Computer Information Systems

Associate in Applied Science Degree

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Information technology (IT) professionals take on many roles in business and academia from internet communications and hardware support to software development and  maintenance. The CIS degree prepares students for these  many roles by providing both theoretical and hands on work in established and emerging technologies. Program work includes application support, computer  programming and operating systems, web design, cybersecurity, business fundamentals, data analytics, and networking. One high school mathematics course or its equivalent is required.

Goal 1 To prepare the students to enter the field of business or transfer to another degree program

  • Graduates seeking a job secure a position in the field of business within two years
  • Graduates seeking further education transfer to a higher education institution

Goal 2 To prepare the students to interact effectively within a diverse business population

  • Students will interact effectively within a diverse student population by completing collaborative projects
  • Students will complete DGV requirement

Goal 3 To prepare the student to communicate effectively in a collaborative environment

  • Students will communicate appropriately with instructors and peers through written or oral assignments
  • Students will visually and graphically communicate through presentations and/or projects

Goal 4 To train students to solve business problems

  • Students will demonstrate the use of computers as a problem solving tool
  • Students will analyze and understand the structure of file management.

Goal 5 To introduce students to a variety of international business scenarios

  • Students will demonstrate an understanding of world-wide issues related to business
  • Students shall investigate various international issues through the use of media

Goal 6 To prepare students to gather, organize, manage, and interpret data electronically

  • Students will demonstrate the ability to derive information from data.
  • Students will demonstrate the ability to apply information toward making decisions

Goal 7 To have the student understand that business decisions are based on systematic processes such as accounting systems, MIS, and the economic way of thinking

  • Students will be able to summarize, report, and interpret financial data
  • Students will recognize the language of business
  • Students will illustrate the ability to locate and analyze data
  • Students will use the scientific method to solve business and economic problems

Goal 8 To prepare students to demonstrate information literacy,

  • Students will use traditional and contemporary information technology
  • Students will identify, access, and appropriately use authoritative sources of information

Total Credit Hours: 64

First Semester

This course is an opportunity for students to develop the skills necessary to be successful in college. Students learn the importance of the faculty-student and advisor-advisee relationship, develop time management techniques, apply effective study skill techniques, recognize the implications of living in a diverse society, utilize college resources, and explore career and transfer requirements. Collaborative projects are included. Students matriculated in a degree program must take this course in their first term of study.

This course focuses on several kinds of writing-self-expressive, informative, and argumentative/persuasive, and others. A minimum of five essay compositions are required. The course emphasizes the composition of clear, correct, and effective prose required in a variety of professions and occupations. Prerequisites: Appropriate high school GPA or placement test score or EN090 Basic Writing Skills or SL116 ESL4: Advanced Composition or SL145 ESOL Advanced Composition

This course emphasizes the basic practices, concepts, and activities involved in developing a successful marketing program. Topics include buyer behavior, market identification, product development, distribution, promotion, pricing, and the uncontrollable factors (economic, social, political, legal and technological) involved in the changing marketing environment of today.

This course is designed to provide a basic understanding of entrepreneurship and the challenges of starting and operating a small business. Emphasis is placed on creating and successfully leading a business entity by developing a sustainable competitive advantage. Topics include self-assessment, planning, decision-making, legal forms of business, identifying and leveraging business opportunities, capital formation, start-up issues, the need for social responsibility and ethics, and how to develop long-term relationships with customers, suppliers, and employers. A major course requirement is the presentation of a realistic business plan.

This course, intended for non-accounting majors, is an introduction to the fundamental accounting concepts and principles used to analyze and record business transactions. Topics include the accounting cycle, accounting for service and merchandising businesses, special journals, payroll, banking and internal controls, and inventory methods.

This course provides knowledge of relevant computer skills and a solid foundation in the terminology and concepts of computer technology. Experience is provided with a variety of microcomputer software applications, including word processing, electronic spreadsheets, graphics, file management, and integrated software. Concepts and terms focus on preparing for a technologically oriented society and using the computer as a tool for productivity, research, and communication.

This course introduces probability and statistics. Topics include graphs, tables, frequency distributions, measures of central tendency and dispersion, normal distribution, correlation and regression, probability, and inferential statistics. This course is available in two formats: lecture only, or lecture plus laboratory using technology. Prerequisite: Appropriate high school GPA or placement test score or MA089 Arithmetic.

Take any Physical Education Course

Second Semester

This course encourages a deeper understanding of human nature and the human condition through the study of ideas and values expressed in imaginative literature. Emphasis is placed on the use and development of critical thinking and language skills. Library-oriented research is required. Prerequisite: EN101 English 1: Composition or EN105 English Composition for Speakers of Other Languages or EN106 English 1: Composition & Reading.

