Information Systems

• Department Chair: Donna A. Driscoll
• Associate Chair and IS Program Chair: Paul J. Lazarony
• Department of Accounting and Information Systems
• Juniper Hall (JH) 3123
• (818) 677-2461
• www.csun.edu/acctis

Faculty

• Donna A. Driscoll
• Glen L. Gray
• Paul J. Lazarony
• David Liu
• David W. Miller
• Dat-Dao Nguyen
• L. Richard Ye
• Yue “Jeff” Zhang.

Programs

Undergraduate Degree

• Bachelor of Science in Information Systems
• Minor in Information Systems

Mission

The BSIS degree offers educational opportunities to students with diverse backgrounds who are interested in information systems (IS). The Program provides students a synthesis of technological and business knowledge to develop and integrate effective IS solutions that support management decision making and organizational strategies. The Program prepares graduates for a variety of IS careers in business, government, and non-profit organizations.

The Major

The study of Information Systems (IS) centers on the effective use of information technology – computers and telecommunications networks – to support management decision-making and corporate strategy, in addition to providing all necessary operational level support for an organization.

Student Learning Outcomes of the Undergraduate Program

1. Our graduates are able to recognize and analyze ethical problems in organizational situations and select and defend a course of action.
2. Our graduates are able to effectively communicate complex information system and business concepts orally and in writing.
3. Our graduates are able to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills when analyzing and solving information system and business problems.
4. Our graduates understand the individual and group dynamics of project teams.
5. Our graduates have knowledge of IS technology components and their interrelations.
6. Our graduates have the knowledge to implement information systems that support an organization’s strategic objectives.
7. Our graduates develop skills through research in IS literature that will prepare them for life-long learning in the field.

Careers

The IS program helps prepare graduates to assume such positions as systems analyst, application program developer, database administrator, network specialist, and web developer. Information Systems career opportunities are available in a variety of industries, including consulting, banking, entertainment, health, media, education, and technology.

Academic Advisement

Advisement materials are available in the Department Office (JH 3123), from a College academic advisor (JH2113) and from the Department’s website. Students are encouraged to meet with an academic advisor periodically to review their progress and plans. Contact the advisement office by phone at (818) 677-3537 or in person at JH 2113 for an appointment.

Business Majors

A Business Major is any student majoring in Accountancy; Finance; Information Systems; Management; Marketing; or Business Administration with an option in either Business Law, Financial Services, Global Supply Chain Management, Real Estate, or Systems and Operations Management.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Information Systems

Check course descriptions for prerequisite courses. Prerequisites must be completed prior to enrolling in each course.

Special Grade Requirements:

All IS majors must earn a C or higher in all IS courses. Transfer students should be aware that no grade lower than a C will be accepted on transfer from another institution to satisfy Department or College of Business and Economics requirements.

1. Common Lower Division Business Core (21 Units)

• ENGL 205 Business Communication in its Rhetorical Contexts (3)
• SOM 120¹ Basic Business Statistics (3)
• ECON 160 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
• ECON 161 Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
• ACCT 220 Introduction to Financial Accounting (3)
• ACCT 230 Introduction to Managerial Accounting (3)
• BLAW 280 Business Law I (3)

2. Upper Division Writing Proficiency Exam (UDWPE) Requirement:

The successful completion of the Upper Division Writing Proficiency Exam (UDWPE) is a prerequisite for enrollment in all 400-level information systems and business courses.

3. Common Upper Division Business Core (19 Units)

• BUS 302 Gateway Experience (3)
• BUS 302L Gateway Experience Laboratory (1)
• FIN 303 Financial Management (3)
• MKT 304 Marketing Management (3)
• SOM 306 Operations Management (3)
• MGT 360 Management and Organizational Behavior (3)
• BUS 497 Capstone (3)

4. Required Information Systems Core Courses (22 Units)

• COMP 110/L Introduction to Algorithms and Programming/Lab (3/1)
• PHIL 230 Introduction to Formal Logic (3)
• IS 312 Information Systems for Business (3)
• IS 431 Systems Analysis and Design (3)
• IS 435 Business Data Communications and Networking (3)
• IS 441 Database Management Systems (3)
• IS 451 Systems Development Project (3)

Select One of the Following Options:

A. Business Systems Option (ISBS) (25 Units)

• MATH 103² Mathematical Methods for Business (3)
• COMP 105BAS Computer Programming in Basic (1)
• IS 335 Information Technology in Business (3)
• Free Elective (Select any University course) (3)

Select three units from the following Upper Division business courses:

• ECON 310 Price Theory and Applications (3)
• MKT 346 Marketing Research (3)
• MKT 442 Business to Business Marketing (3)
• MKT 448 Internet Marketing (3)
• MGT 450 Organization Change and Development (3)
• MGT 456 Negotiation and Conflict Management (3)
• MGT 458 Decision Making and Creativity (3)

Select 12 units from the following IS elective courses:

• IS 455 Advanced Application Development (3)
• IS 457 Advanced Telecommunications and Networking (3)
• IS 497A-Z Special Topics – Informatinon Systems (3)
• SOM 485 Decision Support Systems (3)

1. or higher level mathematics course must be completed with a grade of C or higher.

