Carl Stucke, Coordinator, cstucke@gsu.edu
The Master of Science in Information Systems (M.S.I.S.) is designed to meet the needs of students who want to build a strong background in information systems and the application of information and communications technology in business.
In today's highly competitive global environment, the effective deployment of information technology has become the key to business success. New applications of information technology strike at the heart of what management does and how organizations are structured and compete. In many respects these applications are redefining the nature of work and its organization.
There is a continuing shortage of specialists and managers with the combination of business and technology skills needed to bring about this reshaping of international industries. The purpose of the Master of Science in Information Systems program is to produce graduates who are able to combine their general business knowledge with the latest information systems tools and techniques to enable organizations to compete strongly in the global marketplace. Graduates, through the use of concentrations in their programs of study, will be prepared for careers in a variety of areas such as information systems management, consulting, project management, health informatics, database management, business process design, systems development and mobile systems development.
Students in the M.S. I.S. program must choose one of the following five concentrations:
Information Systems Management: This concentration is intended to prepare students for executive careers in management of information systems functions, or management of organizations that involve intensive use of information technology, or a career in consulting that builds on expertise in the information systems area. This concentration is available as an executive program that can be completed in one year. Please see the appropriate section below for additional information.
Information Systems Development and Project Management: This concentration is intended to prepare students for leadership careers in the area of information systems development, information systems project management, information systems quality assurance and information systems integration.
The Wireless Organization: This concentration is intended to prepare students for careers as experts in the design or redesign of information systems or the encompassing organizations in order to lead these organizations to advantages derived from mobile information devices, wireless information systems, location-aware computing and ubiquitous computing strategies.
Health Informatics: This concentration is intended to prepare students for executive careers in the management of information resources in support of medical services and administration within the healthcare industry.
Information Systems Business Process Innovation: While not available yet, the department also expects to offer a concentration in information systems business process innovation. Please contact the department for further information.
1. All Master of Science in Information Systems students will complete the Business Communication Skills Requirement explained earlier in this chapter. The regulations, policies, and procedures given in the "Master's Enrollment" and "Master's Programs" sections of this chapter apply to the Master of Science in Information Systems students. A maximum of 12 hours of transfer credit is permitted in this 36-hour program.
2. Course Requirements. The course requirements for the Master of Science in Information Systems and the format of the program follow. Consult the Course Descriptions chapter for prerequisites to the graduate courses listed below. For descriptions and prerequisites of the undergraduate foundation courses, see the Course Descriptions chapter of the Georgia State University Undergraduate Catalog. This catalog is available on the web at www.gsu.edu; click on "Students," then "Catalogs."
a. Foundation Courses. The courses in this list are in addition to the 36 hours required for the degree. They are assigned as part of the admissions process based on a review of each student's transcripts. They can be exempted if equivalent course work has been previously completed with grades of C or higher.
Accounting: MBA 8025 or financial and managerial accounting principles (Acct 2101-2102).
Behavioral Science: MBA 8165 or both Management (Mgs 3400) and Marketing Principles (Mk 3010).
Economics: MBA 7035 or Microeconomics principles (Econ 2106).
Mathematics: College Algebra (Math 1111).
Statistics: MBA 7025 or Math 1070.
Programming: Two courses: CIS 3260 (C#) and CIS 3270 (Java).
b. Required Courses in Computer Information Systems (18 hours).
The requirements for CIS 8030, CIS 8040, and CIS 8050 may be waived with replacement credit upon approved evidence of accredited undergraduate coursework or equivalent transfer credit. Replacement credit for any or all waived courses must be selected from the 8000-level CIS courses. The purpose of allowing these waivers is to further enhance the flexibility provided to students in the Master of Science in Information Systems program.
c. Concentration (12 hours). Select one of the concentrations listed below to complete this section of the Master of Science in Information Systems program.
Information Systems Management:
Required for this concentration:
Suggested electives (Section D) to complement this concentration:
Information Systems Development and Project Management:
Required for this concentration:
Suggested electives (Section D) to complement this concentration:
The Wireless Organization:
Required for this concentration:
Suggested electives (Section D) to complement this concentration:
Health Informatics:
Required for this concentration:
Suggested electives (Section D) to complement this concentration:
The department is developing a concentration in Information Systems Business Process Innovation. Although not yet available, this concentration will include CIS courses covering topics such as business process analysis and modeling and process innovation technology. The concentration is also planned to include CIS 8090 (Enterprise Architecture), CIS 8060 (Supply Chain Management), and CIS 8670 (Enterprise Resource Planning Systems). Please contact the Department for further information on this concentration.
d. Electives (6 Hours). Note: elective hours may be higher if a student is able to "waive" any of the required courses stated in Section b. Electives may be selected from CIS 8000-level courses not already applied to the chosen program of study.
Thesis Option:
MSIS students have the option of writing a research-oriented thesis. This option is available for strong students wishing to advance their knowledge in a particular area of computer information systems. Approval for the thesis option by the Department of Computer Information Systems is required. Students approved for a thesis will register for the following:
Six hours of CIS elective credit approved by the faculty adviser.
A student opting for the thesis option must complete the directed readings with a graduate faculty member. The directed readings course must be used by the student to do preliminary research in preparation for thesis work and will be used by the course instructor to gauge the competence of the student to do independent research that is of value to the IS discipline. Approval to write the thesis will be contingent upon a positive recommendation by the course instructor to the Master's program coordinator and his/her willingness to be the thesis supervisor. Details about thesis supervision and related policies are available from the Department of Computer Information Systems.
3. Program of Study/Course Prerequisites. Each student's program must be planned in consultation with an M.S. faculty adviser in the Department of Computer Information Systems for approval by the M.S./I.S. coordinator before a non-required course is taken. Students may contact the department for the name of their faculty adviser and to schedule an appointment. A copy of the program will be filed with the Office of Graduate Student Services for review and approval. Progress toward the degree, including clearance for graduation, cannot be confirmed without an approved program of study. Any changes in the program must be approved by the faculty adviser and a copy of the changes sent to Office of Graduate Student Services. Students always must consult the Course Descriptions chapter of the current graduate catalog to determine if they have met the prerequisites for any course to be taken.
4. Time Limit. The time limit for completing the Master of Science in Information Systems is five years from the semester the first course in section B or C (above) is taken.
1. The Department of Computer Information Systems in the Robinson College of Business and the Department of Computer Science jointly offer a combined BS in Computer Science/MS in Information Systems program. The program is designed to take five years, at the end of which, a student will receive both a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a Master of Science in Information Systems. The graduate level coursework permits a choice of emphasis in Managing Information Technology or Information Systems Development. The program requires application. Please see the Computer Science undergraduate program for the complete description of this joint offering.
2. The Department of Computer Information Systems in the Robinson College of Business and the Department of Mathematics and Statistics jointly offer a combined BS in Mathematics/MS in Information Systems program. The program is designed to take five years, at the end of which, a student will receive both a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a Master of Science in Information Systems. The graduate level coursework permits a choice of emphasis in Managing Information Technology or Information Systems Development. The program requires application. Please see the Mathematics undergraduate program for the complete description of this joint offering.