The CIS Department's Two Majors: CS & IS

The Computer Information Science Department has two majors: Computer Science (CS) and Information Systems (IS). Both majors deal with the manipulation of information by programmable computers. Living in the Information Age, information has become a key component of our current economy. Both the staggering growth in the volume of information and the speed at which that information must be manipulated necessitate the use of programmable computers. The following is a brief description of each of our two majors.

Computer Science (CS):

B.S. , 59 credits
Required Courses:
CIS 163, 244, 253, 254, 306, 350, 355, 356, 375, 411, 460;
MATH 140, 270 ; PHIL 311 ; ECON 221
Twelve credits of CIS electives in courses 300-level or above.

CS might best be described as preparing the students to become experts in the making of the tools (computer software) that others use to solve problems. Courses include Data Structures, Computer Architecture, Software Engineering and Operating Systems in addition to classes in the C++ language, Assembly Language and Java and Visual Basic.

Students study the programming and low-level aspects of the computer. The primary programming environments are the C and C++ programming languages on various platforms. Some of the required courses also will be taken in the mathematics department including Calculus, and Discrete Math.

Information Systems (IS):

B.S., 72 credits
Required: CIS 110, 202, 206, 217, 301, 303, 317, 330, 402, 403, 411;
MATH 131, 221, 232; ECON 211, 212; ACTG 251, 252; FIN 370, MGMT 320, MKTG 360
Six credits of CIS electives in courses 300-level or above.

IS might best be described as preparing the student to become experts in the use of the tool (the computer) as a key component used in complex systems that solve problems in the business world. Courses include Programming, Applications of Microcomputers, Data Communications, Systems Analaysis and Database Systems.

IS is a business-oriented computing curriculum. Students study the use and programming of computers in a business environment. The primary programming environments are Visual Basic and Java. Many of the required courses will be taken in the business school including Accounting, Management, Marketing, Finance and Economics and courses will also be taken in the mathematics department.

There is a great deal of overlap in the jobs that students from our two majors take with the common thread that both majors prepare the student for a challenging and rewarding career.