A. Information Technology Option (ISIT) (25 Units)

• MATH 150A2 Mathematical Analysis I (5)
• COMP 122/L Computer Architecture and Assembly Languate(1+1)
• COMP 182/L Data Structures and Program Design and Lab (3+1)
• COMP 222 Computer Organization (3)
• COMP 282 Advanced Data Structures (3)
• COMP 380/L Introduction to Software Engineering and Lab (3)
• Free Elective (Select any university course) (2)

Select 3 units from the following courses:

• COMP 450 Societal Issues in Computing (3)
• COMP 461 Electronic Document Processing (3)
• COMP 467 Multimedia Systems Design (3)
• COMP 480/L Software System Development (2+1)
• COMP 485 Human-Computer Interaction (3)

2. or higher level mathematics course must be completed with a grade of C or higher.

5. General Education (33 Units)

The required pattern of General Education consists of 42 units distributed among six categories and Title 5. Fifteen (15) of these required units are satisfied by courses taken in the Lower Division Business Core (9), IS Core courses (3), and IS Option courses (3).The remaining requirements are as follows:

Basic Skills

• Analytical Reading/Expository Writing (3)
• Critical Thinking¹ (0)
• Mathematics² (0)
• Oral Communications (3)
• Natural Sciences (8)
• Arts and Humanities (6)
• Social Sciences³ (0)
• Lifelong Learning4 (0)
• Comparative Cultural Studies (6)
• GE Elective (1)
• Title 5 (6)

1. This requirement is met by PHIL 230

2.This requirement is met by MATH 103 (ISBS Option) or MATH 150A (ISIT Option)

3. This requirement is met by ECON 160 and 161 4. This requirement is met by BLAW 280

Total Units Required for a B.S. Degree 120

Minor In Information Systems

The study of Information Systems (IS) cuts across all functional areas of today’s organizations. Business professionals need a thorough understanding of IS to be competitive in the job market. Since IS facilitates communications throughout every type of organization, a concentration of study would also be of interest to students majoring in degree programs throughout the university. The Information Systems minor is for (1) students within the College of Business and Economics in the BSA, BSBA, or BAE programs and (2) students throughout the University majoring in programs such as Communications, Geography, Graphic Design, Engineering, Health Science, Kinesiology, Journalism or any other program where a student feels a concentration of Information Systems courses would be useful for his/her career.

1. Required Courses (21 Units):

• COMP 100 Computers: Their Impact and Use (3)
• IS 3121 Information Systems for Business (3)
• ACCT 220 Introduction to Financial Accounting (3)
• IS 4312 Systems Analysis and Design (3)
• IS 4352 Business Data Communications and Networking (3)
• IS 4412 Database Management Systems (3)
• IS 4513 Systems Development Project (3)

1. IS 312 has a prerequisite of ACCT 220 2. IS 431, IS 435 and IS 441 have a prerequisite of IS 312 3. IS 451 has prerequisites of IS 431 and IS 435 This minor is not available to Information Systems majors.

2. General Education

COMP 100 satisfies three units of Lifelong Learning.

Total Units Required for the Minor : 21

Course List

IS 312. Information Systems for Business (3)

Prerequisite: ACCT 220. A survey of information systems concepts including information technology, business information systems, and information system development and management. Preparation of group and individual projects involving hands-on learning of database management systems, decision support software, and web page design and publishing. Practice in the use of a formal problem-solving process that includes five tasks. Presentation of results in written and/or oral form.

IS 335. Information Technology in Business (3)

Prerequisite: ACCT 220. Defines the information technology (IT) that is used in business, specifically the characteristics of hardware architecture, operating systems concepts, and their interactions; as well as properties of n-tiered information systems. The laboratory component of the course will provide practice on computer hardware architecture, operating systems, and software of information systems.

IS 399. Independent Study (1-3)

Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and approval of Program Chair. For students capable of independent work and in need of advanced and specialized study. May be repeated for a total of six units.

IS 431. Systems Analysis and Design (3)

Prerequisites: Grade of C or higher in IS 312, a grade of C or higher in BUS 302, a grade of “CR” in BUS 302L and successful completion of the UDWPE. This course covers the systems development life cycle. Topics include standard tools and techniques to analyze and design an information system from a structured as well as an object-oriented perspective. A Computer-Aided Software Engineering (CASE) tool is used to facilitate the study. Required class work includes a group project on developing an information system in a business case.

