Request to revise Management Information Systems major and minor

Date: May 20, 2010
To: Belk College of Business
From: Clarence Greene, Faculty Governance Administrative Assistant
Approved On: April 21, 2010
Implementation Date: 2010

Note: Deletions are strikethroughs. Insertions are underlined.

Catalog Copy

MAJOR IN MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS

The primary objective of the Management Information Systems (MIS) major is to prepare students for careers in the information systems function of organizations. The curriculum is designed to provide both technological and managerial knowledge relevant to the development and use of computer-based information systems.

To be accepted into the Management Information Systems major and to progress into the upper division of the College, a student must meet the Progression Requirements as previously stated in the PRE-ACCOUNTING, PRE-BUSINESS, and PRE-ECONOMICS section. The B.S.B.A. in Management Information Systems requires a minimum of 120 semester hours. In addition to the General Education requirements of the University and the Progression Requirements of the Belk College of Business (as previously stated in the PRE-ACCOUNTING, PRE-BUSINESS, and PRE-ECONOMICS section), the following courses are required: BLAW 3150; ECON 3125; FINN 3120; INFO 3130, 3229, 3231, 3233, 3234, 3240, and one MIS elective (see list below); MGMT 3140, 3160, and 3280; MKTG 3110; and OPER 3100. Students may attempt each of these 15 courses two times.

MIS Electives (Select one of the following courses):

  • ACCT 3340 Accounting Information Systems
  • INFO 3000 Topics in Management Information Systems
  • INFO 3211 Technical Support
  • INFO 3232 International Information Systems Management
  • INFO 3235 Advanced Business Information Systems Development
  • INFO 3236 Business Decision Support Systems
  • INFO 3238 Current Issues in the Management of Information Systems
  • INFO 3241 Audit, Control, and Security of Business Information Systems
  • INFO 3800 Directed Study
  • ITCS 3112 Design and Implementation of Object-Oriented Systems
  • ITCS 3155 Software Engineering
  • ITCS 3160 Database Design and Implementation
  • OPER 3203 Management Science
  • OPER 3204 Management of Service and Project Operations
  • OPER 3206 Managing for Quality

To obtain a B.S.B.A. in Management Information Systems, a student must meet the University requirements of a GPA of at least 2.0 overall and in the courses for the major. Students must earn a minimum grade of “C” in all required business classes for the major. When a student repeats a course, both the old grade and the new grade are included in the major and overall GPA. Courses repeated under the Grade Replacement Policy are excluded from the major GPA and overall computation. Students must also meet the Belk College of Business residency requirements as described in the UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS section.

MINOR IN MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS

The minor in Management Information Systems is designed to provide students who have an interest in business information systems with a broad foundation for integrating information technology techniques and concepts into their major field of study in business. The demand for business graduates who are knowledgeable about designing, planning, developing, managing, and evaluating of information systems continues to increase as the economy moves from a manufacturing to an information base. The demand for MIS professionals has increased dramatically during the past ten years and the trend is expected to continue. However, there is also an increase in the demand for management information systems professionals who have an in-depth understanding of the application domain and who can apply MIS concepts in contexts which are more specific to their major. Thus, professionals with a primary interest and expertise in marketing, health care, banking, finance, accounting, and management are being sought by business application-area specialists.

The focus of the minor in MIS is to impart a framework for understanding MIS and for utilizing its tools to the student’s major. The minor will offer graduates a competitive advantage in terms of the types of positions for which they qualify. Graduates of the program will be able to act as technical liaisons between MIS professionals and their “home” departments, as sales specialists for specialized software/applications systems, and as technical representatives.

The minor in MIS is directed not only at UNC Charlotte students majoring in business but also those majoring in other Colleges. The benefits of a minor in MIS include increased marketability in information-dependent firms in the public and private sector and the ability to leverage one’s major discipline with state-of-the-art computing knowledge. A key benefit of taking MIS classes is that students learn to effectively use technology in business settings.

A minor in Management Information Systems requires a minimum 15 semester hours (five courses) for students who have taken the business prerequisites listed below. Students must meet the University requirements of a GPA of at least 2.0 in the courses for the minor with a minimum grade of “C” earned. When a student repeats a course, both the old grade and the new grade are included in the minor and overall GPA. Courses repeated under the Grade Replacement Policy are excluded from the minor and overall GPA computation. Note: All Computer Science and Software and Information Systems majors will be exempted from INFO 2130. Other students with sufficient background can apply for Credit by Exam or exemption for INFO 2130. Students may attempt each of these 10 courses two times.

Prerequisites: ACCT 2121, 2122; ECON 2101, 2102; INFO 2130; MATH 1120; and STAT 1220

Required Courses:

  • INFO 3231 Business Application Development
  • INFO 3233 Business Database Systems

Select One Elective:

  • ACCT 3340 Accounting Information Systems
  • INFO 3000 Topics in Management Information Systems
  • INFO 3211 Technical Support
  • INFO 3229 Business Data Communications
  • INFO 3234 Business Info Systems Development
  • INFO 3235 Advanced Business Information Systems Development
  • INFO 3236 Decision Support Systems
  • INFO 3238 Current Issues in the Management of Information Systems
  • INFO 3240 eBusiness Systems
  • INFO 3241 Audit, Control, and Security of Business Information Systems

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS (INFO)

INFO 2130. Introduction to Business Computing. (3)Introduction of computer methods to solve business problems. Emphasis on understanding fundamental hardware and software concepts, selecting and using appropriate hardware and software needed for making various business decisions, and developing practical methods for using the computer to solve quantitative business problems. (May not be taken for upper-level credit in business, but may be taken for general University credit.) (Fall, Spring, Summer) (Evenings)

