business Programming | View Description |
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Course DescriptionPrerequisite(s): None.Students will survey object-oriented concepts currently used in the development of business applications. Emphasis will be placed on programming logic, data structures, and program analysis. |
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MIS 5315 | .Net Systems Development | View Description |
Course DescriptionPrerequisite(s): MIS 5301.Presents current technological solutions to business information needs. The course focuses on tools available to IS professionals to develop business applications that can run on networks and client/server systems. Emphasis will be placed on “NET” development of client/server systems. |
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MIS 5317 | Seminar in Java Development | View Description |
Course DescriptionPrerequisite(s): MIS 5301.Seminar in client-side application development using the Java programming language. Topics include object-oriented design, essential language syntax, and developing user, file, and Internet interfaces for business systems to support e-commerce initiatives. |
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MIS 5319 | Mobile App Development | View Description |
Course DescriptionPrerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.Study of applications development in a cross-platform mobile computing environment. |
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MIS 5322 | Advanced Python for Analytics | View Description |
Course DescriptionPrerequisite(s): MIS 5301 or equivalent.Study of advanced topics in the Python programming language. Focus is on data analytics and data science. Main topics include data visualization, array processing, data mining, machine learning, natural language processing, and web application development. |
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MIS 5331 | Project Management | View Description |
Course DescriptionPrerequisite(s): None.This course covers issues important in effective project management. It considers project planning, budgeting, evaluation, and auditing. It also examines methods for monitoring projects, analyzing risk, and allocating resources. |
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MIS 5335 | Information Systems Analysis and Design | View Description |
Course DescriptionPrerequisite(s): None.To acquaint students with the concepts, problems, and possible solutions for all stages of the systems development life cycle. Emphasis on object-oriented analysis and design techniques. Topics include modeling with UML, the role of the IS professional in the development of successful systems, and project management. |
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MIS 5340 | Database Management Systems | View Description |
Course DescriptionPrerequisite(s): MIS 5335.The use of database techniques to represent and manipulate data in the development of information systems. Includes rationale and objectives of the database approach; conceptual data modeling; logical database design; mapping logical design to the relational data model; physical design and implementation of databases; manipulating information in databases; database administration; and connecting applications to databases, including web-enabled applications. |
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MIS 5342 | Business Intelligence | View Description |
Course DescriptionPrerequisite(s): None.Business Intelligence (BI) is the discovery of patterns and relationships hidden in large volumes of data. This hands-on course is designed to provide practical analytic skills that may be applied in almost any workplace. The course explores the analytical techniques for making intelligent business decisions in data-rich organizations. A key component of the course is the use of BI software tools with techniques such as correlation analysis, data visualization, linear regression, classification, and clustering to address common problems in marketing, customer relationship management, risk management, finance, and operations. |
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MIS 5343 | Data Visualization | View Description |
Course DescriptionPrerequisite(s): None.This course covers best practices in analyzing data graphically. It covers principles of human visual perception, and how to leverage them for better communication of large volumes of information. |
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MIS 5345 | Decision Making Using Excel | View Description |
Course DescriptionPrerequisite(s): None.This computer applications course provides students with advanced data analysis and modeling skills necessary for manipulating, sharing, and presenting data to support business decision making. Major topics include basic statistical concepts in Excel, complex queries, importing external data, data cleansing, pivot tables, macros, text manipulation, multiple applications linking, simulation modeling, decision making under uncertainty, and special topics. |
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MIS 5346 | Data Warehousing | View Description |
Course DescriptionPrerequisite(s): MIS 5340 or consent of instructor.This course focuses on data warehouses as a component of business intelligence. The course will cover techniques for designing, implementing, and analyzing data in data warehouses using a hands-on approach. The course also discusses managerial and ethical issues in implementing data warehouses. |
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MIS 5355 | Management of Information Systems | View Description |
Course DescriptionPrerequisite(s): Admission to MS/IS program.Future information systems leaders focus on understanding the issues involved in managing the systems development process in organizations, the growth and assimilation of technologies, the personnel involved in the IS function, and the relationship of IS with the rest of the organization. Includes in-depth analysis of the current issues in the field of information systems. |
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MIS 5V95 | Internship in Information Systems | View Description |
Course DescriptionPrerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.Provides students with a carefully directed real-world learning experience. A project developed jointly by the sponsoring company and faculty provides experience in various IS functions and business activities. |
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MIS 5V99 | Thesis | View Description |
Course DescriptionPrerequisite(s): None.No Description. |
ISEC Courses
ISEC 5305 | Seminar in Information Security Foundations | View Description |
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Course DescriptionPrerequisite(s): None.This course covers fundamental concepts in information security through providing students with a common body of knowledge in key information security knowledge domains. Coverage of these knowledge domains prepares entry-level professionals in both technical and non-technical disciplines with the key skills and concepts needed to contribute to the information security posture of their organization. |
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ISEC 5310 | Cyber Security Human Factors | View Description |
Course DescriptionPrerequisite(s): None.This course explores the areas of ethics and integrity to assure that the practices, policies, and procedures are in place in an organization to secure the firm's information. |
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ISEC 5320 | Cyber Security Technology Factors | View Description |
Course DescriptionPrerequisite(s): ISEC 5305 or equivalent.This course provides a roadmap of the paths available to organizations for deploying various security devices and tools. The course goes beyond the narrow technical view and offers a full context for the deployment of security technologies. Six key areas of network security will be covered, with each section covering a tool that will play a part in a company's overall information assurance program. |
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ISEC 5330 | Information Assurance Planning and Management | View Description |
Course DescriptionPrerequisite(s): None.This course examines how the information security function is best managed from an organizational perspective. The class will cover a variety of topics to help students understand some of the best practices for how the security function should operate within the context of the overall organization. |
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ISEC 5340 | Cyber Warfare, Threats, Vulnerabilities and Countermeasures | View Description |
Course DescriptionPrerequisite(s): None.This course presents material relevant to understanding the various types of information security risks faced by organizations. Students are also exposed to concepts for developing a corporate security plan designed to mitigate these various information security risks and cyber attacks. |
For additional electives outside the program, please coordinate with you advisor or consult the university Course Listings.