Systems and Operations Management

Academic Programs

Majors and Minors

The Systems and Operations Management Department offers the following academic programs: B.S. in Business Administration with an option in Business Analytics, Global Supply Chain Management, and Systems and Operations Management; B.S in Information Systems with an option in Business Systems, Computer Information Technology, Health Systems, and Software Technology; Minors in Business Analytics, Information Systems, and Quality Management and Assurance . The Department also offers graduate courses in the MBA Program.

The option in Systems and Operations Management prepares students for rewarding careers in a variety of industries, such as aerospace, electronics, automotive, health care, airlines, transportation, biotechnology, software and banking. The range of positions includes operations planning and scheduling, inventory and materials management, quality management, project management, systems analysis and design, decision support systems, and supply chain management.

The Global Supply Chain Management Option prepares students for every area of supply chain activity. The range of positions in the supply chain management area include sourcing and procurement, demand planning and distribution, logistics management, transportation, warehousing, materials handling, order processing and customer value analysis.

The option in Business Analytics focuses on preparing students for careers in a very fast-growing field of business analytics. The program provides a strong foundation in business analytics that addresses the opportunities and challenges opened up by massive amounts of data, methodological developments and the explosion in computing power and storage capacity. The program ensures that students build and develop the ability to apply their knowledge and skills to business problems for data-driven decision-making. The department also offers a minor in Business Analytics program which allows students the opportunity to pursue a secondary interest in business analytics.

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.

The department offers a minor in Information Systems. The Information Systems minor is for students throughout the University who feel a concentration of Information Systems courses would be useful for their career.

The department offers a minor in Quality Management and Assurance. The Quality Management and Assurance minor allows non-Bachelor of Science in Business (BSBA) majors the opportunity to pursue secondary interests in Quality Management and Assurance. This minor is appropriate for both service and manufacturing organizations.

B.S. Business Administration Option in Business Analytics (24 Units)

Upper Division Required Courses:

  • BANA 320 Predictive Analytics for Business (3)
  • BANA 410 Machine Learning for Business (3) 
  • BANA 420 Prescriptive Analytics for Business (3)  
  • IS 312 Systems and Technologies for Managers (3)
  • SOM 307 Data Analysis and Modeling for Business (3)

Communication Courses: Select three units from the following:

  • BLAW 368 Law, Business, and Ethics (3)
  • BLAW 372 Ethical and Legal Aspects of Managing Technology (3)
  • ENGL 306 Report Writing (3)
  • PHIL 305 Business Ethics and Public Policy (3)

Electives: Select 6 additional units from the following: (at least 3 units from the BANA courses):

  • BANA 310 Data Visualization for Business (3)
  • BANA 430 Text Mining and Analytics for Business (3)
  • BANA 440 Supply Chain Analytics (3)
  • IS 441 Database Management Systems (3)
  • MKT 356 Marketing Metrics and Insights (3)
  • SOM 485 Decision Support Systems (3)

For more information visit: https://www.csun.edu/som/business-analytics

For program catalog please visit: Business Administration, B.S. - Business Analytics (csun.edu)

Catalog Year 2024

B.S. Business Administration Option in Global Supply Chain Management (24 units)

Upper Division Required Courses:

  • IS 312 Information Systems for Business (3)
  • MKT/SCM 447 Logistics and Transportation Management (3)
  • MKT/SCM 442 Business to Business Marketing (3)
  • SCM/SOM 416 Supply Chain Management (3)
  • SCM 492 Decision Support Systems (3)

Communication Courses: Select three units from the following:

  • ENGL 306 Report Writing (3)
  • ENGL 407 Composition and the Professions (3)
  • BLAW 308 Business Law II (3)

Select six additional units from the following: 

  • ECON 310 Price Theory and Applications (3)
  • MKT 346 Marketing Research (3)
  • MKT 443 Retail Management (3)
  • MKT 445 International Marketing (3)
  • SOM 464 Manufacturing Resource Planning (3)
  • SOM 467 Quality Management and Control (3)
  • SOM 468 Managing for Service Excellence (3)
  • BUS 491 Small Business Consulting (3)

For more information: Business Administration, B.S. - Global Supply Chain Management (csun.edu)

Catalog Year 2024

B.S. Business Administration Option in Systems and Operations Management (24 units)

Upper Division Required Courses:

  • SOM 307 Data Analysis and Modeling for Business (3)
  • IS 312 Information Systems for Business (3)
  • SOM 464 Manufacturing Resource Planning (3)
  • SOM 467 Quality Management and Control (3)
  • SOM 485 Decision Support Systems (3)

Communication Courses: Select three units from the following:

  • BLAW 308 Business Law II (3)
  • ENGL 407 Composition and the Professions (3)
  • PHIL 305 Business Ethics and Public Policy (3)

Select six additional units from the following: 

