Computer Information Systems

The computer information systems major prepares you for a career working as a network, systems or database administrator, programmer, software engineer, project manager, business or systems analyst and more.

Ready for Anything

Like an engineer, you learn how technology systems are designed, implemented, and maintained. You gain a foundation in programming, information systems, networking, databases, and information technology. Because it’s focused on applications and information technology, you take more business communication courses and a course in project management.

You have four routes to a CIS degree. You can earn a CIS degree and customize electives to your career interests, or you can add a concentration in computer game technology, software, web and computer security, or mobile computing. Computer game technology introduces you to game design and development. The security concentration shows you how to protect data and systems from cyber attacks. The mobile computing concentration strengthens your understanding of wireless networks and teaches you how to develop mobile applications.

By the time you graduate, your experiences include:

• Research and projects in small classes and groups
• Internship opportunities at organizations such as Walgreens, Caterpillar, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, ProducePro and Illinois Mutual Insurance.
• Networking, career development and programming contests through the Association for Computing Machinery student chapter

Making your Mark

Computer information science majors are valuable in many business, financial or technical settings. Recent graduates have found jobs at DoubleVerify, Facet Technologies, Illinois Mutual Life Insurance and Samsung.

Major Requirements

Required Courses - 56 hrs.

• CS 101: Introduction to Programming - 4 hrs.
• CS 102: Data Structures - 3 hrs.
• CS 140: Advanced Programming Concepts and Languages - 3 hrs.
• CS 210: Advanced Data Structures and Algorithms - 3 hrs.
• CS 220: Computer Architecture - 3 hrs.
• CS 370: Database Management Systems - 3 hrs.
• CS 480: Social and Professional Issues in Computing - 2 hrs.
• CIS 393: Web Technologies and Systems - 3 hrs.
• CIS 430: Information Technology Infrastructure - 3 hrs.
• CIS 445: Integrative Programming and Technology - 3 hrs.
• CIS 475: Computer Information Systems Analysis. Design and Integration - 3 hrs.
• CIS 491: Computer Information System Project Management- 3 hrs.
• MTH 120: Discrete Mathematics - 3 hrs.
• MTH 111: Elementary Statistics - 3 hrs.
• PSY 101: Principles of Psychology - 3 hrs.
• PSY 320: Human Factors Psychology - 3 hrs.
• *COM 292: Organizational Communication - 3 hrs.
  or M L 354: Maximizing Effectiveness in Organizations - 3 hrs.
  or COM 300: Communication Theory - 3 hrs.
• *M L 350: Managing for Results in Organizations - 2 hrs.
  or M L 250: Interpersonal Effectiveness in Organizations - 2 hrs.
• *ENT 385: Technology Entrepreneurship - 3 hrs.
  or ENT 381: Entrepreneurship for Non-Business Students - 3 hrs.
  or ENT 280: Entrepreneurial Creativity - 3 hrs.

*Recommended

Elective Courses (choose one) - 3 hrs.

• MIS 379: Information Systems Security - 3 hrs.
• CIS 415: Applied Cryptography - 3 hrs.
• CIS 435: Computer Networks and System Security - 3 hrs.
• CIS 495: Software and Web Applications Security - 3 hrs.

Each computer information system major must take a track consisting of at least 9 semester hours approved by the Department. (A track is a coherent, structured in-depth course of study that is comprised of interrelated courses with a focus on emerging technologies in computer information systems and related areas)