Chair's Welcome
Welcome to the Department of Information Systems and Computer Science! Our department offers a range of programs designed to prepare students for exciting careers in the rapidly evolving field of computing. Whether you are pursuing an undergraduate degree in Management Information Systems, Computer Science, or Data Science, a Master's in Management Information Systems, or one of our online certificate programs, you will find a supportive and challenging academic environment that nurtures your growth and development.
Broadening participation in computing is a core value of our department, and we are committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students. We proudly sponsor students to attend events like the Grace Hopper Celebration and TAPIA, which are dedicated to promoting diversity in the computing industry.
One of the unique aspects of our department is the active involvement of our IT Advisory Board, which plays a pivotal role in shaping our curriculum and ensuring its relevance to industry needs. The board's engagement extends beyond the classroom, as they sponsor and participate in various career-focused events such as etiquette dinners, networking socials, career fairs, mock interviews, and pitch competitions, providing invaluable opportunities for our students to network and gain practical insights into their future careers.
In addition to our academic programs and industry partnerships, we are proud to be members of prestigious programs such as SAP, Celonis, UiPath, and the AWS University Academic Alliance. These affiliations provide our students with unique opportunities to earn industry-recognized certificates and digital badges, giving them a competitive edge in the job market.
Our department is home to an SAP Next-Gen Lab and AI Lab, where industry partners regularly engage with our students through speaking events and sponsorships of student competitions. This collaborative environment ensures that our students have access to the latest industry trends and developments, preparing them to excel in their careers.
CS or MIS, What's the Difference?
Many people want to know what is the difference between computer science and management information systems. In the world of technology, there are three broad areas: computer science, information technology, and information systems.
Computer science, also called software engineering, is the area most concerned with the creation of programs that tell a computer what to do. Computer scientists may write code to create an operating system, build a database management system, or program a mobile device. They work to make software applications perform better while maintaining quality control. Computer science students may devise new ways to use computers or develop effective ways to solve computing problems. These students are required to take several math and science courses as theoretical background for their degree. Most of our computer science graduates take jobs as software developers, but there are many other options. Please view our B.S. in Computer Science page for more details.
Information technology is concerned with the areas of support and networking. The people who work in information technology know how to maintain and upgrade computers. They understand how computer networks work. While a student can major in information technology at some schools, both CS and MIS majors are suited to go into careers in this area.
Management information systems is also called computer information systems, business information systems, or just information systems. This area is concerned with using information as efficiently and effectively as possible for a competitive advantage. Students in this area still learn to program, but they are concerned with designing a database system to be used by a business rather than creating the software to create a database system. MIS majors take business courses in order to learn how a business works. They apply this knowledge to help businesses to get the most from their information.
Our MIS students take classes in technology infrastructure, ERP/SAP, business analytics, and web development, as well as business analysis, database management, and programming. For more details, please see our B.B.A. in Management Information Systems page.
The department hosts an annual Information Technology Career Fair every February. Please visit Handshake to sign up to attend (students and alumni) or to bring your company to campus to recruit our students. Examples of the companies attending and hiring our students are EY, NCR, UPS, GEICO, Delta Airlines Tech Ops, and Sogeti.
Possible Careers
| Computer Science Majors | Management Information Systems Majors |
|---|---|
| Computer Programmer | Business Systems Analyst |
| Software Designer | Project Manager |
| Software Engineer | Data Analytics Consultant |
| Software Developer | Computer Programmer |
| Database Administrator | Web Developer |
| Quality Assurance Analyst | Database Administrator |
| Computer Systems Analyst | Information Assurance Analyst |
| Information Security Analyst | IT Auditor |
| Computer Security Analyst | IT Security Manager |
| Program Testing & Support | IS Manager |
| Computer Hardware/Software Support | Computer Hardware/Software Support |
| Network Administrator | Network Administrator |
| Server Administrator | Server Administrator |