This course provides students with a broad understanding of the concepts and interdisciplinary applications of cybersecurity and its impact on society. It examines the historical development of security in technology as it relates to governance, personal information and assets, and major commerce sectors such as finance, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing. It also introduces basic networking, assessing and handling of security risks, hardware components, and basic computer troubleshooting.

This course covers the role of computer operating systems. It emphasizes operating systems and environments used with Intel-compatible equipment and discusses additional platforms. Command-line, menu-driven, and graphical user interface (GUI) systems are covered. Topics include storage devices, operating environment, system startup, menus, memory management, software package installation, and multitasking.

This course will introduce students to basic database concepts. The course will focus on designing and structuring databases to meet the objectives of management. Students will use a database management system to complete an in-depth exploration of query capabilities and report generation. The student will learn the creation and management of a working database from the ground up. When the student completes this course, they will have the ability to create tables, queries, forms, and reports within database software and understand the role of a database within a business setting.

This course introduces computer programming methods and techniques of problem-solving using structured programming. Students analyze problems and organize effective solutions. Techniques of problem-solving include defining the problem, specifying required input and output, developing the algorithm, and testing the solution. Students also translate the algorithms to a high-level programming language.

Take any Physical Education Course

Third Semester

This course introduces the basics of computer networking from concepts and terminology to materials and equipment. Topics form the foundation for further networking courses, with a solid grasp of fundamentals that lead to experience with equipment. The majority of this course deals with theory, with equipment used for demonstration. Prerequisite: IS101 Computers and Society, or IS100 Introduction to Computers and Society, or CI104 Introduction to Cybersecurity or CI121 Microcomputer Techniques for Science.

This course expands the knowledge of those already familiar with the basic elements of electronic spreadsheets. It examines the various uses for a spreadsheet in business. Intermediate and advanced spreadsheet techniques are examined, including the power of functions, formatting, analytical graphics, and macros. Prerequisites: IS101 Computers and Society or IS100 Introduction to Computers and Society.

Choose any General Education Natural Science Course

Any AC, BM, CI or IS course not already required in the program except AC115, BM100, BM101, or IS100. BM290 Business Internship substitutes for one program elective.

This course provides an overview of networking concepts. Topics include LAN topologies, transmission media, protocols, network operating systems, and the OSI Model. Network security issues and network-to-network connections are also discussed. Through lecture and classroom demonstrations, students are exposed to the procedures involved in administering a LAN.

Take any Physical Education Course

Fourth Semester

This course covers the skills required to communicate in the industrial, business, and technical settings. Emphasis is placed on the objective presentation of ideas and information. It includes the preparation of formal and informal reports, abstracts, summaries, and proposals. It covers practice in the coherent organization of ideas, stylistic conventions, standard language usage, and the design and decisions necessary for successful written communication. Prerequisites: EN101 English 1: Composition or EN105 English Composition for Speakers of Other Languages or EN106 English 1: Composition & Reading, and EN102 English 2: Ideas & Values of Literature.

Take any General Education Social Science Course

Analytics electives include: BA101 Intro to Analytics or CI271 Database Design & Implementation. Students should choose BA101 for a business focus and CI271 for a technology focus.

The course provides an overview of computers and network security, addressing the balance of access and security in standard practices and performance issues. It covers the effective design, implementation, and support of security policies for large-scale enterprise networks. It deals with preventive and post-event recovery tools. Prerequisite: CI104 Introduction to Cybersecurity or CI112 Networking Fundamentals or CI130 Programing in C++.

Any AC, BM, CI or IS course not already required in the program except AC115, BM100, BM101, or IS100. BM290 Business Internship substitutes for one program elective.

Take any Physical Education Course

(a) Business Management Electives include: BM120 Principles of Marketing OR BM150 Small Business Management.

(b) Any AC, BM, CI or IS course not already required in the program except AC115, BM100, BM101, or IS100. BM290 Business Internship substitutes for one program elective.

(c) Analytics electives include: BA101 Intro to Analytics or CI271 Database Design & Implementation. Students should choose BA101 for a business focus and CI271 for a technology focus.

Information Technology Support - Microcredential:

The IT Support Professional microcredential is designed to prepare students for an entry-level role in IT support. A job in IT can mean in-person or remote help desk work in a small business or at a global company. The microcredential will introduce IT troubleshooting and customer service, networking, operating systems, system administration and security. This microcredential, with integration into the Computer Information Systems program, is designed to prepare for employment in this continuously growing field as well as provide a foundation for further education. Courses included:

  • IS101 Computer and Society 3 cr.
  • IS120 Computer Operating Systems and Environments 3 cr.
  • IS201 Principles of Computer Security 3 cr.
  • IS240 Networking Essentials 3 cr.