INFO 3000. Topics in Management Information Systems. (3)Prerequisite: INFO 3233 with a Cor better. Topics from the area of Management Information Systems. May be repeated for credit. (On demand)

INFO 3130. Management Information Systems. (3) Prerequisites: ACCT 2121, 2122; ECON 2101, 2102; MATH 1120; INFO 2130; STAT 1220; and Junior standing. Impact of information systems on management decision-making activities. Principles of the structure and analysis of information flows within an organization. Emphasis on database accumulation and generation, capabilities of information processing, system function (e.g., file creation, report generation, etc.) and evaluation and modification of information systems. (Fall, Spring, Summer) (Evenings)

INFO 3200.Foundations in Business Computing. (3) Introduction to computer systems in business with emphasis on the capabilities of computer systems (hardware & software) and skills needed to effectively use computerized decision tools for typical business problems. (Cannot be taken for credit toward any undergraduate degree within the Belk College of Business.) (On demand)

INFO 3211. Technical Support. (3) A study of technical support and help desk concepts. Emphasis on building skill sets in diagnosing and solving user and software related problems. Topics include support management techniques, help desk operations, and support performance evaluation. (On demand)

INFO 3229. Business Data Communications. (3)Prerequisites: INFO 2130 or permission of the department. A study of the current and potential impact of computer data communications technologies on business operations and productivity. Topics include identifying the need for and designing, planning and implementing of system solutions in such areas as text preparation and dissemination, document storage and retrieval, data communication technologies, telecommuting and teleconferencing, data communication networks, messaging and scheduling. (Fall, Spring)

INFO 3231. Business Applications Development. (3) Prerequisites: ACCT 2121, 2122; ECON 2101, 2102; INFO 2130; MATH 1120; STAT 1220; and junior standing or permission of the department. A study in the development of business applications software. Course emphasizes graphical user interface development using object-oriented, event-driven programming methods and techniques with a high-level development tool such as Visual Basic or Java. (Fall, Spring)

INFO 3232. International Information Systems Management. (3)Prerequisite: INFO3130 or permission of the department. Study of issues and challenges relating to International Information Systems. Topics include: planning and strategic implications of using global information systems and technology; management of global information flows; and, the problems of integrating technology, systems, and people across the globe. (On demand)

INFO 3233. Business Database Systems. (3)Pre- or corequisite: INFO 3231 with a C or better, or permission of the department. A study of the effective management and utilization of organizational data resources in order to design and implement database management systems (DBMS) for business applications. Exploration of basic concepts of database systems and use of the computer to build and manipulate corporate databases. (Fall, Spring)

INFO 3234. Business Information Systems Development. (3)Prerequisites: INFO 3231 and INFO 3233 with aC or better, or permission of the department. Examination of the systems development process from the perspective of the systems analyst to provide an understanding of concepts, processes and techniques as they are applied to the systems development life cycle. Emphasis on the use of structured and object-oriented techniques to manage the complexities involved in the analysis phase of systems development. (Fall, Spring)

INFO 3235. Advanced Business Information Systems Development. (3)Prerequisites: INFO 3234 with aC or better. Development of Business Information Systems. Emphasis on the development of computer applications as products of the systems development life cycle including the design and implementation phases of systems development, as accomplished through a major class project. (On demand)

INFO 3236. Business Decision Support Systems. (3)Prerequisites: INFO 3231, INFO 3233, and OPER 3100 or permission of the department. A study of the application of the computer to middle and upper-level management processes to provide computer skills needed to implement such applications. Reading, discussion, and hands‑on computer projects. (On demand)

INFO 3238. Current Issues in The Management of Information Systems. (3) Prerequisites: INFO 3l30, MGMT 3140 or permission of the department. Information systems and the management of information in an organization to provide exposure to the decision challenges presented to the corporate manager by the rapid development of information technology and to suggest useful constructs for dealing with them. An integrated, interactive approach to decision making. (On demand)

INFO 3240. eBusiness Systems. (3) Prerequisite or corequisite: INFO 3234 or permission of the department. A study of the evolving information technologies facilitating electronic business (eBusiness) and the business practices and strategies used to compete in the new wired global marketplace. Topics include the infrastructure for eBusiness, new business strategies and models, web design, and management strategies, and an exploration of a variety of technologies involved in eBusiness. (Fall, Spring)

INFO 3241. Audit, Control, and Security of Business Information Systems. (3) Prerequisites: INFO 3130 with a C or better and ACCT 3340 OR corequisites INFO 3233 and INFO 3229 OR permission of the department. This course examines the role of information systems in supporting risk management objectives of organizations. Auditing of information systems, control objectives or information systems, and related concepts involving security and privacy will be examined. (On demand)

INFO 3500. Cooperative Education and 49ership Experience. (0) Enrollment in this course is required for the department’s cooperative education and 49ership students during any semester they are working in a position.. Acceptance into the Experiential Learning Program by the University Career Center is required. Participating students pay a course registration fee for transcript notation (49ership and co-op) and receive full-time student status (co-op only). Assignments must be arranged and approved in advance. Course may be repeated; evaluation is Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory. Only open to undergraduate students; Graduate level students are encouraged to contact their academic departments to inquire about academic or industrial internship options for credit. For more information, contact the University Career Center. (Spring, Summer, Fall)

INFO 3800. Directed Study. (1‑6)Prerequisites: Permission of the department and junior standing. Enrollment granted only by permission of the faculty with whom the work will be performed. The student’s work assignments will be designed by the student and faculty member who will oversee the project of study. The credit hours will be determined prior to enrollment and will be based on the particular project undertaken. (On demand)