Nov 29, 2024

2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

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2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Computer Information Systems Major, B.S.

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Department of Computer Information Systems and Business Analytics

College of Business

Available Program Format(s): In-Person, Hybrid

About the Program

The Computer Information Systems (CIS) bachelor’s program offers a challenging education in both general business and modern technology that will allow the student to become part of the fast-paced digital world. This is the only CIS program in Colorado accredited by both AACSB and ABET, the world’s top accrediting agencies for business and engineering/technology/computing programs.

The Computer Information Systems courses involve hands-on experience in the latest technologies applied in the context of business. Not only does the student have opportunities to take courses in HTML5 and CSS3, Java/Python, PHP and operating systems such as Windows, UNIX and Linux, but can also take advantage of advanced studies in cybersecurity, business analytics, systems analysis and design, database design and administration, telecommunications, local and wide-area networking, data mining, ERP/SAP, Web administration and application development.

Student Outcomes

SO1: Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
SO2: Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
SO3: Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
SO4: Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
SO5: Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
SO6: Support the delivery, use, and management of information systems within an information systems environment.

The College of Business B.S. programs, including Computer Information Systems, share a common set of four cross-disciplinary core competencies, knowledge, and skills.

Competency 1: Communication - Business students will be able to:

1.1 - Communicate effectively through writing.
1.2 - Communicate effectively through speaking.

Competency 2: Business Solutions - Business students will be able to analyze a business situation and recommend effective solutions utilizing:

2.1 - appropriate technological frameworks.
2.2 - appropriate ethical frameworks.
2.3 - appropriate global frameworks.

Competency 3: Technological Agility - Business students will be able to:

3.1 - understand the impact of current technology on the business environment.

Competency 4: Core Knowledge - Business students will demonstrate competence in required business topics, including accounting, computer information systems, data analytics, economics, ethics, finance, marketing, management, and business law.

General Degree Requirements

To earn a degree, students must satisfy all requirements in each of the four areas below, in addition to their individual major requirements.

Program Requirements

A total of 120 semester hours are required for graduation.
To earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems, a student must successfully complete 30 or more credit hours of business coursework at MSU Denver. This 30-hour residency requirement can be met by completing any business courses with the prefix ACC, ACCM, BNK, BUS, CIS, ECO, FIN, MGT, MKT, and REL and a course number of 2000 or higher. A student must complete at least twelve (12) upper-division semester hours in Computer Information Systems at MSU Denver.
In order to graduate, students must maintain a 2.0 average inside the Business Core and also maintain a 2.0 inside Computer Information Systems Major required courses and elective courses.
In order to graduate, a grade of “C-” or better is required in MGT 4950.
Students should note that programs differ in the minimum grade required.

General Studies Requirements: 33 credits

Students should consult the General Studies Requirements for a list of courses that fulfill the General Studies Requirements for degree completion.

Written Communication (6 credits)
Oral Communication (3 credits)
- Recommended: COMM 1010 - Presentational Speaking or COMM 1100 - Fundamentals of Oral Communication (one of these courses is required in the College of Business Additional Requirements for Business students completing any Bachelor of Science major.)
Quantitative Literacy (3 credits)
- Recommended: MTH 1110 - College Algebra for Calculus or MTH 1310 - Finite Mathematics for the Management and Social Sciences (one of these courses is required in the College of Business Additional Requirements for Business students completing any Bachelor of Science major).
Arts and Humanities (6 credits)
Historical (3 credits)
Natural and Physical Sciences (6 credits)
Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 credits)
- Recommended: ECO 2010 - Principles of Macroeconomics (required in the Business Core for Business students completing any Bachelor of Science major)
- Recommended: ECO 2020 - Principles of Microeconomics (required in the Business Core for Business students completing any Bachelor of Science major)
Global Diversity (0 or 3 credits**)

** Students will fulfill the global diversity requirement by taking an approved course within one of the following categories: arts and humanities; historical; natural and physical sciences; or social and behavioral sciences.