  • ECON 310 Price Theory and Applications (3)
  • SOM 416 Supply Chain Management (3)
  • SOM 466 Project Management (3)
  • SOM 468 Managing for Service Excellence (3)
  • SOM 498 Field Assignments and Reports - Systems and Operations Management (3)
  • SCM 447 Logistics and Transportation Management (3)

For more information: Business Administration, B.S. - Systems and Operations Management (csun.edu)

Catalog Year 2024

B.S. Information Systems Option in Business Systems (37 units)

Required Information Systems Core Courses (19 units):

  • COMP 110/L Introduction to Algorithms and Programming and Lab (3/1)
  • IS 312 Systems and Technologies for Managers (3)
  • IS 431 Systems Analysis and Design (3)
  • IS 435 Business Data Networks and Cybersecurity (3)
  • IS 441 Database Management Systems (3)
  • IS 451 Enterprise Systems and Project Management (3)

Business Systems (IS-BS) Option (18 units)

  • IS 335 Building Enterprise Architecture (3)
  • IS 355 Application Development (3)
Select 12 units from the following elective courses:
  • IS 457 Advanced Telecommunications and Networking (3)
  • IS 497A-Z Special Topics—Information Systems (3)
  • IS 498C Field Assignments and Reports Information Systems (3)
  • IS 499C Independent Study (3)
  • SOM 485 Decision Support Systems (3)

For more information: Information Systems, B.S. - Business Systems (csun.edu)

Catalog Year 2024

B.S. Information Systems Option in Computer Information Technology (39 units)

Required Information Systems Core Courses (19 units)

  • COMP 110/L Introduction to Algorithms and Programming/Lab (3/1)
  • IS 312 Systems and Technologies for Managers (3)
  • IS 431 Systems Analysis and Design (3)
  • IS 435 Business Data Networks and Cybersecurity (3)
  • IS 441 Database Management Systems (3)
  • IS 451 Enterprise Systems and Project Management (3)

Computer Information Technology (IS-CIT) Option (20 units)

  • CIT 210/L Deployment and Management of Operating Systems (3/1)
  • CIT 270/L Integrative Programming (3/1)
  • CIT 360/L CIT System Management and Lab (2/1)
  • COMP 122/L Computer Architecture and Assembly Language (1/1)
  • COMP 182/L Data Structures and Program Design and Lab (3/1)
Select 3 units from the following elective courses:
  • CIT 425/L Information and Systems Security and Lab (2/1)
  • COMP 424 Computer System Security (3)
  • COMP 484/L Web Engineering I and Lab (2/1)
  • COMP 485 Human-Computer Interaction (3)
  • IS 498C Field Assignments and Reports Information Systems (3)
  • IS 499C Independent Study (3)

For more information: Information Systems, B.S. - Computer Information Technology (csun.edu)

Catalog Year 2024

B.S. Information Systems Option in Health Systems (37 Units)

 Required Information Systems Core Courses (19 units)

  • COMP 110/L Introduction to Algorithms and Programming/Lab (3/1)
  • IS 312 Systems and Technologies for Managers (3)
  • IS 431 Systems Analysis and Design (3)
  • IS 435 Business Data Networks and Cybersecurity (3)
  • IS 441 Database Management Systems (3)
  • IS 451 Enterprise Systems and Project Management (3)

Health Systems (IS-HS) Option (18 units)

  • IS 335 Information Technology in Business (3)
  • IS 355 Application Development (3)
Select 12 units from the following elective courses:
  • HSCI 314 Organization and Delivery of Health Services (3)
  • HSCI 391 Computer Application in Health Sciences (3)
  • HSCI 412 Medical Care Organization in the U.S. (3)*
  • HSCI 415 Health Information Systems (3)
  • IS 498C Field Assignments and Reports Information Systems (3)
  • IS 499C Independent Study (3)

*Prerequisite of HSCI 312 is waived.

For more information: Information Systems, B.S. - Health Systems (csun.edu)

Catalog Year 2024

B.S. Information Systems Option in Software Technology (39 units)

Required Information Systems Core Courses (19 units)

  • COMP 110/L Introduction to Algorithms and Programming/Lab (3/1)
  • IS 312 Systems and Technologies for Managers (3)
  • IS 431 Systems Analysis and Design (3)
  • IS 435 Business Data Networks and Cybersecurity (3)
  • IS 441 Database Management Systems (3)
  • IS 451 Enterprise Systems and Project Management (3)

Software Technology (IS-ST) Option (20 units)

  • COMP 122/L Computer Architecture and Assembly Language (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 (2/1)
Select 5 units from the following courses:
  • COMP 424 Computer System Security (3)
  • COMP 467 Multimedia Systems Design (3)
  • COMP 484/L Web Engineering I and Lab (2/1)
  • COMP 485 Human-Computer Interaction (3)
  • COMP 541 Data Mining (3)
  • IS 498B Field Assignments and Reports Information Systems (2)
  • IS 499B Independent Study (2)

For more information: Information Systems, B.S. - Software Technology (csun.edu)