IS 435. Business Data Communications and Networking (3)

Prerequisites: Grade of C or higher in IS 312, a grade of C or higher in BUS 302, a grade of “CR” in BUS 302L and successful completion of the UDWPE. An introduction to the concepts and applications of telecommunications and networking technology in a business environment. Topics include network-related hardware and software technology, standards and protocols, local and wide area networks, network management, and emerging trends. Emphasis is on the ability to integrate basic technological components to meet the business application requirements. Students will prepare a variety of projects involving the analysis, design, and management of network systems.

IS 441. Database Management Systems (3)

Prerequisite: Grade of C or higher in IS 312, a grade of C or higher in BUS 302, a grade of “CR” in BUS 302L and successful completion of the UDWPE. The design and implementation of computerized databases. Provides background for the selection and use of database management systems. Topics include types of available systems, functions of database administration, conceptual database design, data independence, integrity, privacy, and query. The student will design and implement a database utilizing a commercial database management system.

IS 450. Business Expert Systems (3)

Prerequisite: Grade of C or higher in IS 431, a grade of C or higher in BUS 302, a grade of “CR” in BUS 302L and successful completion of the UDWPE. An introduction to the uses of expert systems and the basic concepts underlying their design and construction. An overview of the issues involved in the development and implementation of business expert systems.

IS 451. Systems Development Project (3)

Prerequisites: Grade of C or higher in IS 431 and IS 435, a grade of C or higher in BUS 302, a grade of “CR” in BUS 302L and successful completion of the UDWPE. An introduction to enterprise-level system development concepts, principles and practices. Evaluate and set up comprehensive system development projects for enterprises. Student teams will analyze, design and plan systems of moderate complexity, using current technologies and the appropriate project management methods in the solution.

IS 455. Advanced Application Development (3)

Prerequisites: Grade of C or higher in IS 431, IS 435, and IS 441, a grade of C or higher in BUS 302, a grade of “CR” in BUS 302L and successful completion of the UDWPE. Advanced application development emphasizing enterprise-wide, Web-based, transaction processing topics such as: data mining, data warehousing, knowledge management, metadata representation, customer relations management, N-tier applications, systems integration, and application integration. The course will include hands-on projects using advanced application development tools.

IS 457. Advanced Telecommunications and Networking (3)

Prerequisites: Grade of C or higher in IS 431, IS 435, and IS 441, a grade of C or higher in BUS 302, a grade of “CR” in BUS 302L and successful completion of the UDWPE. An advanced course in telecommunications and networks emphasizing enterprise networking topics such as: network operating systems, network analysis and design, network security, virtual private networks, collaboration, wireless networks, VLAN, multi-platform integration, voice-over internet protocol, web server strategies, and storage area networks. This course will include hands-on projects involving network design and implementation.

IS 497A-Z. Special Topics - Information Systems (1-4)

Prerequisites: Grade of C or higher in IS 431, IS 435, and IS 441, a grade of C or higher in BUS 302 a grade of “CR” in Bus 302L and successful completion of the UDWPE. Innovative course of study. Topics to be specified in the Schedule of Classes. Different topics may be taken for credit.

IS 498. Field Assignments and Reports – Information Systems (1-6)

Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and approval of Program Chair. For students capable of independent work and in need of advanced and specialized study. May be repeated for a total of six units.

IS 499A-C. Independent Study (1-4)

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and approval of Program Chair. For students capable of independent work and in need of advanced and specialized study. May be repeated for a total of six units.

IS 599. Independent Study (1-3)

Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and approval of Program Chair. For students capable of independent work and in need of advanced and specialized study. May be repeated for a total of six units.

Graduate

IS 628. Computer-Based Information Systems (3)

Prerequisites: ACCT 501 or one year of undergraduate accounting. An introduction to computer-based information systems at a fairly sophisticated level. Emphasis will be on the understanding of computer concepts, computer applications in an organizational environment, and the analysis and design of information systems.

IS 655. Information Systems: Theory and Practice Seminar (3)

Prerequisite: IS 628. Advanced study of computer-based Information Systems. Case studies of current computer applications in various businesses will be assigned to students as research projects.

IS 656. Information Systems: Systems Design Seminar I (3)

Prerequisite: IS 628. Define requirements of computer-based Information Systems on Micro and Mini Computers. Students will be assigned advanced system design research projects.

IS 657. Information Systems: Systems Design Seminar II (3)

Prerequisite: IS 628. Define requirements of computer-based Information Systems on time-sharing systems and large computers. Students will be assigned advanced systems design research projects.

IS 699. Independent Study (1-3)

Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and approval of Program Chair. For students capable of independent work and in need of advanced and specialized study. May be repeated for a total of six units.