Ethnic Studies and Social Justice Requirement: 0 or 3 credits

Students should consult the Ethnic Studies & Social Justice Graduation Requirement for a list of courses that fulfill the ESSJ Requirement for degree completion.
Many programs include courses that meet this requirement. Students should consult with their advisor to determine what program courses may fulfill this requirement.

College of Business Additional Requirements: 7 credits

COMM 1010 - Presentational Speaking Credits: 3
or
COMM 1100 - Fundamentals of Oral Communication Credits: 3
MTH 1110 - College Algebra for Calculus Credits: 4
or
MTH 1310 - Finite Mathematics for the Management and Social Sciences Credits: 4

Business Core: 45 credits

All business majors require foundation course work in all significant areas of business theory and practice. The following courses are required for all students with a BS in a business discipline. Students must maintain a 2.0 average inside the Business Core.

ACC 2010 - Principles of Accounting I Credits: 3
ACC 2020 - Principles of Accounting II Credits: 3
BUS 1850 - Introduction to Business Credits: 3 *
BUS 1950 - Business Communication Credits: 3
BUS 3040 - Global Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability Credits: 3
or
ACC 4440 - Accounting Ethics and Professionalism Credits: 3
or

Enrollment in the MPAcc 3+2 Program
CIS 2010 - Foundations of Information Systems Credits: 3
CIS 2320 - Descriptive and Predictive Analytics Credits: 3
CIS 3320 - Prescriptive Analytics Credits: 3
ECO 2010 - Principles of Macroeconomics Credits: 3
ECO 2020 - Principles of Microeconomics Credits: 3
FIN 3300 - Managerial Finance Credits: 3
MKT 3000 - Principles of Marketing Credits: 3
MGT 2210 - Legal Environment of Business I Credits: 3
MGT 3000 - Organizational Management Credits: 3
MGT 4950 - Strategic Management Credits: 3 **
* Transfer students that transfer in 6 or more credits of business courses will not need to take BUS 1850 but may take any other College of Business 3-credit hour course that does not appear in their Major or Business Core requirements.

** “C-” or better must be earned in MGT 4950.

Computer Information Systems Major Requirements: 33 credits

In order to graduate, students must maintain a 2.0 average inside the Business Core and also maintain a 2.0 inside Computer Information Systems Major required courses, and elective courses.

(24 required credits plus 9 credits from Option 1 or 9 credits from Option 2):

Required Courses: 24 credits

CIS 2110 - Structured Problem Solving in Information Systems Credits: 3
CIS 3050 - Fundamentals of Systems Analysis and Design Credits: 3
CIS 3060 - Database Management Systems Credits: 3
CIS 3230 - Telecommunication Systems and Networking Credits: 3
CIS 3145 - Business Application Development Credits: 3
CIS 3500 - Information Systems Security Credits: 3
CIS 4050 - Systems Analysis and Design Credits: 3
Any CIS prefix course at the 2000 level or above except CIS 2500.

Option 1: CIS Degree (9 credits)

This option does not require students to declare an area of concentration and thus allows them maximum flexibility in choosing their two upper-division CIS Electives and their CIS Capstone Group course.

Computer Information Systems Capstone Group (any 4000-level CIS course excluding CIS 4050) (3 credits)
Upper-division CIS Electives (6 credits)

Option 2: CIS Degree with an Area of Concentration (9 credits)

This option requires students to declare one, and only one, area of concentration. The area of concentration chosen dictates the CIS electives the students take. In addition, students complete the same set of core CIS courses as in Option 1.

Select one of the following concentrations:

Senior Experience: 3 credits

MGT 4950 - Strategic Management Credits: 3 (this course is also required and counted in the Business Core)

Summary of Requirements

General Studies Requirement	33 credits
ESSJ Requirement	0-3 credits
College of Business Additional Requirements	7 credits
Business Core	45 credits
Major Requirements	33 credits
Senior Experience	(counted in business core)
Unrestricted Electives	0-14 credits
Total for the Computer Information Systems Major, B.S.	120 credits

Required courses for the major may also count for General Studies and ESSJ requirements, so the total credits listed may be greater than the number required to complete the degree. Therefore, it is important that you work with your advisor to make sure you are meeting requirements for your degree.