Catalog Year 2024

Minor in Business Analytics (18 units)

Required Courses (9 units):

  • BANA 410 Machine Learning for Business (3)
  • SOM 120 Basic Business Statistics (3)*
  • SOM 307 Data Analysis and Modeling for Business (3)

Elective Courses (9 units, at least 6 units from the BANA courses):

  • BANA 310 Data Visualization for Business (3)
  • BANA 320 Predictive Analytics for Business (3)
  • BANA 420 Prescriptive Analytics for Business (3)
  • BANA 430 Text Mining and Analytics for Business (3)
  • FIN 459 Financial Modeling (3)
  • IS 312 Systems and Technologies for Managers (3)
  • MKT 356 Marketing Metrics and Insights (3)

 Total Units in the Minor : 18

For more information visit: https://www.csun.edu/som/business-analytics

Minor in Information Systems (21 units)

Required Courses :

  • ACCT 220 Introduction to Financial Accounting (3)
  • IS 212 Information Systems for Business Users (3)
  • IS 312 Systems and Technologies for Managers (3)
  • IS 431 Systems Analysis and Design (3)
  • IS 435 Business Data Networks and Cybersecurity (3)
  • IS 441 Database Management Systems (3)
  • IS 451 Enterprise Systems and Project Management (3)

Total Units in the Minor: 21

Minor in Quality Management and Assurance (18 units)

Required Courses:

  • BUS 104 Introduction to Business (3)
  • SOM 120 Basic Business Statistics (3) or MATH 140 Introductory Statistics (4)
  • SOM 306 Operations Management (3)
  • SOM 467 Quality Management and Control (3)

Each student must successfully complete any two of the following courses:

  • PSY 150 Principles of Human Behavior (3)
  • SOM 416 Supply Chain Management (3)
  • SOM 466 Project Management (3)
  • SOM 468 Managing for Service Excellence (3)
  • MKT 304 Marketing Management (3)

 Total Units in the Minor : 18

Certificate Program in Quality Management

The quality Management Certificate Program is designed for post baccalaureate individuals seeking access to or advancement in quality-related professions.  Certified individuals will have knowledge of fundamental principles of quality management and control, lean processes, quality applications in project or service environments, and specialized quality management methods.  Certified personnel will contribute to meeting industry and government needs for professionals in quality-related positions. The Quality Management Certificate Program is offered by the Manufacturing Systems Engineering and Management department in collaboration with the Department of Systems and Operations Management.                   

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION:

Admission to the Quality Management Certificate Program requires that applicants (1) hold an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; (2) provide evidence of satisfactory   completion of an undergraduate statistical methods course, such as SOM 307 or MSE 362, within four years of admission to the program; (3) provide evidence of basic work processing and spreadsheets software skills; and (4) be approved by the Department Graduate Coordinator.                             

PROGRAM COURSE REQUIREMENTS:                          

The Quality Management Certificate Program structured with six units of required coursework and nine units of restricted elective courses for a total of 15 semester units. There are two sets of restricted elective courses, and at least one 3-unit course must be selected from each set. 

Required program core (6 units)                           

Select three units from:  

            SOM 467  Quality Management and Control (3)                          

            SOM 667  Total Quality Management (3)

 Complete the following course: 

            MSE 507  Lean Manufacturing Systems (3)                          

Program Electives (a total 9 units from Section A and Section B)

 1. Section A: Select at least three units from the courses listed below         

             SOM 466  Project Management (3)                          

             SOM 468  Managing for Service Excellence (3)

             SOM 666  Project Planning and Policy (3)                          

2. Section B: Select at least three units from the courses listed below     

             MSE 513  NDE Methods and Analysis (3)                          

             MSE 514  Reliability and Maintainability (3)

             MSE 601  Engineering Supply Chain Systems (3)                          

             MSE 617  Seminar in Quality Management (3)

             MSE 618  Six Sigma Quality Engineering (3)                        

 CERTIFICATE PROGRAM COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS:

1. Complete the 15 units of program course requirements with a minimum program GPA of 3.0.                             

2. Earn no grade lower than a B- in any individual course. 

3. Satisfactorily complete all program course requirements within 3 years of program admission.                            

4. Submit application for the award of the certificate to the Department Graduate Coordinator.

Careers in Business Analytics

Employers are currently experiencing a shortage of job candidates with skills in business analytics, and the increase in potential employment opportunities in this field will continue to rise. The employment of operations research analysts is projected to grow 27 percent from 2016 to 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Business-Higher Education Forum — a nonprofit membership group of Fortune 500 CEOs, and college and university leaders — and PricewaterhouseCoopers also reported that approximately 2.72 million new job postings will seek workers with skills in data analytics and science by 2020. Business analytics job categories include data/business analytics, business intelligence and business analytics in various functional areas (supply chain, finance, marketing, human resources, healthcare, etc). According to Indeed.com, the average yearly salary of business analysts is estimated to be around $80,000.

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