Program Curriculum
CSULB’s management information systems (MIS) option conforms to standards set forth by the Association for Information Systems (AIS), the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), and the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP). The College is accredited by the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
After completing basic courses, Information Systems undergraduate majors can specialize by selecting one of the following tracks:
Applications Development - This track prepares graduates for careers as business systems analysts, applications programmers, support specialists, software trainers, database designers and administrators to name just a few. A minimum of 18 units consisting of IS 340, IS 355, IS 380, IS 385, and IS 485, and one elective course from the following bucket: IS 320, IS 464, IS 470, IS 480.
Business Telecommunications - The telecommunications emphasis allows majors to serve the industry demand for telecommunications and computer network specialists and administrators. A minimum of 18 units consisting IS 340, IS 355, IS 380, IS 455, and IS 456, and one elective course from the following bucket: IS 457 or IS 464.
Electronic Commerce - This area offers many career openings for web page designers and webmasters - but also for e-commerce careers whose job descriptions are only now being written. A minimum of 18 units consisting of IS 340, IS 355, IS 380, IS 445, IS 484, and one elective course from: IS 456, IS 480, IS 483, or MKTG 437.
Decision Technologies - This track prepares graduates for careers as business analysts, system support managers, and consultants that use analytical and quantitative methods to understand and improve business processes. A minimum of 18 units consisting of IS 320, IS 340, IS 380, IS 355, IS 464, and IS 470.
Information Systems graduates' career options are more numerous starting from Technologies and Systems Management to Business Application & Consulting.
Current Courses
This option in Management Information Systems (MIS) requires a minimum of 18 units. Students may choose one of the following three tracks within the option: Applications Development, Business Telecommunications, Electronic Commerce or Decision Technologies.
The I.S. Department also offers a minor in Management Information Systems. Requirements for the minor are: 18 units including IS 300 and 15 units chosen from: IS 320, 340, 355, 380, 385, 445, 446, 455, 456, 464, 470, 480, 483, 484, and 485.
Interdisciplinary Emphasis
The I.S. Department is keenly interested in cross-departmental cooperation between information systems and the other business functional areas. For example, Electronic Commerce touches most other business disciplines, especially Marketing. The I.S. Department counsels students interested in the both the technical and the marketing of e-commerce to also takeMarketing's e-commerce offerings.
The I.S. option and the Computer Engineering and Computer Science option work together through the Interdisciplinary Learning Project. Students collaboratively learn the hard skills of software development and also acquire critical soft skills of project management and interdisciplinary teamwork.
Business Communications focuses on improving students' skills in gathering, analyzing, and organizing information, and in communicating that information in effective and persuasive business documents and presentations. Since today's employers rate communication skills at the top of their criteria for new hires, this core class is pertinent to all business disciplines.